Changes next year!

                        

                      Making changes next year!

There are so many wonderful things that I have learned in this class that I plan on incorporating in the classroom. I will give you a detailed list of what I will take away from this class and look forward to seeing what you all are going to do to make changes in the way that you teach next year as well!

Top ten things I will take away from this class this year that will change the way I teach in the classroom!

1. BLOGS! This first thing that I have began thinking about is making a teacher blog for my classroom. I have been entertaining many ideas in my head, including posting homework assignments so parents are aware of their student’s homework each week, posting school newsletters I create each week in case a parent loses theirs as well as other communicative efforts I can do to make the parents more informed of what we are doing in the classroom. I have also thought about making a classroom blog that the students can utilize. I thought it would be great for them to blog about the books that we read in the classroom. Another idea is to have the class blog about what they are learning as a way to help them keep fresh on what they are learning and it can even be a great review tool. They can go back and look at what they wrote on older blogs to jog their memories on what they had learned in the classroom this year, and the great thing about it is that they could even review from home! I also thought is would be an awesome way for parents to see what their child is taking away from the classroom lessons! Another idea I have been thinking about it is having the class blog some of their best writing pieces where they could post positive comments about each others writing. I have also looked into Kid’s Blog. It’s free! Here is a link to their website for those of you that are interested:  http://kidblog.org/home.php

         ( I never thought I would like to blog until I started!)

2. WIKI! I love the resources that we shared with each other. It is so great to see so many wonderful resources that I can use that I never knew existed. Thank you to all of you that posted on Wiki. I plan to use these online resources in my classroom and know that without the collaboration of this class, I might never have known about these wonderful resources! I posted a link on my blog to make sure I don’t forget where to go for these resources as well. http://edg693.pbworks.com/w/page/24873736/FrontPage 

                                                   

3. Other resources shared in class! I love this list of resources that was shared with us in class. I plan on using these in the classroom next year. One thing I know I will love to use is the clipart that was provided with this resource! I love using clipart in PowerPoint, newsletters, home made tests and worksheets, etc. The music websites were also quite helpful because I help teach music at my school and am always looking for ideas. I also can’t wait to use the classroom vides that were provided on this website.

Teaching Resources 693.doc

4. Skype: I just bought the items I need to do Skype in my classroom. I am very excited about all the wonderful learning activities that I can do with my class that involve Skype. I look forward to learning all that it has to offer in my classroom.

                                                

5. Partnering with Co-teachers- I have partnered with co-teachers in the past, but I must admit, I am so shy when it comes to making a phone call to locate these individuals. Amazingly enough, this class got me out of my comfort zone for that, (what a relief) and I have already contacted a few for next year. Other than the co-teachers I have already discussed in my blog, I have also talked with a co-teacher at the Dinsmore Homestead, as well as Rumpke to discuss a recycling talk with my class, and the Can-Dew Recycling facility. On a side note, I toured the Dinsmore Homestead  a week ago per suggestion of someone in this class and was quite fascinated by the tour. The lady that works there, Cathy C, gave me contact information for field trips and they sound awesome. I will definitely be bringing my class there this year! Also there is an opportunity for you all to go to a free day at Dinsmore with a speaker about the Civil War, Mrs. Erma Bush will be discussing “Miss Dinnie Thompson- No Ordinary Woman.” I don’t know about you, but I love learning about the Civil War! Here is the information about it on the website in case you are interested: http://www.dinsmorefarm.org/pdf/CalendarofEvents2011.pdf (Something interesting to note is that they are giving free tours of the house from 1:00-5:00 and they are doing the key speaker from 2:00-3:00 on July 23^rd. Great thing is, it’s free!)

6.       Contact resources! I am so excited about the list that we got for contacting resources. This list is so handy, and I will definitely be using it next year for field trips and co-teachers. What a valuable resource that will definitely help me out so much next year! Contact Resources for Educators.doc

7. 40 Active Learning Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom- I have loved the suggestions that this book provided for my classroom. The strategies were written in a straight forward manner that seems easy to incorporate into the classroom. I love the ways it suggests implementation considerations, sample applications, and how the strategies discussed can support individuals with learning differences. I will use this book next year! 

