Your Role in Student Achievement: New Teacher Induction Follow Up December 4, 2008

DALLAS, TEXAS ISD Opening Speech: Dalton Sherman LOnSNwzA

What is YOUR role in Student Achievement? FREE WRITE

YOU DISCUSS WITH YOUR TABLE MATES DISCUSS WITH YOUR TABLE MATES

Question #1 A=True or B=False? The Test Blueprint reflects the degree to which each PASS standard and objective is represented on the test.

Question #2 A=True or B=False? All content areas have blueprints and are found on the SDE website.

Question #3 A=True or B=False? Blueprints are the “Cliff’s Notes” of our curriculum.

Question #4 A=True or B=False? It is important for teachers to know about the blueprints because it helps focus their instruction.

Question #5 A=True or B=False? Teachers should post blueprints in their classrooms because it is important for students to have ownership over their learning and for parents to know what their children will be learning.

Question #6 A=True or B=False? It is not necessary to use the State Department of Education item specifications to develop teacher-made tests.

Question #7 A=True or B=False? A teacher’s understanding of content limits in the item specifications will assist in planning instruction.

Question #8 A=True or B=False? Standards Standards is a term which defines a cumulative body of knowledge and set of competencies that is the basis for quality education. Oklahoma’s state curriculum is standards-based and every curriculum area has their own standards.

Question #9 A=True or B=False? Depth of Knowledge Levels refer to levels of thinking, similar to Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Question #10 A=True or B=False? About 50% of the state test questions are recall of information or Depth of Knowledge Level 1.

Depth of Knowledge Level One (Recall) Identify, recognize, use, measure, explain, define Level Two (Skill/Concept) Classify, organize, estimate, collect, interpret, display Level Three (Strategic Thinking) Compare, contrast, examine, question, test, Level Four (Extended Thinking) Design, conduct, evaluate, create, develop, prove

Where to Find Blueprints and Test Specifications?

EXTRA CREDIT Thinking about the music that was played with the last slide…It was the theme song to what 1969 to 1974 TV show?

Amazing Brain Facts Weighs 3 pounds Consistency of Jello & Tofu Consists of two hemispheres Right hemisphere is responsible for artistic, global, musical thought Left hemisphere is responsible for language, mathematics, logic The frontal lobe is where thinking occurs The frontal lobe does not fully develop until in the 20’s Born with 100 BILLION neurons A neuron can have 6,000 dendrites Dendrites talk to axons but don’t touch…they communicate across space called a synapse

Neuron Dendrites Cell Body Axon Synapse

Role Play Using your dendrites “Talk” to someone else’s axon MUSIC As the music plays, randomly touch 15 chairs and then stop

Primacy-Recency Effect The primacy effect (but not the recency effect) is reduced when items are presented quickly and is enhanced when presented slowly (factors that reduce and enhance processing of each item and thus permanent storage) The recency effect (but not the primacy effect) is reduced when an interfering task is given; for example, subjects may be asked to compute a math problem in their heads prior to recalling list items; this task requires working memory and interferes with any list items being attended to Amnesiacs with poor ability to form permanent long-term memories do not show a primacy effect, but do show a recency effectAmnesiacs

Memory Exercise Sharp Pin Haystack Syringe Thread Point Hurt Injection Eye Sewing Button Pain Thimble Why did several of you have the word “needle” on your list? Because the brain thinks in CONNECTIONS!

How many isolated bits of information can the brain hold in short term memory simultaneously? 7 items Give or take 2 If you have more than that to teach, CHUNK IT (and include activity)

Characteristics of the Brain- Compatible Classroom Positive Environment Visuals Music Relevant Lessons Rituals Taught (procedures) Students talking about content Students moving Positive Expectations High Challenge, Low Stress Content taught in Chunks

20 STRATEGIES to take advantage of how the brain learns best! 1.Writing 2.Storytelling 3.Mnemonic devices 4.Visuals 5.Kinesthetic 6.Role Play 7.Visualization 8.Metaphor/Analogy/Simile 9.Teaching one another/Cooperative Learning 10.Music 11.Use of graphic organizers 12.Drawing 13.Humor 14.Discussion 15.Games 16.Project Based Instruction 17.Field Trip 18.Work Study 19.Technology 20.Manipulatives