Engagement is one of the most prevalent parts of teaching and it is something I am always striving to improve and expand on. I know when my students are not engaged and then they are not learning. I am always looking for new ways to engage my students in all subjects. I know the importance of engagement and focus my instruction on that everyday.
Looking at the AGAPE framework and our work around this, I have been able to focus on each of these through the semesters with my students. Now that we are in our last semester, I have been able to tie all of these pieces in the Agape framework together in which they work hand-in-hand. This framework has helped me focus my teaching and better my students.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Monday, December 9, 2013
Whole Brain Teaching
As a part of an effective classroom management system I have consistently used a practice called Whole Brain Teaching in my classroom this year. I learned of this practice from a colleague a few years ago and since then I have implemented various techniques from WBT into my classroom. This year I was committed to implementing all aspects of it which has resulted in positive outcomes in my classroom.
My students have responded well to this practice. It involves a lot of responses from my students out loud as a group to keep the whole class on track. It also involves all students working together to earn rewards as a class for positive behavior as a class.
When learning new concepts and ideas I incorporate a lot of hand gestures to help them remember these concepts. I then use a method where they have to teach their partner with the hand gestures what the new concept is. This has been really helpful with my students and some of the tricky concepts that come up in 5th grade.
Whole Brain Teaching has several components and steps to implement this into your classroom effectively. I strongly recommend looking at the website to help you with this process.
I am so glad I have committed to implement all parts of WBT in my classroom. It really makes a difference for my class and their behavior this year.
My students have responded well to this practice. It involves a lot of responses from my students out loud as a group to keep the whole class on track. It also involves all students working together to earn rewards as a class for positive behavior as a class.
When learning new concepts and ideas I incorporate a lot of hand gestures to help them remember these concepts. I then use a method where they have to teach their partner with the hand gestures what the new concept is. This has been really helpful with my students and some of the tricky concepts that come up in 5th grade.
Whole Brain Teaching has several components and steps to implement this into your classroom effectively. I strongly recommend looking at the website to help you with this process.
I am so glad I have committed to implement all parts of WBT in my classroom. It really makes a difference for my class and their behavior this year.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Backwards Design
Backwards Design involves planning a lesson backwards or looking at the assessment first rather than how you are going to teach it. Majority of my college courses focused on this so when I started this program, I found the aspects of backwards design quite easy.
It makes complete sense to have the assessment piece first, so that as teachers we can know exactly what we are going to assess our students on and what we want them to know. I feel that backwards design is really becoming a part of the daily routine at my school being that we are using a standards based report card for the first time this year. Because of this change, we need to have assessments that correlate directly with our report card and we are in the process of creating common assessments in all subject matters. With this process and having all of our assessments designated for each subject area, we are using the assessments to plan our instruction and how we are going to teach it. This process makes so much sense and I can't imagine how to teach without backwards design.
It makes complete sense to have the assessment piece first, so that as teachers we can know exactly what we are going to assess our students on and what we want them to know. I feel that backwards design is really becoming a part of the daily routine at my school being that we are using a standards based report card for the first time this year. Because of this change, we need to have assessments that correlate directly with our report card and we are in the process of creating common assessments in all subject matters. With this process and having all of our assessments designated for each subject area, we are using the assessments to plan our instruction and how we are going to teach it. This process makes so much sense and I can't imagine how to teach without backwards design.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Action Research Abstract
My current action research is around whether ability grouping during literacy instruction improves student's reading scores compared to only using whole group instruction. I have to keep all 31 of my homeroom students for literacy instruction in my room. With so many reading levels and abilities, I have formed 6 reading groups based on assessment data from the beginning of the year. I have a weekly schedule for how many times I meet with each group based on their learning needs in reading. I will still be teaching some whole group lessons or a mini lesson in reading to the whole group weekly. To measure student's progress in reading in regards to whole group instruction and small ability group instruction I will use assessment in whole group as well as the small groups and then compare them. I will use my observations, MAP scores, and daily work to evaluate progress in reading. I am hoping that my small group instruction each day will improve my student reading achievement scores.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Presence
This semester, we are focusing on presence in the A.G.A.P.E. framework. Presence means creating and developing the inner self as the source of caring and meaningful relationships and the willingness to value and maintain relationships that are formed. It is also the feeling ad knowledge that someone is not only visible but they are a part of the group and contribute to the well-being of others.
This is very important for me especially in my classroom. I know my students rely on me for many things and if they are not comfortable in my classroom, then they will not seek out help from me. As we have started the school year I focus a lot on community building especially in our morning meeting. I make sure to take the time each morning for our morning meeting where students can share in a safe environment and create relationships with their peers. I also know that by creating this strong community in the beginning of the school year and maintaining it throughout allows my students to learn in a better environment.
