Portfolio Standards 4 and 5

1. Analyze test data at your PDS site.What percent of students are achieving Mastery or above in any content area?
-At Jayenne Elementary school 32% of the students achieve mastery or above in reading. Mastery or above is achieved by 56% of the students in math, 41% achieve mastery or above in science, and 305 achieve mastery or above in social studies. I think that increasing reading scores will help in all other subjects.

2. Provide a brief explanation of the learning need.
- I think that at Jayenne Elementary they need to focus on their reading comprehension. If the students increase their reading comprehension they will be able to increase their test scores in other subjects as well.

3. Find an Instructional Intervention that you might use to address the learning need.
- I chose SQ3R as an instructional intervention that I would use to improve reading comprehension. SQ3R stands for survey, question, read, recite, review.

4. Write down three pieces of evidence that the strategy works.
- After I began to research this strategy I found that there is no actual research to support it. However, there are several opinions that indicate that this strategy does in fact work.

Research Based Strategies
5. What is your Question?
- My question is can using the SQ3R strategy improve students reading comprehension?

6. What kind of assessment you will use to help you collect data.
- The type of assessment that I would use to help collect data using this strategy is writing activities. The students could write reflections on the the stories they implemented the stragey on to check their comprehension. The stories could be graded with a rubric. Another way that students could be assessed is by answering questions on a story made by the teacher to check their comprehension.

Action Research

1. What is the title of the project?
-What happens to third graders' writing when they participate in a reading and letter writing program?

2. What is the problem?
-The problem is third grade writers struggle with language development and all components of letter writing; dialogue, organization, sentence structure, flow, text-connections, vocabulary, mechanics, support from the reading, and making references about themselves.

3. Describe the instructional intervention.
-The instructional intervention is the implemention of the penpal letter writting program.

4. What kind of strategy is the instructional intervention?
- Simulation and games is the instructional intervention used for this. The students simulated writing letters to their penpal to learn how to write a professional letter.

5. What evidence is presented that the strategy will work?
-Providing students the opportunity to visualize and model improves their chances for understanding. Simulations enhance this potential by making modeling dynamic. Simulations and games provide powerful new opportunities for learning.
Simulations allow learners the opportunity to model, explore, and try out a variety of strategies.

6. How will data be collected to determine if the strategy will work?
- Collecting letters at random across the implemention of the penpal letter writting program. More than one letter was collected per student and it was graded with a rubric.

7. How was the data analyzed?
- Comments from book discussions and a scoring rubric were used to analyze data. The rubric was designed specifically for this pen pal letter writing research, and a rubric guide. The data was collected over a period of four months and was measured against the tool--letter-writing rubric.

8. What were the results?
- The students letters and their written improved with each letter written to their penpal. The occurence of errors decreased. However many of them still struggled with vocabulary and mechanics.

Task Sheet and Roles

The roles I have set for my webquest are a researcher and a recorder. Then both students work together to make the PowerPoint and present it. Click here to view my task sheet.

PBL - TechStep Lesson Plans

Here are the lesson plans that I am using in my classroom for my PBL/TechStep lesson.
Click here to view my lesson plan for day one.
Click here to view my lesson plan for day two.
Click here to view my lesson plan for day three.

Student Product

After completing my webquest, the students will have completed a PowerPoint presentation on a field trip to another country that they would taken another class to. Click here to view a copy of what the students final product might look like.

Evaluation

Summative Assessment. Click here to veiw my rubric to grade my students final product.

Formative Assessment

Click here to view my formative assessment, which is a mind map. Students will write or draw anything that comes to their mind when asked the question: What is culture?

Interest Inventory on Student

I conducted the interest inventory that I posted before on a student in my class today that is struggling. This student is in 3rd grade and is a male. It took about 15 minutes to complete the survey. He listed his name birthday, three best friends, and his brother and sister's name to start the survey. He was unsure on both spellings and asked for help. The next question was his favorite movie, which he quickly answered with "HOP". On the following question he had to think of an answer for about a minute. The question was his favorite book. He then finally answered with "The Littlest Llama." The next question he answered quickly as well, favorite singer. He replied with "Little Wayne." He then said that his favorite song was "Firework." His listed his favorite televsion show as "1,000 way to die." He was also asked if he had one wish what would it be? He replied with I would want to be the smartest kid in the world." The next question ask asked him how school could be better, and his reply was "If we could play games all day." He was then asked what he would do with one million dollars? He answered with "Spend it all on toys and candy." Next he was asked what is one thinig his teacher from last year did that he liked and one thing she did that he didn't like. He said fractions for the like, and handwriting for the dislike. He then listed his favorite hobbies as sports like soccer and his favorite thing to do at home is play with his friends.

I thought conducted this interest inventory was very interesting. I would not have guess that for one wish in the world he would chose to be the smartest kid in the world. I think it would also be interesting to compare someone who is not struggling in school to this student. I wonder if someone who is not struggling would list reading as a hobby, or doing homework as something they like to do at home.

