MRS. ARNOLD'S FIRST GRADE PORTFOLIO
2016-2017
Welcome...
Hello! My name is Patrice Arnold and I teach first grade at Shoemaker Elementary! Welcome to my Evidence-Based Portfolio Website. Please click on the different areas to learn more about the Danielson Model, and my 2016-2017 school year.
MY 2017-2018 GOALS:
This year I am implementing a new writing program (Units of Study) and piloting a new science program(FOSS). In addition, over the last three years, Modules, Questioning Techniques, Differentiated Instruction, Technology, STEAM, Daily 5, Word Study, Cafe, and Genius Hour have been introduced to teachers. All of this can be quite overwhelming...how to plan, present, communicate and have time at the end of the day to sleep can be quite a challenge. My rationale for selecting this plan is to find a way to make it all work without overwhelming the teacher, the students and the parents. In addition, it is my hope to incorporate Calming Techniques, Yoga , Kid President Life Lessons, Superhero Lessons and Kindness to further enhance instruction. Organization, communication, and planning are the key to making it all work. It will be my goal to plan lessons that are engaging, differentiated, multidisciplinary and meaningful for students and to communicate and share these ideas with parents.
STEPS TO ACHIEVING THAT GOAL
- I will create a powerpoint for instructional purposes to go along with each session in Units of Study. Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3
- I will create a folder with weekly folders to house electronic resources. Mrs. Arnold's Lessons
- I have organized MY GOOGLE DRIVE to be the central place to house these resources.
- I will create powerpoints to present each day highlighting lessons and including word study, sight words, videos, teaching charts, read alouds, poems, music, science concepts, themes etc. Sample Sample Sample Sample
- I will organize materials into weekly bins to house resources, books, etc.
- I will make a template outlining the year's lessons.
- I will find materials that are engaging, differentiated and meaningful to students and create centers and lessons that will do the same.
- Books, Guided Reading Materials, Math Centers, Word Study Centers, etc. will be differentiated to meet individuals needs.
- I will create weekly newsletters and Curriculum Connection Newsletters to communicate and share resources for parents. Link: Mrs. Arnold's Index
- I will create a website Portfolio to share my plans with you.
- I will form and administer assessments to guide instruction and chart growth.
PATTY'S WEBSITE INDEX
Domain #1: PLANNING AND PREPARATION
1a Demonstrating Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy
1b Demonstrating Knowledge of Students
1c Setting Instructional Outcomes
1d Demonstrating Knowledge of Resources
1e Designing Coherent Instruction
1f Designing Student Assessments
Thorough planning and preparation are vital in preparing a quality lesson. Understanding how student's learn, what their needs are and how to meet those needs is vital. I take great pride in planning lessons that are innovative, meaningful, motivating, differentiated and integrate content across the curriculum. The following are key factors I address in my planning and preparation.
1. Assessing students' strengths and weaknesses and using the information to guide and design instruction is the first step in planning.
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Administered math pre test and post tests to identify math groups and student needs and to plan instruction. Copy of Fall Placement in binder. Math Google Docs
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Administered DRA in Fall and Spring to determine reading level and to group students accordingly. Administered running records in between to monitor progress, compare progress and growth and monitor reading fluency.
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Used info to adjust guided reading groups throughout the year and design appropriately challenging and differentiated instruction at each level.
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Adminisitered Fluency Checks 3 times per year and progress monitored students monthly to determine reading fluency, accuracy and to help plan WIN groups and instructional goals for each group.
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Maintaining accurate records to use as a comparison and reference is vital.
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Used a variety of both Formative and Summative Assessments from using whiteboards to share responses, to using elbow buddies to discuss and share answers to creating formal skill tests.
2. Setting appropriate goals and planning instruction based on the Curriculum and Standards is the next vital step.
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Posted and referred to I can statements frequently
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I helped create and write the East Penn School District First Grade Curriculum and have become very familiar with the Common Core Standards and that curriculum. Curriculum Website
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I created and updated a first grade Excel Spread Sheet Module Plansheet which lays out the entire year at a glance.
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I helped create the new First Grade Language Arts Modules First Grade Modules
I created Modules Newsletters for each week for First Grade teachers.
3. Organizing, researching and finding a variety of resources that are differentiated, matched to student's ability and skill levels, and are motivating and geared to the theme is a strength I feel I possess.
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I created a Google Docs resource page with folders for each Module and theme filled with on line resources, supplemental materials, PDF's, powerpoints, Notebook Presentations and assessments.
