221+Agenda+-+10.25.11

9:25 - 9:35 - Good news
 * Please complete midterm survey! (The link came via email)
 * Don't forget that I need your lesson plan one week before you teach your lessons in the field.

9:35 - 10:00 - Reports from the Field Please nominate agenda items below. This could include questions, thoughts, concerns, ideas, etc. that have arisen from your experiences in the schools. (Be sure to sign your posts with three ~) How do teachers determine the appropriate amount of homework/work load to give a student?(how to combine challenging but not overwhelming work) user:rene022 Why do some teachers use low value strategies, such as worksheets, in order to teach new lessons in class sometimes? user:jbarnes76 How do you try to catch up on material when you fall behind in your scheduled lesson plans/lectures/etc.? user:gogal11 What are some ways we can include technology, or the use of computers in lessons that doesn't allow for opportunity to get off task? user:LBacci Students want to be your friend, but should a teacher try to keep the relationship strictly school based, especially when we are only there for a few weeks? user:Herbers4 What are some specific time management strategies when working within the context of cooperative learning? user:erinco1
 * Where is the line between positive practice/repetition and overkill??
 * They already have to sit there for 6 or 7 hours per day... how much home time are we going to take away too?
 * Avoid assumptions of why homework is not done!!
 * To have them practice something they don't know how to do is pointless.
 * What to do??
 * Revise assignments for individual students. --> is this too much labeling? is it fair? be conscious of these issues.
 * Pile up factor
 * The goal is to meet the standard, if homework helps them achieve that then good; if not be ready to change it up.
 * When research says no, why do they do it?? --> It is a lot easier. There are days you just need a fill in to do quickly. It changes it up if they do other things on other days. Allows them to help each other.
 * What to do??
 * Niether good nor bad, it is how you use them.
 * Make it a review of what you taught, maybe use it as formative assessment. Use it as a tool, not a stand alone vehicle for instruction.
 * Worksheets require self motivation on the part of the student, make sure they have the tools to be motivated to finish the task.
 * How do you stay on a district wide plan as an individual teacher with REAL KIDS in class? They get in the way!!
 * You are behind so your entire class is behind. Crap.
 * Send it home as homework for them to learn on their own and answer questions in class the next day.
 * Be available before of after school to work with them.
 * If individuals are falling behind, get the parents involved.
 * Midway between curriculum structure and student structure: only plan for 40-50% of time to be taken up by your content, that extra time cushions for fun activities or catch up time. Get in on an advisory board of how this should look.
 * What is essential on the topic?? Get that first.
 * WE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. (courtesy of Brett).......
 * Figure out some short cuts. Get it down to what really really really matters, and is at the core.
 * You HAVE to plan ahead, in your head and on paper! Always work towards your topic, make check points for yourself on where you have to be so you don't end up having to take out entire units at the end, adjust along the way.
 * Early is key. PLAN AHEAD!
 * speed vs. strength of lessons Do what you gotta - don't lose the essential concepts.
 * How can you pull in using computers, kindles, nooks, tablets, etc.??
 * How do you fight off the distractions that come in with them?
 * **DIGITAL DIVIDE:** Schools/kids with little or no access to technology, how do you incorporate it, do you even try??
 * Use them only in an area where you as the teacher can monitor what is on the screen.
 * Internet blocking programs.
 * Take advantage of the educational implications.
 * ** ON HOLD **
 * ** ON HOLD **

IN LIGHT OF THESE QUESTIONS... What's going on here? (objective description) -multiple hypothesis Consider multiple responses --> consequences. If appropriate, choose one or two preferred options.

10:00 - 10:50 - Cooperative Learning, continued Our "Top Three"
 * Positive impact on social interactions
 * Teachers group students purposefully
 * Provide clear overview of what groups should accomplish at the beginning
 * Positive interdependence
 * Individual accountability
 * Assigning roles within the group
 * Teacher acting as a resource
 * Group and individual assessment
 * Teacher facilitates student learning
 * Students teach each other
 * Explicitly teach strategies for teamwork

10:50 - 11:00 - Break

11:00 - 12:00 - Lesson Design Plan commentary
 * Lesson Rationale
 * Instructional Strategies
 * Academic Language

12:00 - 12:05 - Housekeeping