This week's reflection is going to be a brief one for now. I continue with my action research this week by finishing up the unit on fiber analysis. This has definitely been the best "crime investigation" yet where the students had to determine the identity of an unknown. I think it's because this time they had several different tests that they could perform on their fiber and they got to choose what materials and tests to use. They got really excited about discovering pieces of the solution. They were also disappointed if they didn't get the answer right away and it seemed to motivate them even more to do appropriate testing on their unknown. The more we learn and experiment, the better they are becoming at thinking critically and not just looking for the obvious answer. I hope that through my research results I will be able to show an improvement in these skills over the semester.
In anatomy this week we learned about the axial skeleton. Overall I feel like it was a successful week because I was able to point to the bones of the skeleton and most of the students could name all of the ones that we have discussed. For the test on this part of the chapter I am planning on giving them pictures of the skeleton and/or labeled parts on models that they must write the name of. This will be different from a lot of exams that they have taken before but I hope that it will serve as the best way to test their knowledge of the skeleton. After this we will move on to discuss muscles, which is another long, very detailed chapter. Halloween is at the end of this week, so I am trying to think about a "skeleton" activity that we can do! Should be fun!
I am also working this week to finish writing a grant proposal for a DNA electrophoresis lab that we can do with AP Biology as well as forensics. It is taking a little longer than I expected but I am glad to be getting this experience with grant writing now. As a science teacher, funding will always be an issue if I am going to provide my students with meaningful lab experiences. Hopefully writing this grant will be good practice for me.
Overall, it is going to be an extremely busy week and I just hope that I can keep up with everything that seems to be happening at once. Being a student and a teacher is becoming a little overwhelming right now so I am just hoping to stay on top of things and do my best!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Week 10 Reflection
What a crazy busy week this has been! I got to experience my first end-of the grading period week this week! It has been really tough trying to catch everyone up and finalize grades with 8-9 students absent every class period because they are sick! It's a miracle that I haven't come down with something yet! Overall I have learned a lot this week about being prepared to go with the flow and flexibility with lessons. Most of my plans have taken longer than anticipated and i've had to make some adjustments.
I am very pleased with forensics this week because I decided to tackle the topic of forensic anthropology. I put together an inquiry-based research project for the students to do, which I should be able to use as part of my action research data. It is different from the other inquiry-projects this semester because it is not really a hands-on lab but more of a technology-based research project. They are researching a specific topic in forensic anthropology that I assigned and putting together a PowerPoint presentation that they will use to teach the rest of the class. Most of the students got really excited about it and really put a lot of time into the lesson during computer lab time. They found all sorts of pictures, videos, and case studies to use to support their descriptions. It was great to see them read about the topics for the first time and get excited to tell somebody about it. It was also a good way to use alternative assessment because some students are very good with art and PowerPoint and were able to show off their talents. Some students are also great speakers and will enjoy actually giving the presentations. This showed me a lot about how important it is to provide opportunities for all different types of learners and personalities.
I had a success with the anatomy class today that I am also quite proud of. I came up with a skeletal system review game that we played to help them memorize the bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton. It is also Halloween weekend so I wanted something fun but relevant. They really got into the race of figuring out the correct answers and I think it'll help them a lot when they see these again on the test. While I wanted to give them a "fun" game, my host teacher pointed out how important it is to make sure that it is still the Best way to help them review the material. I am interested to see if it makes a difference on their Monday test. I'll report back about that next week.
I am very pleased with forensics this week because I decided to tackle the topic of forensic anthropology. I put together an inquiry-based research project for the students to do, which I should be able to use as part of my action research data. It is different from the other inquiry-projects this semester because it is not really a hands-on lab but more of a technology-based research project. They are researching a specific topic in forensic anthropology that I assigned and putting together a PowerPoint presentation that they will use to teach the rest of the class. Most of the students got really excited about it and really put a lot of time into the lesson during computer lab time. They found all sorts of pictures, videos, and case studies to use to support their descriptions. It was great to see them read about the topics for the first time and get excited to tell somebody about it. It was also a good way to use alternative assessment because some students are very good with art and PowerPoint and were able to show off their talents. Some students are also great speakers and will enjoy actually giving the presentations. This showed me a lot about how important it is to provide opportunities for all different types of learners and personalities.
I had a success with the anatomy class today that I am also quite proud of. I came up with a skeletal system review game that we played to help them memorize the bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton. It is also Halloween weekend so I wanted something fun but relevant. They really got into the race of figuring out the correct answers and I think it'll help them a lot when they see these again on the test. While I wanted to give them a "fun" game, my host teacher pointed out how important it is to make sure that it is still the Best way to help them review the material. I am interested to see if it makes a difference on their Monday test. I'll report back about that next week.
