http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2010/0224/Trendy-doesn-t-work-in-middle-school-education-study-finds
I know technically we're done blogging, but I came across this article and had to post it, just in case anyone out there is still reading!
It sort of hilariously comes down on a lot of the things our textbook has been religiously advocating. It seems that a study was conducted, and "trendy" things such as organizational structures, interdisciplinary teams, and small learning communities actually make very little difference in student test scores. At least not without good instructional practice being in place as well. What DID work, it was concluded, was an emphasis on college-and-career readiness standards, teacher accountability, identifying at-risk students and administering interventions early, and a strong reliance on data to set goals. However, the study makes no mention of the effect on these "trendy" gimmicks on students' affective development, which seemed to be the main priority for our textbook authors.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Routines, Routines!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011
Routines, Routines!
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.offthemarkcartoons.com/cartoons/2005-02-06.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.offthemark.com/search-results/key/middle%2Bschools&usg=__RpX9-TyRYM9WuIbEUOSHJfLkMkU=&h=252&w=504&sz=46&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=2LX5XT5sI389-M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=183&ei=RzQLTp_sNYSUtwejrt11&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmiddle%2Bschool%2Bcartoons%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D595%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=879&vpy=275&dur=7194&hovh=159&hovw=318&tx=163&ty=98&page=1&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0&biw=1366&bih=595
So sorry for the long address. I tried to copy paste the picture, but it wouldn't allow me.
I've struggled for almost a week now trying to find the perfect cartoon for my blog post. It has been very difficult. After much searching, I finally came across one that I thought I could connect to the TWB characteristics.
In this cartoon, it is very obvious that there has been a fire drill in the classroom, and that the regular teacher wasn't there for the drill. Someone chose to exit the building for the drill via the window!
So, how does this relate to TWB characteristics you ask? Well, it is totally opposite. There is nothing in this cartoon that would make the school environment inviting or safe. If this characteristic could have gone more in debt, I feel that routines and expectations would fit in here, with also a joyful community that promotes in-depth learning and enhances students' physical and emotional well-being. It's so important to start each year off being very explicit and up front about teacher expectations and establishing those routines and procedures day after day. As a first year teacher this past year, I struggled and let off too soon, and lost some of the routines that I'd worked so hard to establish in the beginning of the year.
So, again, for a safe environment to promote students' physical well-being, get those routines and procedures established. Exit via classroom window doesn't work too well for fire drills. And, you never know who is going to be in your room during that drill...it may not be you!!
Routines, Routines!
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.offthemarkcartoons.com/cartoons/2005-02-06.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.offthemark.com/search-results/key/middle%2Bschools&usg=__RpX9-TyRYM9WuIbEUOSHJfLkMkU=&h=252&w=504&sz=46&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=2LX5XT5sI389-M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=183&ei=RzQLTp_sNYSUtwejrt11&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmiddle%2Bschool%2Bcartoons%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D595%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=879&vpy=275&dur=7194&hovh=159&hovw=318&tx=163&ty=98&page=1&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0&biw=1366&bih=595
So sorry for the long address. I tried to copy paste the picture, but it wouldn't allow me.
I've struggled for almost a week now trying to find the perfect cartoon for my blog post. It has been very difficult. After much searching, I finally came across one that I thought I could connect to the TWB characteristics.
In this cartoon, it is very obvious that there has been a fire drill in the classroom, and that the regular teacher wasn't there for the drill. Someone chose to exit the building for the drill via the window!
So, how does this relate to TWB characteristics you ask? Well, it is totally opposite. There is nothing in this cartoon that would make the school environment inviting or safe. If this characteristic could have gone more in debt, I feel that routines and expectations would fit in here, with also a joyful community that promotes in-depth learning and enhances students' physical and emotional well-being. It's so important to start each year off being very explicit and up front about teacher expectations and establishing those routines and procedures day after day. As a first year teacher this past year, I struggled and let off too soon, and lost some of the routines that I'd worked so hard to establish in the beginning of the year.
So, again, for a safe environment to promote students' physical well-being, get those routines and procedures established. Exit via classroom window doesn't work too well for fire drills. And, you never know who is going to be in your room during that drill...it may not be you!!
Technology and Middle School Works Hand in Hand
http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/using-technology-to-motivate-middle-school-students
When looking for an article I wanted to focus on the use of technology in the classroom. This article does just that; and does an excellent job of explaining why technology is so important and several ways to use technology. One of the ways listed is through the use of webquest which I learned about through this assignment and truly enjoyed learning about. When teachers use technology it shows they value young adolescents which is a characteristic of TWB. They value their students by teaching through methods that will interest young middle schoolers. In the article, active learning, challenging curriculum, and multiple learning approaches, several of the TWB characteristic under Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, are mentioned word for word. I definitely agree that technology can do all these thing and more. It motivates the students because it allows the students to be an individual and complete an assignment or participate in class in his/her own unique way. The teachers are satisfied because the concept is be learned and the student is satisfied because they get to express themselves. Also the use of technology allows for assessment to be varied. It is not the usually pencil and paper which all students are not the best at. The use of a portfolio as mentioned in the article, can be used as a assessment tool. So much is available through the use of technology that can motivate middle school students by incorporating their interests through challenging, creative, real-life application, and active instruction; this article is just the beginning.
