In grades 6-8, all students will work flexibly with fractions, decimals, and percents to solve problems.
7.NS.1. Apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.
The “Fraction Game” at the Illuminations website allows students to practice working with relationships among fractions and ways of combining fractions. I believe it is effective in showing relationships between fractions as it gives a great visual for students. Looking at this particular game, technology does not necessarily give students more because you could effectively do the same thing using manipulatives which may be more useful for some students. The benefit of the online game is that the app can give assistance and correct answers. The classroom I work in has several fraction games that would reinforce the same idea. In teaching this lesson I would likely use many tools including this online game, but also bringing out many other tools and visual examples to allow students many ways to access the content.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Standards, Standards everywhere
Looking at the three separate sets of standards, it was interesting understanding how the three blend together. I believe with many of the standards, in order to complete one of the National Standards, you end up teaching many of the other standards seen. All of these standards fall into the big picture of teaching numbers and operations. While the verbage is different, the end result is the same. If the student were to complete the goals of one standard, they would inevitably be accomplishing the goals of another, as much of numbers and operations is intertwined. Using the standards that my partner and I are working on, it would be impossible for “students (to)… work flexibly with fractions, decimals, and percents to solve problems” without being able to apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Best Practices
Best practices in education
Project based learning: While there are appropriate times for lecture, I think that students get a lot more out of project based learning. As they complete a hands on project, they are able to learn by doing. Just adding numbers up may be a struggle, but creating a grocery store flyer may give students access to the knowledge in another way.
Peer tutoring: Peer tutoring benefits both the tutor and the learner, as the concepts are reinforced both ways. Students often respond better to their peers, and their peers may find a way to present the information that may just click for the student being tutored. Peer tutoring also fosters positive student to student relationships.
Response to intervention: As the school I work in is in the fourth year of sanctions, they are trying everything possible to bring our students up. The school has adopted the RTI model in an effort to increase the performance and learning of students. While there are some classes that are best blended, having low and high kids in a math class (particularly if the gap is large) may not be best for students. With the response to intervention, these students are tiered and are given on-going assessment to see their areas that they have mastered, and those that still need work. RTI also has a strong preference for research based instruction.
reference: http://www.nea.org/tools/16963.htm
Best practices in instruction
Integrating technology in the classroom: I think this is crucial, especially in math. The video of Wolfram only reinforced this idea. Students live in a world of technology, and utilizing the many programs available allows increased individualization of instruction.
Parental Involvement: Our district has hired a parent volunteer coordinator, and the number of parents involved in the schools has skyrocketed. As parents become more involved in the learning process, their students benefit.
"Sacred morning" time for reading and mathematics: This is another practice implemented in our middle school. The math and language arts periods are first thing in the morning, and the class periods are longer than the other periods. Math and language arts are 1 hr each, one right after another. They do switch classrooms, unlike the example given (which was an elementary school) in order to be taking classes from the highly qualified teachers. I think this longer amount of time with the best teachers in the school provides students with great opportunities to learn.
Reference: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/bestprac/bpc_instruction.html
Project based learning: While there are appropriate times for lecture, I think that students get a lot more out of project based learning. As they complete a hands on project, they are able to learn by doing. Just adding numbers up may be a struggle, but creating a grocery store flyer may give students access to the knowledge in another way.
Peer tutoring: Peer tutoring benefits both the tutor and the learner, as the concepts are reinforced both ways. Students often respond better to their peers, and their peers may find a way to present the information that may just click for the student being tutored. Peer tutoring also fosters positive student to student relationships.
Response to intervention: As the school I work in is in the fourth year of sanctions, they are trying everything possible to bring our students up. The school has adopted the RTI model in an effort to increase the performance and learning of students. While there are some classes that are best blended, having low and high kids in a math class (particularly if the gap is large) may not be best for students. With the response to intervention, these students are tiered and are given on-going assessment to see their areas that they have mastered, and those that still need work. RTI also has a strong preference for research based instruction.
reference: http://www.nea.org/tools/16963.htm
Best practices in instruction
Integrating technology in the classroom: I think this is crucial, especially in math. The video of Wolfram only reinforced this idea. Students live in a world of technology, and utilizing the many programs available allows increased individualization of instruction.
Parental Involvement: Our district has hired a parent volunteer coordinator, and the number of parents involved in the schools has skyrocketed. As parents become more involved in the learning process, their students benefit.
"Sacred morning" time for reading and mathematics: This is another practice implemented in our middle school. The math and language arts periods are first thing in the morning, and the class periods are longer than the other periods. Math and language arts are 1 hr each, one right after another. They do switch classrooms, unlike the example given (which was an elementary school) in order to be taking classes from the highly qualified teachers. I think this longer amount of time with the best teachers in the school provides students with great opportunities to learn.
Reference: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/bestprac/bpc_instruction.html
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
About Me
My name is Beth and I am a student at Willamette University. I am currently working towards my Master of Arts in Teaching degree, along with a Special Education (SpEd) endorsement. I will be authorized to teach 3rd-8th grade in self-contained classrooms, and middle school language arts and math. My SpEd endorsement will cover kindergarten-12th grade. I hope to teach in a Special Education classroom at the grade school level, but will really be happy anywhere in the field. Currently I work in a local middle school in a special education classroom as an instructional assistant.
As far as hobbies and interests, right now I am most interested in using my crockpot to prepare meals in advance as I juggle this crazy life. When I do manage to find free time I enjoy taking my kayak out on the Willamette, cycling around the area, growing things in my garden (especially weeds), and playing with my dog. I'm terribly sorry to see the sun go.
As far as hobbies and interests, right now I am most interested in using my crockpot to prepare meals in advance as I juggle this crazy life. When I do manage to find free time I enjoy taking my kayak out on the Willamette, cycling around the area, growing things in my garden (especially weeds), and playing with my dog. I'm terribly sorry to see the sun go.
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