One Door Closes and Another Opens...

Group 2!

Explaining my wiki

"Change is the end result of all true learning."

~ Leo Buscaglia

Today we presented our wiki unit plan portfolios to the class. I could not believe it was the last day of the semester. It went by so fast! It was nice to see how everyone planned out their lessons and how creative some people can get. I learn so much from my peers that I am very grateful for. Unfortunately this class has come to an end and that means I'm also done working with my group. I think we worked really well together even if everything was very stressful at the time. I'm glad we were given the opportunity to teach and create lesson plans that are actually being used. We learned from each other, our peers, professor, and most importantly the students. I am so thankful for such a wonderful experience.

"Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know."
 ~Daniel J. Boorstin

One of the last assignments we were given was to be an interviewer for your own school district. I was given the opportunity to be an interviewer and I asked a series of questions to my peers looking for the most creative answer, because I was "hiring" for an inquiry based school.

Interviewing Lauren and Alyssa :)

I had a ton of fun pretending to be an administrator for a school, because it's not every day you are allowed to play that role. Even though I had a good time, I also learned a lot from this experience. The first thing I learned was that it is always easier to ask questions then it is to answer them. The second most important thing I learned was to always be prepared. You never know what kind of questions people are going to ask you, come prepared and don't forget to take a deep breath before you answer your question. Third, do not apply for a job you are incapable of fulfilling. If you are trying to be someone you are not then I can guarantee you will be miserable until you get a new job. Interviews are extremely nerve wrecking, and I can only hope that when my time comes to apply for a job that I am as prepared as I want to be! This activity was a huge reality check!

Talking with three great candidates!

When I first came into this course I was told I was going to fail. From that point on, all I wanted to do was prove those people wrong. I tried my best, and worked my hardest. This course was extremely difficult and pushed me to my limits to make me a better teacher. I am so thankful to have had a professor who truly cares about you and your progress. Each class, time flew by and I always learned something new. You know what they say, time flies when you're having fun!

 I learned how to make three different kinds of MSMC formal lesson plans using Bloom's Taxonomy. A direct instruction lesson, an excellent inquiry lesson, and a fabulous cooperative learning lesson. After teaching with two of the most wonderful group mates I have ever had, I have learned a few things I need to work on. Direct instruction is definitely my weakest point, but now that I know that I am willing to improve myself each time I write one of those lessons. Some tips I received from students and my professor was to tell stories while your teaching direct instruction lesson and to keep your eyes on the students at all times. Also use technology whenever you can. Students always love it and sometimes prefer it. 

Speaking of technology, I was shown various examples of how to use current events in the classroom such as tween tribune and how important they are in social studies. QR codes  and prezi presentations became my best friends, and Socrative is another website I will look into when working with my students, because you can get live feedback as the students are answering questions. Another really cool thing I learned about were virtual field trips. I was shocked when I heard about this idea, it's wonderful! Google docs was another neat addition to my new technology folder. I learned how to make presentation, tests, and share documents with my peers. What a great invention. Also blogging is extremely new to me. I have never blogged in my life until I started this class, and I have to say I think I like it! The reason why i like it is because it has a purpose and I can look back on it one day and see how much I have grown. Apple is even coming up with all of these incredible apps to be used strictly for the classroom. I can't wait to explore everything they have to offer!




I have to say, this class has transformed me into a technology loving fanatic! Even though this class taught me a lot of great new things, I still have some things to work out before I get to the real world, such as time management. I am terrible at trying to juggle everything at the same time. I need to get my priorities in check, or maybe have less on my plate. I love teaching, and I do not want to take away from my students because I am unable to manage my time.  

 "Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and attentiveness to the other person. In other words, to learn from the child, we must have empathy, and empathy grows as we learn.:

 ~Alice Miller

My social studies classroom is going to be everything but chaotic and boring. I will have word walls with geographic terms for each unit, and I will have a time line that can be seen on the wall of the classroom. My students will be highly advanced when it comes to technology, but they will also be excellent writers and thinkers.  I can't wait to have my own class and teach them everything I know and learn from them too. It is going to be such an enchanting experience!

