Assessment

What is it?
     The purpose of assessment is for you to check your students understanding to see where they are at. This assessment should drive your instruction, and it should also give you feedback on  your teaching. This will show you the gaps in your students and where they need the most help. There are many different kinds of assessment like formal and informal. Formal assessments are tests, quizzes, end of the unit essays/exams. Informal assessments are quick checks, observations, and even turn and talks. Anything can be turned into an assessment.
                                 
How can it be used in the classroom?
      Like I said, anything can be used as an assessment. Some of the common summative assessments that we are end of the chapter or unit tests. These test cover the whole unit and show what the students learned during the whole unit. Another example is a project, presentation, or paper. Some formative assessments are quizzes, midchapter checkpoints, Kahoot, and hand signals. You can use many different ways to assess your students. You can use the fist to five method where students hold up the number that they feel like they are on. Five means they feel great about it and could teach the lesson themselves. One means that they are lost and still need help. Also, mini whiteboards are great to use for quick checks, especially in math. Students can work out a problem and hold their boards up. This will let you check the students work quickly and efficiently. Quizizz is also a great app to use to assess students. It is a competition but does not have as much pressure as Kahoot. The students work through the problems at their own pace instead of in 10 seconds. Lastly, you can assess your students just by listening to them talk with others. If you tell them to turn and talk, listen to their answers to see if they actually understand! Observation is a great tool!
What is the impact on student learning? What is the cost?
     Assessment should drive your instruction. Pre-assessments are great to use to build and develop your lessons. A KWL chart is great to see what your students already know before you teach it. Let them show their prior knowledge. Assessment builds student learning and shows the student how they are growing and developing. This also allows students to show ownership of their learning. When they do well, they are proud of themselves and will share it with others. It will build their confidence, but will also teach them humility. Assessment will also challenge students and their critical thinking. The cost of assessment is free, unless you download an expensive assessment from Teachers Pay Teachers. There are many free resources out there that you can use. Your school should have a curriculum and bank of assessments for you to use. The best part about it is, if you don't like it or don't think it accurately assesses your students... then make your own! You know your students better than anyone, so make it geared towards them.
                                       
Bonus Info: 
Here are some apps for you to check out and use for assessment in the classroom!

• Kahoot
• Quizizz
• Prodigy
• Educreations
• Flipgrid

Final Thoughts:

     One of my favorite classes that I ever took was an assessment class. I learned so much about the value of assessment and how it can  benefit our students. This presentation reminded me of that class. Our assessments should be designed to grow our students and make them better. The results of those assessments should always make us reflect as a teacher on our strategies and methods. One new thing that I learned was the analogy they shared to explain the difference between formative and summative assessments. That analogy is that the formative assessment is when the chef tastes the soup, and the summative assessment is when the guests taste the soup. When the chef tastes the soup, he is seeing what is right and what needs to be added to make it better. When the guests taste the soup, they are tasting the final product. As teachers we should assess our students while we are teaching them, not just when we are finished with instruction. I will remember this analogy when I am teaching on my own and will make sure to incorporate these strategies into my own classroom. 

If you are still stuck on the why of assessments, check out this video to see the purpose behind it all!

STEAM and Literacy Connections

What is it?
     STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The A was recently added because the arts are a valuable tool in learning and success. When I think of STEAM lessons, I don't think about literacy lessons. I think about math and science experiments, robots, coding, and technology. However, there are many ways that teachers are connecting literacy to STEAM.
                                                        
How can it be used in the classroom?
     One school has incorporated a STEM night to where the whole school read the book, "Lemonade Wars." At this event, all of the activities and challenges were based off of the book. This school found a way to make reading and literacy a part of STEAM. Really, all standards have an ELA component to them. For science, you have to use your knowledge and skills from reading to write and create. For math, you may have to read word problems, solve them, or write your own. Reading and writing are embedded into everything that we do, and that is why it is a part of STEAM. You can connect literacy to STEAM by having students act out a story or a play. You can have a makers space in your classroom where students have to build a replica of a scene from the story. Another example is that the students could build the houses from the 3 Little Pigs. They could read the story and then retell the story by building replicas of the houses.
                                 
What is the impact on student learning?
     This has a HUGE impact on student learning. Students are more engaged in lessons and are more willing to try their best. There are so many books that can be used for cross-curricula activities, especially in science. Students can draw and write about what they are learning. Using books about historical people, the childrens version, can really amp up a lesson. If you are learning about the underground railroad, you can read Henry's Freedom Quilt. Then, you could have students make their own freedom quilt. This type of learning really helps students to make real-world connections. It challenges their creativity, build their critical thinking, and allows them to see the big picture of their learning.
What is the cost?
     You can purchase a lot of interactive books out there to really enhance your lessons and connect Literacy to STEAM. These books are not that expensive and well worth the price. Here is a list of books that you can use to connect literacy to STEAM!

