After reviewing the West Test data at Jayenne Elementary School, I found that 33.32% of students in reading, 52.67% of students in math, 42.21% of students in science, and 31.86% of students in social studies scored mastery or above in those content areas. With that data, its obvious that students need the most improvement in reading and social studies; social studies being the content area in greatest need of improvement.
A good instructional intervention for social studies would be to make connections from old material to new material by expanding on previous learning and relating it to new material.
(http://www.jackson.k12.ky.us/readingstrategies/more/video/milanich2.htm)
Through the use of blogs, reflective journals, and other strategies teachers can help students make connections in the content. For example, blogs can be used for students to post opinions, thoughts, connections to content, and real life stories in their blogs. Then students could share their blogs with classmates then read, compare, debate, and share their knowledge.
Evidence strategy works:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8295798_connect-ideas-comprehension.html
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/491717_there-are-ways-to-improve-memory
http://www.federal-linguists.org/business/ways-to-improve-memory.html
Question
Can we improve content comprehension and retention in social studies by connecting new knowledge with old knowledge?
To collect data, compare scores between students when they utilize this strategy and when they do not.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Action Research Questions
1. What is the title of this project?
Its More Than Throwing Out The Ball
2. What is the problem?
Students are less physically active, partially due to budget cuts for physical education programs, therefore, students are achieving lower academics scores.
3. Describe the instructional intervention.
By recognizing the importance of physical activity and mandating physical education as a necessity for school curriculum, students can achieve a higher academic level; because studies show that physical activity promotes neurogenisis which improves cognitive abilities, increases self-esteem, reduces stress, and increases energy levels.
4. What kind of strategy is the instructional intervention?
Simulations and games
5. What evidence is presented that the strategy will work?
Studies that show exercise reduces stress, and increases energy levels, therefore physically active students will be more alert during class time and less disruptive. Statistics are also included showing that overweight students perform at a lower academic level due to low self esteem and more frequent illness. Also due to a drop in students receiving physical activity, the student population is getting heavier and therefore performs below classroom expectations. On the contrary, students who participate in regular physical activity perform at better academic levels and are less likely to get sick, which improve absentee rates. There are also studies that show students who achieved at high levels on the fitnessgram also scored high on academic tests.
6. How will data be collected to determine if the strategy will work?
The data will be collected in three different ways. First, student surveys will be given asking students how they felt and performed in academic class after participating in physical education class. The next form of data collection is student/teacher observations. Ten sophomores and 10 juniors were randomly selected and teachers were to observe the students and note if they acted differently or performed better in class on days they participated in physical education class prior to class. The final method was a comparison analysis of students GPA’s between their fall semester when they were in physical education and the semester where they didn’t have physical education class.
7. How was the data analyzed?
The student surveys were analyzed by students who had positive responses about physical fitness and those who felt no change. The teacher/ student observations were analyzed by teachers who saw a change or increase of physical activity to those who saw no change. The comparison analysis compared the GPA of the students when they had physical education and when they didn’t. This was done to see a correlation between physical education and better academic achievement.
8. What were the results?
The student surveys showed that 54% of students had positive responses about physical fitness during the school day, while the others felt no change. The teacher/student observations showed that 42% of the teachers involved saw changes in their students and the others saw no change. The GPA analysis showed a positive association between students being physically active and achieving a high GPA. Of the 171 students analyzed, 88 students had a higher GPA the semester they were in physical education class. The research project strongly shows a positive correlation between students who are physically active and students who achieve at a high academic level.
Its More Than Throwing Out The Ball
2. What is the problem?
Students are less physically active, partially due to budget cuts for physical education programs, therefore, students are achieving lower academics scores.
3. Describe the instructional intervention.
By recognizing the importance of physical activity and mandating physical education as a necessity for school curriculum, students can achieve a higher academic level; because studies show that physical activity promotes neurogenisis which improves cognitive abilities, increases self-esteem, reduces stress, and increases energy levels.
4. What kind of strategy is the instructional intervention?
Simulations and games
5. What evidence is presented that the strategy will work?
Studies that show exercise reduces stress, and increases energy levels, therefore physically active students will be more alert during class time and less disruptive. Statistics are also included showing that overweight students perform at a lower academic level due to low self esteem and more frequent illness. Also due to a drop in students receiving physical activity, the student population is getting heavier and therefore performs below classroom expectations. On the contrary, students who participate in regular physical activity perform at better academic levels and are less likely to get sick, which improve absentee rates. There are also studies that show students who achieved at high levels on the fitnessgram also scored high on academic tests.
6. How will data be collected to determine if the strategy will work?
The data will be collected in three different ways. First, student surveys will be given asking students how they felt and performed in academic class after participating in physical education class. The next form of data collection is student/teacher observations. Ten sophomores and 10 juniors were randomly selected and teachers were to observe the students and note if they acted differently or performed better in class on days they participated in physical education class prior to class. The final method was a comparison analysis of students GPA’s between their fall semester when they were in physical education and the semester where they didn’t have physical education class.