Ms. Benfer's class

From this class I have learned that I am capable of being one of the best. Now all I have to do is take a few deep breaths every now and then, close my eyes count to three, and then work harder then I ever have before.

My Social Studies Philosophy

 

Social studies is an educational discipline that teaches students to play a role in their civic community. Specifically social studies helps students develop a greater understanding of the past, an appreciation for the reality of the present, and what lies ahead in the future. It prepares students to function successfully in a democratic society which means they will be knowledgeable enough to participate in government activities such as voting and most importantly the multicultural society we live in today. I believe that students are able to understand and retain more information about a subject when they are able to make text to self connections. With that being said, I see myself as a constructivist and an advocate for information processing, because the learner will actively construct his or her own understanding of reality through acting upon and reflecting on experiences in the world. When a new object event or experience does not fit the learner's present knowing structures, a conflict is provoked that requires an active quest to restore a balance. Through inquiry-based learning, problem solving, analytical thinking, reasoned decision-making, and utilization of technology, students are provided with the skills necessary to live and compete effectively in a global community.

I have also found technology to be an important aspect of education next to textbooks. Today's society is infused with good and bad technology. It may be one of the best resources we have, but there are also some websites that could lead students down the wrong road. If students are equip with the proper technology then they will be able to become more engaged in the information you are teaching in the classroom. A good use of technology is assigning students to look up current events to share with the class every Friday. have to remember that these students grew up using this technology and we are in their world. It is incredibly important to stay up to date with all of the new technology the world has to offer, and I have to say it is wonderfully never ending. It is close to amazing that we can pull up the original copy of the Declaration of Independence in seconds thanks to technology. 

Tween Tribune

I had the opportunity to use TweenTribune for the first time this year. TweenTribune is not-for-profit online newspaper for children between the ages of eight and fifteen. It is updated with stories relevant to pre-adolescents interests. The students in your class will be able to post comments to stories, and you will be able to proof read them before they are published. I enjoyed using this site, because I was able to experiment with technology I can use effectively in the classroom. Before I use anything with my students, I will want to perfect the glitches that may occur when I try it the first time. In order to assign these websites to my students, I want to make certain they are kid proof and 100% appropriate. This electronic news system was great to experiment with, and I feel as if I became more knowledgeable using it, because I can now take note of how to word certain phrases to make them more understandable for my students. 

Here are a few of the posts I made throughout the semester:

lindsayb-Smi commented on: Microsoft's new Windows 8 confuses users

The Microsoft engineers and engineers in general are all going over the top, trying to come up with this new technology the fastest. Now more then ever, these companies are competing to try and be the best, and now it is starting to backfire. Not only are they changing the computer world we are accustomed to, but they are also making a new operating system that is not cheap and not affordable for everyone. Personally, I think these computer companies are way over their heads. They need to take a step back and look at how technology can help the people instead of putting anything on the market as fast as they can.

lindsayb-Smi commented on: Turtle in Paradise

I love the story line of this book! It sounds like something I would do and easy for me to relate to. Turtle sounds a lot like me. The pirate treasure map sounds very exciting, and I'd like to read it sometime.

lindsayb-Smi commented on: ACT more popular than SAT

Personally, I performed much better on the ACT than I did on the SAT. This exam tests students more on their common knowledge, whereas the SAT is everything you have ever studied. I think it is very interesting males score higher on critical reading. I guess that does go along with science, but it is still surprising. Another thing that surprised me was the 100% SAT rate in Delaware. I think everyone should take both tests.

lindsayb-Smi commented on: Should teens be allowed to trick-or-treat?

