Goals- Summer Institute- 2013

Classroom Learning Environment

1. My classroom is 60/40- teacher directed/student directed.

1. I do believe that there are many benefits to a student centered classroom.  I'm not convinced that it's appropriate to be at 100% student centered in 7th and 8th grade.  I think that most 7th and 8th graders need some percentage of teacher/direct instruction in order to "grab" the content and understand how to be a learner.  If we don't provide kids with the tools to self-motivate, self-pace, scaffold, and build meaning, then we're setting them up for failure.  
2. I need to use my Wiki for a more systemic approach to this.  It will be obvious throughout the year what units are more student centered. 
3. I did make some movement on this continuum by using my Wiki and training the kids from day one that's where they refer to for daily agendas, units, etc.  
4. Reflect on learning and instruction in your classroom. In your opinion, are a majority of your lessons:
   • Personalized- No
   • Individualized- No
   • Differentiated- Yes
   • Whole class- No
   • *** I feel that, through the course of a lesson in our 85 minute block, that I use more than one approach.  Some days are better than others.  
5. I feel like differentiated can best describe most of my lessons because I try to reach different kids/learning styles through the block. Yes, I have used varied web resources and iPad apps to enhance teaching and learning in language arts. 
6. Perhaps, but I'm not certain our kids have that kind of self-awareness/meta-cognition to really describe the learning environment.  We haven't trained them, by and large, to think this way about school YET.

Summer Institute Project Work - 80% Time

1. Describe your project work for the Summer Institute. You'll want to define goals for your learning path this summer.
1. Re-do my Wikispace which means re-creating it which is unpopular with Lisette, but it's how my brain works.
2. Goal 1- 2-3 Special Units (literature, grammar, writing, etc.) ready on the Wiki with links, resources, pre/post assessments by the end of the Summer Institute (SI).
3. Special Units- They will have pre and post assessments planned.  
4. They will connect to the Common Core Standards for LA.  
2. What module will be the focus of your study?
1. Learning Environment, but my wiki should reflect a strong digital backpack. 
3. What types of tools will you be incorporating into your digital backpack?
1. Apps, collaboration tools, Google Forms, possibly Quia, ???
4. How will you know you are making progress toward reaching your goals? (What form of data will you collect?)
1. My wiki should demonstrate the work. 
5. How could your colleagues support you in your Summer Institute goals?
1. I'm open to great ideas about how to use as many available resources as possible. 

Technology Integration

1. Determine and describe where you (and your lessons) are in regards to technology integration (shown below) in your classroom.
1. I'm between augmentation and modification.  At times, I'm substituting technology, but often it really re-shapes how the kids work and collaborate/communicate with me.  
2. Develop a goal related to technology integration.
1. I will use technology (iPad, wiki, Google Forms, Quia, websites, apps, etc.) to track student achievement around reading and writing (Common Core Standards).