Week 11 Reflection
Well...this week was my official start of what Mr. Stocking likes to call "power teaching." I realized that i've spent most of the semester adjusting to teaching every day in general. We're now at a point in the semester where things are becoming routine and students are getting bored with the same thing day in and day out. I've decided that time spent planning is not always as important and the quality of the way content is presented. I've started requiring a lot more student participation, including getting started right away and working until the bell rings. I see now that this method would have been much easier had I started the semester this way. If and when I start a school year again i'm going to make it a priority to establish good procedures for the beginning and end of class time and stick with them. Because I didn't have any problems at the start of the semester, I wasn't prepared enough for when they developed.
I am also dealing with anatomy students who talk a lot during lecture so i've started holding them accountable for the information a lot more often with in-class quizzes or "quick checks". This helps to keep them focused and motivates some students to pay better attention. I am trying to make the lectures as interesting and exciting as possible by varying the tone of my voice and moving around the room a lot as I talk. I hope this helps to keep their attention focused a little better.
I also found a topic with the forensics classes this week that seem to really enjoy- forensic anthropology. By building off of their curiosities about the subject I have been able to present some lessons that have really kept their interests. I have had great class participation this week- even from students who usually struggle to finish work or stay on task. I am hoping to use their interests to continue planning good lessons around this topic. I initially wasn't planning on using this topic as one of the inquiry-based activities for my research but I am now thinking that their research projects would make good data. I would also like to have them complete the student interest survey on this subject and use that for my research as well. I am still adjusting to the idea that action research plans can change and adapt to meet the students' needs. I hope that I am collecting useful and relevant data to help answer my research question. More importantly though- I hope that I am adjusting my teaching to meet the needs of all of my students.
I am also dealing with anatomy students who talk a lot during lecture so i've started holding them accountable for the information a lot more often with in-class quizzes or "quick checks". This helps to keep them focused and motivates some students to pay better attention. I am trying to make the lectures as interesting and exciting as possible by varying the tone of my voice and moving around the room a lot as I talk. I hope this helps to keep their attention focused a little better.
I also found a topic with the forensics classes this week that seem to really enjoy- forensic anthropology. By building off of their curiosities about the subject I have been able to present some lessons that have really kept their interests. I have had great class participation this week- even from students who usually struggle to finish work or stay on task. I am hoping to use their interests to continue planning good lessons around this topic. I initially wasn't planning on using this topic as one of the inquiry-based activities for my research but I am now thinking that their research projects would make good data. I would also like to have them complete the student interest survey on this subject and use that for my research as well. I am still adjusting to the idea that action research plans can change and adapt to meet the students' needs. I hope that I am collecting useful and relevant data to help answer my research question. More importantly though- I hope that I am adjusting my teaching to meet the needs of all of my students.
Week 12 Reflection
Well...as I was posting this last week my internet shut down and I lost everything that I had typed! Seems to fit well with how the rest of the week went though! I had quite the crazy week beginning with not feeling well on Monday and being unusually tired all day. I woke up Tuesday and realized that it would not be smart to try and go to the school. Luckily, I had all of my lesson plans ready for the week so it was easy for Mr. Stocking to cover them for me. We also had Wednesday off for veteran's day and this allowed me another day to start feeling better. I really needed the rest! Taking care of yourself is so important and too many student teachers seem to be learning that the hard way (including myself last yr.). Basically, this week taught me to make sure that I keep my priorities straight and remain flexible in my teaching and planning. You can never count on things running perfectly according to a set schedule and its important to adjust so that the students are not missing out. I've had a lot of thoughts as the semester wraps up about my teaching experiences here and I think i'll save those for my reflection on this past week!
Week 13 Reflection
This week completely Flew by! I can't believe we're days away from Thanksgiving already! At the same time- it couldn't come soon enough! A lot of the students seem to be overwhelmed right now and I think we can all use the break! I finished my contract proposal and final evaluations this week. Wow. It feels like i'm just getting Started with these classes and i'm already doing final paperwork. I have been soo fortunate this semester for all of my experiences so far. There is a lot that I would still like to learn and do with these students.