Personally, I trick or treated until my sophomore year of college. My friends and I dressed up in great costumes and went door to door every year, and never had a problem. We looked young enough to pass for 14 and 15 when we were actually 17 and 18. We also never caused any problems with toddlers. My friends and I love dressing up and it is a nice way to feel young again. Now I am obviously too young and would rather hand out candy instead of dressing up. If the kids are acting in a polite manner I think it is alright for them to trick or treat for longer.

lindsayb-Smi commented on: What did this eyeball come from?

Finding an eyeball on the beach is not something that happens everyday. This is such an astounding discovery. I'm not sure how I would act if I found it, but I probably would not touch it--someone else would have to do that for me. If I had to guess it definitely is a marine animal, but I'm not able to pin point what type of animal. I was really interested in this addition to science so I looked into it further and saw that the mystery was solved! On this website you will read that it is the eyeball of a swordfish. I had no idea they grew that big! http://deepseanews.com/2012/10/solved-where-did-the-big-eye-in-the-sea-come-from/

lindsayb-Smi commented on: SHHH! Scientists invent cure for boring people

This device is definitely unique. It can be used in acceptable and disrupting ways. I wouldn't say this is a cure for boring people. This can actually be a good thing for students if used correctly. Professors/teachers can use this device to help pupils in a public speaking class. Although they must be aware of any kind of disability a child may have, because then it could become learning gone awry .

As you can see, there are a variety of different topic students can look into. Current events are a great way to open up a social studies class. Talking about current events helps the student become more aware of the world, and neighborhood around them. Since Tween Tribune is written for pre-adolescent children, that means the students will be able to understand the articles very easily. Tween Tribune also follows the common core requirements because the students are reading informational texts and writing about them. I personally really liked using Tween Tribune, because it was a quick way to get updated on obscure news I have never heard about, and I also knew I was going to use this with my students one day. I will be certified to teach first through sixth grade, therefore I have to come up with different ways to assign this website. Luckily for me, there are different tabs on the website that I can assign. There is a choice of TTJunior, Tween, and Teen, therefore I can assign the proper tab to each age group, how convenient! After I have assigned the current event, I will ask each of my students to come into class prepared to share what that have learned from the article and their own opinions about it. 

Alice Walker once said, "All History is current; all injustice continues on some level, somewhere in the world."



Hearing this quotes make me believe that students should keep up to date on their current events. Something new happens in the world everyday, not just things that ruin your day, but also new experiments working, a break through in medicine, a new park created in honor of loved ones, or even artifacts from long ago. Scott Foresman Social Studies has a great current event page for students. It gives students the chance to look at events from 2012-2005 and also 1900-2012. That is a lot of history to go through! I also found their link about The Presidents to be a fantastic tool to turn to if I ever needed it!

Group 3 (Cooperative Learning)

Alyssa, great job today! You were more confident and spoke and were able to manage the class better. My only critique is on the review. Instead of just asking the students the names of the people you went over, have them tell you something interesting about that person and then repeat it just in case the whole class didn't hear you. Other then that nice work!

Mackenzie, you had a nice review of what teamwork meant, and got the students inspired to work on their next task!

Letter--> Chris, well done. I thought that was an excellent idea to write a letter to the president. I think the students thought that was pretty awesome too. It was also nice that everyone in the group was working on making their own letter, then as a group they combined all of their ideas and made one fabulous letter. 

Play-->Alyssa, I loved this! You're extremely creative and that is an awesome quality to have. All of the props were a great touch to the lesson. I really think the students had a fantastic time with this 

Poem--> Giving the students the option of creating four different kinds of poems was a great idea. Students work better when they actually have a say in what they are learning. Each of the small groups were extremely creative and I couldn't help but smile at how much work they were putting into the project.

Victory Poster --> Melissa you had a difficult group of boys to work with, but you pulled the best out of each of them. They came up with a creative title, expressed themselves well, and backed up all their facts. Well done!