As we approach the 4th semester at St. Mary's this is also important with the individuals I am going through this program with. We have created a community where we know each other and are comfortable with each other which then allows us to share our thoughts and ideas and benefits our learning. We support each other by listening and contributing to the group. This is important to making our weekends together successful.
This is very important for me especially in my classroom. I know my students rely on me for many things and if they are not comfortable in my classroom, then they will not seek out help from me. As we have started the school year I focus a lot on community building especially in our morning meeting. I make sure to take the time each morning for our morning meeting where students can share in a safe environment and create relationships with their peers. I also know that by creating this strong community in the beginning of the school year and maintaining it throughout allows my students to learn in a better environment.
As we approach the 4th semester at St. Mary's this is also important with the individuals I am going through this program with. We have created a community where we know each other and are comfortable with each other which then allows us to share our thoughts and ideas and benefits our learning. We support each other by listening and contributing to the group. This is important to making our weekends together successful.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Circles of Self Reflection
Last month, during class we did a very interesting activity called the circle of self. First, we were instructed to write down five words that define or make up who we are. I chose fiance, sister, teacher, daughter, and friend. This was a fairly easy task. We then were told to get rid of two in which I chose daughter and teacher. This was really hard but I got rid of these because I was looking at the future and what roles were the most important in my life. Then, we had to get rid of a third one. This was even more difficult but I took away friend. Lastly, we were told to get rid of one more which would leave us with just one word that defines us. I was left with sister and fiance. My sister and I are very close but I ended up with keeping fiancé. He is my future and what makes me the person I am today. This activity really made me think about myself and the roles I have and the importance that each identity has for me.
I think that this activity could be beneficial for some of my students to do but they would definitely have a different perspective on it compared to me. My 5th graders would have words that reflect highly on their social life perhaps and their peers rather than family and other things. I think I could modify this activity a little bit to make this a worthwhile and self-discovery lesson for my students.
This activity allowed me to see again how important my identity and role is in so many situations but at the same time I know how wrapped up I can get in just one of those and then I am not balancing them. With the start of another busy school year upon us, I need to realize what an equal balance is between these identities and where I need to dedicate my time to.
I think that this activity could be beneficial for some of my students to do but they would definitely have a different perspective on it compared to me. My 5th graders would have words that reflect highly on their social life perhaps and their peers rather than family and other things. I think I could modify this activity a little bit to make this a worthwhile and self-discovery lesson for my students.
This activity allowed me to see again how important my identity and role is in so many situations but at the same time I know how wrapped up I can get in just one of those and then I am not balancing them. With the start of another busy school year upon us, I need to realize what an equal balance is between these identities and where I need to dedicate my time to.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Holonomy
After reading an article around holonomy and cognitive coaching, there were a few key points to reflect on.
1. Define holonomy.
After reading this article, I would describe holonomy as the ability to work independently in a successful way where goal setting, self- direction, and self monitoring are visible but when things aren't going right an individual reaches out to other team members or groups for support to improve their ways. This means that they are not working on their own with only their own ideas but they have that independent confidence in their work but are also open to collaboration and new ideas in order to better their work and achieve success within their goals.
2. How does holonomy agree or disagree with what you have learned or what you have done so far in this program?
I feel that this program focuses a lot on this idea of holonomy in which we are becoming a better teacher because of this idea. This program has allowed me to develop new ideas of my own stemming from the work that we do and set goals for myself. With these new ideas we are collaborating with different groups on the weekends in order to perfect and modify ideas. With this process and a large focus on reflection we are able to gain new ideas from others and reflect on the work we are doing in this program. All components of holonomy and this program have helped me to achieve success in many areas of my teaching.
3.) Are any parts of holonomy more important than the others? Why or why not?
When looking at the five different parts of holonomy and their importance I cannot say that certain parts are more important than the others. The idea of a holonomous person is a well-rounded person who possesses all five states of mind in order to achieve this state of holonomy. Flexibility, efficacy, craftsmanship, interdependence, and consciousness are all intertwined together in which individuals must have a balance between in order to achieve holonomy. Even though some of those states of minds might be strong and weak points for various individuals, they all have to be present and balanced.
4.) Explain each state of mind and how it applies to you as a teacher in your classroom.
Efficacy- making conscious attempts to achieve success while being aware that hard work and effort make a difference.
