Monday, March 8, 2010
An Agenda for Action
For this semester one action that that I want to implement is to provide more deeper, thoughtful problem-solving questions and integrating more graphs and analytical skills in reviewing data. Students today know how to use technology for social reasons, but fail to perform in reading and interpreting graphs. With this I will incorporate a cooperative laboratory experiment during the latter half of the semester in respect to geologic time/climate change. I want them to look at real-time data from multiple media sources and be able to plot data make hypothesis' and infer what a anticipated projection might look like from the content gathered from their research. Each group member will have a role and have something to contribute. I really want to focus on the technical aspect of this project, but also allow the students to interpret the data themselves and make their own decisions based on their own experiences and research. By having a controversial topic I can also discuss debate and the differing views people have on specific topics. I would also like to collaborate with the other two teachers that teach Earth science and get their input and suggestions. I fear that I will not have enough experience in designing effective group models and the intention of the project might suffer as a result.
One action that I hope to make in my beginning career is to plan and administer lessons that really draw on students' diversities. I have a hard time at this point knowing that I am providing these experiences for my students because I do not have that much experience creating lesson designs that draw from social justice and equity. I want to make resources accessible and offer educational experiences that students will remember. I want to create lessons that other teachers will want to use in their own classrooms. Reflective practice and attending professional development seminars will other help me gain experience and the adequate tools so that I can achieve this goal.
Another action that I hope to implement after I have been in teaching for a while is to really have the science departments be more collaborative and supportive. From my experience thus far, I have not seen a strong connection between the different science disciplines. I want to work toward establishing camaraderie and increased interaction among the science teachers and other content areas as well. I hope to try to have an interdisciplinary unit involving all the sciences to show the connections and similarities between the often distant/unrelated concepts. I hope to bring forth my knowledge on interdisciplinary, holistic, 'student-centered' and authentic curriculum paths.
Many of my actions revolve around the creating new curriculum paths and powerful teaching. The interdisciplinary thematic units have connections within each of these spectrums. Having common preps and creating faculty teams within the science department also draw on new professional roles and comprehensive support for all students. Student-centered learning and authentic assessments will be crucial for my success in the classroom as a beginning teacher and as I move through the profession of teaching tommorrow's leaders.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Reading Reflection 6-Briana Overman: Change Agent
Sunday, February 28, 2010
CP2 Website

NOVA science Now is another website that features science based teaching guides and related video segments. It also provides interactives where students can manipulate diagrams. They also provide podcasts where students can listen to lectures on various topics. Because students now have access to technology this is great for them to download on their ipods etc.
Another valuable tool that I would use continually is the link to the latest science news articles. I want to be up-to- date on current events in the science community and hope to bring awareness of issues into the classroom. In addition, once you open a subject area the site also provides additional short engaging videos, quizes, and ‘ask the expert area.’ There is also a blog for teachers to collaborate and discuss learning experiences, which I would use during my clinical practice and as a beginning science teacher.
Reading Reflection 5 - I'm thinking..
After reading these chapters I still have some concerns about initially forming these cooperative groups. The group dynamic is complex, especially for social high school students. With adolescents there are many social and emotional factors that could help to influence cooperative groups. If I am able to delegate authority, then the group should take responsibility for solving interpersonal problems. Conflict resolution is an important concept to maintaing an effective learning environment. I will have a hard time though stepping back and letting the groups have control. Letting go of that authority will be a challenge for me. I have the tendency to allow myself to be too involved with answering questions, clarifying tasks, etc. With practice I will find that it is the responsibility of the other group members to answers questions first before I become involved.
I also find it hard to coordinate working with another teacher or research specialist. This seems like an ideal situation benefitting the students, but it seems like this would be hard to coordinate. Being a beginning teacher, I find teaming up with an experienced teacher who has worked with cooperative groups a valuable resource.
Another issue that was brought up in the reading was the status and hierarchy of students perceived in the class. I must not assume that some students are better at specific tasks. To elevate this problem of higher status students taking the leadership role, the roles must be alternated. I can allow for lower status students to have a challenging and valued task within the group (expert-summarizer-facilitator). Hopefully I will get to experience this type of groupwork more this semester.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Reading Reflection 4 - Groupwork ch. 4-5
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Reading Reflection 3 - Groupwork ch. 1-3
Chapter 1- Groupwork as a Strategy for Classrooms. Learning in the classroom can be enhanced by using small groups with students being assigned a specific task to complete. For groupwork to be successful in the classroom, the teacher must employ a delegated authority by giving the students the power to accomplish specific parts. Students need a cooperative group approach with ample communication to complete assigned tasks. Along with student preparation, group interaction is key to having these groups work effectively.
From my experience in a cooperative group emphasized classroom from clinical I, I was concerned that group members tended to ‘conveniently forget’ their daily task and had to be reminded of their responsibility.
Chapter 2- Why Groupwork? With the cooperative grouping model conceptual learning, problem solving, language strengthening, and peer interaction take place. Peers are able to explain ambiguous concepts more clearly and can help with task confusion while discussing new ideas. Students are able to hear other members perceptions and then formulate their own interpretation of the concept. Working with their peers can help students gain valuable interpersonal and communication skills, while providing situations for increased summarizing, synthesizing, and interpreting of materials.
I have seen bilingual classrooms where groupwork really worked for all language proficiencies. A survey I gave also indicated students prefer to work in groups rather than individually.
Chapter 3- The Dilemma of Groupwork. When assigning groups careful planning, organizing, and structuring must be made because groups can develop unequal participation due to many factors, including being more knowledgeable in a subject than other group members ‘academic status’. Groups can be influenced by social status and domination from particular members causing the group mentality to be compromised. Different statuses influence the group dynamic with perceived high or low status.
I have been in groups where it was hard to participate in groups due to other students taking the authoritative roles. I have witnessed where students just let others do the work and they benefit from the ‘group grade.’
I work like to know more about how to initially group students for cooperative work. How do I go about assigning group roles to individuals when I do not know their personalities and strengths?