TOOLS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND COMMUNICATING WITH ALL TYPES OF LEARNERS West Lake Middle School We’re Wired for Learning

Tools for teaching Essential Questions and Themes  Big questions that require thought and deeper understanding of curriculum  For Instance a SS goal is : For the student to assess the connections between historical events and contemporary issues in Asia  So Essential Questions may be Why go to war? Can enemies become friends?  Goal Questions: What conflicts have divided Vietnam? How are the Vietnamese rebuilding their economy?

Tools for Teaching Hooks  Engaging questions, primary documents, artwork, readings  For instance we could do a photograph analysis using a primary sources to get kids thinking about Vietnam  After students study the photograph they can make inferences, ask them what questions they have etc.  We can use our document camera to show the photograph  Lets look at an example of a photograph using the Document Camera

Tools for Learning Inter Write Boards  Visual, engaging, can see the process of how students are thinking, easy to see, notes and drawings can be saved and posted on internet  For instance, before we start our textbook chapter we can talk about where Vietnam is on the map, look at different types of maps, and discuss different information that maps give us  Lets look at the interwrite lesson on Vietnaminterwrite lesson on Vietnam

Tools for Learning Online Textbook Resources  On demand support, practice quizzes and tests, portable  For Example, highlights from a reading are available as a Powerpoint that kids can use to study with, practice questions can be accessed online as well as chapter readings Let’s take a look at an online powerpoint on Vietnampowerpoint on Vietnam

Tools for Learning Student Response Systems (clickers)  All students have a voice, engaging, quick results to see who is understanding material, helps group kids by need, easy to use  For instance, once students have read and discussed material they can grab a clicker and teacher can see if kids are grasping the ideas before the test showing a graph of student results Now lets look at a clicker assessment based on your previous readinga clicker assessment based on your previous reading

Tools For Learning Multimedia Resources  LCD projector, DVD and VCR player, and surround speakers  Multimedia helps students see and hear information to better understand the material,  Promotes deeper thinking and understanding of concepts  We subscribe to Discovery Education Streaming For example as a wrap up for our Vietnam unit we watch a video clip of US Vietnam Vets visiting the Vietnam after the War Now lets watch a video clipNow lets watch a video clip

Tools for Learning Infrared Microphones  Allows everyone to be heard, better time on task all student can hear teacher directives and easy to hear other students for better in class discussions

Tools for Learning Wikis  Engaging, kids share and critique each others work, provides and audience for their work, teaches 21 st century skills and computer etiquette, allows multimedia to be embedded in page

Tools for Learning Designing a graph from Nation Achieve website using data from Vietnam War. Share graph with class Answer the essential question. Crete two lists. One list should include reason why you would go to war, The second list should include reasons why a country should go to war Go to “The Green Book of Songs by Subject, and find out how many songs were written about Vietnam. Listen to the sons and analyze the music to identify the feelings and emotions the author portrays about the war Learn more about the Vietnam memorial. Answer “What is the designers statement about here design? What is the symbolism in the design? What were some of the controversies surround the design and placement of the Wall. Read the poem by Doug Anderson called The Wall and explain the metaphors in the poem Choices and Differentiation  Kids often have choices concerning homework and projects to best suit their learning style and how they want to show mastery  For example once Vietnam unit is complete kids have choice for projects

Tools for Communication School Website  Provide current and up to date resources for parents and students, with PTSA, team links, calendars, and teacher s

Tools for Communication SPAN  ( student parent access network)  To look up discipline, grades, schedule and demographic information

Tools for Communication Blackboard Sites  Team information, homework assignments, uploaded documents, web links, discussion boards

We’re Wired and Ready for You We hope you have enjoyed seeing a little bit of what we do here everyday. If you have further questions please let us know and we will be happy to help you