Bridget’s Shadowing Experience

November 29, 2011

Westlane Middle School

1301 West 73rd Street, Indianapolis, IN

Partial Block Schedule

Every Class on Mondays 4 Classes Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 other Classes Wednesdays and

Fridays

Ms. Cheryl Storm 8th Grade PE/Health and Core + Teacher Has 1 Core + Class (AVID learning) Has 5 PE/Health Classes

Favorite thing about teaching middle school: the changes in kids on a daily basis

Least favorite thing about teaching middle school: the changes in kids on a daily basis

Ms. Cheryl Storm

Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring› Talked to many students about issues at

home or outside of school, encouraged them to be the best self they could be.

Integrity and Responsibility› Not only did Ms. Storm have integrity and

responsibility she required it from all of her students

AVID learning Advancement Via

Individual Determination

Mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society

Environment

Colorful Fun Friendly Inviting Lots of room Showed off students work throughout

the room as suggested in Joy #4 in “Joy in School”

Students

Very engaged and attentive Respected each other Helpful Well behaved Polite Encouraging

“Research shows that when young adolescents are actively engaged in learning, they are more likely to achieve at higher levels” ~ Stuck in the Middle

Community Development

Much smaller More Diversity Block Schedules More bright, colorful

In-Class Connections

Worked in small groups Used many different reading strategies

School Visits

Similar to IPS/Butler Lab School › Lots of color› For Core +, build the class off the students

interests, much like the Reggio Approach

What I found influential

Learn about your classes as a whole Let things roll off Go with the flow of middle schoolers Welcome students into the classroom

everyday, makes the feel wanted Have fun