Driving questions and anchor video for Webquest

The driving questions for my webquest is: How is the culture in your own country different from and similar to the culture in the country you are taking your field trip to?
(My teacher wants me to do countries even though it does not match the power standard for 3rd grade.)

Here is a link to the video I found for my webquest.

Power Standard and Link

I am doing a text step in my third grade classroom for my pbl. The text step requires the students to create a power point for a virtual field trip. The students will choose a country to take their class too and talk about the cultures, diversity, and use pictures to show important places in their country. I chose to use social studies power standard 5. Click here to view this standard. Since my teacher wants me to do a text step it is pretty much already laid out. However, I did find a lesson that is similar or could be done along with the text step. Click here for the link to this lesson. There are several other lessons that I found on the the ThinkFinity website that I think would be fun to do along with this power standard. I think teaching children about cultures is very important and is something I am very interested in. I think that this activity would benifit the struggling student in my class or other struggling students because they could use more pictures than words if they struggle with reading and writing like the student in my class. I think that it would also help my student because it might interest them to be able to learn about other cultures and countries. I think it would also interest a struggling student beacuse they have choices to what they use in the their media presentation.

Types of Learners

After taking this survey I found that my learning style was 4.86 kinesthetic or body movement, 4.57 Interpersonal or social, and 3.43 linguistic or language. The other scores that were listed for my other intelligences were 3.43 intrapersonal or self, 3.43 naturalist or nature, 2.57 spatial, 2.75 musical, and 1.71 logic/math. The three intellingences that were highlighted in my test were kinesthetic, interpersonal, and linguistic.

The strategies that could be used for a kinesthetic learners need to be hands on and minds on. One activity that would be good for this type of learner would be acting out a story as a play versus just reading it. This types of learners need to use manipulitives and move their bodies while learning. Another activity that is good for kinesthetic learners is to learn how to write letters by using clay. I have seen special education students use magnets to help them learn how to spell their names. This type of learner might need to take breaks to get up and move around or even take a walk while taking in information. I believe that I am mostly this type of learner because I am always on the go. Kinesthetic learners also can benifit from interactive learning games. One game that would be helpful to this type of learner is playing a game with students on a big map of the United States on the playground. Announce a state to the students and have them walk to find it and stand on it. This will help the students remember the location and the name of the state.

One strategy for a interpersonal type of learner is think pair share. These learners enjoy talking and often learn a lot from their peers. Another strategy is using cooperative groups such as, numbered heads together or jigsaw. These students would do well with projects that involve a presentation since they like to talk. Another activity that would be good to use with this types of learner is doing a video or interview project.

Lingustic learners enjoy writing and reading. A strategy that would be good for this type of learner would involve the student reading aloud. They could also keep journals reflecting on what they have reaad or to their own personal life. One activity that this type of learner would enjoy is a story telling project. I watched a video on a school that did a story telling unit for the students. This type of learner would benifit from an activity like this.

Struggling student

I have been observing a student who is struggling in school for the past few classes. This student does have an IEP and is a lower level student in both math and reading. This student leaves the room for an hour a day to go to the special education classroom. This student can do much of the work that is given to her on her own, it just takes her longer. However, she is a bit lazy and wants someone else to do it for her. She does not try very hard and often turns in work that is uncompleted or asks the teacher or myself for "help". Her asking for help means she does not want it explained to her she wants it done for her. Which of course we do not do. I notice that as the day goes on she has more and more trouble completing her work. It is almost like she gets bored of being at school. This student is very socialable with the other students and seems to have friends in the class. This student has trouble reading outloud during stories, and the other students help her a lot. I thought this was very cool because they did not make fun of her at all, instead they tried to help her. This student seems to have low self esteem when it comees to school work, which I think is why she always wants help. She seems very unsure of herself and is constantly questioning herself. This student does get excited when she does understand somethin though. She was working on numberic patterns and when she finally got it she was so excited and proud of herself.

My goal is to get this child interested in learning in hopes of making it easier for her. I also want to help her improve her reading skills so that she can be more confident when reading in front of the class. My teacher has many different instructional activities that she is going to allow me to do with this student during class time.

Culturally Responsive Teaching

Culturally Responsive Reflection

This project has taught me that people come from all different backgrounds and those backgrounds have many different stereotypes that come with it. I feel that knowing what type of background your students come from is important to helping them learn. I believe that children can use the knowledge that they already have to learn new material. I think having students create a digital photostory, as we did, is a great way to help us to get to know them better. I plan to use culturally responsive teaching in my classroom by accepting everyone culture and trying to make everyone feel equal no matter of their race, gender, or background. The Mountaineer video that we watched and the Tall Tales reading both show the way the West Virginia is show negatively in the media. I think that we need to show students that stereotyping is still happening in the world today and that we should strive to eleminate it, especially in a school setting. I feel that teachers often show cultural deficit toward students who come from a different background than them, and I do not believe that this is fair. The teacher in the Purcell Gates reading showed cultural deficit toward, the student Donnie. The teacher assumed that because Donnie's mother was illiterate that Donnie had no hope. However, the teachers in the Moll readings showed their students cultural capital, because they emhrassed their backgrounds. The teachers in this reading used things that the students already knew about from their communities and families to help them learn new concepts. I think that it is important to practice cultural capital in a school setting to not discourage students or make them feel bad about themselves. All students have the ability to learn and should have the opportunities to learn no matter where they came from.