• One Plastic Bag (Science)
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Science)
• Pirate Pete (Math)
• Rosie Revere, Engineer (SS and Science)
• 11 Experiment That Failed (Math and Science)

Final Thoughts:
      I think that it is so important for us to find ways to connect literacy to STEAM and use it in our classrooms. We can make learning fun for our students in so many ways. Including these books will bring so much to your lessons. Finding a way to tie the subjects together really brings even more to student learning. One new thing that I learned is that allowing students to build and create after reading increases their comprehension. I loved how they used the story "Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea" to allow students to learn history, practice reading, and build their own solar powered stove. This such a neat and engaging activity for students that I would love to use one day. I really will work on finding ways to incorporate these ideas into my classroom. I will allow my students to build and use their creativity. I will find engaging ways to make their learning interactive and something they are proud of us. I will incorporate STEAM into literacy as much as I can.

I loved this video that the group shared in their presentation! Check it out to see STEAM in action.

Sensory Integration: Montessori and Orton Gillingham

What is it?
     Sensory integration in the classroom is incorporating activities and ways for students to learn by using one of the senses. Orton Gillingham is an action based learning approach that engages in sensory learning for instruction. It promotes positive interaction between the teacher and student, mainly in reading and writing. Montessori education is a school that engages students in all of the senses. This type of learning gives students freedom, choice, structure, and allows them to experience nature. It creates a strong sense of social awareness in its students.

How is it used in the classroom?
     Sensory integration can be done in many easy ways and can be pulled from Orton Gillingham or the Montessori approach. For example, you can add a sensory wall in your classroom that has many objects for the students to touch and feel. This can be a bag of slime, textured paper, fuzzy pillows, rocks, and more. Anything can be added to this wall to engage the senses. This can be a place for students to go when they are overwhelmed or just need a break. Also, giving the students flexible seating and freedom to move can really engage the students in active learning. They won't feel as confined and will be able to learn where they are the most comfortable. Give students time to play and talk with their peers. Make sure your lighting is not to bright for the students. Also, use sensory items such as sand trays to help students practice writing letters and words.
                           
How does it impact student learning?
     There are many benefits of Montessori approaches. The students that go to these schools are constantly learning and growing and are usually extremely successful in the real world. This is because they have freedom, their senses are engaged, and they are not confined to the classroom all day long. They get to see the real world and experience it. Sensory learning really helps students to take ownership of their learning. For many students, being able to touch something calms their nerves and helps them to focus better. Orton Gillingham methods are very impactful for teaching students to write. This helps students to use the senses to learn. They really get to feel the shape of the letter they are writing by using sand, foam, and sandpaper.
What is the cost?
     The cost will depend on how extra you want to be when creating sensory activities. You can easily make slime and put it into bags using household items. That is my suggestion, find items at your house or in your teacher tool box before you go out and buy things. Orton Gillingham items will depend on your school system and if they us that curriculum. Incorporating Montessori ideas into your classroom costs nothing. Just give your students more freedom, flexibility, and take them outside if you can.
                                      
Bonus info:
Here are some great apps to use to incorporate sensory integration into your classroom.

• Stamp Game
• Alpha Writer
• Montessori Geometry

Final Thoughts:

     There are Montessori schools out there that I would love to visit and see how they work. I really think they have so many amazing benefits for their students. I believe that sensory integration is so important for students. However, one new thing that I learned is that it is important to not overload the senses for the students. Sometimes having it all is too much. That is why it is so important to make sure your classroom environment is not overwhelming to students. If the colors are too bright or there is a lot on the walls, it can be too much for students. Sometimes our cute decorations can be a big distraction. In my classroom, I want to use lamps instead of overhead lights to reduce the brightness in the room. I want to have a sensory wall that the students can go to calm down. I want to have a productive and comfortable set up so my students are not overwhelmed. Also, I will incorporate flexible seating to allow my students to move around and have a sense of freedom. I am also including the video that they shared with us of what it is like to be sensory overloaded. I think this is so important for us to see and think about when setting up our classrooms. 

Nearpod

What is it? How can it be used in the classroom?
     Nearpod  is an online tool/app that allows you to create interactive and engaging presentations for lessons. Think of a powerpoint but with interactive activities added in to it. This instructional technology allows you to assess your students while you are teaching them. You can include response boxes, questions, and games to assess students throughout the lesson. This can be used to increase participation during lessons, enhance student learning, motivate students, and creates a positive sense of digital citizenship. The great thing about this tool is that students cannot get off task while using it. If they open up another browser, it will notify you which student is not on the page anymore. This really teaches the students to be responsibility and accountability. While you are teaching the lesson, the same screen will appear on the students screen. They will all be on the same thing at one time. This is just a great way to help your students learn in a fun and exciting way.
                                   
