TOOLS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND COMMUNICATING WITH ALL TYPES OF

LEARNERS

West Lake Middle SchoolWe’re Wired for Learning

Tools for teaching

Essential Questions and Themes Big questions that require thought and deeper

understanding of curriculum For Instance a SS goal is :

For the student to assess the connections between historical events and contemporary issues in Asia

So Essential Questions may be Why go to war? Can enemies become friends?

Goal Questions: What conflicts have divided Vietnam? How are the Vietnamese rebuilding their economy?

Tools for Teaching

Hooks Engaging questions, primary

documents, artwork, readings For instance we could do a

photograph analysis using a primary sources to get kids thinking about Vietnam

After students study the photograph they can make inferences, ask them what questions they have etc.

We can use our document camera to show the photograph

Lets look at an example of a photograph using the Document Camera

Tools for Learning

Inter Write Boards Visual, engaging, can see

the process of how students are thinking, easy to see, notes and drawings can be saved and posted on internet For instance, before we

start our textbook chapter we can talk about where Vietnam is on the map, look at different types of maps, and discuss different information that maps give us

Lets look at the interwrite lesson on Vietnam

Tools for Learning

Online Textbook Resources On demand support,

practice quizzes and tests, portable For Example, highlights

from a reading are available as a Powerpoint that kids can use to study with, practice questions can be accessed online as well as chapter readings Let’s take a look at an

online powerpoint on Vietnam

Tools for Learning

Student Response Systems (clickers) All students have a voice,

engaging, quick results to see who is understanding material, helps group kids by need, easy to use For instance, once students

have read and discussed material they can grab a clicker and teacher can see if kids are grasping the ideas before the test showing a graph of student results Now lets look at

a clicker assessment based on your previous reading

Tools For Learning

Multimedia Resources LCD projector, DVD and

VCR player, and surround speakers Multimedia helps

students see and hear information to better understand the material,

Promotes deeper thinking and understanding of concepts

We subscribe to Discovery Education Streaming For example as a wrap

up for our Vietnam unit we watch a video clip of US Vietnam Vets visiting the Vietnam after the War• Now lets watch a vide

o clip

Tools for Learning

Infrared Microphones Allows everyone to be

heard, better time on task all student can hear teacher directives and easy to hear other students for better in class discussions

Tools for Learning

Wikis Engaging, kids share

and critique each others work, provides and audience for their work, teaches 21st century skills and computer etiquette, allows multimedia to be embedded in page

Tools for Learning

Designing a graph from Nation Achieve website using data from Vietnam War. Share graph with class

Answer the essential question . Crete two lists. One list should include reason why you would go to war, The second list should include reasons why a country should go to war

Go to “The Green Book of Songs by Subject, and find out how many songs were written about Vietnam. Listen to the sons and analyze the music to identify the feelings and emotions the author portrays about the war

Learn more about the Vietnam memorial. Answer “What is the designers statement about here design? What is the symbolism in the design? What were some of the controversies surround the design and placement of the Wall. Read the poem by Doug Anderson called The Wall and explain the metaphors in the poem

Choices and Differentiation Kids often have

choices concerning homework and projects to best suit their learning style and how they want to show mastery For example once

Vietnam unit is complete kids have choice for projects

Tools for Communication

School Website Provide current

and up to date resources for parents and students, with PTSA, team links, calendars, and teacher emails

Tools for Communication

SPAN ( student

parent access network)

To look up discipline, grades, schedule and demographic information

Tools for Communication

Blackboard Sites Team

information, homework assignments, uploaded documents, web links, discussion boards

We’re Wired and Ready for You

We hope you have enjoyed seeing a little bit of what we do here everyday.

If you have further questions please let us know and we will be happy to help you