When looking for an article I wanted to focus on the use of technology in the classroom. This article does just that; and does an excellent job of explaining why technology is so important and several ways to use technology. One of the ways listed is through the use of webquest which I learned about through this assignment and truly enjoyed learning about. When teachers use technology it shows they value young adolescents which is a characteristic of TWB. They value their students by teaching through methods that will interest young middle schoolers. In the article, active learning, challenging curriculum, and multiple learning approaches, several of the TWB characteristic under Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, are mentioned word for word. I definitely agree that technology can do all these thing and more. It motivates the students because it allows the students to be an individual and complete an assignment or participate in class in his/her own unique way. The teachers are satisfied because the concept is be learned and the student is satisfied because they get to express themselves. Also the use of technology allows for assessment to be varied. It is not the usually pencil and paper which all students are not the best at. The use of a portfolio as mentioned in the article, can be used as a assessment tool. So much is available through the use of technology that can motivate middle school students by incorporating their interests through challenging, creative, real-life application, and active instruction; this article is just the beginning.
The Tempered Radical: Maybe Not So Tempered, But Way Awesome
*Making up for the duplicate blog post I dad waaaay back at the beginning of the course, when Sunny and I inadvertently found the same blog
I was originally drawn to this blog because of its title, and was sucked in almost immediately by the quality of the rants. Yes, much of the content here could be classified as rants; Bill Ferriter, the author of the blog, is intensely passionate about what he sees as the important issues in education today. While firey, much of what he says has an undeniable base in common sense. He writes in response to educational policy-makers as an educator in the trenches, and makes a pretty passionate case for what most educators, in my experience, all seem to agree on.
There are many posts worth noting. Some of the most satisfactory are the pieces on testing and how it is destroying our schools. I found myself nodding along at each posting. He also has several pieces on integrating technology effectively, something that he doesn’t think is happening in schools these days. Read his post titled “Why are we STILL wasting money on Whiteboards?” for an eye-opening look at technology for technology’s sake (he hates Smart Boards; he sees them as an expensive waste of time that encourages teacher-centric lessons, when you could purchase a set of class Netbooks or iTouches for a comparable price). In “Rethikning Teacher Professional Development” (timely, considering the topic of chapter 8), he outlines an innovative approach to PD that capitalizes on what teachers know and are interested in. In his model, called edcamps, a group of teachers comes together, posts topics that they would feel comfortable leading a discussion on (such as teaching middle school science, or ways to integrate art into the classroom), and then everyone signs up for the sessions they are interested in. He encourages extending this model into the school itself, in PLCs that could meet weekly if not every day. This as opposed to frog-marching teachers through programmed, expert-driven lectures that don’t always have a lot to do with your day-to-day practice.
Mr. Ferriter’s philosophy is in accordance with This We Believe in the sense that he encapsulates the attribute of leaders being committed to and knowledgeable about this age group, educational research, and best practices. He is demonstrably knowledgeable, and in addition, passionate. He also demonstrates courage and collaboration (read his post on “How PLCs Changed My Practice”), and describes an incident in which he disagreed with his principal on a best-practice issue and was written up for it rather than sacrificing his principles. He clearly makes every effort to make his curriculum challenging, exploratory, integrative, and relevant by his emphasis on technology. In the whiteboard post, he demonstrates his knowledge here, describing the use of LiveScribe pens, Netbooks, iTouches, and Voice Threads (some of which I had never even heard of). Check him out if you want to get fired up about your practice. I’m planning on subscribing to his blog from here on out.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Reality Matters: Cruel Schools: Bullying and Violence
http://www.cosmeo.com/videoTitle.cfm?guidAssetId=4550055a-5cae-4ba2-a0f9-526e9627d485
This is the video I was referring to in our chat earlier this morning. If anyone from the other groups reads this, we were discussing the need for safety in the full-service middle school, particularly bullying and its consequences. I mentioned a video from United Streaming that my school showed that discusses bullying and gun violence. It is aimed at grades 6 through 8, and is very graphic in some places.
