STATS! I guess that's how others started so why not follow along. I am terrified for this class. I sometimes get overwhelmed easily and this class is overwhelming. I have taken a stats class within the past five years and I remember getting the hang of everything in time but since this class is so fast paced, I am a little worried. After the reading, I was reminded of some of the topics that were discussed. I was actually surprised that I could follow along with reading the diagrams. Baby steps, I guess. The one thing that I am most concerned about is the weekly tests!

Action Research

The beginning stages of research is hard. To try to narrow a topic down and find research out there to support it was difficult. I was really set on researching fluency and audio books but it was not the best idea. I could not find much research out there to support the topic. It was also brought to my attention that I could not keep track if the students were going to actually follow through with reading the books at home. It also could have been an expensive project if I was unable to find the materials at rummage sales. I can always try that method on my own in a classroom setting. I think that I will enjoy the topic of repeated reading and fluency. I was told that in order for a student to remember a story it takes seven times of hearing it to remember it. I guess that is why it is called repeated reading.

Last Blog.  I learned how to formulate a unit plan.  My school does not make me plan so thoroughly so I never had to think of the many parts that go into a unit.  I really did like the visual tools.  I can see myself next year use these often with my students. I really think that they will bring up discussion between the varying levels that I will have in my room.  I realized that coming up with framing questions takes a lot of work.  You have to start broad and then narrow.  I am not sure if I will write another unit to teach in my class but I will definitely use the resources to include in my lessons.  

Oh, Professional Development! I hear this term a lot at my school. All of our set aside staff time goes towards pd. The staff is not on board for any of the meetings. I think that my staff just puts together seminars to meet compliance. Since my staff is not too motivated about them, they really do not benefit any of us. In other words, it is often busy work. Next year, my school is one of the lucky ones to be on the AYP list. Meaning, more professional development. I feel that if we are required to participate we should be able to pick our topics. I think staff would then benefit more.

Without any notice, I think that teachers automatically differentiate instruction. It could be that you assign different assignments to students or you allow students to do the same worksheet but grade on the ability. Differentiate is the new buzz word for MPS. It also goes back to the days of the blue jays and the robins. Kids know what ability level they are at compared with their peers. When we separate the work the kids know. The way I handle it in my room is I often pair lower achieving students with higher. Each student is responsible for the work. My kids enjoy working together and teach one another, even the lower ones.

Assessments

I have become more aware that I need to assess my students more often. I informally assess on a daily basis. I need to do more formative in my class to give credit to my students on what they have learned. Also, I have to give more formative feedback to my students. I usually just mention, "good job" or "I know you can do better." This does not guide my students in a positive way. I feel if I prepared better assessments my students would have a more creative final approach to assignments. I would be able to see what efforts they put into their work. They would be able to use more of Bloom's thinking levels as well.

Digital Divides

It seems that I have read a lot about the Digital Divides this week. I am not sure what I feel after discussing topics with my group as well as reading about it for my article review. I do believe that students from minorities do not have the access at home that others may. I could not assign an assignment that involves computers for homework. It would have to be completed in school or after. I do think that my students are at a disadvantage because of the lack of resources. I wish there was a magic answer in order to help control the gap.