Dow

Items that go on this page. Just click on Edit and add them. Save the page. Be sure to keep your original doc.

Observation notes WEEK 1 Observations by Dow Costa 1) College - Philosophy class and power teaching (whole brain teaching) []  What tools for engagement do you observe? Teacher pulls students back by saying “stop” and “let me see your faces”. Lots of “say it back to me” or “tell your neighbor”. Much incorporation of gestures and vocal “whoos” to keep engagement going.  What strategy for encoding does he use most? Teacher constantly has students turn to their neighbor and repeat the micro lesson in their own words.

2) College – Aristotle’s Four Causes []  What do you perceive to be one of the essentials of power teaching from observing this clip? One essential is the understanding of the power teaching techniques, as the class clearly knows how to follow the procedures. The constant repetition of the micro lesson by the students, either individually before the class, or as a class teaching to each other, is an example of teaching to learn that is fabulous.

3) High School Math on Slope []  Make two more observations about the “essentials of power teaching” Class is conditioned to stop as soon as the teacher calls for the class to come back to attention. Also, gestures and mirroring are essential to successful power teaching. Note, observe no books or notes on the desks of the students…wonder if this is for the video, or if this is normal.

4) 6th Grade Math Class Operations []  How long does she talk before she expects the Ss to review? Very short, up to 30 seconds max, but mostly 10-15 seconds.  What role does positive reinforcement play here? Teacher “Awesome.” Students “Oh Yeah!!” Lots of demonstration of enthusiasm in the interactions between students and teacher. Positive reinforcement is constant.

5) 4/5th Grade Teacher is 11 years old here []  How does she outline “expectations” or “standards” for participation? She instructs the students to turn and teach to their neighbor with hand gestures and enthusiasm for extra credit, low enthusiasm and no gestures for dextra credit.

How does she keep the discussion open ended? She keeps calling on other students. “What is quality or what can be improved” as open ended discussion.

6) Critical Thinking Skills in 4th Grade []  What impact would this style of teaching make in the schools you have seen? Unable to open this link.

7) College instruction on the Basics of Power Teaching [] What role do these elements play in this lesson? Humor, gestures and refocusing are all key elements in power teaching, and the microlecturing process all keep students engaged and energy high !Humor: Oh Sweet Mama, I Love Extra Credit.; voice inflections; mighty groan with eye rub; might Oh Yeah. Gestures: Mirroring of gestures in neighbor teach activities Refocusing: Class Yes, Teach OK, teaching of neighbors What is the most unique thing you see in this clip? The quick lessons and the students teaching each other is unique, along with the clapping and the unison response from the students.

8) Classroom Rules [] Compare and contrast the ways he presents the rules. What do you see? All rules are accompanied with gestures, pictures, and text phrases. All rules are to be practiced everyday, and must be fun, with voices, gestures, student leaders, etc. Prompt-reply, silly voice, student lead. Goal is for energetic and engaging classroom environment.

9) Smart Board and Mr. Howard [] Where can you find one of the boards to learn how to use them? Search ACTIVBoard on You Tube. I have not seen one of these in any of the classrooms I have been in…looks like a nice integration of technology…how much $?

10) Another lesson on Power Teaching [] Variety….is part of this method’s appeal. What does this method do for his “enthusiasm” and “creativity”? This is just part of the method…the variety just in the “Class” “Yes”, using voices, inflection, faces, etc, and eventually, integrate linked concepts, so that instead of “Class” “Yes”, you can review material, e.g. “4 plus 4” “8”. Enthusiasm and creativity are core to power teaching. Week 2 Bullets on Bloom [], What kind of teacher will you be today…will you be yourself, the clown, the sad, the silly, the angry? What mask will you wear? Or, will you be able to be the leader by example, and to be free and happy, to be the adult in the classroom and show the students by modeling sound behavior. I certainly hope so. [] Boldly go where no teacher has gone before. You are the guide for the learning mission, be sure to try new strategies, evaluate successes and failures and remember the mission…help your students.

‍‍ Blooms Materials follow. 1 [] The taxonomy is like a pyramid of learning that begins with remembering as a base and progresses to creating at the top level of deeper thinking. Think about where your students are in the pyramid in creating your lesson plans. Also think of Skills, Knowledge, and Attitude.

[] Assessment of learning using Blooms 3 Domains: Cognitive (intellectual), Affective (feeling), and Psychomotor (physical, can they do it). Cognitive domains include 6 levels: 1) knowledge, 2) comprehension, 3) application, 4) analysis, 5) synthesis, and 6) evaluation, from a lower order of learning to the highest level of learning.

[] Anderson updated Blooms 6 levels of cognitive domain to 1) remembering, 2) understanding, 3) applying, 4) analyzing, 5) evaluating, and 6) creating.

[] Simple layered cake visual to show the 6 levels of Blooms cognitive learning Taxonomy. Same layers shown as above, with the base as the lowest form of learning, remembering, and building up to increased deeper thinking forms, ending with creating. 1) remember info, 2) explain info or concepts, 3) use info in new ways, 4) distinguish different parts, 5) defend concept or ideas, and 6) create new.

[] Vella’s 12 characteristics of good teaching. Needs assessment, safety, sound relationships, sequence and reinforcement, praxis, respect, ideas/feeling/actions, immediacy, clear roles, teamwork, engagement, and accountability.

WEEK 3 Observations by Dow Costa 1) Incorporating Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. into lesson plans. [],  -Teachnology.com web site for ideas  - Writing activity reflecting a time when student was treated unfairly.  - What is your dream, for self or for humanity?  - Differentiating Fact vs Opinion  2) How to make a lesson plan book for teaching [], - use blank bound book, - have students decorate with stickers, pictures, etc to make interesting for the teacher. 3) How to make Portobello mushroom burgers []  - cooking show  - very descript and visually stimulating how-to video.

WEEK 4 Kahn Academy observation [|www.kahnacademy.org] -lots of math short instructional clips -step by step discussion and illustrations -great for review of any topic! -love the discussion and illustration with the computer as the white board.