Post #7

If your approach to reading our text is anything like my first one was, you probably didn't take time to read all of the parts of Mr. Johnson's Unit on Buoyancy. When I finally did read it, strategies for "Important, Focused & Engaging Curriculum & Instruction" came alive for me! What helped was that I read it with eyes that finally understood how all of the hallmarks could really be "visible" in one unit of instruction! For Blog #7, carefully read Figure 6.1 on page 70, Figure 6.2 on pages 75- 78, Figure 6.3 on p. 79, and Figure 6.4 on page 80. Really looking at this unit makes Carol's words on the surrounding pages inspiring and engaging. So, after you have read the unit in the pages listed above, find 3 subheadings in the chapter that are very clear to you now. Compare and contrast Mr. Johnson's ideas, YOUR ideas for your own class, and the 3 subheadings that are especially meaningful in that comparison. (By "subtopics" I mean the 1- to 2-paragraph sections surrounding the Figures in chapter 6.). Is there something in what you are required to teach for which you could "plan the engagement" in similar ways?


We've discussed this a few times in class, but it fits me once again: Sometimes I think, (for only just a moment) I understand differentiation... All too soon do I realize that I don't fully understand it and there's so much more to it. I enjoy Mr. Johnson's lesson plan, it's so creative and innovative. Everything is scaffolded to fit a particular group of students, yet no matter which one the students end up doing they're doing something fun. I also love the self-evaluation sheet for students to honestly determine if they've contributed to the group work. The three subheadings that really stuck out to me as I read the chapter were: "Aim High"; Its a great reminder for me to remember that no matter what our students are always smart in one way or another. There are so many ways we can reach them, but it requires differentiation to reach them all at once. "Use a Variety of Rubrics to Guide Quality"; I realize that there are different types of rubrics, however this was a good reminder that it's important that I think clearly when I decide which type to use with different students/assignments. This way, everyone will get what they are supposed to out of each rubric. "Try ThinkDots"; These seem to be just another way to differentiate, but they're so versatile and can fit in all kinds of situations. They're so easy to use, I feel like if a teacher truly understood the importance of differentiation and wanted a quick way to put it in his/her classroom immediately ThinkDots would be an easy way to do it. In my own second grade classroom I could create a lesson similar to this in social studies to discover the wonders of community. Community in the classroom, city, state, nation, and as a world.