GWAEA BL/PL
November 2019: Blended & Personalized Learning
Classroom Snapshot
Planning as a team was an important component to creating this figurative language unit. Utilizing a bulletin board sized monopoly game as a playlist - students move their individual pieces around the board through different types of figurative language. Each language type includes four 'properties' of activities - a digital component, a 'Have To' playlist, a choice option and a quiz. Each class period begins with a very short whole class mini lesson. Then students work individually while the teachers utilize this class time to meet with small groups and individuals.
Thank you for sharing this work!
4th grade team
Kriste Heggan
Cher McAllister
Mary Beth Wagemester
Paula Jo Heber
Linda Leggat, Instructional Coach
Special Thanks to Tara Tolly for the photo op
Video
Check out this video to hear his explanation and description.
Highlander Highlight
Where would you like to be?
How long do you feel it will take to move your class practice to the next column?
Quote
~ from Pathways to Personalization by Shawn C. Rubin and Cathy Sanford pg. 93
Things To Ponder
...reading
I am not very far into this book - but it is already underlined with notes all over the margins.
(I am an analog reader - when I write I remember!)
Some thought provoking highlights from chapter 2 - A Feedback Culture
- "Feedback is most powerful when it addresses faulty interpretations and not lack of understanding. "(pg. 27)
- "...when students perceived their classroom as mistakes friendly - above and beyond other aspects of their classroom environment - they increased their effort in their learning." (pg. 29)
- "...do not mix feedback about the learning with praise, as the praise will interfere with and dilute the message about the learning." (pg. 45)
- "Mixed ability (grouping) is a prerequisite for maximizing teacher and student expectations and achievement and can lead to higher levels of feedback among students." (pg. 47)
In typical Hattie fashion each of these points is based on research. This chapter has pushed my personal understanding about praise and ability grouping and I'd love to chat with others about these topics!!
~Beth Swantz
...listening
One of the standout points of her interview was when she was describing ineffective professional development for teachers because there is no place for 'white space.' She went on to describe white space as that blank time or place to connect what you have heard to what you already know. It really stuck with me.
My white space is my car. I have become that person you see talking to themselves in the car next to you! An enclosed and quiet car is the perfect "white space." Now I need to figure out how to remember the insights I have!!
As you move into these VERY BUSY next weeks I'd encourage you to find your own white space. Carve out a small spot to connect new and old thoughts. You may be surprised with the direction those thoughts and plans take you!
~Beth Swantz
...connecting
Remember that our aim is to meet your learning needs in the same ways that we are encouraging you to meet the needs of your students.. Here are a few different ways that we might be able to meet those needs.
Brainstorm lesson planning
Discuss opening moves with your specific students and content
Talk through barriers to blended in your classroom
See your teaching in action
Talk blended and personalized - what can it look like, what might be the next step, what is holding us back.
We are only an email away... bswantz@gwaea.org
About Us
The team:
Chris Klostermann - Literacy
Jessica Quandahl - Literacy
Janet Greene - Math
Carol Cassells - Science & Social Studies
Laura Musser - Science
Erikka Vosmek - School Improvement
Mindy Cairney - Digital Learning
Gina Rogers - Digital Learning
Beth Swantz - Digital Learning
Stacy Behmer - Digital Learning
Shane Boeve - Regional Administrator
Email: bswantz@gwaea.org
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Twitter: @GWAEABL