ELA+-+Henry,+Rachael

=Rachael Henry - ELA=

__ **Class Notes 5/15 --** __
 * //current state of education in america is a paradigm - the Prussian paradigm (1890)//
 * //Goals of Prussian Paradigm//
 * //Mechanization: everyone in lock step, doing exactly what you are told//
 * //Segmentation of Knowledge: compartmentalization of subjects and content//
 * //We need critical thinkers, creativity, open-minded, problem solvers, perseverance--in the Prussian Paradigm, there is no room for these --- we are flipping this.//
 * Flipped Instruction does NOT get rid of everything we used to know and do--
 * **__Bloom's Taxonomy:__**
 * **__Madeline Hunter:__** Essential elements of effective instruction or lesson plan (we are REORDERING this, not getting rid of it)
 * Student is always the direct object - they are always the receiver never the doer
 * Steps 1-4 happen in the classroom (Anticipatory Set - Guided Practice); Independent Practice happens at home-this tends to be the hardest
 * Perhaps...the best use of OUR and our KIDS time would be to spend time in class to help, re-teach, etc. and direct instruction is placed at home.
 * **__Doug Lemov__** - Teach like a champion - 49 tips...
 * **__Kahn Academy:__** recognizes that the needs of students are not being met currently in this educational structure. Restructuring Hunter's model for a better, more effective, more engaging instruction
 * __Bergmann and Sams:__ Chem teachers from Colorado - 21st century flipping pioneers

** Assignment #1: Reflection Questions **

 * What are the pros and cons of flipping instruction as you see them? **
 * Pros:
 * Maximize class time to help not only struggling students but to challenge the more independent students with differentiated activities or independent research
 * Ability to "pre-teach" outside of class via video or text and then be prepared to discuss/practice material in class the next day
 * The ability for students to learn at their own pace & PAUSE & REWATCH (whether in class or out of class)
 * I LOVE that it takes the attention away from ME as the teacher and makes my classroom more student centered (and as a by-product, makes them more responsible and independent)
 * I love that it helps build relationships with my kids and helps be know their individual weaknesses and strengths better ... as well as learning at what work level they typically "shut down" or get frustrated
 * I like the fact that a flipped or blended classroom has the potential to engage all kids on a daily basis.


 * Cons:
 * Not everything in English can be flipped I feel - because so much of what we do is reading, and my students do the majority of reading OUTSIDE of school, that is in a sense already flipped
 * Not every kid will LIKE or be ABLE TO LEARN via flipped methods
 * Limited technology - students who lack internet/computers/ etc. in order to do some of the "PRE" work before class.
 * I do worry that people may view it as a "lazy" way to teach...shouldn't I be teaching? Not tutoring or helping during class.
 * More of two questions that COULD be cons...
 * How do I balance my time with the struggling students without "abandoning" the others and making them feel left out?
 * Knowing that not ALL flipping activities require technology, what happens when you do need tech and not every kid has access??
 * How do I determine what the kids can TRUELY do INDEPENDENTLY? (Prove mastery)

Anyone who may be affected by this "new" style/philosophy of teaching. Admins, colleagues, parents, students. How do you determine mastery? How do you determine what to flip and what not to flip? How is this going to benefit my kid individually? Does this mean my kid is going to teach himself?
 * Who are your stakeholders? What are their common concerns? **


 * (How) does a FlipClass better address student needs than does a traditional class? **
 * INCREASED teacher/student interaction.
 * Grouping students who are struggling and working with them
 * Doesn't give them HOURS of homework (although, sometimes reading may take them awhile)
 * Makes me a helper instead of a spoon-feeder and hand-holder.
 * Allows me to give quicker feedback to students during the class period about what they are struggling with

Assignment #2 - Infographic AND Favorite Excerpts



 * Excerpt #1:** "Our Special Education teachers love this model as well. Because all the direct instruction is recorded, students with special needs can watch the videos as many times as they need to learn the material. No more frantically trying to copy down notes with the ope that they'll understand them later. Instead, students can pause their teacher, rewind their teacher, and make sure they actually learn the important concepts." (p.23)

// Not only do I love this element of Flipped Instruction...but it's the solution to a lot of the issues I have had with special ed kids this past year. Giving kids a chance to "catch up" (all kids, not just sped) takes the pressure off in class to make sure they all "got it". I ALSO love it, because if a sped teacher is trying to reteach a skill to kids in resource, they can't confuse students by telling them to do something contradictory to how they were instructed by me. :) It also allows for sped teachers to prepare different strategies ahead of time, by viewing the video the night/day before-rather than on the fly while working with students in resource OR in class. //

// I do love love love this point, because this is in fact what flipped learning should look like. In order for this to truly work with middle schoolers, I will have to scale this down and build the responsibility and independence they will need in 7th grade so that by 8th grade, we are ready to rock. :) As much as it pains me to say this, I LOVE that my classroom becomes LESS about me, and MORE about THEM ... which let's be real, is what it always should be. :) //
 * Excerpt #2:** " Clearly, the class is centered around the students and not the teacher. Students are responsible for viewing the videos and asking appropriate questions. The teacher is simply there to provide expert feedback. The students are responsible for completing and sharing their work. Because a solution guide is available, students are motivated to learn, not just to complete the assignments in a rote manner. Students are responsible for making appropriate use of the resident expert to help them understand the concepts. The role of the teacher in the classroom is to help students, not to deliver information."

Assignment #3 - Plan for Stakeholder Buy-In
// Flipped Learning is a different approach to of giving instruction. In a traditional classroom, direct instruction from the teacher happens in class and typically takes the bulk of the class time, while the Independent Practice - typically the most challenging - is done outside of class, at home. Flipped learning is allows students to watch a video or read a text prior to class, in order to effectively discuss/preform/produce a task in class. It takes ME out of the spotlight and puts my students' needs in its place. // // By design this method of instruction is optimal for differentiated learning and instruction. I am able to (for the most part) meet the needs of most if not all of my students by grouping and re-teaching based on needs. I am able to challenge students on their individual levels, creating more critical, independent thinkers. Responsibility, motivation and persistence are life skills that flipped learning will help cultivate in students at an early age. :) For the middle school classroom, I will not expect my students to manage and maintain the independence and responsibility necessary for a full flip. SO I am going to "market" my class as a BLENDED CLASS...some outside, technology based learning...some in class instruction, and ween them into it slowly. :) //
 * 1. What is flipped instruction in your own words? **
 * 2. How does flipped instruction address your stakeholders key concerns? **

// **It teaches them:** //
 * 3. Why is flipped instruction beneficial for 21st century learners? **
 * // collaboration //
 * // appropriate use of technology //
 * // capabilities of technology //
 * // effective communication skills //
 * // critical thinking //
 * // questioning skills //
 * // forming opinions/defending beliefs //
 * // time management/prioritizing a busy schedule //
 * // ....wait....doesn't it do all of these things for the TEACHER'S of 21st Century Learners as well....?? :) //


 * 4. How does it build upon our previous understanding of best practices, CCSS, IB curriculum? **
 * // Best Practices: differentiation, student engagement(interest), student centered classroom //
 * // CCS: non-fiction (texts, media), communication, opportunity to focus on writing in class (better feedback than going it alone at home), preparing arguments and defending with evidence from previously mentioned texts, allowing students to become investigators and not just regurgitators. //
 * // MYP: non-fiction (international focus), allowing for class discussion time, pushes students to problem solve, etc. //


 * Videos to use for Instruction THIS Fall!! :) **


 * Literary Devices: Literary Devices in Pop Culture **