Students as Achievers

"In preparing for any type of instructional program, our main concern is 'How can we most effectively bring about student learning?' As we ponder this question, our attention is naturally directed toward the methods and materials of instruction" (Waugh & Gronlund, 3).  

One of the largest keys to student success is having a teacher who understands the theories of educating young minds and applies them effectively. Throughout the course of the program, my fellow teachers and I have studied the major theories of education and student development, including Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, Gilligan, Sternberg, and Spearman, just to name a few drops in a very large bucket of theory.

A few of my fellow classmates and I constructed a Glog which examines Erikson's stages of development of adolescents through the movie Mean Girls. 

Mean Girls Glog

You may also view my technology enhanced argument between the methodologies of Sternberg and Spearman, who have differing opinions of theories of intelligence, by clicking on the link below.

Sternberg vs. Spearman 

Theories are a fantastic start to understanding students, but a teacher must act on what he or she knows will be successful with a given group.  Years ago, my method of instruction was not very technologically enhanced.  Today, my methods have taken a 180 degree turn.  My classroom is almost paperless, with all of my students preparing and completing their work through Google Docs (tutorial provided below).  My technology acknowledgement appeals to virtually every student's interest as I utilize various online programs and YouTube clips. 

Google Docs Tutorial

This program allows me as a teacher to stay in constant communication with my students and see how they are progressing in an assignment (since I am able to view their documents). It also allows students to see what they have missed if they are absent.   One of the most important tools in this program, in my opinion, is the teacher's ability to comment on a passage or sentence in an essay which requires the reader (the student) to acknowledge they have read it by clicking 'resolve.'  This is a reassurance to the teacher that the student has actively acknowledged the comment and suggestions for improvement as he or she revises the work, rather than absently glance at a paper marked with red pen/writing.  

I also rely heavily on Power Point presentations/projectors as a guide and navigator for my lessons.  The visual images keep many of the students actively engaged, and it is a fast and simple way to keep teacher(s) and students on task.  Please click below to see a sample of a lesson plan I created through Power Point.  You will find that it follows a scaffolded method that moves students to a higher level of thinking. 

Johnny Tremain Power Point Lesson 

Building strong relationships with my students is my top priority.  I am also a coach; I love sports.  I successfully build strong relationships with student-athletes with my sport-lesson connections, so I make sure I am always reaching out to those students who have interests other than sports.  As of late, I developed additional assignments for students who prefer the arts, and allowed students to create a visual representation of Mercutio's monlogue about Queen Mab, instead of writing about it.  This accommodation allows for differentiation in my lessons, and nurtures student participation at many levels.