weekly reading 10/22

A Blue print for teacher evaluation.....

  I think teacher evaluations are a good thing. However I don't know that they criteria or how they are done are always executed correctly. Back wen I was in  high school many of the really terrible teacher would put on  a good show for the observer and pass. these were some of the worst teachers in the district and they would pass with flying colors. When I teach I want anyone from any walk of life to be able to come into my classroom on any day and be thrilled. I want them to know and see that I am a good teacher everyday not just when it counts. I also want to them to leave knowing something new.
They will evaluate me by:

A coherent definition of the domain of teaching (the “What?”), including decisions concerning the standard for acceptable performance (“How good is good enough?”).

Techniques and procedures for assessing all aspects of teaching (the “How?”).

Trained evaluators who can make consistent judgments about performance, based on evidence of the teaching as manifested in the procedures.

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation
Domain 1 (Planning and Preparation) includes comprehensive understanding of the content to be taught, knowledge of the student's backgrounds, and designing instruction and assessment. Its components are:

• 1a. Demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy
• 1b. Demonstrating knowledge of students
• 1c. Selecting instructional goals
• 1d. Demonstrating knowledge of resources
• 1e. Designing coherent instruction
• 1f. Assessing student learning

Domain 2: The Classroom Environment
Domain 2 (The Classroom Environment) addresses the teacher's skill in establishing an environment conducive to learning, including both the physical and interpersonal aspects of the environment. Its components are:

• 2a. Creating an environment of respect and rapport
• 2b. Establishing a culture for learning
• 2c. Managing classroom procedures
• 2d. Managing student behavior
• 2e. Organizing physical space

Domain 3: Instruction
Domain 3 (Instruction) is concerned with the teacher's skill in engaging students in learning the content, and includes the wide range of instructional strategies that enable students to learn. Its components are:

• 3a. Communicating clearly and accurately

These are the components of a professional practice. theses are the things that administrators want to see in order to ensure that their students have an adequate teacher. these things are directly in line with what we are learning in our AEE classes. its not about trying to pass an evaluation , it is about trying to become the best teacher you can be. where evaluations only solidify what you and your students know. We are trying to become the model for the evaluation. not because we want to be the best , flashiest, poster child of a teacher. we are learning how to be great because the students deserve the best.

problem solving problems 10/16

This week in lab another flop. I worked on this lesson plan making sure it was better than the previous. I had three versions of it before I thought it was good enough. I went into lab thinking that I had it down.

        I got lost in my train of thought of trying to make sure that I evidenced the problem solving approach. even though I had a better plan than the previous ones it kind of snow balled. I think to have made this go better I should have given some background before the class started. setting up a situation would have helped me and my students with the actual problem solving method. 

         once I realized that I had messed up the enthusiasm level went down which you can clearly see. I also got a bit confused on try to use the method in a lesson to set up a unit. After Laura's quick mini reteach on the subject I finally made the connection . Learning the approach Monday and then recycling it into a lesson so fast definitely through me off. I tried to put way too much information into a lesson. It also would have lacked severe variability had I don't the entire lesson with a real class. On a higher note I think that I at least developed a better lesson plan this time even though it was too much. My next mountain to tackle is figuring out how much information to put in a lesson plan and to make them a successful one day lesson with variability. I struggle with this because there is so much for them to know.

Lab 10/2 reflection

       So this lab went not according plan. I struggled with finding a demo since I wood tech/ carpentray. I got this really cool idea to show students what shims are and how to use those to show how to level projects. The idea was how to use a shim and how to use a level. I created a cardbourd box cabint made out of a shoe box, the box is unlevel because of the lid. the students would use the shims to make thbox level. They had a bubble level on top of the bix to see the change as they did it. I also used a glass of what on top the box to represent level in another more visual way. The lesson plan got blurred I think and become or appeared to become more about setting a cabinet than using tools. I really need to make sure that my lessons are concse. I alos noticed that my demo seemed to drag even though they are supposed to be engaging. was really excited about the idea of this activity that I think it over shadowed to actual purpose and content of my lesson. This was one where thinking deeply was probably a good idea. Shims are very common in home imporvent and building construction and I thought it would be good to use them in an intro class. This lesson was a completet flop but there is definantely room for improvement. I know that at my center i will be teaching saftey and demos can be a crucial part of safety. I definantly want to make sure my students are safe. to be continued..

I think in lab I fall into this lack stage where I know there is another one where I can be better. But, when teaching you get one chance in reality. The students get one chance to learn from you. You have them for only a brief moment in the timeline of their lives. What can we as educators give them in that brief precious moment. This is what I am starting to think about as I reflect on these labs.