7. How was the data analyzed?
The student surveys were analyzed by students who had positive responses about physical fitness and those who felt no change. The teacher/ student observations were analyzed by teachers who saw a change or increase of physical activity to those who saw no change. The comparison analysis compared the GPA of the students when they had physical education and when they didn’t. This was done to see a correlation between physical education and better academic achievement.
8. What were the results?
The student surveys showed that 54% of students had positive responses about physical fitness during the school day, while the others felt no change. The teacher/student observations showed that 42% of the teachers involved saw changes in their students and the others saw no change. The GPA analysis showed a positive association between students being physically active and achieving a high GPA. Of the 171 students analyzed, 88 students had a higher GPA the semester they were in physical education class. The research project strongly shows a positive correlation between students who are physically active and students who achieve at a high academic level.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Struggling Student
In my classes of 8th grade students, I have not necessarily observed students who struggle with the material, but seem to lack interest. Nothing against my host teacher, but the lessons aren't really built around student involvement. They are more lecture based. I believe by implementing different stratgies and activitys, the students will be more motivated and interested to learn the material. When teaching my lessons I'm going to get students involved by using group activities, and scenarios that will create meaning for all the students.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Multiple Intelligence Test
Click here to view my test.
My results for this test showed me having strong intelligence in kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and linguistic.
My results for this test showed me having strong intelligence in kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and linguistic.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Power Standard: Struggling student
(HE.S.7)Students will demonstrate the ability to practice healthenhancing
behaviors and reduce health risks.
Click here to view my activity.
I don't really have any struggling students in the classes i've observed, but some of the students seem to lack interest. I believe this activity will grab the students interest because nutrition and media literacy is a personal issue that all students will deal with in the future. Also it gives students the freedom to choose their favorite food, and to examine what is in it and who what audience the advertisers are aiming at. The main idea of the lesson is getting the students involved, and I believe that is a great strategy to ensure the knowledge from the lesson is retained.
behaviors and reduce health risks.
Click here to view my activity.
I don't really have any struggling students in the classes i've observed, but some of the students seem to lack interest. I believe this activity will grab the students interest because nutrition and media literacy is a personal issue that all students will deal with in the future. Also it gives students the freedom to choose their favorite food, and to examine what is in it and who what audience the advertisers are aiming at. The main idea of the lesson is getting the students involved, and I believe that is a great strategy to ensure the knowledge from the lesson is retained.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Digital story draft
I am from a friendly neighborhood nestled on a hill ,
from backyard football games
and authentic home cooking.
I am from the house on the corner,
surrounded by green grass and tall evergreens.
I am from the garden my mother is so proud of ,
the tall maple where I found shade in the summer
I am from Sunday dinners and humble attitudes,
from Potesta’s and Dorsey’s.
I am from ambitious businessmen and hard working coalminers.
From “never give up“ and the golden rule.
I am from a strong catholic faith. Sin on Saturday saved on Sunday.
I'm from Fairmont and Rivesville, spaghetti and meatballs.
From the respected business my great grandfather built himself , to the World War II hero I called grandpa.
I am from the cedar chest of memories filled with pictures and artifacts, that refresh wilted memories, from those experiences I have been shaped, and that I cannot trade for the world.
from backyard football games
and authentic home cooking.
I am from the house on the corner,
surrounded by green grass and tall evergreens.
I am from the garden my mother is so proud of ,
the tall maple where I found shade in the summer
I am from Sunday dinners and humble attitudes,
from Potesta’s and Dorsey’s.
I am from ambitious businessmen and hard working coalminers.
From “never give up“ and the golden rule.
I am from a strong catholic faith. Sin on Saturday saved on Sunday.
I'm from Fairmont and Rivesville, spaghetti and meatballs.
From the respected business my great grandfather built himself , to the World War II hero I called grandpa.
I am from the cedar chest of memories filled with pictures and artifacts, that refresh wilted memories, from those experiences I have been shaped, and that I cannot trade for the world.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
"Issues of Language, Literacy, and Power"
In this reading, the writer made some very noteworthy and obvious points about literacy in children of poverty. I strongly agreed with her thesis, that the reason most students are struggling with literacy is the result of a lack of experience to reading and writing. This mad a lot of sense to me being a future physical educator. For example, say we are starting a new lesson on baseball. Some students in the class may have previous exposure to baseball through little league, and will grasp the skills much faster. Whereas a student with no experience in baseball will have very little skills if none in the game. The reason they aren't capable of performing the skills isn't because the have a deficint or completely uncoordinated, it's because they have had little or no expereince in that sport. That is completely parallel to what the writer in the article was saying about Donnie.
