Sunday, October 24, 2010

workshop model lesson plan

Aim:  How do you solve for rate of change?
Objective: Students will be able to set up a rate of change problem.
Motivation: I will introduce familiar terms to students and then explain to them that they are actually rates.
Do Now:  What do the following terms have in common?
miles per hour    words per minute   texts per day   rotations per day field goals per game

Anticipated response: they all have per in it
Correct Response: they are all rates of change
Now looking back at the examples on the board what do you think rate of change is?

Notes
Rate of Change: How much a measurable aspect of the environment, called a field, is altered over a given time--- years, hours, seconds.

Example: miles per hour, words per minute, texts per day, rotations per day, field goals per game

Rate of Change= Change in field value
                                 Change in time

Do we need to memorize this formula?
No it is in the reference table, but what you do need to know is how to use it.

Example:
A hot air balloon rose from a height of 100 m to 400 m in 3 minutes. What was the
balloon’s rate of change?

Teacher model

Step 1: Write the formula
Rate of Change= Change in field value
                                 Change in time
Step 2: Plug in the given information
R.O.C = 400m-100m
              3minutes
Step 3: Solve
R.O.C= 300m       =   100 m per minute or 100 m/min
         3 minutes

Activity:
Working with the person next to you, please answer questions 2 and 3 on the hand out

Evaluation: I will then ask for 2 groups to put their work on the board

Summary:  We use rates every day even if we don’t realize it. When we are exercising or go to the doctor we are monitoring our heart rate. When we are driving or walking, how long it takes up to go a certain distance is a rate. How we get paid is a rate. Later if the semester we are going to learn about other rates as well for example the amount of time it takes earth to complete 1 revolution around the sun (also a rate.)

Homework- complete the hand out

Follow-up exercise: graphical analysis lab

visit following site for the worksheet

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Workshop model

The one teaching tool all new teachers should have in their pocket is knowledge of the workshop model. Some schools worship this method and so does the state education department....but what is it?


The Workshop model is basically is a framework for your lesson plan. The lesson is mainly student oriented, so there is less teacher talk. It's built on the ideal of a constructivist approach where students build on the material you taught to teach themselves and their peers.


The first part is about 10-15 minutes where the teacher gives a mini-lesson in which they give background information and model an activity or problem. For example if you were teaching a lesson on rate of change you would create a Do Now introducing the topic. So what I did was give a bunch of words that had to do with rates (ex. texts per minute) and asked them what they had in common. Then I explained they were all rates and gave them a definition and modeled a rate of change problem and gave out a student worksheet. When you give the model you explain your expectations or a rubric how many points they would receive for each problem and what a grader looks for. Next students were to work in pairs (think pair share) and worked on 2-3 problems together. Then you have the students present their work and explain what they did. After student presentations you would evaluate their work. Grade each problem while reviewing whats good and whats bad. This also gives students a chance to correct their work. Then assign a homework so my students completed the remainder of the problems for homework and I graded them for a quiz grade. Then you give a summary with real world applications. Where would I use this and why?


Below is a webpage explaining workshop model in more detail and I will also post a lesson plan for workshop model next post.


http://www.teachersnetwork.org/ntny/nychelp/Professional_Development/workshopmodel.htm

Monday, September 27, 2010

Everyone needs to start somewhere

This blog is going to focus on the ups and downs of a first year teacher. I will focus on my experiences and suggestions for future teachers.


The first entry is called everyone needs to start somewhere.


It's May and you just graduated college you start sending your resumes out.
Tips
1. Don't be closed minded everyone needs to start somewhere.
2. Apply to NYC schools on-line and get that application in early so you can become eligible for the teacher finder and TRQ select.
side note: What is TRQ select? http://schools.nyc.gov/TeachNYC/incentives/trqselect/default.htm
3. Send letters to public and private schools
4. Research Research Research.... some schools may require you to apply online but it doesn't hurt to send a paper resume.
5. Attack from all directions ( obtain email addresses of principals and those on hiring committees, send by mail, call to follow up, make friends on the inside)
6. Network ( find out about job fairs and networking events, make friends with veteran teachers so they can put your name in)
This day in age its all about who you know so make connections early in your education, don't piss off your site supervisors and professors they are your first step to getting a job. My site supervisor still sends me job opportunities that she submitted my name for even though I have a job.
7. Build up and review your resume early most colleges provide resume workshops and you should attend.
8. Be yourself, its the only way to stay calm and get through an interview. My current job was obtaine through an interview that played out more like a conversation than an actual interview.
9. Be Prepared. Save all your work and good lesson plans ( focus on ones that show differentiated introduction and that you have tried out before and reflected on.)
10. Keep an idea book during your student teaching and observations, even if your CT doesn't want you to do something in their class doesn't mean you can't use it in your own in the future.
11. Ask questions and never fear to ask for help your college is a good resource.
12. Learn the buzz words for interviews
13. Request a school tour of your top prospects, some schools look good on paper but may fool you.
14. Don't give up too soon for NYC schools people may decide not to return good into the first semester so there always hope

Thats all I have for now....stay tuned