Curriculum Contemplations
YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR CURRICULAR HAPPENINGS FOR MAY
What Baby George Taught Me About Learning | Dr. Michael Wesch | TEDxMHK
MATHEMATICAL MUSINGS
Five Principles of Extraordinary Math Teaching | Dan Finkel | TEDxRainier
Examining Mistakes to Shift Student Thinking
Because of the variety of perceptions regarding the value of mathematical mistakes, it is imperative that teachers consider how to leverage mistakes during classroom instruction. Are all mistake created equal? Click here to red the full article.
Questioning Skills to Assess Student Understanding
One of the most challenging professional development tasks is helping teachers improve the questions they ask students. Teachers are aware that some questions require students to think more meaningfully, yet research shows that these questions are rarely asked. “About 60% of teachers’ questions require students to recall facts; about 20% require students to think; and the remaining 20% are procedural.” (Gall, 1970) These percentages are not surprising because it takes practice and patience for teachers to develop questioning skills.
The problem that happens during professional development was that teachers could reflect on their questions after a lesson, but they couldn’t go back and see how a modified question would have resulted. It was with this in mind that we developed the professional development tool called Questioning Scenarios. This activity begins with teachers in groups of three taking the roles of teacher, student, or observer. The individuals playing the role of teacher and student each receive a slip of paper describing their corresponding scenario. Click here to see an example of he scenario and a link to the full article.
SCIENTIFIC SOLILOQUIES
Quantum Physics for 7 Year Olds | Dominic Walliman | TEDxEastVan
Web Conferencing for Student Engagement
LOVE THE LAB, HATE THE LAB REPORT? Implementing an “intervention” lab report format that even struggling students will complete
Traditional lab reports provide practice with formal writing but not with other forms of communication, such as speaking and listening. I hear from students that they love lab but hate the reports. Lab report completion in my classes is lowest among students with limited English proficiency, specialized learning plans (i.e., IEP or 504), male gender, and lower socioeconomic status. The problem of low participation in laboratory reporting spans all science disciplines, not just chemistry, according to my colleagues.
Click here to read more about the "intervention" lab report.
COMMUNAL CONVERSATIONS
TECH TOOLS YOU CAN USE: 9 Technology Tools To Engage Students In The Classroom
Technology distracts students, right? Keeps them from focusing?
One solution is to ban phones and computers from the classroom. Another solution is to harness their tech-savvy and engage students with online tools that will help them complete assignments while still engaging them electronically. Whether they’re working on a research essay, a presentation, a science project, or a math report, there are ample tools available to make the process more engaging for students.
Think about it–if students are growing up in a world that requires them to be tech-savvy, then shouldn’t tech play a big role in their classroom experience? Here are 9 of my top picks for tool to engage students in the classroom.
Click Here to Read About the 9 Technology Tools To Engage Students In The Classroom
PARENT PARTNERSHIPS: Summer Events at the Pima County Public Library
Over 100 events are taking place this summer at the Quincy-Douglas and Valencia Branches of the Pima County Public Libraries. Most have no associated fees, but some require registration ahead of time, as space is limited. Check out the schedule of events here.
TEACHING & LEARNING DEPARTMENT
Tammi Baushka - Literacy Program Specialist
Rebecca Ridge - Literacy Program Specialist
Julia Lindberg - LAD Program Specialist
Kristel Foster - LAD Program Specialist
Maggie Hackett - Math & Science Coordinator
Frank McCormick - Instructional Technology Coordinator
Email: maggieh@susd12.org
Website: susd12.org
Location: 2238 East Ginter Road, Tucson, AZ, USA
Phone: (520)545-2000
Facebook: facebook.com/SunnysideUSD
Twitter: @SunnysideUSD