Final Blog

When I started this class I was excited because it was one of the last classes I had in the program. I came into class expecting that we would be given several readings that vaguely related to current concepts in the classroom and write several papers on how they related to administration. This class broke that mold and gave me a new perspective on curriculum.

The class not only talked about how to be a change agent, but also showed us how to be a change agent. The class illustrated how curriculum should be a living document that challenges the student to think and spread that knowledge. The use of various technologies and methods illustrated the many ways in which we can impact change in our classroom. I think the class expanded the way I think about curriculum and illustrated how it can be an agent of change.

I think the lesson about understanding by design was extremely valuable. By creating the lesson I was able see how the big ideas should drive the lesson. I have tried to implement more of understanding by design into classroom, which has brought more focus to my lessons. Instead of having asking students to recite every step in a cycle, I want students to be able to give me the general idea about the concept and be able to explain why it is important. I feel that in today’s age students can always look up the information, but they need to be able to explain and justify their answers.

Curriculum change has not only changed my ideas about curriculum, but also shifted my views of technology. It has expanded my technology skills and shown that it needs to play an intragal part in schools.

Orange Middle School

I think that Orange is taking steps in the right direction. Breaking up the middle school into small learning communities allows teachers to focus on a set group of students and track their progress. Allowing these teams to meet enables them to focus on strategies that might help the students. I also agree with the school extending math to an eighty-minute block, but the school should ensure that the teachers are prepared to use that time effectively. As stated in the reading, middle school students are restless and need to have physical activity. The teachers should have lessons that allow the students to get up and move throughout the period to keep the students focused. The teacher throwing around the basketball is a good example of activities that will allow the students to remain engaged. The administration should also look to infuse some bullying and social skill workshops for the students that might decrease the social problems in the school.

Curriculum Mapping

I view a curriculum map as a diagnostic tool that the district uses to determine the areas that need improvement. The district uses the curriculum map to determine if there is a difference between what is taught and what should be taught. The curriculum map allows districts to see if the curriculum is meeting the needs of the students and ensure that the curriculum does not have any gaps between years.

My school is limited in their use of curriculum mapping. When developing curriculum the district allows teachers of all grade levels to come together and discuss the skills that are necessary for each grade. This is limited to the specific subject area. The science teachers do not talk to the math teachers about the skills the students might need at a particular grade. This means that the science teacher could require students to perform math problems that they do not have a basis for in the curriculum. I believe that the district should start looking at mapping the curriculum by subject areas.

I feel that curriculum mapping allows district to see the need for curriculum change. The mapping allows for districts to find holes in their curriculum that could be fixed by modifying the curriculum.

Online Reflection

Online Reflection

I think that the online classes were a nice change to attending class every week. The power points, movies, and other various assignments made the online classes interesting. I think that the format of having a regular class every other week allowed for assignments to be clarified. This experience has also showed me that I would not want to solely take online classes due to the lack of social interaction with a real class. I feel the regular class meeting provide a better format for discussing issues facing education and provided students an opportunity to debate the issues.

UBD Reflection

UBD Lesson Reflection

I think that the UBD concept is an important way in which to teach a lesson, however the UBD format did not make sense. Each teacher should look at what the big picture in a unit. This allows teacher to drive their implementation of the curriculum rather then the book dictating what the teacher should teach. As a new teacher, I was following the book and did not use the curriculum or the big ideas to help me teach. I was concerned about the students regurgitating the knowledge in the book and it was not until I had a few years of experience that I started to look at the big ideas. Focusing on the big ideas allows teachers to teach more effectively. Before planning a unit, I try to find the important big ideas that I want the students to understand when they leave my class.
I found the UBD format very confusing and that I could repeat concept or student objectives multiple times. I could not make a distinction between what the students would understand, will know or will be able to do. It seemed that they were asking for the same concept. In order to plan a true UBD lesson I would need to understand the difference between the U, K, and S columns.

UBD Lesson

Stage 1 Desired Results

Establish Goals: Analyze the three sub-atomic particles that make up all atoms.
Standard 5.6.8.A.1
Describe the history of the atom and all matter is made up of atoms.
Standard: 5.6.8.A.1 and 5.1.8B.1-3

Students will understand that:
Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The experiments scientist’s used in order to construct their model of the atom.
The current model of the atom was based on other models.

Essential Questions:
How did each model of the atom help the next model?
What were the experiments used to determine the models of the atom?
Where is the location and charge of the protons, neutrons, and electrons?

Students will know:
The location and charge of all sub-atomic particles.

Student will be able to:
Draw the location of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Determine the charge of the protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Trace the history and progression of the atom.

Stage 2- Assessment Evidence

Performance Tasks:
Students will create a booklet or power point presentation that outlines the history of the atom. The booklet will include the name of the model, the experiment used to create the model, and an explanation of how the new model differs from the one before.

Other Evidence:
Quiz on various models
Drawings of the current model.

Stage 3- Learning Plan

Learning Activities:
Students will be broken up into groups to research a model and answer key questions. Students will then share their answer with each other.
Complete atomic model outline.
Review the experiments for each model through a series of demonstrations.
Complete a drawing of the current atom.

Results Now

I am shocked about the statistics that was put forth about the article. After reading the article as I walked down the hall I started to peek into classrooms to see if there was any truth to the study. I found the exact opposite to what the studies findings. Many of the classrooms had activities in which the student was involved in the lessons. Teachers were challenging students to think on a higher level. I feel all schools have a few teachers that are described in the article, but most are constantly trying to improve themselves. It would be great if it were easy for an administration could terminate the teacher that does nothing in their classroom, but I also think that tenure has benefits. I believe that the buffer that is between education and the public is sometimes necessary. In my school too many parents believe that they know how things should be taught in the classroom. Without this buffer, teaching would be extremely difficult. As with any profession we constantly need to improve ourselves and I see many teachers always looking for new effective methods to educate their students. I think the article focuses on the negative aspects that we are all trying to fix and doesn’t focus on the positive aspects or the challenges that occur within the classroom.