Project Based Learning

As previously mentioned, we're going to spend the second half of the semester discussing instructional planning strategies. The one I want to focus on is project based learning (PBL).

If you’re new to PBL, you might be asking some questions… What is this PBL thing I’ve been hearing about? How do I plan and manage a good project? We're going to begin by watching a few video clips that explain what it is and give specific examples of projects for the elementary classroom.

PBL for Beginners

Great Resource

“WoLakota” implies balance and coming together. The WoLakota project supports students in high-need schools, pairing trained mentor-teachers with new teachers and providing Courage to Teach circles to tend to the ʻheartsʼ of each. Mentors support the embedding of the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings (OSEU) into practice, complementing the Common Core. The OSEU address the achievement gap of American Indian students by embracing their identity, and promote cultural understanding among non-native students and teachers. Lakota Elder Dottie LeBeau states, “When we approach teaching with one worldview…we create systems of failure in our schools.” WoLakota closes the circle into a system of understanding and success.

http://www.wolakotaproject.org/

 

Taskstream Portfolios and Other....

We will be logging into our portfolios in class on Friday so be prepared!

Is anyone interested in a field trip to the ND First Nations Day event at the Heritage Center next Friday? The Heritage Center itself is pretty impressive. We'll talk about this in class.

Welcome to Fall 2015!

This blog is intended to keep you updated about things happening in your field placements, as well as for the time we meet each week (the seminar). Be sure to check sign in to follow this blog and keep in touch!

Let's Talk About Professional Behavior in Field Placements

Our first topic in our Professional Behavior series will be about ethics. In class today, we are going to review the North Dakota Educator's Code of Ethics.

Hello, December!

We'll begin class today with each one sharing something from our field placement with the group. We'll also discuss some wrap-up details for the semester, as we are down to two weeks now.

A couple end of the semester forms that need to be completed:

• Student Diversity Profile (I have a few of these.)
• Field Experience Log w/Contextual Factors at bottom filled out
• Complete Candidate Field Experience Evaluation

Within the next two weeks, your Cooperating Teacher will complete and return a Field Experience Evaluation for you. I will email these to them this week.

Next week, we will upload some of these documents to you TaskStream portfolios. Make sure you have your username and password with you for class next week.

Wrapping up November

Today during our seminar, we're going to do the following:

• Share one idea or observation from your classroom with your peers.
• Give an update on progress. EDU 298 people should be nearly finished with their placements and activities.
• Teaching performance rubrics - any questions?
• Watch a video clip about "What Makes Great Teachers". Yes, we have talked about this many times but we can never hear this information too many times!

What Makes Great Teachers?

 I have spring registration forms for some of you. We will get these signed and I will give you copies. Others can stop by my office tomorrow. As soon as the Physical Science lab is added, they'll be ready.

We will not meet next Tuesday - the next seminar will be Tuesday, Dec. 2. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!