 

8. Wonderful websites to gather information, ideas and inspiration from! When this class begun, we looked at many links to expert websites. I have perused these websites and will be using some of the ideas I gathered on these websites for my classroom. One thing I especially found helpful and have discussed with the principal of the school already is the webinars they have on their sites. Since I am teaching at a Christian private school, money can sometimes be tight for professional developments and we are always looking for things that are free! On this webpage: http://www.marzanoresearch.com/Free_Resources/event_presentations_webinars.aspx I found free webinars that my school plans on using for next year! I also didn’t want to forget these sites, so I placed them on my blog for future use!

Dr. Bonk's Perfect E-Storm Presentation

Dr. Bonk's Website

Thought Leadership Series - Marzano

Marzano Site

Danielson Site

Taylor Site 

9. Instructional Plans and incorporating all I have learned! I will incorporate what I learn in this class into my instructional plans. I can’t wait to see how the use of technology and resources I have gathered from this class will improve my lessons and know that my unit plans will be so much more engaging in the future due to this class. I have become more reflective about how I teach my lessons and have thought more about the way I present material to the class. I will definitely want to make it enjoyable, exciting and incorporate as much technology as possible for my students in order to get them excited as well!

10. Service Learning Plan: I am really excited about starting my service learning plan. The teachers and I have been discussing for a couple of years about doing this and this class finally gave me the opportunity to sit down and make it come to fruition. I can’t wait to incorporate it into the classroom and see how the students are affected in a positive way from it. It will be a great learning experience for me as well. 

I wish all of you luck and a great classroom in the next year and hope that all of you have engaging classrooms!

Recycling Instructional Plan

 

Title: Recycling

Summary: (Condensed Version  J )

Starting next year, the school will be doing a service learning project which involves recycling. To kick off the beginning of our project, students will learn about the importance of recycling. They will use a variety of technology throughout the unit to make the unit more engaging for the students. They will work in mixed ability groups on many of the assignments in order to have each student be able to succeed and also placed in groups that has various strengths so that the can complement each other in their groupings. Students will utilize the school administrators, their neighbors and family as well as the school faculty by interviewing them about recycling. The results of the survey will be compared later to a second survey at the end of the year (with the same questions) given to the same people in order to compare results. Students will make a PowerPoint with another class member about recycling, along with posters that they will hang around the school and community in order to convince others to recycle.

Description of the students the plan is for:

This unit will be used in my 4-5^th grade class at Main Street CEC.  The students have varying ranges of ability in the classroom from special needs learners to gifted and talented students.  The class will consist of one teacher, one teacher’s assistant (occasionally) and 15 students. The staff will be utilized to take surveys with, along with the administration and all teachers to work together as a school on this service learning project teaching different lessons to the students about recycling. This unit will take place over the course of two weeks initially, and will be a course of discussion throughout the year due to it being a service learning project.

Description of the plan highlights:

1.   Students will learn about why recycling plastic is important with an experiment on polymers. Students will learn about why there are various codes on plastic recyclables through this experiment. They will also be watching a YouTube video about recycling.

2.   Students will research using the internet what can and can’t be recycled. They will view many websites that help them with their research and will make markings on receptacles so that we can begin our service learning project. Students will make posters for the school to show them what can be recycled.

3.   Students will learn about persuasive advertising techniques and make posters that persuade others to recycle. They will view with the teacher various recycling posters at Google images on the computer and projector. We will display posters in the school and around the community.

4.   Students will work in groups to interview teachers, staff, parents and guardians, and community members about recycling. (This paper will be taken home as well to interview neighbors and parents as homework.) Students will analyze data so they can compare it to a survey will be doing with the same participants at the end of the year. Students will make graphs on Microsoft Office.

5.   Students will use various internet resources to research about recycling. In groups of two, they will make PowerPoint’s about recycling and why it is important. (There will be parent volunteers and the teacher helping the students with their PowerPoint’s.) Students will share their finished product on Friday.

Key learner outcomes:

1.   Students will be able to write explanations on data collection sheets why some    plastics can be broken down and why some can not through experimentation.

2.   Students will be able to make posters explaining what can and can not be recycled.

3.   Students will be able to use persuasive devices to convince others to recycle.

4.   Students will be able to organize and collect data in survey format and make charts/tables with Excel using their data.

5.   Students will be able to use technology (PowerPoint) to teach others about recycling.

Description of how you will measure if the plan was successful

There will be many assessments throughout the unit. Here is a list of the assessments:

Assessment 1 – Students will be filling in data collection sheets about the experiments that they are doing in class on the first day of the unit. The data collection sheet will graded for accuracy.

