Reflective Journal # 8 Chapter 13

Reflective Journal # 8

This week’s Slavin focused assessment and its importance in the classroom. The chapter focuses on how to use assessments as evaluations as well as the different types of assessments. Assessment and the uses of assessments are important in and out of the classroom. There are different uses and the information processed can be used in different ways.

Reflection:

Assessments as I know and use are very important to drive the foundation of the classroom. Assessments can be used in various ways as there are various types. In my classroom I use formative assessments to make sure I am meeting the students where they are. Formative assessments are used to gather information sometimes daily information to drive the lesson. There are times I’ve had to change my lesson after giving the students a formative assessment. I have also used formative assessments to group and share information throughout the groups. This is a great form of differentiation.

There are also criterion and norm referenced test. Norm referenced test focuses on students and comparing their scores and criterion focuses on test mastery and of specific skills. Testing students no matter of the test is very important. This is how we as teachers gain knowledge of what is to come. This is how I move forward from year to year. Assessments is how I move forward from lesson to lesson as well. Assessing is major and I want to continue to assess my students to gain their knowledge.

References:

Slavin, R. E. (2015). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (11th ed.). Boston, MA:

      Pearson Education.

Reflective Journal # 7 Chapter 11

Reflective Journal # 7

This week text focused on Effective learning environments. The discussion is on how to effectively create environments that are conducive to student learning and goals. This week also focuses on how teachers should plan out their days with rules and procedures that will drive the learning environment in a positive way.

Reflection:

In my classroom one of the most important task I complete at the beginning of the school year is a classroom management tool. This tool assists me in knowing what and how I want my classroom to look and feel like on a daily basis. This sometimes include having a guide or key for daily usage. There are times things do not go as planned but for the most part if everything is laid for me I can manage the classroom. One of the best things I love complete is what I call the do now. When my students walk into the classroom they should be completing the do now. The do now is sometimes on the board or it can be as simple as a handout they need to read to go further. Without a do now my students will walk in not knowing what to do or where to go.

Slavin discusses time that is allocated for the instructional day. With my daily planning I do allocate time for certain things. When the students are completing the do now, I provide them with about 7-10 minutes. This also gives me time switch gears from the last lesson or maybe the last session of students I have completed. In the classroom there is no time for lost time. Once the do now is complete in the allotted time we can then move onto the lesson. In order to be fulfilling the lesson must be an engaging lesson. The students need to be engaged at all times. This sometimes mean the students may need to move into different groups or have some type of hands on activity to complete. This chapter in Slavin’s educational psychology also discusses preparing students with classroom rules and procedures. This is also a task I complete at the start of the school year. I sometimes leave some areas blank so that my students can chime in. I believe that if a student is aware and in agreeance with expectations then it is easier for them to fulfill the task. Having everything in place and praising the students for their positive behavior is key when achieving the maximum results.

References:

Slavin, R. E. (2015). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (11th ed.). Boston, MA:

      Pearson Education.