What is the impact on student learning?
     Nearpod is a great tool to use in the classroom because it promotes active and interactive learning. This allows students to collaborate and learn in real time. This increases their engagement in learning which leads to better performance on assessments. Students are paying better attention to the details and being more proactive with their learning. Also, this is great for teachers to use in assessment. This is a very easy way to see where your students are and if they are paying close attention to instructions. This is also great for students because it takes away some of the pressure of pencil and paper tests. They are being assessed without even realizing it, and they are having fun while doing so.
What is the cost?
     There are different levels of Nearpod and with each level comes a different price. You can use Nearpod for free and do a LOT with the free version. You can still create interactive lessons with the free version. There are gold and platinum levels that cost money and come with more benefits like storage, activities, and games. However, many school systems will purchase this and share it with the teachers for free. So before you buy anything, check with your administrators and fellow teachers to see if your system has this paid program.
Bonus Info: 
You can use Nearpod for a virtual reality field trip to take your students out of the country. You can show them places all over the world right on their screen. The possibilities for Nearpod are endless!
Also, there are already pre-made lessons that you can use! This is what they would look like.
                      
Final Thoughts:
     Nearpod is an excellent tool to use in your classroom. I had heard of Nearpod before, but I have never actually used it before to teach a lesson. I would love to incorporate this into my lessons if my school has the resources to do so. I think it would be great to use this the first week of school for a get to know me presentation. This would allow the students to learn about me but also share about themselves. One new thing that I learned is that there are games for Nearpod that you can add into the presentation. For example, Time to Climb is an interactive game by Nearpod that the students can play during the lesson. This is a great tool for assessment but it is a game and race for the students. I would love to use this for a review game in my own classroom.

Check out this video to see Nearpod in use!

Active Learning Strategies

What is it?
     Active learning is any method of teaching that engages students in their learning and encourages them to be active in their learning. This type of learning promotes involvement during lessons, better participation during activities, and an overall better understanding of the material.
                                         
How is it used in the classroom?
     There are many ways to incorporate active learning strategies into your lessons. First, if students are working in pairs or groups, use some active learning strategies to help them stay on task and engaged in the activity. During this activity, you could incorporate Think, Pair, Share as a way to actively engage the students. First, the students think about the question and their response. Then, the student pairs with a partner or group and shares their responses. This allows them to build on their think time and collaborate with their peers. If you are doing a whole group lesson, you can use signal cards to help constantly assess your students. These signal cards can be red, green, and yellow. Here is what each color means:

• Red: Stop, I am lost.
• Yellow: Slow down, you are losing me.
• Green: I have got it!

Incorporating these cards allows the students to be active in their learning, but also helps you see where the students are struggling. This helps you as a teacher to modify your instruction to help your students. Check out this video below to see active learning strategies in action!

What is the impact on student learning?

     Active learning strategies tremendously boost student involvement and engagement during lessons. They are more motivated during class to participate and work hard. They retain more information from the lesson which allows them to perform better on assessments. They are more confident when communicating with their peers. They are more comfortable in the classroom and more willing to share their answers and responses in whole group settings. 

What is the cost?

     These strategies are free to use in your own classroom. The only cost is the time it may take to teach the strategies, but that shouldn't take long at all. Depending on the strategy, you may have to use some type of material. Be sure to check out your storage closet, flea markets, yard sales, or resource rooms before spending too much money.

Bonus info: 

Here are some different strategies for you to look up and possibly use in your classroom!

• Graffiti Walls
• Word Splash- APP
• Interactive Notebooks (THE BEST)
• Walking Tours
• Exit Slips
• Scavenger Hunts

Final Thoughts:

     One new strategy that I learned was biopoems. I am sure that I did one of these back in the day, but I never really understood what it was. Now, I know that these are great tools to use for students to share with others. This would be a great activity to use at the beginning of the school year to get to know your students and to help your students get to know each other. This also helps them practice grammar skills like adjectives to describe themselves. This strategy really promotes creativity and active learning. I would love to use this in my future classroom the first week of school depending on the grade level I teach. I would love to make one about myself to help my students get to know me as their teacher. 