I think this is a quality that teachers internally have for the most part. I go to work everyday with my students being my first and foremost priority. I am there to better them as individuals and make a difference in their lives. With this as my main focus, I am developing ideas and lessons regarding my students and it is clear to the outside that I am committed to making a difference in the lives of my children through the work that I do. As problems come up, I keep this focus in mind to work through the challenges and use my resources for help.
Flexibility- being open to new ideas and perspectives as well as changing when needed.
This is a huge quality in teaching that teachers are constantly working towards. I make sure that I am modeling flexibility for my students to help with schedule changes and classroom management. It is also the idea of working with teams and groups of people and being open to their ideas and perspectives it order to better ourselves. I am always trying to take other perspectives and look through a different lens. Situations arise all the time when I am making sure to be flexible.
Craftsmanship- being proud of your own work and striving to better yourself.
I am always using resources and tools to perfect my way of teaching. I take advantage of workshops or trainings when they come up to better myself in my career of teaching. I also take time to reflect and celebrate my own accomplishments in my career.
Consciousness- being aware of what is going on around you and improving situations from reflective work.
As a teacher I am always conscious of my students and the way I am teaching. This is something that I do all day which then determines what I am doing next in my classroom. This is also something that I teach my students and what it looks like to monitor their own progress.
Interdependence- the act of working together to achieve a common goal.
I work with my students to achieve interdependence by achieving learning targets that are set forth. I also work together with my grade level, PLC team, and administration on a daily basis to achieve one common goal by using the correct resources and collaborating with these teams.
1. Define holonomy.
After reading this article, I would describe holonomy as the ability to work independently in a successful way where goal setting, self- direction, and self monitoring are visible but when things aren't going right an individual reaches out to other team members or groups for support to improve their ways. This means that they are not working on their own with only their own ideas but they have that independent confidence in their work but are also open to collaboration and new ideas in order to better their work and achieve success within their goals.
2. How does holonomy agree or disagree with what you have learned or what you have done so far in this program?
I feel that this program focuses a lot on this idea of holonomy in which we are becoming a better teacher because of this idea. This program has allowed me to develop new ideas of my own stemming from the work that we do and set goals for myself. With these new ideas we are collaborating with different groups on the weekends in order to perfect and modify ideas. With this process and a large focus on reflection we are able to gain new ideas from others and reflect on the work we are doing in this program. All components of holonomy and this program have helped me to achieve success in many areas of my teaching.
3.) Are any parts of holonomy more important than the others? Why or why not?
When looking at the five different parts of holonomy and their importance I cannot say that certain parts are more important than the others. The idea of a holonomous person is a well-rounded person who possesses all five states of mind in order to achieve this state of holonomy. Flexibility, efficacy, craftsmanship, interdependence, and consciousness are all intertwined together in which individuals must have a balance between in order to achieve holonomy. Even though some of those states of minds might be strong and weak points for various individuals, they all have to be present and balanced.
4.) Explain each state of mind and how it applies to you as a teacher in your classroom.
Efficacy- making conscious attempts to achieve success while being aware that hard work and effort make a difference.
I think this is a quality that teachers internally have for the most part. I go to work everyday with my students being my first and foremost priority. I am there to better them as individuals and make a difference in their lives. With this as my main focus, I am developing ideas and lessons regarding my students and it is clear to the outside that I am committed to making a difference in the lives of my children through the work that I do. As problems come up, I keep this focus in mind to work through the challenges and use my resources for help.
Flexibility- being open to new ideas and perspectives as well as changing when needed.
This is a huge quality in teaching that teachers are constantly working towards. I make sure that I am modeling flexibility for my students to help with schedule changes and classroom management. It is also the idea of working with teams and groups of people and being open to their ideas and perspectives it order to better ourselves. I am always trying to take other perspectives and look through a different lens. Situations arise all the time when I am making sure to be flexible.
Craftsmanship- being proud of your own work and striving to better yourself.
I am always using resources and tools to perfect my way of teaching. I take advantage of workshops or trainings when they come up to better myself in my career of teaching. I also take time to reflect and celebrate my own accomplishments in my career.
Consciousness- being aware of what is going on around you and improving situations from reflective work.
As a teacher I am always conscious of my students and the way I am teaching. This is something that I do all day which then determines what I am doing next in my classroom. This is also something that I teach my students and what it looks like to monitor their own progress.
Interdependence- the act of working together to achieve a common goal.
I work with my students to achieve interdependence by achieving learning targets that are set forth. I also work together with my grade level, PLC team, and administration on a daily basis to achieve one common goal by using the correct resources and collaborating with these teams.
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