I think I have changed my essential question and it has evolved so much over the past few weeks that I kinda feel dizzy. I started by trying to focus on students of trauma. I mean that is the majority of the population at Shearer, but as I trying to bring the study into focus and be able to have clear-cut results I struggled to find a way to define whether or not the three pillars of trauma informed care would actually be having a positive affect on the learning of students in my classroom.
I can trace my essential question back to one of the first few classes we had in 701 where we were asked to find some different videos of technology in the classroom. I stumbled upon an app being used in the classroom and I was instantly drawn to it. I wanted to go to school and try it right away. Keeping a journal of my ongoing questions at the end of the week actually helped me to hone in on my questions. I was left so frustrated at the end of the week with how much I was being expected to implement and try and use with no real plan for how to do it. I realized that with the use of this new tool I found I might be able to solve some of my problems. Even since the beginning I have wanted to focus on closing the achievement gap. Originally I was planning on focusing on just students of trauma, but I think that limited the potency of my study. I didn't want to set limits on seeing if technology had a tried and true effect on student learning. I realized that there were some themes in the trainings I had attended and those themes were: student engagement, rigor, visible learning ,( goal setting and timely teacher feedback), and preparing students with 21st century skills. I was faced with the challenge of doing all this with the curriculum that we are required to use. I think and hope that my essential question and research could have some positive effects at a school level, state level and a national level. I think that closing the achievement gap is such a huge feat for teachers and there is definitely not a shortage of people trying to find ways to do it. I think, however, that we have gotten lost along the way and need some redirection. I think that there is an easier way to look a student learning on many levels without ripping our hair out. I also think that there is a way to boost students engagement and motivation in the meantime! I think 21st century learning can feel daunting expecially for lower grade levels. At least that is how it felt for me. I am searching for a way to reach these goals I have for my teaching with the use of different kinds of technology. I also hope there will be a positive effect on student learning and engagement. I still feel as though I need to hone in on just one aspect of this....
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I am feeling really hopeful and pessimistic at the same time. I did a PBL training last week, a benchmark Advanced training and a grading summit this week and now I am just left to sit and stew in what it looks like to teach all these skills and make sure that all the standards are met but do it in a way that in engaging and relevant to all the varieties of different learners and ability levels in my classroom. I feel like this is a near impossible task. Every year I have been faced with the feat of trying to get all 24 students to read, write, speak in complete sentences, add and subtract within 20, wait their turn, show respect and still have enough time to have a little bit of fun in the process.
I think that the new app I am using this year will really help with helping with the use of technology because I will have a large database of student work samples to use along with informal assessment. I guess what I am saying is I need to get a couple really good tools that are proven successful for each area of the 4 c's that I can start using immediately such as: Communication: Sentence starters/ friendly feedback prompts Collaboration: teaching the act of what collaboration looks like ( taking turns when speaking, listening and re-stating what someone has said to check for understanding) Critical thinking: Comparing, contrasting, relating vocabulary and practice. Creativity: showing what you know is many different ways This is the case study I chose. This video is an example of 21st century learning because they are using the 4 c's and they are using technology in a valid way. There are high expectations for the students. Science is a natural engagement strategy and kids are clearly asking/ answering important questions as well. https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/first-grade-science Along with all the curriculum and strategies that they throw at us and expect us to know, understand and implement- at the end of the day.... you aren't a good teacher if you are stressed about what you are teaching. If its not fun to teach then why are we doing it that way? I strive to implement more science based lessons into my day that drive students to ask good questions and collaborate and communicate with one another. I'm going to take a breath now... repeat my " I am a good teacher" mantra and go back and do it all again tomorrow....
BOY OH BOY! I have been that person who struggles to nail down an essential question! There is so much that I want to know and I am having a hard time designing a question that has internal validity.
I need to take a survey to get some baseline data on classroom community and interpersonal relationships. I will use this data later on to help compile my focus group. I will also compare this survey to another survey later on to see if my treatments have worked and also to possibly see if there is a correlation between positive classroom surveys and reading and writing scores. I feel like I still have so much to figure out about this topic and I am also thinking that my essential question may change as the book said may happen. I need to research some trauma informed delivery models that fit my needs and the needs of my students. I also need to get some baseline data on reading and writing by giving a cold write and also completing my beginning of year Dibles benchmark assessment completed. OH! and one more thing! I have to get the Seesaw app up and running so I have a seamless way of collecting all this data!!!! wow...that a lot to do. |
AuthorI am a first grade teacher who is passionate about her students and learning new things! Archives
January 2019
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