All: Group 3,  there was only one thing I would change. When you're working in groups, make sure that you have a visual for the students to look at. You had it in your other lessons and they were really great. Your last lesson was a complete success!! Each one of you should be very proud of yourselves! Also you're the only group that ever ended on time, give yourself a big pat on the back for that!

It's the last day of field work for Dr. Smirnova's class. We're sad to say goodbye, but I think we have all had a very good run. We learned from our mistakes, and most importantly we learned from each other. We will take these experiences with us and continue to better the quality of our lessons and perfect our performance. As a goodbye present, we put all of our favorite pictures and videos together, and made a virtual scrapbook for our favorite 4th grade! What a great experience!

Group 3 Bishop Dunn (Inquiry)

Group 3, your voki book idea was so clever! I loved the fact that you had the students rewrite the missing pages of the book. Just a suggestion for your voki if you'd like. If you want your voki to sound less like a robot and more like a human, you can record your own voice or call the voki website. I did that and had one of my friends read the script.

Your packet idea was also very effective. You could tell the students really learned new information. Your hypothesis idea was nice, because the students didn't even know they were making a hypothesis. 

 The sticker idea was really great too! It was easy to distinguish what everyones position 

The highlighter was also a nice touch! I really like how you taught your students how to use a highlighter effectively, also the students were able to pick out the information quicker. 

Chris and Alyssa: you both made a great lesson plan together! You really learned from the other groups and didn't make the same mistakes.

Chris, you worked really well with all of the small groups. The students really liked you and Kiara was definitely your biggest fan! At first your voice was a little intimidating. You were in a stressful situation, just be careful that you're not scaring everyone. 

Alyssa, you're working really hard, and it shows. Don't be afraid to be a little more confident and you'll be golden :) 

Mackenzie and Melissa, you worked very well with the groups and made it very personal :)

Nice job group 3!!

Group 3 at Bishop Dunn (Direct Instruction)

Group 3 will be teaching about The Victory of Independence!

Group 3: Alyssa, Christopher, Mackenzie, and Melissa

Powerpoint- I like how you had a star next to each sentence the students had to copy down. It was also a good idea to write the sentences on the board so that you can make the lesson go faster. Next time maybe tell some stories while the students are copying down their notes, this way the room isn't quiet and it doesn't seem as if the lesson is going really slow.

Timeline- The worksheet was a very good idea! I liked the set up and everything. Next time maybe have less for them to write down.

Venn Diagram- I like how you did this worksheet. Having the students think of their own ideas, and then going over it as a class. 

I wish you had more time to finish every activity! It's always great for a teacher to over plan :)

Chris and Alyssa-I know this wasn't your lesson, but don't be afraid to walk around while your peers are explaining the powerpoint. Making sure everyone is on task is a big job in that classroom. Also Alyssa, have more confidence!

Melissa and Mackenzie- You girls did a great job, I liked your activities a lot, and you both managed the class very well. Your reinforcement was on point, and the thumbs up thumbs down method worked well. I loved how enthusiastic you both were :) As I said before, maybe tell some stories during direct instruction next time.  My group also had a difficult time with direct instruction, and found it very frustrating. I feel as if direct instruction is hardest, but I have a feeling we will all get the hang of it in no time. The only other thing I would change was the cards with numbers on them. If I was a 4th grader I'm not sure if I would have liked being called on if I didn't know the answer. Other then that well done ladies!!

Group 1 (Cooperative Learning)

The last lesson group 1 taught was Cooperative Learning! In my opinion, this is my favorite lesson to plan. Cooperative learning involves more than students working together on project. There are also 5 rules a teacher must incorporate into this lesson too. Positive Interdependence, Individual Accountability, Face to Face Interaction, Interpersonal and Small Group Social Skills, as well as Group Processing. Academic and social skills will be assessed during this lesson. Students have to work together to obtain a certain goal, and need the success of their other group mates complete the project. 

