Erin+Costa

Observations and teaching unit notes go here. [] The presentaion was better this week. I think we need more flattering lighting. I still had a few moments where I said a different word than I meant. I think the presentations get easier and more natural with practice.

Roberts, P. L., and Kellough, R. D., A Guide For DevelopingInterdisciplinary Thematic Units, Fourth Edition, Pearson, 2008
 * InterdisciplinaryThematic Units**

Chapter Notes Chapter 1
 * 1) Interdisciplinary Thematic Units are a way ofteaching that combines disciplines. P. 3
 * 2) Use a basic theme that crosses disciplines. P. 3
 * 3) High Stakes testing is being used to determinestudent achievement. P.3
 * 4) High Stakes testing is also being used to determineschool and teacher rewards. P.5
 * 5) One challenge of using InterdisciplinaryThematic Units that teachers face is how to fit it all in. P. 5
 * 6) Integrating Curriculum ideas stem from 1950’sNational Science Foundation programs P. 5
 * 7) The purpose of Interdisciplinary Thematic Unitsis to assist, facilitate, and involve learners.
 * 8) The advantage of using InterdisciplinaryThematic Units is effective, meaningful, and authentic instruction whichincreases student motivation and understanding.
 * 9) Thelimitations of Integrated Thematic Units include that they are challenging toimplement and imprecise.
 * 10) An effective teacher engages students andproduces high rates of academic learning. P. 11

Chapter 2


 * 1) With theschool calendar in mind, a timeline or schedule for the ITU is agreedupon. P. 67
 * 2) Identify activities in alogical sequence. P. 62
 * 3) Look at your school’s curriculum design to seewhat is mandated. P.56
 * 4) High stakes testing refers to tests being usedto determine student achievement. P. 54
 * 5) When working within an integrated curriculum,students might study a theme on an ongoing basis. P. 54

Week 2 Observations


 * See the clips for your review on Bloom’s and Anderson’s Revised Taxonomy.**
 * Blooms Materials follow.1 [][] 2 [][][] **

It was interesting to watch ourselves. I liked the music and the words that described important apsects of class. Irealized I should speak with more confidence.
 * Class video**

This videohad images of people showing different emotions such as happiness, anger,humor, sadness, prayer, frustration, and tiredness. Then there were images of Heroes like publicfigures, Jesus, and men slaying monsters. This video was a good reminder tokeep you emotions in check, not get angry or violent, and behave like thosewhom you admire.
 * What Kind of Teacher Will You Be?**

This was avery informational power point on literacy and content areas. This had a lot of good information andtools. It was very professionallooking. I liked how it outlined theteacher’s role and perspective of the student. I watched it several times.
 * Boldly Go Where no Teacher Has Gone**

Originallyfrom 1950’s, levels of student understanding. Applied use revisedby Anderson in the 1990’s. New levelsinclude: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analysing, Evaluating, Creating. Use these to create lesson plans: Surface& Deep Learning, SKA=SkillsKnowledge & Attitude
 * Bloom’sTaxonomy and Lesson Planning**

3 Domains ofLearning: Cognitive; Affective; Psychomotor. Levels of Cognitive Learning: Evaluation,synthesis, analysis, application, comprehension, knowledge. (In reverse order)
 * Intro to Assessment and Bloom**

A PowerPointInteractive chart illustrating learning levels in the shape of a cake. Fun!
 * BloomsTaxonomy**

NeedsAssessment, Safety, Sound Relationships, Sequence and Reinforcement, Praxis,Respect, Ideas, feeling, actions, Immediacy, Clear roles, Engagement,Accountability
 * Vella’sTwelve Principles of Good Teaching:**

Week 1 Observations

Erin Costa Week 1Power Teaching ( Many of you responded to this in another class. Please includethat response here. ) Resource: [|PowerTeaching Observation Task 1.docx]

I am looking for these...I did them last semester... I found them!

Power Teaching Observation Task Philosophy class and power teaching (whole brain teaching)[] What tools for engagement do you observe?What strategy for encoding does he use most?The Instructor used interaction of students, gestures, and activites.He reviews the informaiotn, checking for student understanding.

College � Aristotle�s Four Causes[] What do you perceive to be one of the essentials of power teaching fromobserving this clip?One of the essentials of power teaching is to explain clearly what you expectthe students to do.

High School Math on Slope[] Make two more observations about the �essentialsof power teaching�It is important to hold the students attention by giving information in amountseasily retained and understood.This teacher used points as an incentive for students to participate in thepower teaching practices.

6th Grade Math Class Operations[] How long does she talk before she expects the Ss to review?What role does positive reinforcement play here?The teacher only talks for a few minutes or less on each step of the lesson.She uses incentive of being able to do advanced problems. She set the goal atthe beginning of the lesson.

4/5th Grade Teacher is 11 years old here[]How does she outline �expectations� or �standards�for participation?How does she keep the discussion open ended?The Student/teacher begins by stating that the class should apply criticalthinking and gives examples of extra credit and dextra credit - worthy types ofresponses.She has the class build on one another's comments.

Critical Thinking Skills in 4th Grade[] What impact would this style of teaching make in the schools you have seen? Getting the students to do the teaching would improve their level of understanding.

College instruction on the Basics of Power Teaching[]What role do these elements play in this lesson? Humor: relaxes students, and engages themGestures: reinforce important ideasRefocusing : gain students attentionWhat is the most unique thing you see in this clip? The use of both positiveand negative feedback in the rewards system.

Classroom Rules[]Compare and contrast the ways he presents the rules. What do you see?He is very firm in his use of gestures. He changes the signs for olderstudents. I think you also would change your demeanor. You would still beanimated and enthusiatic, but may be less exaggerated.

Smart Board and Mr. Howard[]Where can you find one of the boards to learn how to use them?My son's science class has one. Douglas County School District. I could do some observation in the classroom.
 * I did presentations in this classroom and used the smartboard for the power point presentation. It was fun!***

Another lesson on Power Teaching[]Variety�.is part of thismethod�s appeal. Whatdoes this method do for his �enthusiasm� and �creativity�?Variety keeps the enthusiasm level high.You will have seen many more links to examples of Power Teaching.Find one and ask two questions for others to respond to after you view it.

Youtube.com: [] Teachingis Amazing Video Inspirational quotes and beautiful scenery with classical music.

[](possible closing story) Starfish story. Boy makes a difference. Lots of sad statistics.

__[]__Explore this site and bring one example to class for discussion. Discussion Leader Slip Website: Curriculum mapping= a process for collecting and recording curriculum related data that identifies core skills and content taught, processes employed, and assessments used. The completed curriculum map becomes a toolfor teachers to keep track of what has been taught and plan what will betaught. Lots of links with more information about curriculum mapping.

For more information, see Mappingthe Big Picture: Integrating Curriculum and Assessment K-12, by Dr. HeidiHayes Jacobs (//Mapping the Big Picture: Integrating Curriculum and AssessmentK-12//, ASCD, Alexandria, VA, 1997).