This blog includes some of what I created while in my collaboration and strategies course.
Social Emotional Stations
12/7/2023
The first couple of weeks of school are used for teaching social-emotional learning. Therefore, we were tasked with selecting a grade level and creating four stations that focus on social-emotional learning and building community. I selected fifth grade and created my station activities based on the Social Emotional Learning standards.
My concept was that as a class, we would focus on Character Development In & Out of the Classroom for at least one day, using these station activities.
Seeing the Student Through the Eyes of...
11/30/2023
For this assignment, we had to create a form that we would have parents, guardians, and/or educational advocates fill out at the beginning of the year (i.e. meet the teacher night) so that we can get to know the students through their eyes. This would show them that we truly care about the "whole" child, and not just their academic side.
Paraprofessional Expectations for the Classroom
11/30/2023
We created our paraprofessional expectations for our classroom as paraprofessionals must know what is expected of them when they enter a teacher's classroom. This is important because paraprofessionals may be in many classrooms in a day, and therefore, each classroom may have different expectations.
Positive Behavior Contract
10/22/2023
For this assignment, we were to create a behavior contract that will allow the teacher to know what time(s) a student is expressing behaviors (this allows the teacher to know what subjects those behaviors are occurring in). Additionally, with this type of behavior contract, all adults who interact with this student will know what behavior the student is working on. For the student, a behavior contract similar to this will allow them to know where they stand with their behavior each day based on their "score" (or amount of stars in the case of this behavior contract).
Self-Awareness Check-In for Student
10/18/2023
Our assignment was to create a check-in that our students could do every day so that as teachers, we could see how they were doing each day. We also were to create directions that we would give our students as well as vocabulary cards. Students must know vocabulary for emotions because many are not taught this skill until school.
My idea is to do a morning check-in and an afternoon check-in so that the student and I can see how and why their emotions changed over the day.
First Day of School Cooperative Learning Activity
10/8/2023
For this assignment, we created an activity for the first day of school. I decided to create a board game (to be used as an activity center). This game works like any other board game -- the player rolls the dice, moves that many spaces, and completes what is on that space. With this specific game, students will get used to sharing about themselves with their peers (interests and emotions) as well as getting to know their peers.
Choice Board
9/24/2023
This assignment consisted of creating a choice board, choosing either a reading or math standard, and selecting a grade level. I chose math and first grade. From there, we had to create six activities that support mastery of the standard. We were also given two (hypothetical) neurodiverse students that after the choice board, we had to select one activity from the choice board for each student that we believe they would be drawn to and why. We also had to list at least two accommodations that each may need. The first student has ADHD and the other is autistic.
Teacher Wanted
9/10/2023
For this assignment, we had to create a "teacher wanted" flyer. On this flyer, we had to include the strengths that we would be seeking for an individual to complement us, and the types of co-teaching models that we would be comfortable with and why.