Turning Points 2000 - Chapter 3: Curriculum and Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning

This chapter discusses the importance of backward design and assessment. It seems that backward design and assessment go hand in hand in a way because backward designs stars with what kind of assessment will be used and what the teacher ultimately wants the students to learn. Backwards design suggests that teachers start by creating a unit based on what needs to be learned in the end. Basic forms of assessment should be used sparingly if not at all such as quizzes and tests. The chapter suggests that authentic assessment be used which is a kind of assessing where the students demonstrate what they know instead of trying to remember it and writing it on a piece of paper. Students are assessed in a way that is true to the real world because they won’t be given written tests at work each month to show their improvement in most cases.

I have had some experience with backward design after my practicum experience and believe it to be very helpful. Usually people tell you to start from the beginning but when it comes to learning it does make so much more sense to start with the end and work your way to the beginning. If you think about it, it makes no sense for a teacher to pick out books, materials, and assignments to create a unit if you don’t really know what students are going to learn in the end. My favorite part about this chapter is the authentic assessment portion. I really despise quizzes and test, because I feel like they really hinder the learning process. Students should be given multiple opportunities to display how and what they have learned thus far. Assessment should be made interesting just as you would want a lesson or unit to be interesting.

Meet Me in the Middle - Chapter 4: Active Learning

This chapter points out exactly why it is so important for us as teachers to understand what our middle school student are going through, especially physically. Incorporating active learning in the classroom is great for students because they are constantly growing. Students are uncomfortable sitting through a whole class, so it is best to get them up and moving around at any chance you can get. A physical activity always has to be tied into the curriculum otherwise you won’t have any light bulbs lighting atop students heads. The chapter offers all kinds of ideas for active learning from handing in homework by shooting it in a hoop to maintaining bulletin boards. These ideas could be translated into any classroom with any subject.

I noticed that a lot of the ideas for active learning involved using big sheets of paper for student to draw an assignment on. I think this is a great idea for any group assignment in class such as a time line or a list of things. It will get them up and moving around and they can better interact with their group members. I also really liked the idea of allowing students to crumple their homework and shoot it into a bin. I know in a lot of classrooms that shooting trash into the trash can was a big no no. But I think it could really lighten the mood in your class and show them that it is okay to do something like that if it is your homework that you are turning in. It is a really laid back idea and I think could be really effective, and wouldn’t waste much time. I would be willing to try any of the examples in my own classroom in the future because I myself like to get up and move around and would love to do it with my students.

Meet Me in the Middle - Chapter 9: Planning for Block Scheduling

This chapter explains the benefits of block scheduling, and how ultimately it provides longer class periods, but that’s not just it. Longer class periods provide time for students to learn and explore the topics covered in class rather than rushing through them and tying everything up right when it gets started. Not only that but it leaves less time throughout the week that the class is settling in, getting out any supplies or homework, and cleaning up at the end. This chapter also mentions that there are five levels of instructional objectives that should be covered in a lesson. I don’t think that coverage, activity, involvement, mastery, and generic thinking skill could all be covered in a fifty minute class period. Kids need time to absorb what they are learning and internalize that and block scheduling can help with that.

All through middle school and high school I experiences block scheduling. What the book mentions that I have not experienced is having the block classes Monday through Thursday and then Friday could be the day that students have all their classes in shorter periods. I really liked this idea because every week will always have the same schedule and no one will walk into school wondering if it is a silver or blue day. Plus the Friday classes could be used as a workshop, or way to tie up the week, or to simply cover something that was missed throughout the week. I experienced block scheduling in my practicum as well and I saw it as very beneficial to teachers as well because it gave them more time to prepare for their lessons and speak with other teachers on their team. Teachers have some free time in which they can really benefit from especially if a lesson goes wrong with one class you will have time to rework it for the next class that day. Block scheduling seems to benefit both students and teachers greatly.

Turning Points 2000 - Chapter 6: Organizing Relationships for Learning

A student shouldn’t go to school unnoticed by everyone especially adults. It is important for student to have at least one adult at school that knows them just a bit better than the rest. In doing so, a large school may not seem so big to students if they have an adult they can rely on. It is also important for a large middle school to be transformed into a school that is large in all actuality but appears small due to teams and relationships. Teams will allow for a smaller and closer environment for students and also give then special attention from their teachers on their team. Teachers on a team can work together to provide each student with a good education that works best for each student.

I strongly believe in team teaching. I experienced it at the middle school that I went to, and at that time I never thought anything of it, but looking at it from a teachers perspective I can clearly see all the benefits. Team teaching can allow teachers to compile their thoughts on students and their lessons in ways that can really get through to all students. When there are any problem the teachers can work through it as a team to get the best result. When I was in middle school I knew all my teachers on my team pretty well each year and I always had one teacher that I could relate to a little better than the rest. I think it is really important for a student to have one adult in the school that pays a little extra attention to them because that can go a long way. No student should feel alone at school with no where to turn.

Meet Me in the Middle - Chapter 12: Teacher Advisories - A Proposal for Change

The chapter begins by telling a story of a teacher and students going on a hiking trip where they meet some hostile weather. During the inclement of weather the whole group came together to help one another and in the end students saw sides of one another that they have never seen inside of school. Most students were glad they went on the trip despite the weather and it seemed to be a very powerful experience. Advisory groups are a good way to get students together who might not normally hang out outside of school. These advisory groups can help to open the door to students interactions so that they do not stick with with same group of friends. It allows for all different kinds of students to hang out and become friends.

I have never heard of advisory groups before I read this chapter and now I am really excited about them. I really hope that the school I work at in the future will offer this kind of program because I can see how powerful it can be. I think it is so important for students to bond together and have a group that they belong to out of the confines of school. Students who don;t normally talk to one another can get to know each other and form new friendships which can create a close and comfortable learning environment at school. If the school I work at does not offer this type of program I will be sure to mention it and possibly get it up and running. I really like the idea of devoting a whole day to these groups throughout the school year. Bonding is such an important part in these students lives and you want to bring them together at a time where they will be forming cliches and labeling one another.

Meet Me in the Middle - Chapter 11: Teaming

Teams are implemented for a variety of reasons, but the biggest and most important reason is to offer students with the best and most supportive teachers, and together the teachers are like a force. On a team teachers for the different content areas can integrate their lesson and units to compliment each others so that students are working on something from each class that in one way or another can be related. It is important for teams to meet on a regular basis to discuss what is going on in their classes both with materials and students. There is no point to a team if they are not acting like and working as one. As a team teachers no longer view their students and curriculum as an individual teacher but view their teaching through the eyes of all their team members.

I really like how this chapter states in the beginning that middle schools can be a big and overwhelming place and that teaming can help to make the middle school seem smaller and friendlier. Students on the same team can be supportive of one another and school events and activities can allow friendly interactions between different teams and maybe even some friendly competitions like I had in my middle school. Due to my practicum experience I got to see a team of teachers at work, where I attended their meetings. At their meetings they discussed mostly specific students and how they can better understand them and help them based on all of their opinions. I saw this to be very helpful because you get a well rounded solution from all the teachers that interact with these students on a daily basis. I think that team teaching is a very powerful concept in a middle school because it can provide students with a close and caring environment.