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Differentiated Instruction through Guided Reading, Daily 5 and Math Centers by selecting appropriately challenging, close reading texts and guided reading materials, Organized "Read to Self" books by reading level, purchased and programmed RAZ-KIDS online reading resource to meet each student's needs, created and selected a variety of word and writing activities that provide choice and are differentiated. I planned math center activities that challenged and reinforced skills using hands on and discovery type resources and allowed students to assess themselves and get immediate feedback .
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Purchased Guided reading texts with 3 differentiated levels...organized all close reading texts and guided reading texts by theme and level.
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****Organized materials into Bins according to Modules and themes and added new materials all year.
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Resources shared with students and parents on my website and in curriculum connections to access at home including Kids A to Z passwords, math flash cards, Thinglink resources and Xtra math website, REMIND APP, SEE SAW Learning
4. The most important skill is being able to utilize those resources in a creative, motivating and meaningful way. This year was the first year we became less dependent on Harcourt and more focused on the curriculum...allowing us more flexibility in designing our instruction in a more meaningful way. Training students and teaching routines, procedures and expectations early is vital in carrying it all out.
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Learning experiences were connected and were integrated in each unit
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Daily 5 Routines, Math Center Routines, Procedures, expectations, Behavior Management taught, practiced and rehearsed
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Became familiar with resources and materials, selected appropriately challenging materials, displayed books, posters, signs for each theme, posted I can statements, and created an environment conducive to learning.
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Created THINGLINK resources for themes containing digital resources to access for at school and at home.
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Shared my passion for each topic with the students.
Special Centers
Outdoor Experiences
Money integrated throughout year
Domain #2: CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
Domain 2: Classroom Environment
2a Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
2b Establishing a Culture for Learning
2c Managing Classroom Procedures
2d Managing Student Behavior
2e Organizing Physical Space
Creating a Classroom Environment that is inviting, loving, relevant and organized is hard work... but something I LOVE to do! Every nook, corner and sometimes ceiling space is utilized, organized and strategically planned out to accommodate students needs, bring learning to life, provide resources aligned to the curriculum and theme and to help keep a flow and ease for learning.
First and foremost students are encouraged and taught to be kind, cooperative and considerate. Rules and expectations for classroom procedures, routines and behavior are taught, practiced and enforced throughout the year. Students are rewarded and recognized for cooperative behavior and quality work...Top Turtle of the Week, Good Behavior, Work Displays, and lots of praise, hugs, and encouragement!
"Planting Seeds of Kindness" is something we do all year from writing letters to staff or to cheer up a sick friend, to making a kindness garden displaying our acts of kindness, to giving books and supplies to needy students, to donating toys, coats and mittens, Lemonade Stands, to giving kindness compliments to our classmates, KINDNESS MATTERS in our classroom!
Reinforcing appropriate student behavior, modeling and teaching daily routines for Daily Five, bathroom and snack breaks and arrival and dismissal procedures and having high expectations for students is something I value. My students know where to go, what to do and often are working without me saying a word. Practice and repetition, modeling and clear directions and reinforcement and praise are the key to a well managed and maintained classroom.
Creating a classroom that is a motivating and engaging environment is my greatest joy! I want students to love learning and be as passionate as I am about each theme and learning experience. Giving them hands on, real life, meaningful activities in a setting that provides differentiation, choices, resources, technology, and room to explore, investigate and take ownership for their learning and growth. Book displays, posters, I can statements, centers, science, non - fiction resources, computers, i-pads, real animals, atmosphere, leveled books, close reading texts, themes, fun days, food, and bringing the habitat or theme to them is what it is all about!
Classroom Environment
Steam...Paper Mache'
Anchor Charts...Units of Study
Hands-on ...Engaging
Domain #3: Instruction
Domain 3: Instruction
3a Communicating With Students
3b Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
3c Engaging Students in Learning
3d Using Assessment in Instruction
3e Demonstrating Flexibility and Responsiveness
ENGAGING THROUGH ...DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION
1. Administered a Fall and Spring DRA Assessment that helped guide instruction and build Guided Reading Groups.
2 Administered a Fall, Winter and Spring fluency check and have used this information to build WIN Groups and Guided Reading Groups.
3. Administered Running Records (between Aimsweb assessments) which is a 1 minute timed reading at a particular DRA level.
4. I used this information to secure tutors and parent volunteer help. I also sent home fluency practice folders, vocabulary flashcards and reading books for those experiencing difficulty.
