Module 6 - What I've learned

I have learned many things from this class.  The first thing is I'm more fluent in technology and can better use it in the classroom.  I can help teachers with blogs, and different searches based on some of the links posted and suggested to me by classmates.  I also learned more about service learning projects.  I don't think I was as prepared to take the project as far as I needed, but this class really made me pick the project apart and totally develop it.  Also, the book I read, 21st Century Learning Rethinking How Students Learn, truly opened my eyes to 21st century learning and teaching.  There are so many things we need to do to get our students where they need to be to compete with the rest of the world.  However, this class has encouraged many of those with focusing on incorporating technology and service learning.  Thank you for the opportunity and feedback I've received.  I have truly  learned a lot this summer.

Class Module 5-Instructional Plan

Title:  The Area of the Outdoor Classroom
Description of Students Plan is for:  This is for 6th grade students at Tichenor Middle School.  Our 7th grade classes are completing a service learning project (Module 3).  This unit will tie into that project and allow the two grade levels to work together to not only educate them on their math skills but also on problem solving.  Barell states in 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn, "In math and science, students work on individual problems, often with answers in the back of the book.  On a larger instructional scale, students soemtimes contend with "problems" that call for them to find solutions, such as how to improve the school playground or the water quality of the neighborhood pond or stream (pg 177, 2010).
Highlights of the Instructional Plan:  Students will learn about area and perimeter of different types of figures.  They will use different technologies to manipulate figures so they can see how the area and perimeter changes as they change the shape.  Students will collaborate with 7th grade classes to measure the area and perimeter of the courtyard and designated spaces (flower beds, etc).  Finally, they will help the 7th grade class space, plant and mulch the flowers to decorate and complete the outdoor classroom.
Learner Outcomes:  Students will be able to apply area and perimeter to the real world.  They will learn to mathematically compute area and perimeter, but will also see how it applies to the real-world and use it effectively.
Measure of Success:  Students will complete an assessment to check their skills.  Students will complete an Embedded Assessment to determine if they can apply what they have learned to the real-world.