Assessment 2 – Teacher will take anecdotal notes of individuals/groups in progress, incidental questioning of students' observations, quality of students' review questions and answers.

Assessment 3 – Students will be assessed on a rubric for the poster that they make about why they should recycle.

Assessment 4 – Students will be assessed on an assignment asking them to write what can and can not be recycled.

Assessment 5- Students will complete surveys in school and at home about recycling. Students will receive a check mark for completed, and a 0 for incompletion.

Assessment 6- Students will make graphs that organize their surveys using Excel. Their graphs will be graded for accuracy. 

Assessment 7- Students will be assessed with a rubric for their PowerPoint presentation and project they worked on. http://www.sites4teachers.com/links/redirect.php?url=http://www.nclark.net/PowerPointRubric.pdf

Making plans J

I am very excited about teaching this unit and have already begun making contacts with the school staff and all seem to be on board with this plan. I am also contacting Can Dew recycling facility to see if it is possible to get a guest speaker in. This is going to be the first year our school recycles, (the school is 7 years old and currently located in an area that does not have a recycle pick up) so this will be a big task for the school. We have been discussing for years wanting to do it and many of the teachers have volunteered already to help with their family truck to pick up the recyclables to take to the center. I will keep you all posted! 

                                                       

Co-Partner #2- Kate Vaught

Locating and Partnering with Co-Teachers Plan Person 2

Plan Elements:

Name: Kate Vaught

Position: County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences

Contact information:

Kate Vaught

Campbell County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences

      3500 Alexandria Pike

            Highland Heights, KY 41076-1705

Describe the plan you have made with this person.

How will you bring what they have to offer to your students? Kate and I are still discussing things that she and her facility can bring to the classroom, (we had a short conversation that will be followed up with email and other phone conversations that will lengthen the knowledge I am sharing with you today.) We discussed how she is available along with her coworker, Rhonda Rex, to visit schools and teach about the importance of nutrition and eating right. (There are also many other things that they can come to your classroom about, and it is not limited to just nutrition.) Here is a list of topics that they work with: leadership development, food & nutrition, health, wellness and exercise, they work with daycares and preschools, and they are advisors to the “Extension Homemaker Association.” I learned that they can come in and teach lessons to your students that align with state standards. I was told that these lesson plans are not a resource that is shared, and that there is no access to them for the teacher because in the past they have had trouble with teachers using the lesson plans and not using the Campbell County Extension Office which was a problem for them. They will, however, come in and teach your children. They begin with a pre-assessment test that the students take to see what knowledge they know and then they see what they need to teach. They bring in fun hands on experiments and learning activities that teach them about nutrition and they share resources such as calorie counting books, and handouts that help students learn more about nutrition. Students can learn about how to read a nutrition label, what foods are the best to eat and why, what minerals and vitamins are in which foods, and about the fat in your food. They try to make it apply to the students’ lives and make it fun to learn about nutrition.

What technologies will you use?

Before their visit, I will let the students view the following websites, interactive websites, PowerPoint’s, and tutorials: (I included websites for older grades too in case you all are interested as well).

Nutrition Explorations: Kids

Nutrition Education, Free - Fun Healthy Kids' Games

Resources - Links for Kids - USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition ...

Nutrition Activities for Kids

Nutrition Websites for Kids

Health and Nutrition - PowerPoint presentations and Websites about health and nutrition from Pete's PowerPoint Station

Health, Fitness, and Safety - extensive resources about health, fitness, and safety

Health Tutorials - interactive tutorials on various health topics to include prevention and wellness

Interactive Health Resources 

- for grades K-2

- for grades 3-6

- for grades 7-12

I will also allow the students to watch DVD videos, teacher tube videos, etc.

What are the school disciplines and specific national, state, district or school standards that it will address?

       PL-05-1.2.2

                    Students will explain key recommendations made in the

                    Dietary Guidelines for Americans (weight management,

                    physical activity, food groups to encourage) and the

                    overall purpose of these guidelines.

                   DOK 2

     PL-05-1.2.1

              Students will identify the role of nutrients (protein, carbohydrates,

             fats, minerals, vitamins, water), which are important in the growth,

             and development of healthy bodies (e.g., strong bones and 

             muscles, energy).

How will you assess what your students have learned?

