Welcome
The video above is entitled "This I believe : My Desire to Educate" a visual essay describing why I believe I want to become an educator. The essay describes a trip I took with my family when I was in high school and how this particular trip inspired me to take up the teaching profession. Check out my reflection Mike Chizewick's Blog: Reflection Reflection
My Classroom
Above is a graphical depiction of my ideal classroom setup in my 21st century classroom. I designed this layout in Windows Paint, so needless to say extreme detail is a minor omission . I chose this layout due to the subject matter at hand. Science curriculum, especially in the middle school level, is strongly centered around life sciences, introductory biology, and space science. Each of these I feel require a lab environment to properly facilitate student centered and hands on learning. To properly meet this need I have arranged six lab tables facing forward each equipped with locked cabinets and drawers containing any materials that may be needed for labs and experiments. Each lab table is also outfitted with a small sink. Ideally I would love to have laptops available for all students while in class to allow for maneuverability and more personal work spaces, but considering that budget cuts and funding will always be an issue, this is backed up by a row of computer work stations along the left wall to allow students to access the web to post completed labs and share research. Again taking funding into consideration, a SmartBoard system would be positioned at the front of the classroom for formal instruction and student interaction. The lab setup allows for students to participate in many forms of inquiry based learning which can be reinforced with the technology present in the classroom. Each lab table will consist of four students separated into two groups of two lab partners separated by the small sink. This configuration will allow for a collaborative work environment where two lab partners can formulate work and research and then compare and contrast with another group of lab partners. I believe this design will most effectively facilitate learning in my classroom.
Rituals and Routines
I have a few rituals and routines planned each class for reflection and sharing. At the beginning of class the SmartBoard will have a small reflection question pertaining to the previous class events and assigned readings. Each student will complete this task and publish via Google Docs. This will allow each student to not only give their personal opinion, but hear what other students have to say on the subject matter. This will facilitate student centered learning and collaboration with peers. Shortly after students have shared their ideas a short class discussion will allow students to share what ideas or arguments they liked most. I plan to use this technique for about 75 percent of class periods. The other quarter of the classes will consist of a short form of assessment to start the class, again via google docs. Students will complete a short assessment quiz that I will form and publish on Google Docs offering a small bonus point incentive for good quiz grades. Finally, I will have a closing class ritual that will consist of a short topic summary and assignment for the next class preparing the students for either the discussion or formal assessment. All other classroom activities will be based around the subject matter of the curriculum.
Instructional Glimpse
October 10th, 2012--- "An Introduction to Environmental Science"- lesson 1 of 4
This days class looks into a seventh grade honors biology class. This classroom is composed of twenty 12-13 year old students shown to excel in the subject of science. Distribution of boys to girls is roughly 50 percent with a small ethnic diversity. There are no special needs students or needs for lesson adaptation.
Goals and Objectives- By the end of class students will be able to...
1) Identify the differences between producers and consumers.
2) Identify and describe levels of classification for living organisms
3) Display these skills in SmartBoard activity
Materials/ Resources
1) Textbook and Teacher Resources
2) SmartBoard
3) Student Laptops/ Computers
Assessment Plan
The proceeding class will have a short Google Docs quiz assessing knowledge students gained during the October 10th class period.
Short Class Period Summary
Short Class Period Summary
Class begins- students will be directed to the SmartBoard for a discussion question pertaining to last classes material. Students will move to computer stations and respond to the discussion questions via Google Docs. After students review responses a short class discussion will be followed by an introduction to the new material and verbal assessment of prior knowledge on the subject matter. A short verbal overview of the new material will be followed by an activity using the Smartboard to put living organisms into their proper classification. At the end of class we will have our routine overview and a hint about a knowledge quiz for the next class period.
My Technology Integration
As previously depicted technology will be heavily integrated into everyday classwork. Each student will be interacting with and utilizing technology at least one time every class period. I believe it is extremely important for technology education to be incorporated into curriculum in all grades. Technology has boomed over the last 20 years and as it evolves our classrooms must evolve as well. That is why I have tried to integrate as many technology resources as possible into everyday class routine. The students will be using Google Docs to do a primary portion of in-class assignments. The SmartBoard will always be positioned at the front of class and students will be using the SmartBoard to do various activities, utilizing its touch smart capabilities. These technological innovations will allow my students and I to interact in real time discussing important topics and sharing information. It will also allow me to use a unique technique for formal assessment using Google Docs forms to share quizzes and tests with students.
PLN
My personal learning network will always continue to grow. I consider myself fairly versed in social networking but this is only one aspect of the PLN. The more I research the more I find new and exciting ways to network, share information, and learn. Some of my favorite PLN"s include
These PLN's are only a few of my top picks in a long versatile list of websites and programs to help better share information not only with your students, but with the world. I plan on incorporating at least three of these programs into my own classroom helping students get familiar with sharing information via the web and better preparing them for the future.
Finally, If you could take a few moments to rate my blog below it would be much appreciated!
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