Strategy Lesson Plan Reflection

Overall, I think that our lesson plan went well. When we began the assignment, we struggled to figure out how to annotate for math, but then decided to present a word problem. We felt that a word problem was most effective for this strategy. As we presented the assignment, I felt that it was effective, but also could have been improved. First, there were a few class periods that have passed between our submission of the assignment and our presentation. We knew what we were presenting, but I felt that we could have prepared a little more for the presentation in order to know who was explaining and teaching which parts of the lesson. However, it was still executed well and effective in teaching the class. Also, the handout we provided to the class could have been written differently in order to provide more space for annotating and working through the problem. Additionally, we could have better explained the process of annotation and what an inequality is. However, I felt that our group was prepared in using different highlighters to annotate the problem and we were prepared with our materials. I think it was helpful to ask the class how they arrived at an answer and also to answer their questions throughout the presentation.
I think it was beneficial for us to do a problem first, then allow the class to lead us through the problem, in order for the class to then complete the assignment on their own. In summary, I think our group did a great job teaching the lesson and everyone enjoyed learning how to annotate a math problem.

Word Count: 272

Resource Blog 5

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/mathcore/#.Xa0YKC2ZN0s

I have really enjoyed finding math resources to use in future planning and teaching and was excited to find another great one! PBS Learning Media gives lesson plans, videos, and interactive thinking and teaching for parents, students, and teachers to access for free. This resource is specifically for 5th-8th grade. It gives excellent resources to help parents better understand what is being taught, allows students to interact with games, quizzes, and more to help grasp and master a concept, and gives teachers a resource to reference for lesson plans. I think teachers could also assign various interactive assessments to add variety to a student's homework. The website is divided up by topic and grade making it easy to navigate and distinguish between topics. The topics are based upon the common core curriculum ensuring that students are learning and developing skills that complement the concepts that are discussed in the classroom. Additionally, each of the concepts provide support materials and list the various standards that are met throughout the lessons and videos.

While this website and resource is specific to math, the PBS Learning Media website covers all subject areas and also includes arts, physical education, world languages, and professional development. I think this is an excellent resource that we can all access and use within our classrooms and lesson plans. Each of the content areas have multiple sub topics to choose from and are each framed around specific grades, including the middle grades. This is a resource that can be used for all content area teachers, a tool for a parents, and another resource for students!

Word Count: 266

Synthesis Blog 5- Differentiation and Book Clubs

Classroom teaching and learning must constantly evolve and look different. In order to do that, teachers must differentiate materials assigned and given based upon the classroom environment, size, and skillset of learning needs. Throughout Subject Matters, we have learned ways to challenge and grow our students through various literacy approaches, one specific example being book clubs. Book clubs can be used in all content areas, as we encourage our students to pick up a book pertaining to a specific topic or content area. Book clubs allow students to work together in order to unpack, understand, and learn about a given moment in history, concept, or character's story. It gives a deeper understanding or new approach to a given topic. It challenges the student to ask questions, share ideas, and work together to better understand the book.

Book clubs seem great and extremely beneficial when they are managed well. However, it is easy to identify the ways that a book club might go wrong or even how it might not fit a specific subject. But the book provides an outline to help teachers prepare to lead a classroom and facilitate book clubs and book club discussions. I really liked the practical steps given in the book, in order to create and use a book club in any classroom. I feel that it is crucial for steps, tasks, and jobs/roles to be given to each person within the group, so that one or two people are not pulling the weight for the entire group. I have enjoyed discovering and removing the previous idea that book clubs are typically only used in language arts classes; however, now I can identify the benefits within all subject areas.

Word Count: 283

Resource Blog 4

https://www.brighthubeducation.com/homework-math-help/76317-math-projects-for-middle-school/

As teachers, we must create opportunities for our students to be creative and engaged in materials, rather than just learning through lecture, worksheets, readings, etc. This resource provides multiple in class and out of class projects that students can create in order to display their understanding and knowledge of a material. These projects are specific to math and include ideas such as survey projects, building a classroom to scale, and pre-algebra board games.

Each of these projects give a brief explanation and guideline on how to share the project with students. It also allows the teacher freedom to make their own decisions toward their purpose and expectation for the project. I personally made a board game in my sixth grade math class and loved getting to create my own game. Then, we were able to spend a class period playing other games while practicing and preparing for our summative assignment. Many of these projects include both math and writing, allowing students to use cross circular schema to conduct their project. This can be extremely beneficial, as it encourages students to consider multiple subjects while creating their own project.

While this website is specific to math, I am sure that there are other similar resources available for other content ares. Projects are a great way for students to break out of the traditional classroom norms and teaching, giving students the opportunity to express their understanding and knowledge while having fun with the materials at hand.

Word Count: 244

Synthesis Blog 4- Tearing Down the Wall: Literature and Science

Summarize the Article: I explored the importance of literacy in science through the article assigned during class. Science can be better understood and explained with a parallel connection to literature. Students can break down the wall of subjects being focused on one specific area and instead see how each subject is intertwined.

Make Connections: This article made excellent points that better explained and discussed how we can make connections for students between science and literacy. I lacked teachers who made these connections, but loved seeing how others have linked science to poetry, novels, and other literature. However, I was able to see the connection between literacy and science through people like Stephen Hawking, as my teachers would use him as a resource in their classes.

Critique: I think it is important to note that students are going to enjoy or understand some subjects over other subjects, so we must find ways to help students engage with all materials. Science can be confusing and adding in literature to the subject, may be difficult for some students through reading comprehension and understanding. Overall, I feel that the article explained the benefits of building connections and teaching literacy in science.

The Importance of this Article: It is important for students to bridge the gap between science and literacy. One example shared in the article was through various books students might read. A teacher can then discuss the novel with their students to determine what are fiction and non-fiction, as it relates to science. When students are able to make multiple connections to a concept or terminology, they have better retention and understanding of the material being taught. Students will experience a better understanding throughout multiple subjects, when they can see connections within each subject.

Word Count: 291