Students are assessed throughout the program that they teach through self-assessments and end of the lesson assessments for each lesson they teach to your class. It would also be great for students to make posters to hang up in the classroom that teaches about nutrition, to have them make a video in a collaborative group effort that teaches about eating healthy, and to have them research on the computer about healthy eating and habits. I also thought it would be great to send a letter home to the parents asking their child to tell them what they learned and have them write back what their child said as a way of communicating what they are learning at school to their parents. I think it is so important to have students discuss at home with their parents about what they are learning in the classroom.

Sanitation District Co-teacher number 1

Module 4: Locating and Partnering with Co-Teachers Plan

Name: Ashley Olwine

Position: Environmental Education Program Manager: Sanitation District

Contact information: 1045 Eaton Drive | Fort Wright, KY 41017 |

 (859) 547-1657 | aolwine@sd1.org | www.sd1.org

Describe the plan you have made with this person.

a.      How will you bring what they have to offer to your students? After talking to Ashley, I was instantly buzzing with ideas on what I can do to make my classroom learn from the information she was giving me and what her facility had to offer. I have to say, there is so much that the Sanitation District 1 can offer. There are many programs for all age groups all the way to high school, but she informed me that my classroom, 4-5^th had some of the most fun programs to utilize in the classroom. There were also field trip opportunities.  She helped me go through the various programs that they had to offer by guiding me through the website, which is located at http://www.sd1.org/default.aspx.

      As I looked at the programs on the computer website, she discussed all they had to offer. Here is a list of what we discussed: (Keep in mind that there are opportunities for all grade levels, but I am mentioning the ones that apply to my classroom)

1.      Storm Water Education: She described a unit that could be taught in the classroom. The unit includes 5 one-hour lessons, including topics such as point/nonpoint source pollution, watershed management, wetlands, and Best Management Practices (BMPs). Each student receives a water log workbook for free and can learn things such as storm and water information, pollution in our bodies of water, info on wetlands and erosion, etc. She also described a program named BMP involved in the lessons stands for Best Management Practice. You can learn about green info structures, vegetative roofs that can be used to help the environment and much more. If you have one completed workbook turned in to the center, your school can get a water discount off their bill. They are discounting it by 25%, what an incentive!

2. Field trips and tours: Ashley informed me of their headquarter facility tours. They have an outdoor environmental education center that was incorporated into the site design. They offer interactive learning along the banks of Banklick Creek.  This facility features many educational tools and Best Management Practices (BMP's). Here is a list of what their field trips include information on: 

a. Wetland classroom

b. Storm water garden

c.       Retention and detention basins

d.      Vegetated bioswales

e.      Native meadow

f.       Watershed plaza

g.      Oil/water separator

h.      Porous pavements

i.        Cistern

j.       Urban forest

k.      Environmental art sculptures

l.        Vegetated roof

m.    Native American creek walk and more!

There are many structured field trips/tours that students can go on. Their mission is to empower and educate citizens and students about the vital importance of protecting our waterways for future generations. On each field trip, students are given SD1’s national award-winning field notebook that will keep him or her focused and engaged. They are aligned with the Kentucky Core Content Standards, and the field notebook is set-up to give each student a task to perform at each featured activity.
 For more information, they say to visit this website: http://www.sd1.org/AboutSD1/PublicServicePark.aspx  or  http://www.sd1.org/Education/Storm_Water_Education.aspx 

 3. Splash McClean visit: Splash McClean is SD1’s fish mascot.  Splash helps children understand how human behavior can negatively or positively impact fish and wildlife habitats.  He visits your school, especially when you do the programs I have mentioned, or visit their facility. He is a fun way to get your students interested in what they are teaching you about. 

4. School Award! There is an award your school can win: which is apart of their “Protecting the Environment Award Program”. They recognize scouts, students and teachers who have gone above and beyond to protect Northern Kentucky’s water resources and environment. There is a cash prize that is sponsored by Wal-Mart in Ft. Wright.

What technologies will you use? (video/voice technologies, etc?)

a. Here is a link to newspaper articles that I will share with my students about the school award, “Protecting the Environment Award Program” that I will enter my school in.

“Scouts plant rain garden”, Alexandria Recorder, page 3, 7/15/10

“Ceremony Recognizes Students, Teachers”, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7/3/10

b. Here is a list of Smart Board activities:

Curriculum Compatible with SMART Board

Click the links below to access each of the five Environmental Unit lessons developed for use with SMART board technology. The lessons correspond with SD1's Environmental Unit Guide (for teachers) and Water Log Workbooks (for students).