                                                  

Autism and the iPad

What is it?
     Students with autism have various learning needs, and no one student with autism is the same. Students can have a little bit of autism and only require very small accommodations. However, there are some students with autism that do not speak or it is difficult for them to function in a classroom setting. The iPad is wonderful to use for students on the spectrum. There are so many apps out there that can be used to help these students communicate and be more successful in the classroom. The best thing about the iPad is its size because it can be easily carried and used anywhere.
How can it be used in the classroom?
      For non-verbal students, they can use the apps to communicate with others. There are many apps that the students can select pictures of how they are feeling to communicate, or they can select a series of images to form a sentence. For example, the student could use the app Proloquo2Go to help them communicate. This app allows them to practice their reading, grammar, and vocabulary skills. This app allows them to find the picture that matches the word they are wanting to say. Then, they select the picture and it says the word for them. There are also phrases that have pictures as well. This gives those non-verbal students a voice.
                                        
What is the impact on student learning?
     There are so many benefits to using the iPad with students who are on the spectrum. The apps serve as a voice for many of those students. It builds their confidence, communication skills, learning skills, and self-awareness skills. They are more engaged in the classroom and with other students. They are more motivated to learn and participate. This is a game changer for students with autism. It allows for smoother transition times and periods for these students. Overall, it boosts their social and emotional learning as well.
                                         
What is the cost? 
     Many schools or districts have a program that they use for students with autism. This may be an app that they have already paid for, so before you try to buy one yourself, see if your school has already purchased it. Many of the apps can be a little pricey, but the benefits for the student is worth the price.
Bonus Info:
Here are some apps that you can check out to use with your students with autism.

• Upcard
• TippyTalk
• Shadow Puppet
• Grace Picture

Check out this video to see the benefits of using the iPad for students with autism!

Final Thoughts:

     Overall, using the iPad with students with autism is a MUST, especially for those students who are non-verbal. It will help those students learn how to communicate with others and develop social cues. One new thing I learned is that there are many apps out there just to help students with transition time. I never really thought about how this could be very difficult for students with autism. The apps just help to reduce the stress and worry of change for these students. It helps to calm them down. As a new teacher, I will be more aware of my transition times, especially if I have any students with autism. I will incorporate some of these apps for those students to use during transition time so they can smoothly get to the next task. Also, I will make sure that the student feels comfortable and like they have a voice and a say in the classroom. I will help these students find their voice, all while building their academic and social skills. 

Social Emotional Learning and Conscious Discipline

What is it?
     Social emotional learning is the process of managing emotions, setting and achieving goals, and the ability to develop relationships with others. Through this, people learn how to handle their emotions and respond to the emotions of others. Conscious discipline is a type of discipline that eliminates the punishment/reward aspect of it. With conscious discipline comes encouragement, assertiveness, empathy, and choices.
How can it be used in the classroom?
     There are many ways that you can incorporate social emotional learning into the classroom. For example, you can have a "Calm Down Corner" that students can go to reduce their stress or calm their emotions. This can be a designated spot in the classroom that has a very peaceful setting. Give the students a time limit so they don't spend the whole class time in the corner. Also, you can incorporate daily check ins with your students to give them the chance to talk about their day and their feelings. One way to incorporate conscious discipline is by using conflict resolution sentence starters. Practice with your students on how to respectfully resolve a problem with another student. Give them sentence stems to help them start off their conversation. For the teacher, be encouraging to your students and help them understand responsible decision making.
                                       
How does this impact student learning?
     There are so many positive benefits to social emotional learning and conscious discipline. First, they allow students to be aware of their emotions and how to handle them. They help students to empathize with others and their feelings. They teach students how to accept the consequences of poor decisions and how to turn negatives into positives. This helps students set goals for themselves and achieve those goals. Not only does it allow them to develop a good sense of themselves, but it allows them to have more positive and intentional relationships with others.
                                        
What is the cost?
     Helping students understand themselves and others is priceless. This may take time for students to get use to, but overall the benefits will be numerous. Yes, there may be days where the students don't want to talk about their feelings or the conscious discipline just isn't cutting it. However, don't stop using it just because of one bad day. You may also have to take the time to get used to it yourself. It is very different than how we were taught in school, but there is a reason that it is being implemented in schools now.
Bonus Info:
Here are some apps ans strategies that you can check out if you are interested in incorporating social emotional learning and conscious discipline into your classroom!

• Calming Bottle Activities
• SuperBetter
• Smiling Mind
• Peekapak

Final Thoughts:

     One new and exciting strategy I learned from this was the "Time Machine" method for conscious discipline. This strategy gives six steps for students to follow if their is a conflict in the classroom. It walks students through the process and also incorporates social and emotional learning. The students have to roll back time, wish each other well, agree to solve the problem, breathe and relax, then use respectful conflict resolution sentence starters to solve the problem. I would love to use this in my classroom to help students practice conflict resolution in a fun way. Instead of making a negative situation more negative, this method quickly turns it into a positive. The students get to share how they are feeling and practice empathizing with the other students. I think this would really impact students and help them to solve problems on their own later on in life. 

Check out this video to see how an elementary school has incorporated social emotional learning into their curriculum!