Curriculum and Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning

Abstract: Focusing the curriculum and the focus of the school on teaching and learning seems so obvious, but the chapter points out that this essential can sometimes be lost in places. Setting up standards for teachers, like our MLRs, to help aid teachers on the right course and taking a load off their back. The teachers will be able to follow these standards, but at the same time have the freedom of how they want to teach and assess them. The chapter also discusses some focuses that the standards should take on and gives advice like how "it is initially easier to change behavior than to change attitudes" (TP2000 page 34). It takes us through concepts ad generalizations that are relevant to a Middle School classroom or student.

Reflection: This is a perfect chapter for right before starting our units. The examples were very helpful. It shows way to be able to use the MLRs and has more great ideas for standard that could be for the school to have. I liked that it mentioned on page 37 that you should do "place-based" curriculum that relates to local stuff. I think this makes the curriculum more relevant and interesting for students.

chapter 6

Summary:

Abstract:

Teachers Advisories- A Proposal for Change

Abstract:

This chapter focused on having Advisors in middle school. The advisors would have an average of 10-15 advisees assigned to them. They suggested times such as 3-4 times a year you have an advisor/ advisee lunch to go over classes and life. Also, Advisory days were suggested where there are no classes just service activities, physical activities, reflections, or social activities planned for the day.

Reflection:

I think that advisors to just touch base would be a good thing for middle level students. I think that it would be a great way for them to just have someone to talk to about how everything is going. We did not have advisors at the middle school level in my middle school. When we got to high school we had guidance counselors and I had a case manager that I met with. I think that getting the kids out of the classroom is a Wonderful Idea!

Extending Our Professional Practices: Teaming

Abstract:

This chapter breaks down the core values of working as a team in a middle school setting. It explains the importance of teams for helping to make large schools feel smaller and more personal and to provide support and encouragement, which would be great in the Bonney Eagle Middle School. In teams you can get together to make rules and expectations similar for children from class to class. Teaming also makes it easy to do collaborative work both in subjects and themes that the teams can follow, this way kids see connections. Subject integration is alway a great way of doing this, and teams enable teachers to do this without too much stress. Teams also make it smoother for the kids both academically and socially in such a crucial time of change in their lives.

Reflection:

I think that teams are Great! We had teams at my middle school. They were named after counties. I think that this way a great way to meet the kids from other elementary schools and to build a great social and academic experience. My teachers incorporated examples from stuff that we were doing in our other classes into what we were doing in our class, which helped help us learn the material in both classes. When we did field trips they made sure that it was incorporated and reapplied in each subject.