Lesson 1 - Would You Swim Here?
Lesson 2 - Gimme a BMP! Lesson 3 - We All Live in a Watershed
Lesson 4 - Help Save the Birds
Lesson 5 - Wetlands
Additional Resources

If these links do not work for you, go here on the website to get them:

http://www.sd1.org/Education/Storm_Water_Education.aspx

b.      Students will view some of the following websites:

Wetlands websites

• America's Wetlands
• Discover Canada's Wetlands
• DuckData -A bibliographic database of N.A. waterfowl and their wetlands habitat.
• Ducks Unlimited - Teachers, click here to see all the "education stuff" they have! NEW
• Endangered Species and Wetlands Report
• Environmental Concern: Wetlands - Education links page.
• Everglades National Park
• Explore Georgia's Natural Wonder - Okefenokee Swamp. Click here for information and pictures on plants and animals.
• Fresh Water Wetlands - Great resource!
• Glossary of Wetland Words
• Information on Wetlands
• Importance of Wetlands
• Lost Wetlands
• Okefenokee Joe - Has the "Snake Man" visited your school?
• Okefenokee Swamp Education Center - Click here to go to the Critter Center.
• Okefenokee Swamp - One of Georgia's wetlands.
• Wetland Information
• The Wetlands Education System
• Wetlands and Ecosystems - Teaching theme.
• Wet and Wild! - Theme page
• Wetland Fact Sheets - Click on the links for information.
• Wetlands For Kids - Wow, great site! Click here for classroom activities.
• Wetlands for Wildlife - From the Audubon Society.
• Wetlands - Status and Trends
• Wetlands and People
• Wetlands Links - Hotlist
• Wetlands Protection
• Wetlands Theme Page - Hotlist
• What are Wetlands - Great informational site.
• World in Our Backyard - Wetlands Curriculum for teachers.
• World Wetlands Day - Celebrate this day February 2

Storm Water Websites:

www.kidsgardening.com/themes/raingarden.asp

www.ocwatersheds.com/publiced/kids-corner/index.html

Websites about Vegetated Bioswales

www.crd.bc.ca/watersheds/lid/swales.htm

What are the school disciplines and specific national, state, district or school standards that it will address?

This covers many standards for practical living, science and social studies. I will give you a sample of standards that will be covered.

PL-EP-3.1.4 Students will identify consumer actions (reusing, reducing, recycling) that impact the environment.

SC-04-2.3.2 The surface of the earth changes. Some changes are due to slow  processes such as erosion and weathering. Some changes are due to rapid processes such as landslides, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

SC-04-4.7.1 The world has many different environments. Distinct environments support  the lives of different types of organisms. When the environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce and others die or move to new locations.

SC-04-4.7.2 All organisms, including humans, cause changes in the environment where they live. Some of these changes are detrimental to the organism or to other organisms; other changes are beneficial (e.g., dams benefit some aquatic organisms but are detrimental to others).

SC-EP-3.4.1 Organisms have basic needs. For example, animals need air, water and food; plants need air, water, nutrients and light. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their needs can be met.

SS-05-4.1.1 Students will use geographic tools (e.g., maps, charts, graphs) to identify natural resources and other physical characteristics (e.g., major landforms, major bodies of water, weather, climate, roads, bridges) and analyze patterns of movement and settlement in the United States.

SS-05-4.1.4 Students explain how factors in one location can impact other locations (e.g., natural disasters, building dams).

SS-05-4.4.3 Students will describe how individuals/groups may have different perspectives about the use of the land (e.g., farming, industrial, residential, recreational).

SS-EP- 4.4.1 Students will describe ways people adapt to/modify the physical  environment to meet their basic needs (food, shelter, clothing).

How will you assess what your students have learned?

1. I can assess my students by grading their completed water log workbook.
2. I can assess my students by asking them to write about our field trip to the Sanitation District by using a rubric.
3. I can assess my students by asking them to draw about what they have learned and making a poster.
4. I can assess my students by asking them to do a project that includes a rubric. The students can do a project that involves PowerPoint, Photo story or a video they create that describes what they learned from the unit.
5. I can assess my students by having them share with they younger class the experiments we did, and taking anecdotal records.