5. I used assessments to plan guided reading lessons to help meet needs for students. I used a combination of leveled nonfiction texts, close reading texts and fiction texts to reinforce comprehension, vocabulary, fluency and skills in guided reading. Students would take picture walks, whisper read, reread to build fluency, partner read and answer comprehension and higher level questions and text based questions during guided reading. Students used close reading texts to become better reading detectives. Students highlighted unknown words, circled and underlined pertinent information and revisited text to make connections and answer higher level questions.
6. Guided reading groups(Read with Someone) was just one element of Daily 5 rotations. Students read leveled readers from RAZ-KIDS.com which I programed levels in for each student (Listen To Reading). Students read leveled books from their book bags or reread close reads during Read to Self.
During Writing students were introduced to Units of Study...students were taught how to write Small moment narratives. The shift then went to writing nonfiction, informational writing.
During Word Work students used white boards, worked on grammar and phonics skills, did sight word activities. At this center students were offered choices and leveled games, word sorting and word making were used where applicable.
7. I administered a Fall Placement test which I created to plan math groups and used chapter post tests , unit tests, exit slips, and Kicking It math timed tests to adjust groups throughout the year.
8 Math assessments for each concept and administered throughout the year. These tests and results helped plan instruction and groups.
INSTRUCTION IN ACTION
MY TURTLES
STEAM
SCIENCE CENTER
UNITS OF STUDY
SCIENCE PILOT
INSTRUCTIONAL FAVORITES
Genius Hour Reports
Hands on...worms and soil
Planting Garden
Money Experiences
Making Milk ...Farm Centers
Pumpkin Experiments
Making Applesauce
Three Pigs Play
Penguin Paper Mache' and Reports
Kicking It Math
Making Sounds in Science
Bird Beaks in Science
Differentiation and Small Group Help
Animal Exeperiences
Special Days...50's Sock Hop
SMORE NEWSLETTER INDEX
My FIRST GRADE FLASH...weekly communication, website and resources for parents, pictures sharing instruction
Curriculum Connections... A special publication for parents with resources and curriculum information
Special issues of smore documents
Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities
Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities
4a Reflecting on Teaching
4b Maintaining Accurate Records
4c Communicating with Families
4d Participating in a Professional Community
4e Growing and Developing Professionally
4f Showing Professionalism
As an educator, we wear many hats. In my case, I literally wear lots of hats but also assume responsibilities for many roles. As a professional educator it is important to reflect on your own teaching, find ways to develop and grow, participate in professional duties inside and outside the classroom, maintain accurate records and communicate well with parents.
Keeping grades, collecting work samples and updating Aimsweb and Performance Tracker are tasks done on an ongoing basis. I send home weekly Homework Helpers, weekly newsletters and e-mail blasts, seasonal Curriculum Connection newsletters, and Progress reports to provide constant and effective communication. I take my professional responsibilities very seriously; from being a Grade Level Leader with the district, to Head Teacher in the building, to an effective communicator in the school and my classroom. I participate in curriculum committees, lead in-service days and teach Professional Development classes in the district. I plan Mustang Meetings, cover bus duty, organize the school theme, send out monthly school newsletters and send out e-mail blasts for the school. I take pride in remaining current and always looking for new ways to be inspirational, innovative and to grow. I took on the role of creating a K to 5 Science Lab and changed themes throughout the year.
Planting Seeds of Kindness continues to be my passion…creating monthly projects for students to participate in… including creating cards, donating food for the turkey baskets and running a Lemonade Stand for Alex’s Lemonade fund for cancer.. to name a few.
SERVE AS DISTRICT GRADE LEVEL LEADER
SERVE ON SCIENCE COMMITTEE
HELP AT DISTRICT STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES
Organize Grade Level Special Days
Organize and Help with Dance Team
Help at PTO Events including Spaghetti Dinner, Applebees, March Dance, Winter Ball, Color Run
LEAD MUSTANG MEETINGS
ORGANIZED READ ACROSS AMERICA
ORGANIZED SCHOOL THEME
ACTS OF KINDESS
CREATED AND ORGANIZED LEMONADE STAND
WORDS OF WISDOM I BELIEVE TO BE TRUE...
Ms. Patrice Arnold
Email: parnold@eastpennsd.org
Website: http://classic.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/parnold/
Location: 4068 N Fairview St, Macungie, PA, United States
Phone: 610-9651626