Created a Wikispace Page

In creating the page it was quite user friendly but I am not sure all that can be done on wikispace. In creating assignments for students to achieve I plan on doing discussions and projects. I understand it is an interactive tool but I don't know how to work the system yet. There is an assessment device to show me how students are doing on their projects. In using this tool I will assist those students that seem to be struggling in putting information together. If students are ELL or have an IEP I will make accommodations to help them to achieve a final project. In all projects or assignments there will be a rubric so students understand the expectation of the assignments. My goal is to teach either English or History. In teaching either of these subjects I want to inspire students to become lifelong learners. This can only be achieved if I am willing to let the students guide the learning.

Ending Thoughts of the Semester

Reflection Questions and Answers:

How will you choose and teach vocabulary words?

I will choose to teach vocabulary in several differing ways. In Blog 3 I discussed the differing ways that vocabulary can be taught. "...Graves urged educators to consider several important facets of vocabulary learning and teaching that are applicable in the content areas. First, he recommended initiating vocabulary teaching with a student-friendly definition and a meaningful context based upon the students experiential knowledge. These contexts can be written texts, concrete objects, pictures, and even video clips" (pg.7)  Some of the activities of using a graphic organizer to find relationships and context clues can help students to visualize an association. Categorizing word commonalities are also helpful for students to understand the usage of words. Vocabulary is a continual journey in speech and writing and as an English/History teacher it will be my job to expand that knowledge for my students. I would like to implement the visual and root ideas to help all students in the classroom. 

 How will you structure opportunities for students to use oral language?

I would have a lot of class discussion opportunities through pairs, small groups, and with the whole class. Giving students the chance to ask questions and give opinions or thoughts produces a socratic academic environment.  

How will you integrate digital technologies?

I will integrate digital technology in as many ways as I can because there are so many wonderful digital tools available to use. I have a class blog started from my ITLS 4015 class started so I would like to have discussions available. Kahoot is a wonderful tool to use for assessing students. Then for my ELL kids having a book in their own language would be helpful so students can understand what we are talking about to participate in discussions.  

What kinds of texts will you make available to your students? 

In both my English and History class I would like to have many differing text for students have a broad understanding of the era and people during the time of the story. This will help students understand why the author wrote the story and what there message might be. In my Blog about Critical literacy I wrote; There are many things that can be done to add to the classroom to enrich learning. Having supplemental and multiple texts available to compare or contrast and interpret stories. Text with differing views can help students to analyze and question information. In teaching students by using critical literacy skills can help them become better students and more informed on issues. It can help students find the joy in learning because they are searching and questioning information instead of being fed knowledge. We as teachers are helping to change the future by encouraging  our students to search information.  We want the future generation have the skills to question and think about issues so they can be life long learners.

Questioning

In reading the article by Van De Weghe I learned the importance of questioning in the classroom. Why we as teachers need to be willing to ask questions, so that students can learn instead of regurgitate information. I like this video explaining how we can frame the questioning and lead students to learn. This type of teaching I understand because it is the way I teach at home. I ask my kids is this going to get you where you want to be? Usually the answer is No. So then I ask what is another way to approach the problem? Becoming a teacher to help students to think is a wonderful thing to do especially in the High School level where students will need to think as they go out in the world.

When I was in school more than twenty years ago learning was regurgitation type of learning. The teacher was in the front of the room and lectured. This was not enjoyable in any way for me and I struggled to learn because I was bored. In doing clinicals I have noticed some changes in middle school but not in High School. Even though we have the Common Core Curriculum teachers won't change because they have been doing it for 15 or 20 years and are close to retirement. So why change teaching strategies? The answer to that question is do you care if your students are learning or achieving scholastically? Just like in any other career there is going to be someone that doesn't care and just wants the paycheck. If you are a teacher with this attitude then it is time to find something else. In my school district I can only find a handful of teachers that do really care, all the rest are there for the paycheck.

In a Civil Rights Unit I would ask questions like:
How does Plessy vs. Ferguson impact society? Why?
Which movement was most effective in changing society passive or aggressive? Why?
If you wanted to change a problem how would you go about achieving a solution?
What was the most profound movement during the Civil Rights Era? Why?
If you lived during this era who would you support Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr. or the white supremacist group? Why?
Why is it important to learn about the Civil Rights Movement? Why?