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Group 1! Great job today! We could all tell you worked very hard on this lesson. You all had such an excellent idea for the students to be news reporters. You could tell the students liked it too. Some of the responses they had were really great and surprising. Sam, Lauren and Barbara, you all worked well within the small groups too :) It was really cute watching their eyes just glued to you. I liked your visual as well. The only critique I have for you though is to mark the pages where the students can find the information, because you have a time constraint. Also, ten sentences was a lot for the students to put together and they were all struggling to find the information and make a final draft at the same time. The three of you did a great job, and I'm proud of each one of you! Thank you for setting a goal for the rest of the class. We really needed that, and you are going to make each one of us better. Thank you :)

Group 1 at Bishop Dunn (Inquiry)

Group 1 has finished their first lesson, direct instruction. The next lesson they taught to the class was an Inquiry lesson. An Inquiry lesson contains the Five E's: engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, and evaluation. The 5 E's are called the Learning Cycle Model. You're probably wondering what the 5 E's mean and how they can be applied to a lesson. The first E is Engage. The learner has a need to know, therefore, defines questions, issues or problems that relate to his/her world. The second E is Explore/investigate. The learner gathers, organizes, interprets, analyzes, and evaluates data. The third E is Explain/clarify. The learner clarifies understandings discovered, reaches conclusions or generalizes and communicates in varying modes and forms. The fourth E is Elaboration. Applies concepts in contexts, and builds on/ extends understanding and skill.The last E is Expand. The learner will apply these conclusions or generalizations to solve problems, make decisions, perform tasks, resolve conflicts or make meaning.


You all had an effective review session, it was short and to the point. All of you made some great improvements from the last session too! I really liked how you asked students to repeat difficult words. Your voki was pretty cool also. The 4th grade loved it, because it was so personal, James Madison very clever :) Also all of your artifact boxes were awesome. I don't know where you got all the artifacts, but well done! Your letter at the end was also clever. It made the students feel as if they were making a difference. 

Philanthropy + Education = Civic Engagement

As a social studies teacher, it is our job to teach our students about their civic duty. A persons civic duty does not only consist of voting and sharing their opinion. Our civic duty is also to preserve the environment that we live in. 

As educators, it is difficult to teach about issues around the world by reading a textbook. It is a fact that most people learn the best by teaching what they have just learned, and also engaging in a hands on activity. 

The website, Learning to Give gives teachers some spectacular ideas on how to give back to your community and spread philanthropy. The proper definition for philanthropy is, love of man. My favorite lesson from this website has to be the lesson of folk tales. I am personally extremely intrigued by anyone who can tell a good story. Stories mean something different to everyone, because everyone is in a different stage in their life. Everyone is able to relate to the story in a different way, and personally I think that is the beauty of telling folk tales. My favorite story is called The Little Boy Who Talked with Birds.

As far as giving back to the community, I was entranced by this lesson called Actions of Peace. This lesson caught my eye at first, because my birthday (International Day of Non Violence) is involved with it, but I also liked it because it approached different means of non-violence and peace. The students learn through community involvement and assessing painting from a museum.  Teachers want their students to make their own mark on the world and students will also feel special if they do so. This program called Generation On allows students to become leaders of the 21st century! The newest project a student can engage in is helping with the hurricane Sandy relief in communities near them. Tis the season to be thankful for everyone around you and all that you have. Teachers can also speak to their students about those who are not as fortunate as them and have them start a food drive, creating cards for shut ins, clothing drive, etc. If the students are allowed to help with the distribution will make the experience even better!

If you need help navigating this website, don't be afraid to look at this video. It helped me a lot!

Treasure Hunt!

Whoever invented QR codes is a genius! 

My group (Emily, Lauren, and I) created a Pirate Detective lesson using QR codes in the classroom. Students were trying to figure out the secret word (Thomas Jefferson) by answering questions to the QR codes.The students goal was to use inquiry to explore a variety of books about important men involved with the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence. The student will also deepen their understanding as to why the colonists wanted independence from the British.

