Standard+I


 * Standard I**

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
 * 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity**
 * a.** promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
 * b.** engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
 * c.** promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
 * d.** model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments

Include all that apply: insructional strategies such as differentiation, technology standards (NETS-S), state standards.**
 * 1. List all that goes into planning for classroom instruction.

I teach two 8th grade prealgebra classes and one 8th grade college preparatory algebra class. In order to plan for these classes, first I must look at my school district's curriculum map. In doing so, I review the learning essential questions, math vocabulary, and corresponding state standards. I meet weekly with other 8th grade math teachers, and we discuss corresponding text book chapters and sections as well as other available resources. Since two of my prealgebra classes are co-taught with a learning support teacher, and several students with IEP's are included in these classes, I meet with that teacher on Mondays to review teaching strategies and differentiation. In addition, two of my prealgebra classes include several English Language Learning students and an ELL aide.


 * 2. List the types of projects and activities you use with your students.**

I regularly demonstrate new concepts and example problems on the chalkboard or using a laptop connected to a digital overhead projector. Our school district uses Smartboard technology, and although I do not have a Smartboard, I use a Wacom slate along with either self-created "slides" or Powerpoint slides created by other teachers in my math department. Part way through this school year, I was introduced to a cooperative learning model called "Power Teaching". My students were divided into heterogeneous groups, and the focus of their instruction became working collaboratively on real-world problems, with a team goal to strive for in addition to solving the problem at hand. Outside of these activities, I have assigned various projects, such as posters demonstrating rules and concepts of math, students-as-teachers projects, games, and some extra-credit activities using web tools like Prezi and Glogster.


 * 2a. Do your planned projects and activities include any of the following: project-based learning, authentic activities, higher order thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, creativity and innovation, and use of digital tools and resources? List all that apply.**

Our district recently provided an in-service about using higher order thinking in our PLC's. I try to include at least one project during each marking period, and plan on incorporating on-line posters, podcasts, blogs, and presentation tools as optional formats for future projects.


 * 3. List at least 3 ways that you can improve or would like to grow with regard to planning.**

I would like to plan more interactive lessons that would reduce the amount of lecture and example that I do in class, and increase the amount of discovery that the students perform when they are introduced to new concepts.

I would also like to use the technology tools available to me in order to differentiate assignments and to track assessments. I can use information provided through on-line assessments to plan and to decide on the pace of instruction and when to review, assess, and move on to new concepts.

I would also like to explore how to use technology to better reach the English Language Learners in my classroom. I feel that this is a particularly under-served segment of our population, and that they might have the most to gain by using technology to bridge their language gap.


 * 4. Resources that will help you grow in this strategy.**

I have many resources already available to me to help me improve my planning and instruction. My district provides laptops, Wacom slates, and digital projectors for every 8th grade math teacher. We have access to laptop carts and Activ Votes for student interaction. Our district provides web pages for every teacher, and encourages students to track their grades and assignments on Home Logic. We also use Performance Tracker to organize information on assessments. In addition, I have learned many web-based tools that I can use to make assignments, give quizzes, and differentiate instruction.


 * Summary Statement for Strategy 1**

I would like to improve my planning by incorporating more interactive lessons into my instruction. I have many tools already available to me, as well as many resources in the form of helpful and well-informed colleagues and administrators who are more than willing to help bring new ideas and technology into the classroom. I would like to update my school web page weekly, and include links to educational activities and web sites that will allow students and parents to find helpful resources. I would also like to plan at least two projects per marking period that incorporate "Web 2.0" technology tools. In addition, I would like to make an extra effort to ensure that my English Language Learners are better served. This may include finding other language web sites that cover similar content, or sites that allow these students to practice and/or be assessed with minimal language barriers.