Instruction and Curriculum PlanningLaying out information into a table is a very effective way to manage material for a unit. I found including the chapter section, the topic being covered, the various teaching videos needed (since it is a flipped classroom), and the project piece it is fulfilling was a great way to lay out the chapter. I provided this layout to the students as well so they would be aware of what they needed to do to stay on-track with the project.
Students are given guidelines for their project. Each guideline indicates the number of points a student earns for each part of their project and a break-down as to how points can be earned or lost based on effort, correctness and completeness.
Students are given a timeline for their project so they know what is being covered each day. This allows absent student a guide for what they need for missed days and provides students a quick reference each day of the project so they know what they should be working on.
My Cooperating Teacher and I worked together to come up with a plan for a course outline of Geometry. Together we looked at each chapter in the textbook, identified the necessary parts of the chapter to include in the course, and the duration of time each chapter would require in order for students to understand the material and be successful in the course. After each chapter we reflect on how the chapter went, ways to improve how it was taught, and topics students need more help on that can be revisited in the following chapter. Through continual editing and revision a course outline can become nearly flawless.
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Effective Communication SkillsAt the start of the year it is important to create open communication between parents and teachers. Sending this letter out to the families of my students opened the door for future communication. I made sure to personalize every e-mail with the names of the student included in the letters and the name of the parents/guardians in the letter greeting. I received many responses to the e-mail with positive feedback and appreciation for my willingness to send them out.
It is important to keep parents/guardians up to date with what is happening in the classroom. At the start of each chapter I sent an e-mail out to the families letting them know what the next chapter would be covering, what students would be expected to do, and to encourage them to contact me with any areas of concern. Again, parents were very appreciative to know what their student was learning at that time and throughout the chapter the parents felt comfortable asking questions. A similar letter was also given to students and many took the time to e-mail questions to me for clarification with topics and assignments.
When students are doing very well in the course I think it is important that they are recognized not only personally, but by their parents as well. To do so I send out success e-mails to students who are working hard and earning high grades in my courses. To keep the parents informed I attach them in the e-mail with the student. At the bottom of the e-mail I mention that their guardian is attached to the e-mail so they know their parent is aware of their success.
When students are doing very poorly in the course I think it is important that they are are reminded of the support systems in place for them, their missing work, and that I believe they can be successful. To do so I send out e-mails to students who are struggling and attach their guardians in the e-mail. At the bottom of the e-mail I mention that their guardian is attached to the e-mail so they know their parent is aware of their current situation in my class.
The end of the semester exam is a cumulative exam that assesses student knowledge on the material they have learned all trimester. Students have an opportunity to substantially raise their test grade by working hard and doing well on their exam. Exam grades that are higher than the students' test grade average thus far have their overall test grade replaced with the exam grade. Students who do poorly average the exam grade with their current test score. I find it important to e-mail parents who have students with low grades in the course to tell them about this opportunity so they can help encourage their student to work hard and raise their overall class grade.
This reminder e-mail was sent prior to the quiz for Chapter 5 and informed both the parents and the students that there was going to be a quiz the following day. Students were encouraged to complete the extra practice test posted on the ConnectED website so they had a good handle on the quiz information. In addition, I mentioned that the Chapter 5 Test will be the final exam. Attaching parents to the e-mail keeps them informed and provides more support for students to complete their assignment.
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I conveyed my ability to communicate through the various e-mails and letters sent home and given to students throughout the semester. In addition, on the Moodle page for my class there is a list of what students are doing each day and what is due for that class period so students can always double check that they are on track with their assignments. When parents were unable to be reached via e-mail, a phone call was made home.
Curriculum planning was really enjoyable with my cooperating teacher, (CT). Since we switched from the Holt textbook to the McGraw Hill textbook we had to reformat the curriculum and put it together again. So, we worked out what items would be necessary to keep and what students would not be later tested on. Using the relevant materials we determined the length of each chapter, how each chapter would be assessed, (project or test based), and put together a timeline. In addition, layouts for each chapter were provided to students and included in this page.
Curriculum planning was really enjoyable with my cooperating teacher, (CT). Since we switched from the Holt textbook to the McGraw Hill textbook we had to reformat the curriculum and put it together again. So, we worked out what items would be necessary to keep and what students would not be later tested on. Using the relevant materials we determined the length of each chapter, how each chapter would be assessed, (project or test based), and put together a timeline. In addition, layouts for each chapter were provided to students and included in this page.