Liftin’ at Iftin: EDS 379a Colloquium Ismael Santacruz December 5th, 2013

Background Intern at Iftin University Prep High School Teaching Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 + Co-teaching AVID, video game club, and math enrichment Demographically 100% of students receive free lunch 80% Latino and 20% African American approximately 50% are classified as ELL No student scored proficient in the math portion of the CST the previous year.

Creating an Effective Environment In my lesson plans I allow adequate time intervals for students to increase their understanding of the material TPE 10 – Instructional Time Allocate instructional time to maximize student achievement in relation to state content standards for students, instructional goals, and scheduled academic tasks

Creating an Effective Environment TPE 11 – Social Environment Develop and maintain clear expectations for academic and social Behavior On our wall next to our common board is a list of classroom expectations on how to behave and excel in the classroom

Engaging and Supporting Students in Learning TPE 4 – Making Content Accessible Provide opportunities and adequate time for students to practice and apply what they have learned. My agenda on the common board gives students time everyday to practice what they have learned for that day and then reflect at the end

Engaging and Supporting Students in Learning TPE 5 – Student Engagement Ensure the active and equitable participation of all students On every desk there is a poker card. When I want to get more input from students, I pull from my deck of cards that corresponds to the card on their desk

Engaging and Supporting Students in Learning TPE 6c Developmentally Appropriate Teaching Practices Grade 9-12 understand adolescence as a period of intense social peer pressure to conform, and they support signs of students’ individually while being sensitive to what being “different” means for high school students At my door I have a GLSEN sticker that welcomes students to be who they are. Trying to create a safe environment both physically and verbally

Engaging and Supporting Students in Learning TPE 7 – Teaching English Learners Know and can apply theories, principles, and instructional practices for English Language Development leading to comprehensive literacy in English Students are exposed to a variety of activities that help increase their level of understanding. Promethean board helps with 3-dimensional visuals, whiteboard helps with color coordinating steps, graph on floor is used for kinesthetic purposes.

Assessing Student Learning TPE 2 -Monitoring Student Learning During Instruction Pace instruction and re-teach content based on evidence gathered using assessment strategies such as questioning students and examining student work For warm-ups, classwork, and closures, I stamp work based on getting the question correctly and answering any questions I asked about the process.

Parent Communication Every week I call parents on the basis of their current grades. Students that are borderline failing or are failing Document the date of the call, who I talked to, and what the conversation was about. 3 bad :1 good

What is my next focus? TPE 6c Developmentally Appropriate Teaching Practices Grade 9-12 understand adolescence as a period of intense social peer pressure to conform, and they support signs of students’ individually while being sensitive to what being “different” means for high school students Getting students to eliminate their inappropriate name calling and put- downs TPE 7 – Teaching English Learners Know and can apply theories, principles, and instructional practices for English Language Development leading to comprehensive literacy in English It’s always great to implement more ELL strategies in the activities.