Finally a week with five days!! Never thought as a teacher I would be saying that. :)
This week my students completed their statistics project. The student were to conduct a survey with 50 of their peers. The class then needed to graph their results using the mean and standard deviation. The results were to be compiled using the total number of surveys then also by breaking the surveys into subgroups (some chose to do grade level, age, gender, etc). The project took longer than the typical drill and practice exercises but the students seemed to take a special interest since they created their own surveys and were curious about the results. Many students were even surprised when they discovered the results. The last task was for the students to make conclusions from their various graphs and data and . In addition to actual conclusions the students were asked to use the data to mislead an actual conclusion, showing them that at times we can make numbers say what we want them to say.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Inquiry Plan- November 9-13
Another broken up week, since we had Wednesday off for Veteran's Day, so I only saw each of my classes twice this week. For a review activity I broke the class into groups according to ability level. I ranked my student from high ability to low ability. I then made groups of three with a high, middle and low ability level. The groups were given a review sheet in which each group was responsible for 3 questions. The groups then worked out the problems and became "experts" on those particular problems. After 15 minutes of the groups work, the groups came up to present their problems. The presentations were to be complete with all work shown and a correct answer. The group was also to explain each process, and answer any questions from the class. Each group member was to speak roughly the same amount of time. The lower level students had an opportunity to explain the processes they understood, and be able to feel successful. The review activity was very successful, and the students performed well on the assessment which was given during our other class period.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Inquiry Plan- November 2-6
This was a crazy week at school since we had an Inservice Day on Tuesday, along with a well designed Senior Skip Day on Monday. Hats off to my seniors, since we have always had the "Senior Skip Day" but only 40%- 50% of the senior actually skip. Not this year, I had a grand total of 2 students all day long. Needless to say my first week of the inquiry plan turned into 3 days.
On Wednesday we were finishing up a unit on Taxicab Geometry, I had my students work in pairs (the groups were formed by proximity) on a worksheet dealing with applications. The worksheet consisted of problems which the students needed to find the best location for a retail store given certain parameters, also a question in which the students needed to construct boundary lines on a map for a given school district. The following day the students came up in pairs to present their findings to the class. Although some groups came up with different solutions, they backed up their solutions with good facts and reasons.
On Wednesday we were finishing up a unit on Taxicab Geometry, I had my students work in pairs (the groups were formed by proximity) on a worksheet dealing with applications. The worksheet consisted of problems which the students needed to find the best location for a retail store given certain parameters, also a question in which the students needed to construct boundary lines on a map for a given school district. The following day the students came up in pairs to present their findings to the class. Although some groups came up with different solutions, they backed up their solutions with good facts and reasons.
Inquiry Plan
Thank you the suggestions on how to improve my inquiry plan, I went ahead in posted my final plan so that my group members could be refreshed on what I was wanting to accomplish.
Tonya the website you suggested was awesome!!
What element will be focused on?
Within Domain 3- Instruction I will be focusing on component 3d- Using assessment in instruction. I will use this component in my two senior math classes, one which is a 60 minute class I see every day and the other is a 90 minute block I see every other day.
How is this relevant in my classroom?
As a high school math teacher I have found it difficult at times finding new and effective ways to vary my instruction. Math has always seemed to be taught the same way for generations and there is very little information out there to support new ideas. By using new ways to engage and assess my students I will be creating new opportunities for them to be successful.
How does using assessment in instruction impact student learning?
By incorporating assessments into my daily instruction I will be able to gain feedback from my students faster so that I can change my daily plans if need be. My students will also be able to get feedback from me faster to help them master the content standards. Through a variety of assessments it will help my students to able to incorporate the standards into their own world. By incorporating the standards it will give them more meaning and help students retain the information.
How will the inquiry be engaged?
I will create new assessments that can be completed within a lesson. I will have students present homework problems to the class. I will give students a rubric for their presentations. I can also have students provide feedback papers to give the students after their presentations.
I can also give mini quizzes that the students can take in pairs. By working with a partner this can encourage the students to think aloud and have a good discussion about the problems. I will use several different grouping options. I will group students be proximity, random and by ability groups. The proximity and random grouping will create various groups that can all work on the same assignment. By all groups working on the same assignment it gives me the teacher an opportunity to assess and compare the class as a whole. I will also create different types of ability groups. One grouping I will place a low level students together and the high level students together. This gives me an opportunity to give each group problems that will challenge them uniquely. I will also use mixed ability groups so that the high level students can help assist the other students and possibly provide a different way to explain a problem.
As a the final assessment I will make it project based as opposed to the traditional paper test. For a final geometry assignment I will have the students complete a design project, in which they design a backpack, a bicycle or a landscape/park. To introduce the assignment I will use videos for The Futures Channel (http://www.thefutureschannel.com). The students will be able to choose a project that they want to do and that will interest them, and if they could to do a different design project if it was approved.
Tonya the website you suggested was awesome!!
What element will be focused on?
Within Domain 3- Instruction I will be focusing on component 3d- Using assessment in instruction. I will use this component in my two senior math classes, one which is a 60 minute class I see every day and the other is a 90 minute block I see every other day.
How is this relevant in my classroom?
As a high school math teacher I have found it difficult at times finding new and effective ways to vary my instruction. Math has always seemed to be taught the same way for generations and there is very little information out there to support new ideas. By using new ways to engage and assess my students I will be creating new opportunities for them to be successful.
How does using assessment in instruction impact student learning?
By incorporating assessments into my daily instruction I will be able to gain feedback from my students faster so that I can change my daily plans if need be. My students will also be able to get feedback from me faster to help them master the content standards. Through a variety of assessments it will help my students to able to incorporate the standards into their own world. By incorporating the standards it will give them more meaning and help students retain the information.
How will the inquiry be engaged?
I will create new assessments that can be completed within a lesson. I will have students present homework problems to the class. I will give students a rubric for their presentations. I can also have students provide feedback papers to give the students after their presentations.
I can also give mini quizzes that the students can take in pairs. By working with a partner this can encourage the students to think aloud and have a good discussion about the problems. I will use several different grouping options. I will group students be proximity, random and by ability groups. The proximity and random grouping will create various groups that can all work on the same assignment. By all groups working on the same assignment it gives me the teacher an opportunity to assess and compare the class as a whole. I will also create different types of ability groups. One grouping I will place a low level students together and the high level students together. This gives me an opportunity to give each group problems that will challenge them uniquely. I will also use mixed ability groups so that the high level students can help assist the other students and possibly provide a different way to explain a problem.
As a the final assessment I will make it project based as opposed to the traditional paper test. For a final geometry assignment I will have the students complete a design project, in which they design a backpack, a bicycle or a landscape/park. To introduce the assignment I will use videos for The Futures Channel (http://www.thefutureschannel.com). The students will be able to choose a project that they want to do and that will interest them, and if they could to do a different design project if it was approved.
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