Clinicals

I am starting off by going to the classroom on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 ish - 1:00 ish. I plan to get four hours on both days, which will give me eight hours a week. I will have some cheerleading conflicts eventually, which will change my schedule.

Where I am From

Where I Am From...

I am from the hollow where everyone knows your name, from chocolate chip cookies and homemade ice cream.

I am from the house with the red door and black shutters.

I am from the trees that lend us protection, the Potomac River where we often play.

I am from football and open arms, from Harman’s and Maynard’s and Maw and Gee.

I am from summers spent in Myrtle Beach and a love for animals.

From dreaming big and always believing that you can do anything you set your mind to.

I am from a large Catholic church. That's perfect for family weddings.

I'm from the friednly town of Keyser, WV, “Chelsea salads” and hot wings.

From the heart of a generous man and the hands of a woman that are always giving, and my adopted brothers they’ve given me.

I am from working hard to become the best to celebrating the hard work paying off. I am from the memories that will never be forgotten.

Interest Inventory

I wanted to do my interest inventory for elementary students. The one i picked asks questions about the students favorite books, movies, singers, foods, and tv shows. It also asks students neat questions like; "School would be better if..." I also liked this interest inventory because there were pictures on it. Here is the link to my interest inventory. It is in PDF form I hope that is okay! :)

Jenny and Donny belonged to a social underclass. They were members of a social group referred to as "urban Appalician," "poor whites" from the mountains or hills, "hillbillies,""white trash."Donny's failure to learn was not considered worthy of attention, and Jenny's inability to get herself heard was immidiately related to this fact. Jenny wasnt taken seriously as a concerned mother, because it deeply held belief, or stereotype, that poor urban Appilicians are unfit as parents. This stereotype prevented school personal from interpreting her complaints and concerns in the same way they would interpret complaints and concerns from a middle-class mother. Donny's failure to learn anything was not noted because this was an expected pattern. Nothing to get excited about. What do you expect from these people? Happens all the time! That someone would care about this family was somewhat unsettling to the school.

I chose this part of the reading to talk about because I was in shock by it! I think as teachers we need to be very careful not to use stereotypes. The mother in the reading was obviously concerned for her child and like most mothers she just wanted the best for him. I think that it is not only the school and teacher's job to make sure every student learns but to feel safe and excepted. I can only imagine how the children in this school acted toward Donny, if the adults treated him and his family the way they did. I understand that things like this often happen in schools, but I believe that it is the teachers job to try to end stereotypes like these. With as many resources that are offered in schools, I feel that a student can be successful if given the opportunity. Everyone wants someone to believe in them, to believe that they will succeed. I do not think a teacher should doubt a student because students will strive to a teachers expectations.

Mountaineer!

Is our way of life unique?

I remember when I first realized that West Virginia was unique. I have distant cousins that live in New York and every two years we try to have a get together. The first one I can remember I was about eight. My cousins came my grandparents house, I began to play with a girl who was about my age and she told me how impressed she was. I asked her what she was impressed with. She told me she was impressed with how nice the house and neighborhood were. I was confused and asked her what she expected. She then informed me that she thought we were going to be living in a log shack with no running water or lights. I just laughed and let it go, but I realized that people thought much differently of West Virginia than I did.

I think that Mountaineers are most unique in our sense of pride. I know so many people who have moved from here, but alwasy have nice things to say about West Virginia, still root for the sports here, and still love to come back and visit.

I think that many West Virginians try very hard to hold on to our traditions. I am not sure if they manage to do so more or less than most other states. However, the way I have attempted to connect with traditions is through stories. My grandfather loves to tell me stories that his grandfather told him and I hope one day to pass down those stories to my children and grandchildren.

I am from the Eastern Panhandle of the state and I see huge differences in my life styles than even lifestyles here in Fairmont. I have noticed many words that are pronounced different or even a different word with the same meaning. For example I say soda and most people here say pop. I think the biggest thing that ties the different "cultures" together are the beaty of the mountains and earth around us and the pride of being a Mountaineer.

The power of nature

I live back a hollow in the woods and have for most of my life. I love it because for the most part it is dark and very quiet. When I was younger my cousins and I used to search in the woods for blackberries. We would pick them and use them in ceral or give them to our grandmother to make cobbler. This is how I learned that if I could I could survive off the land. My uncles and cousins are hunters and fisherman so I often went with them, which was interesting.

I love being in nature. I love listening to the birds, feeding the animals and watching the leaves change colors. Living in the woods has allowed me to do all those things. My boyfriend is from the "town" where I live and recently he has moved in with my family. It took a lot of getting used to for him. He was very afriad of the woods at first but now he actually enjoys sitting outside and enjoying the peace and quiet.

I think that we should educate outsiders about our way of life and understand their way of life as well. I think we need to show outsiders that there is nothing to be afraid of and that nature is a beautiful thing.