Midweek I decided to introduce an alternative assessment project to the forensics classes that i'm going to use for my action research instead of giving a quiz on this topic. While evaluating my research so far this semester I realized that maybe looking at quiz scores no longer applies to measure engagement and motivation, which is my new main focus. I decided to assign them a project that would allow them to design their own project and demonstrate their learning to me in the way that they feel fits them best. Most students are really excited about it, which has gotten me excited about it as well. They are bringing in all types of supplies and brainstorming tons of interesting ideas. I have truly enjoyed these past few days of teaching because I get to see them so excited about the time spent in my classroom! We will be working a lot more on these Monday and Tuesday so I will have that to write about for my very short week next week! Until then I am just preparing for the upcoming break by finalizing a lot of my own paperwork and final lesson plans for the semester. 35 days til Christmas...:-)
Midweek I decided to introduce an alternative assessment project to the forensics classes that i'm going to use for my action research instead of giving a quiz on this topic. While evaluating my research so far this semester I realized that maybe looking at quiz scores no longer applies to measure engagement and motivation, which is my new main focus. I decided to assign them a project that would allow them to design their own project and demonstrate their learning to me in the way that they feel fits them best. Most students are really excited about it, which has gotten me excited about it as well. They are bringing in all types of supplies and brainstorming tons of interesting ideas. I have truly enjoyed these past few days of teaching because I get to see them so excited about the time spent in my classroom! We will be working a lot more on these Monday and Tuesday so I will have that to write about for my very short week next week! Until then I am just preparing for the upcoming break by finalizing a lot of my own paperwork and final lesson plans for the semester. 35 days til Christmas...:-)
Week 14 Reflection
Well, we're back from break this week and I have a feeling that this time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is going to seem really long. The students are anxious for a break again and it definitely shows in their motivation during class time. The forensics projects are not nearly as complete as I had hoped they would be. Many students didn't work on them over the break and now need additional class time to get them done. While this is a nice alternative to giving a quiz at the end of a unit, it does take a lot more time to prepare as well as grade. I developed a grading rubric and it has helped to give me clear guidelines to grade them by.
I really enjoyed all of their presentations, and there were a few groups that far exceeded my expectations! It was so nice to see their enthusiasm for this topic. I especially noticed that several students who usually don't put much effort into their classes really took the time to make this project good. They shared stories about involving the help of parents, aunts, and grandparents as well. I think this is great because parents can have such a huge impact on their success.
This is the last set of data that I am collecting for my action research, and i've now decided to especially focus on their interest survey responses more than their grades. I am far more interested in their engagment and motivation than their ability to achieve a specific grade on a quiz. I hope that all this data from the semester is representative of some clear results. Just from my own observations I have seen an increase in motivation and engagment from many of the students, as well as an increased interest in science in general. I've had more than one student tell me that this is the first science class that they have ever really enjoyed. While I don't like to hear that they haven't had a good experience before- it is great to know that I have provided a new view of science classes.
Next week I will wrap up the grading of the projects and start into my final topic for the semester! Can't believe it's almost over!
I really enjoyed all of their presentations, and there were a few groups that far exceeded my expectations! It was so nice to see their enthusiasm for this topic. I especially noticed that several students who usually don't put much effort into their classes really took the time to make this project good. They shared stories about involving the help of parents, aunts, and grandparents as well. I think this is great because parents can have such a huge impact on their success.
This is the last set of data that I am collecting for my action research, and i've now decided to especially focus on their interest survey responses more than their grades. I am far more interested in their engagment and motivation than their ability to achieve a specific grade on a quiz. I hope that all this data from the semester is representative of some clear results. Just from my own observations I have seen an increase in motivation and engagment from many of the students, as well as an increased interest in science in general. I've had more than one student tell me that this is the first science class that they have ever really enjoyed. While I don't like to hear that they haven't had a good experience before- it is great to know that I have provided a new view of science classes.
Next week I will wrap up the grading of the projects and start into my final topic for the semester! Can't believe it's almost over!
Week 15 Reflection
What a crazy last week this was! My host teacher was out of town for the week and so I got to teach the entire day's classes. This isn't much different than a normal school day for me, just the addition of AP Biology and credit recovery at the end of the day. It was a great learning experience because I had to deal with every little detail throughout the day. I also didn't have anyone to ask questions or gain approval from when I had to make an important decision.
In anatomy the students took an exam on Tue. and on Wed. we went over the answers. I decided to review some of the questions and allow students who really struggled to correct their answers for some additional points. I wasn't sure of this decision at first and would have liked to have my host teacher's opinion, but I am glad now that I did it. Only about 3/4 of the students took advantage of this opportunity. The ones who did deserved the extra points.
In forensics we finished up the projects and I talked to the librarian about getting them a display in the library. I know a lot of the students are very proud of their work and I wanted them to get the recognition that they deserve! I am working on finishing up a lot right now but I am sad to wrap up the semester! What a great experience this has been...
In anatomy the students took an exam on Tue. and on Wed. we went over the answers. I decided to review some of the questions and allow students who really struggled to correct their answers for some additional points. I wasn't sure of this decision at first and would have liked to have my host teacher's opinion, but I am glad now that I did it. Only about 3/4 of the students took advantage of this opportunity. The ones who did deserved the extra points.
In forensics we finished up the projects and I talked to the librarian about getting them a display in the library. I know a lot of the students are very proud of their work and I wanted them to get the recognition that they deserve! I am working on finishing up a lot right now but I am sad to wrap up the semester! What a great experience this has been...
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