It tells the stories of several kids who were involved in real-life school shootings because they were bullied and picked on. It presents violence as the eventual outcome of school bullying. It also has shows students and educators having very frank discussions about bullying and gun violence in their schools. It fits within the scope of This We Believe in that it is meant to promote a school culture that is inviting, safe, inclusive, and supportive of all. But I would be extremely hesitant to show it again to students before maybe the second semester of sixth grade. I showed it at the end of fifth grade, after a year of some truly merciless bullying, and by the end my kids were owl-eyed and slack-jawed, like they were staring at a car wreck they couldn’t look away from. Although I did hear one of my worst bullies call out, “Why didn’t you show us this sooner?!” at the end, which I thought was very telling; his fear meant he was aware of the climate that had built up in our school from all the bullying and teasing.
The full video is available on Discovery Education’s United Streaming service, which you need a subscription to access. If you have a subscription, just go to the search feature and type in the title of the video- Reality Matters: Cruel Schools: Bullying and Violence.
If you do not have a subscription, the first link will take you to a website that has posted the first segment of the video, about 5 minutes total, for free. It gives a good overview of what the video discusses. Or, you could try the second link, which will let you sign up for a free trial and view the video that way. I believe you could see the whole thing that way. Either way, be warned: it’s very PG-13!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Lunch Time Leaders
http://lunchtimeleaders.podbean.com/
I was amazed with this podcast. I had no idea what a podcat was until I started doing my research. I must say, I'm thrilled beyond words with the new 'savy' technology vocabulary I've learned through this course, go me!
So, this blog takes a look at not only community leaders, but leaders bigger than the community. Not only does Moran Middle School feel the need to stick 'with their state' but they talk with people in other states as well.
State troopers, governors, authors, lawyers, fire fighters, doctors, psychologist, and tons more people are interviewed in this interesting podcast. I thought this went above and beyond the TWB characteristic of involving community and business partners. All of these very well respected people interviewed on this podcast share their opinions about what students should do to be fully prepared for their future. Several different careers are represented here, from totally different ends of the spectrum. This podcast didn't focus on one and only one way to go, but showed several different successful people all around the world.
I LOVED about this podcast that almost any occupation you could think of was in some way recognized. Each person interviewed talked about past and present, and some future occupations that they have. I loved this because I felt like each child participating in this podcast felt like whatever it is that they want to do when they get older is okay and respected.
I was amazed with this podcast. I had no idea what a podcat was until I started doing my research. I must say, I'm thrilled beyond words with the new 'savy' technology vocabulary I've learned through this course, go me!
So, this blog takes a look at not only community leaders, but leaders bigger than the community. Not only does Moran Middle School feel the need to stick 'with their state' but they talk with people in other states as well.
State troopers, governors, authors, lawyers, fire fighters, doctors, psychologist, and tons more people are interviewed in this interesting podcast. I thought this went above and beyond the TWB characteristic of involving community and business partners. All of these very well respected people interviewed on this podcast share their opinions about what students should do to be fully prepared for their future. Several different careers are represented here, from totally different ends of the spectrum. This podcast didn't focus on one and only one way to go, but showed several different successful people all around the world.
I LOVED about this podcast that almost any occupation you could think of was in some way recognized. Each person interviewed talked about past and present, and some future occupations that they have. I loved this because I felt like each child participating in this podcast felt like whatever it is that they want to do when they get older is okay and respected.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Gotta Keep Reading or I Gotta Feeling?
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gotta+keep+reading&aq=f
Okay, so I'm all about being corny and using songs that my kids already know and changing the words. I thought this video was AMAZING. The entire school got involved, and by watching the video I could definitely see that the school environment was a safe one, where each student felt secure.
Face it, lots of kids hate to read ( I'm guilty of being one of those kiddos). Reading was very hard for me, I never understood what I read, nor why I had to read. However, now as a teacher, I see and value that importance so much.
I hope that you'll take the time to watch this video all the way through. I found myself smiling, and trying to sing along! :) I was absolutely amazed that each child appeared to be on the right 'step' and enjoying every 'step' along the way. The students worked on this for around 3 months, daily in Physical Education. I went to the schools website after watching this video several times, and I was very impressed. I'm going to include the school website, too, incase you'd like to check it out. They have more movies!!
https://www.ocps.net/lc/west/moo/Pages/default.aspx
Okay, so I'm all about being corny and using songs that my kids already know and changing the words. I thought this video was AMAZING. The entire school got involved, and by watching the video I could definitely see that the school environment was a safe one, where each student felt secure.
Face it, lots of kids hate to read ( I'm guilty of being one of those kiddos). Reading was very hard for me, I never understood what I read, nor why I had to read. However, now as a teacher, I see and value that importance so much.
I hope that you'll take the time to watch this video all the way through. I found myself smiling, and trying to sing along! :) I was absolutely amazed that each child appeared to be on the right 'step' and enjoying every 'step' along the way. The students worked on this for around 3 months, daily in Physical Education. I went to the schools website after watching this video several times, and I was very impressed. I'm going to include the school website, too, incase you'd like to check it out. They have more movies!!
https://www.ocps.net/lc/west/moo/Pages/default.aspx
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