Also, in the article on page fourteen, there is a italicized statement that states "children of povery are learners,have been learning since birth,are ready to learn any time, and will learn." This to me is a very powerful statement that all teachers need to internalize, but not just only for students of poverty, all students. I feel strongly about this because going through school i've seen classmates who had the potential to succeed, but slipped through the cracks. We as teachers need to realize its our duty to ensure success in the classroom and put our preconcieved notions behind us. When it came to the part in the story where the teachers had no concern for the students predicament and wouldn't act apon it, it really spoke to me and planted a seed in my head to never underestimate a students potential because of their background or lack of skill or knowledge.
Also, in the article on page fourteen, there is a italicized statement that states "children of povery are learners,have been learning since birth,are ready to learn any time, and will learn." This to me is a very powerful statement that all teachers need to internalize, but not just only for students of poverty, all students. I feel strongly about this because going through school i've seen classmates who had the potential to succeed, but slipped through the cracks. We as teachers need to realize its our duty to ensure success in the classroom and put our preconcieved notions behind us. When it came to the part in the story where the teachers had no concern for the students predicament and wouldn't act apon it, it really spoke to me and planted a seed in my head to never underestimate a students potential because of their background or lack of skill or knowledge.
Monday, January 24, 2011
WV question responses
1. Have you experienced prejudice or negative stereotyping because you are a West Virginian? Have you experienced positive reactions?
Yes, I have exoerienced negative stereotyping because I'm a West Virginian, and I'm sure anyone who have visited other states or perhaps talked to someone from another state has experienced it too. I've heard the old "do you where shoes" question a few times before, along with all the incest slanders about West Virginia. When I hear remarks like that I just laugh, or make a joke about it. On a brighter note, I have heard more positive reactions from people than negative. I've talked to people from out of state on this campus, who say the people here are so much nicer or down to earth than from back home. Also they talk about how they like the laid back lifestyle and the beautiful landscapes of West Virginia. Whenever you hear positive responses like that, it definitely makes you proud to be a West Virginian.
2. Some feel that there is a dark part of the West Virginia psyche due to the exploition, the rugged life, poverty, or some say, life in dark hollows. Do you see truth to this?
No matter what state your in this country, or part of the world, the fact of the matter is there is going to be dark parts, that's just how it is. We've akk heard of Jesco White and his family. There have been documentaries on them and a movie was recently made about them that exposes their wild and crazy rebel attitudes. This could be another way to exploit people of West Virginia, but things like that you take with a grain of salt. I've also heard personal experiences from professors giving examples of things us future teachers will see in the workplace, such as people who live in homes with dirt floors and without running water in their home, along with astonishingly unsanitatry living conditions. Another professor said in a school not 45 minutes from Fairmont, there are kids that actually are born as a result of incest. They explained that the family lives in a holler, and they don't leave it, and do not welcome outsiders. I also have been through areas of the state where I have seen places of poverty and grave living conditions. So yes, I do see a little truth that there is a dark part, but not as extreme as some make it out to be. Like I said though, West Virginia is not the only state with dark areas.
Yes, I have exoerienced negative stereotyping because I'm a West Virginian, and I'm sure anyone who have visited other states or perhaps talked to someone from another state has experienced it too. I've heard the old "do you where shoes" question a few times before, along with all the incest slanders about West Virginia. When I hear remarks like that I just laugh, or make a joke about it. On a brighter note, I have heard more positive reactions from people than negative. I've talked to people from out of state on this campus, who say the people here are so much nicer or down to earth than from back home. Also they talk about how they like the laid back lifestyle and the beautiful landscapes of West Virginia. Whenever you hear positive responses like that, it definitely makes you proud to be a West Virginian.
2. Some feel that there is a dark part of the West Virginia psyche due to the exploition, the rugged life, poverty, or some say, life in dark hollows. Do you see truth to this?
No matter what state your in this country, or part of the world, the fact of the matter is there is going to be dark parts, that's just how it is. We've akk heard of Jesco White and his family. There have been documentaries on them and a movie was recently made about them that exposes their wild and crazy rebel attitudes. This could be another way to exploit people of West Virginia, but things like that you take with a grain of salt. I've also heard personal experiences from professors giving examples of things us future teachers will see in the workplace, such as people who live in homes with dirt floors and without running water in their home, along with astonishingly unsanitatry living conditions. Another professor said in a school not 45 minutes from Fairmont, there are kids that actually are born as a result of incest. They explained that the family lives in a holler, and they don't leave it, and do not welcome outsiders. I also have been through areas of the state where I have seen places of poverty and grave living conditions. So yes, I do see a little truth that there is a dark part, but not as extreme as some make it out to be. Like I said though, West Virginia is not the only state with dark areas.
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