Module 2 Reflection

This module has helped me think about using standard, curriculum framing questions, and formative assessment in the following ways –

First, after reading this module I begin to question some of the things that I have been doing in my classroom.  Our current reading program is set up in six units. Each unit contains six weeks of instruction.  In my class I have been teaching the standards for the week and then testing my students on them at the end of the week.  I see how my students do on the test and move on to the next week and set of standards.  I also try to include some type of technology in my lesson so that the students are “engaged,” but are they really?!?!  Have I really been using technology effectively?  Looking back and reflecting on what I have done, I would say no!  When I just use the iPads to check off that I used technology that is not effective.  After reading module 1, 2, and learning a little more about project based learning I have researched and tried to find more efficient ways to use technology, 21^st century skills, and teach the standards.  An example, the students are going to use a storyboard app to show me that they understand the different themes of “Maniac Magee.”  I wish that I would have taken this class earlier because it has made me evaluate myself and I feel like I have not been an effective teacher!!

 As far as curriculum framing questions go, I had no clue what they were or what “CFQ’s” meant.  Each week I use the standards to formulate the objectives for the week.  There is an essential question that is given each week and the unit has a “big idea.”   We discuss the essential question and move on to the standards.  Now I realize that I should have an essential question that is very broad and sparks the students interest.  Our essential questions provided by the book seem irrelevant each week.  Our unit questions should be open-ended so that the students can formulate, come up with their own answers, and own what they are learning.  The content questions need to be straightforward and fact based.  I believe I use more content questions than unit questions, and this is not promoting higher-order thinking skills.  I am going to work on using curriculum framing questions in my lesson next week in my classroom.

Formative assessment is done weekly with tests from our reading program.  I have also taught a skill, put it in a center, the students self-check and the students are responsible for coming to me with their questions.  Next week, I am trying a new way to assess my students.  They will create a storyboard, and I will monitor their progress.  They will have a checklist that they have to turn in every other day.  For the final assessment, the students will present their storyboard to the class that their group created.  I feel like this class is helping me grow as a teacher each week.