Week+5

As 21st century continues to be our focus we struggle to integrate technology into the classroom. At Windham we have a lack of working tech. I have focused our energy on other skill sets, such as critical thinking, real-life relevance, and collaboration. We are observing a need for change in the classroom and have continued to assess whether learning is occurring in our students.

Communication and collaboration continues to be a focus in each class as we encourage students to talk with each other and answer open- ended questions. We are seeing more real-life application in our math classes. One example was during a one step equation lesson. Students were documenting the three steps for solving the problem, but were failing to see the application. With just one problem on the board, patience, and an opportunity to explain how we use this equation in life the class began to see the light. All the students were sharing their creativity and understanding of equations through story problems. Students were showing an excitement for learning.

At our last team meeting we watched the Jasmine in Kindergarten video from the coaches clinic. The team witnessed how one student can change their learning habits over a 6 month period of time, and not for the good. Our teachers are beginning to realize that the behaviors put into place by our students have been in place for a long time. Our students are not thinking for themselves or looking to peers for support. We discussed how Jasmine changed the way she problem solved in math becasue she was influenced by a teacher to only use paper and pencil, no manipulatives. At Windham they agreed that in the classroom they stopped using hands-on manipulatives as part of math instruction. Each lesson we are exploring new ways to bring the manipulatives back.

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In the Digital World: Teachers Today video it stated that teachers may feel that they have limitations. Each week we discuss the ongoing potential opprtunities which is available to each of them in unlimited quantities. Each day the teachers are exploring new ways to utilize resources on the internet. They are reaching out to their students for feedback and ideas. Most importantly they are collaborating with each other.

Although this week was very positive we have ended the week on a disappointing note. Each of the teachers laptops are going to be sent back and replaced with another model. However, we have made decisions on purchasing a projector. We make each day count and continue to focus on teaching and learning with the resources we have.