A site worth checking out

This is actually a video streaming web site, were your district can pay a fee and join so you have access to a vast library of videos. These videos are organized by grade level and content areas, and they are ready to be viewed without timely downloading and storage. (United Streaming.com) I hope you find this useful.

Course Reflection

Realizing how little I knew about technology and the internet, then understanding how much I could actually do and understand (with a struggle) was the portion of this class that worked for me. I still have much to learn, but I may have broken through a few barriers that had limited me before this class.
The understanding by design assignment was fun, and my students seemed to really enjoy the lesson. The concept of big ideas and essential questions were confusing at first, especially when associating them to math concepts. Looking at the big idea as an application of how the math skill can be used in the real world and the essential questions are developed to stimulate critical thinking on how the skill can be used to help solve problems in every day life allowed me to implement these concepts into my math lessons. Having the students to understand math through real world experiences may give relevance to the skill and result in true mastery of that skill. This ability to problem solve is in fact our primary goal as math teachers.
Change is not always good, but we do know that change will always come about when people are not happy. As an administrator, I hope to observe and analyze trends and make adjustments and modifications as they are needed. I don't believe that changes should be drastic unless absolutely necessary in situations such as safety or security. Improving how students learn by providing an environment that is safe and conducive to learning would be one of my primary goals. Preparing these students for the future would perhaps be my biggest challenge. After taking this class, I'm not sure that any education system is equipped to adequately prepare our students with all the skills and tools necessary to succeed in the 21st century.

Middle School

The city of Orange is perhaps the most impoverished community in the state of New Jersey. Orange Middle School houses 600 students, where 9 out of 10 come from low income homes. Because of the regulations developed by NCLB, Orange Middle School has been directed to develop new methods and strategies to improve the scores of its failing students.
OMS developed 5 smaller learning communities to help build relationships and establish a sense of community within the school. Teachers within these learning communities meet twice a week , this allows the teachers to develop a stronger curriculum through inter disciplinary units. It also gives the teachers some feedback on individual students and perhaps opportunities to develop strategies on how to help these students to succeed.
The school's administrators and teachers are working together to improve the level of student interest and establish a safe learning environment in an area where violence and crime are evident. The teachers appear to be motivated and their enthusiasm will eventually spread amongst the students.
Some suggestions would be the development of after school programs. These programs could include subject tutoring or club and sports activities. This would help improve social and intellectual development by allowing the students peer interaction, belonging to a group, and recognition for their achievements. Performing some acts of community service would not only improve their moral development, but help them to improve their own world.

Curriculum Mapping

The purpose of curriculum mapping is to improve instruction, and to establish a level of consistency on what is being taught at each grade level. The concept of curriculum mapping engages the teachers in the development of the curriculum and allows them the opportunity to collaborate on how the material will be implemented and assessed.Working together as a district(K-12) allows the curriculum to flow,and develop into an efficient and effective educational program.
My previous district was one of four schools sending to a regional 7-12 secondary program. Department (subject) representatives from each of the four schools would meet a few times a year to discuss the curriculum. Representatives from the middle school would meet with us to share their concerns about what the students needed to become more prepared for grade 7. The first year that this program was developed , took time and effort but was very successful. The students from all four schools were better prepared and it allowed each district a better foundation for mapping the curriculum K-6 and establishing accountability to each teacher so that material was covered throughout the year. This also allowed for more opportunities to communicate with fellow teachers to develop creative instructional methods and ideas.
There are times when the curriculum needs to be modified to be in line with the "standards" and meet the needs of the students.It is advantageous to modify the curriculum periodically, rather than having a major overhaul. The adjustment is easier on everyone this way, but it requires more communication to become effective.

Online Classes

I had difficulty with the first online assignment primarily , because I wasn't prepared for the amount of time needed to complete the assignment. My time, like all of you, was very limited and I felt stressed and a little frustrated working online. As we moved on ,I felt that I was able to make adjustments and pace myself a little better, but time was still a factor. The experience was good and it appears that this is an example of what education in the future (near future) will become. I wish I had the time to explore the computer and the internet more often, it is a great tool!

How did the Lesson go ?

I introduced this lesson to my 7th grade class during a geometry unit iof our math curriculum.The lesson went well, the students appeared to enjoy measuring and planning the decorating process of their own rooms. The students stayed on task and engaged in discussions as they worked in groups calculating and making decisions on materials that they will be using. I was impressed with the questions that appeared to lead to a higher order thought process. The students appeared to enjoy working on a project that they could connect to, one student told me that he was going to actually refurbish his room.

Understanding by Design

Stage 1 - Desired Results
Mathematics grade-7

Established Goals:
CCCS 4.2 -E (Measuring Geometric Objects)
* Develop and apply strategies for finding perimeter and area

Understandings:
Students will understand that...
* the concept of area and perimeter is useful in many professions
* many home projects utilize area and perimeter concepts

Essential Questions:
* Explain the concept of area.
* Explain the concept of perimeter.
* What are some professions that utilize area and perimeter in their jobs?
* How can homeowners utilize area and perimeter concepts?

Students will know...
* how to calculate area of geometric shapes by using proven formulas.
* how to calculate perimeter of geometric shapes.

Students will be able to ...
* identify the difference between area and perimeter.
* determine the area and perimeter of geometric shapes.
* solve real life problems using area and perimeter concepts.

Stage 2 - Assessment Evidence

Performance Task :
* Students will be given a real- world situation that requires them to refurbish a room. They will have to measure the room and make decisions on purchasing materials and the amounts needed to complete the job.
* The students will display their results and explain how they came to their conclusions. ( results should be efficient)

Other Evidence:
* Have students assess their own results and determine if their measurements, calculations, and decisions were accurate.
* Have students identify situations at home and in their own lives were they can utilize these concepts of area and perimeter.( assign for homework)
* Give quizzes and tests that test their knowledge and understanding. ( spiraling this mathematical concept throughout the school year will help in the mastery of the concept of area and perimeter)

Stage 3 -Learning Plan

Learning Activities:
* Identify with the students, parts of the classroom that represent area and those that represent perimeter.
* Have the students measure their own rooms and plan to refurbish it with paint, carpeting, and molding. Supply the students with a materials list that includes paint prices and coverage per gallon, carpet costs with padding( carpeting is generally sold by the square yard),and molding costs per linear foot. Allow the students to determine how much of each material they would need and then calculate the total cost of the project.(results should be as efficient as possible)
* Students working in small heterogeneous groups will help all of the students in the understanding of the skills and concepts.

Reflection:
Understanding by Design allows the instructor to have a checklist for each lesson to ensure that all components of a genuine learning experience exists. This model is similar to Madeline Hunter's model for lesson plans. I liked the "essential question" concept, and how it provokes a higher order of thinking. These types of questions engage the students in thinking about what they are learning and how they can apply this knowledge to personal experiences. Making that connection to a real world experience gives relevance to the learning process.
The lesson design is similar to what I implement into my lessons, so this was comfortable for me to create for my own classroom instruction. The students appeared to enjoy the lesson, and many thought provoking questions developed amongst the groups as they attempted to complete the project.The students were engaged and appeared to enjoy the process of refurbishing there own rooms. Some students told me that they were going to Home Depot to buy the materials to actually paint there room.