Peggy Brookins and Raymond James help students apply knowledge of trigonometric functions to the live testing of quad copters. This is a useful for exercise for applying mathematical knowledge to real world situations.
Ms. DiMaggio's 4th graders explore the essential but complex concepts of revolution, reaction, and reform. They begin with what she calls a "Quick Write" in which students independently write about anything they know about the three given words. Students then discuss what they've written in small groups. Next, students rotate around the room in teams to analyze photos of historical events responding in writing with ŇI see. . . I think. . . I wonder. . .. Ms. DiMaggio was careful in selecting a wide variety of photos to post given the complexity of these concepts and to address possible misconceptions or limits to understanding. For example, some students initially focused on the word ŇrevolutionÓ being related to war or the 1800's. When they analyzed a photo of technology, they quickly realized a broader definition of "revolution".
National Board Certified teacher Marlo Warburton introduces a fresh approach to teaching the notoriously difficult "mixture" word problems for Algebra I. Using an in-class demonstration and incorporating basic physics principles of weight and distance, Ms. Warburton helps her students visualize, solve -- and even enjoy! -- these challenging problems.
In this four part series, we visit the classrooms of two partner teachers who plan all their lessons together but have totally different styles inside the classroom. See the same lesson unfold in each class, the class structures used by each teacher, and the group work formats used by each.
In this four part series, we visit the classrooms of two partner teachers who plan all their lessons together but have totally different styles inside the classroom. See the same lesson unfold in each class, the class structures used by each teacher, and the group work formats used by each.
In this four part series, we visit the classrooms of two partner teachers who plan all their lessons together but have totally different styles inside the classroom. See the same lesson unfold in each class, the class structures used by each teacher, and the group work formats used by each.
In this four part series, we visit the classrooms of two partner teachers who plan all their lessons together but have totally different styles inside the classroom. See the same lesson unfold in each class, the class structures used by each teacher, and the group work formats used by each.
Algebra teachers, Juliana Jones and Marlo Warburton, have common philosophies and expectations in their algebra classrooms but use their own unique teaching styles and structures to create consistent experiences for students. Collaboration is an important part of that process and allows teachers to provide common learning experiences in their classrooms despite different teaching styles and structures. This video takes a look at the warm-up, lesson, strategies for group work, classroom expectations and routines to discuss commonalities but also identify ways in which each teacher personalizes their classrooms based on their own teaching style and personality.
Algebra I teacher Carl Munn moves his students through a lesson on the distributive property. Rather than teaching students only how to use it, he focuses on helping students understand why and when distribution is needed. The lesson begins with note taking during which students use the Cornell note-taking strategy. Guided practice follows during which Mr. Munn's focus is assessment. Both he and the students assess what they are getting and not getting before moving on to the final lesson component of independent practice.
FACES is a partnership between Oakland and Berkeley public schools and Children's Hospital Oakland. The program helps prepare at-risk kids for entry into college and the health professions through a multitude of services based at the hospital. FACES has already changed the lives of many young people who live in one of the most violent communities in America.
"Mouse Squad" is a group of 4th to 8th graders who support their school's technology needs. These kids maintain and service their school's computers, gain technical skills, and learn lessons about professionalism and working together. Rounding things out with field trips to nearby Silicon Valley, there's no question that "geeks are the new cool."
The Spanish Language Immersion School is a public school with dedicated educators and committed parents who are creating an extraordinary experience for kids from K to Grade 5. Students arrive speaking English as their dominant language. They leave fluent in Spanish, but also filled with knowledge about various cultures, practiced in diversity, and possessing real skills that give them an educational and career advantage.
Ms. Berkowitz and Coleytown Middle School students prepare for a class discussion comparing the tone/theme of two different poems by systematically breaking down the individual poems using the SIFT method (symbolism, imagery, figurative language, tone/theme). Working independently, students identify examples of the first three components before making decisions about the overall tone and theme of the work. In small groups, students then discuss their findings and compare elements of the two poems. Ms. Berkowitz transitions to a larger class discussion by focusing on the differing tone and theme found in the poems and sharing how literary elements contribute to understanding the tone/theme.
This 5-minute video features 5th grade teacher Ms. Brewer at work with English language learners teaching them to discuss, analyze, and write about an informational text. We see her planning a series of lessons, engaging her students, and explaining how her lessons address the Common Core Standards across ELA.
As part of a unit on neuroscience, 6th graders in Channa Comer's class work in teams to design football helmets to protect against brain injury. Using eggs to model the brain, groups design helmets that will keep the egg from cracking. Channa takes her class through the steps that engineers use when working on a design, from brainstorming to final testing. The students work within two constraints-- the helmet has to stay on the head and the helmet has to prevent the skull from cracking. After the groups work together to design helmets, they test, revise, and retest their designs as necessary.
Principals and fine arts teachers from various schools in New York City demonstrate their commitment to providing arts education to their students. They explain how dance, drama, improv and music give students the opportunity to express themselves and to communicate with others in different, meaningful ways.The principals and teachers find significant value in exposing students to a variety of artistic avenues and find it enhances their performance in academic areas such as math, language arts, and science. Thus, despite major budget cuts, they have found ways to maintain their commitment to providing students with rich experiences in arts education.
Ms. Schaefer leads her 12th grade ELA students through a critical analysis of Atul Gawandes 'The Case of the Red Leg' through careful sequencing of questions.Initial questions ask students to react to the content of the text, forming and justifying their own opinions or perspective. This allows a maximum number of students to access the content and increases participation in the discussion. Questions then address the broader meaning of the text, using students understanding of the content to develop meaning and consider alternative points of view. Finally, questions focus on the style of writing and how stylistic elements contribute to the meaning found in the text.Structuring questions systematically gives students a tool for analyzing literature apart from the classroom so that their analysis is not dependent on teacher facilitation. Explicitly teaching students how to question is just as important as the analysis.
Evaluator Renee OLeary visits teacher Lori Diamond to observe a lesson on red herrings. The two debrief after the lesson. Renee suggests that Lori practice monitoring the pacing of her lessons and try breaking up her own routine. In four weeks, Renee will be back to observe another lesson. Meanwhile, Lori works with coach Joanna Miller to get more ideas. She tries working with reluctant writers in small groups among other things. When Renee returns to her classroom, she sees Lori try a new format for her class with students working in groups in a lesson that incorporates visual media.
Beth Sonnenberg brings nutrition and healthy eating habits to the art of Haiku. Her students eat several types of fruit, use sensory descriptive words to detail their reactions, and translate the experience into their own Haikus.
Nicholas Carlisle, Executive Director of No Bully, works with parents of Alvarado Elementary School in San Francisco, California, to share information about bullying and to devise and practice strategies for bully-proofing their children.Mr. Carlisle begins by defining the repetitive nature of bullying and looks specifically at four different kinds of bullying: physical, verbal, social/relational, and cyberbullying. Identifies best practices and preventative measures to help prevent bullying.Mr. Broecker, principal, tells parents about a group at the school focused on addressing the subject of bullying at school. He urges parents to join teachers and staff at Alvarado Elementary working with a group called PEACE (Practicing Empathy and Caring with Everyone).Addressing the larger question of how parents might bully-proof their children is the focus of much of the discussion. Mr. Carlisle asks parents to become a solution-coach, balancing both the use of empathy and setting limits and establishing consequences so that students are better prepared to deal with bullying in their lives.In small groups, parents practice what they have heard by discussing bullying scenarios and how they would help their child in specific bullying situations. This is followed by group discussion where parents share ideas for certain scenarios.