Week+9+Journal

__Week 9 Journal__
===This week has been hectic! We had MLK Jr. Day off, and then on Tuesday we had our 3rd In-Service day concerning formative assessment. We focused mainly on what kind of feedback we give our students, discerning between evaluative and descriptive feedback. This week we are suppossed to focus on giving our students more descriptive feedback.===

===Our reading this week centered around TPACK which stands for "Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge and is a unique way of thinking about how teachers can use the pedagogy they know, the content they teach and the technology to support student use of technology for learning." This framework has provided me with a new way to think about teaching, and more specifically, how to incorporate technology into my classes. Visit the[| eSchoolNews] website to read about this framework. You will only be able to read the first page of the article, and then you will be prompted to become a member, which I suggest. I have gotten a lot out of the emails they have sent over the past few weeks. I also found it helpful to read about the work first performed by [|Lee Shulman], that was the basis for this framework. The video we watch this week was interesting because it really helped me focus on how I feel about using technology in my classroom. I think you have to consider all three types of knowledge: pedagogy, content, and technology when you plan instruction. If you don't, I think you are short-changing the students. In learning about this framework, I have come to realize again, that while I feel I have a good grasp on the content I teach, I still need to consider the best ways in which to present it to my class, and at the same time, think about how to bring technology into the mix. I think as a teacher, we sometimes focus most of our attention on the content, and not enough on the other two factors here. It was useful for me to read about TPACK because it helped me to re-focus on what is really important for my students. In the vein of constructivism, I am committed to re-thinking how I present content to my classes, and making sure that my lessons are going to reach everyone sitting in my room. Although I feel comfortable using technology in my classroom, I have identified areas where I still need help. By identifying them, I have taken the first step towards getting the training I will need to incorporate them into my teaching.===

===This week in E.L.A. the students got to choose a novel to read over the next few weeks. The will be working in a literature circle, where they will share comments about what they read. Each person will have a job to perform in the literature circle. We are working on differentiating assignments to be performed during the reading. Teachers performed "book talks" before they chose their literature circle book, and we all got together on our last work day and made a video showing the students how a literature circle should work. We had a ball! I think by watching the video, students will understand how to conduct themselves during their literature circle time. In Math, we are still working on fractions. I would like to see our students do some kind of project at the conclusion of their learning, possibly a pod/webcast done in the manner that Common Craft has done. But, because of the pace of this class, a project may not be possible...sigh. In Social Studies, I am getting ready to begin a unit on economics / business. We will be using the Junior Acheivement module titled JA BizTown. Honda of America helps by funding a one day fieldtrip to JA BizTown in Columbus for a culminating activity which will occur in March. Students really do gain a lot of knowledge about what it takes to run a business, and how to take care of their own finances. Last year when I did this unit, I did not incorporate any technology into the unit, but I am hoping that this year, I will be able to do things a little differently.===

Fritzi, Great as usual. Hopefully I'll see you at the conference.

Kathy