If you are interested in making your own lesson using QR codes I highly recommend this website. It has two lesson plans you can review before you make your own! If you are going to perform lesson using QR codes, you are going to need a smart phone, ipad, or anything that can download apps. The app is easy to download and free! Once you have downloaded the app, the screen scans the code and gives you the clue!

My personal experience with QR codes was fantastic. At first things were a little hectic, but after a few minutes the students got the hang of it and were completely engaged in the lesson. Each activity had them working hard against the clock and they loved it. I have never seen students that eager to learn and find the next clue! Giving the students an educational incentive and making it entertaining is the best idea out there.

In the article the woman stated that she projects the code onto the SMARTboard. I think that is a wonderful idea, but unfortunately all the students I was working with did not all have ipads or smart phones. Yes, we used more paper, but you have to work with what you have. If you have not tried QR codes yet, you will be amazed at how terrific they truly are!

Hard at work!

Here is a picture of the 4th grade using QR codes during our inquiry lesson :) What a great success!

Group 1 at Bishop Dunn (Direct Instruction)

As a requirement for this class, we are all responsible for ten hours of field work. Unlike any other methods classes, Social Studies methods actually gives you the opportunity to teach in front of a fourth grade class, with the help of two other peers. We are split up into groups of three and four and asked to write and teach a unit plan containing 6 lessons. Two direct instruction, two inquiry, and two cooperative learning. We were only allowed to teach one of each, because of the time constraint. 

Group 1: Barbara, Samantha, and Lauren covered "The American Revolution Begins"

Direct Instruction:

All: Good use of a powerpoint, interacted with all the students well, nice cause and effect worksheet, and great management of extraneous questions. For next time, be sure to introduce yourselves, because the students did not know any of your names. Also the class was out of hand a few times during a direct introduction lesson, maybe use a clap sequence and have the students repeat it or music to quiet down your students. Great job overall ladies! There is always room for more improvement.

Lauren- Nice job presenting, you were always very enthusiastic. the thumbs up thumbs down method was a good touch as well. In the beginning you had them touching their nose, head, shoulder, etc., but it was nice that you limited it to just the thumbs up or down. The only critique I have for you is to use Native Americans instead of Indians. Other then that good job!

Samantha- Great walking around and assessing all of the students work. Instead of telling your students you struggle with the word "Fort Ticonderoga" ask them to repeat the word three times. Nice work!

Barbara- Your interaction with the students was wonderful, and you answered all their questions very professionally. At times you were talking very loudly over the students. Instead of talking over them have a method to quiet them down, it will make your life 10x easier. 

The Common Core Standards

What is the common core exactly?

The Common Core Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to complete successfully in the global economy. 

Every educator in New York State and around the country except for a few states have to follow these guidelines in order to get certain funding for the school. There is absolutely no way around the system. The common core actually helps teachers become more creative with their lessons in my opinion. It is a task we all take on that is overwhelming, but an adventure at the same time 

Here are a few websites that will really help you with referencing the common core!
1. Engage NY
2. Common Core State Standards

Yes you heard me correctly, Tic-Tac-Toe!

When you think of tic-tac-toe you automatically think, three in a row, and wow I haven't played that game since I was six, seven, or maybe younger. As an educator, you must be creative and clever. Tic-tac-toe choice boards allow students to practice skills they have learned in class or even broaden their horizons with new material. The students are asked to complete three tasks pertaining to a select subject area. 

Here are some steps you may want to follow:
1. Identify the goal and explain the directions. 
2. Create nine different tasks.
3. Randomly spread out the tasks on the choice board.
4. Save one assignment to complete with the whole class, and have them put it in the center of the board.
5. Then the students will complete three assignments to make three in a row including the middle square to get Tic-Tac-Toe.
6. Use a template similar to the one below.

This is my favorite tic tac toe choice board! I think my students would be incredibly engaged in it and want to learn more!

Please refer to this PDF for more ideas on how to make an exceptional tic-tac-toe course board!