The Jigsaw Method

This week and class we implemented the jigsaw method of learning. We were involved in two different groups, base groups and expert groups. In our base groups we were all assigned a number and a topic that went along with that number. In the above picture this is represented by the colored puzzle. We then split, like the puzzle pieces, and joined our expert groups. In these groups we researched our topic and became "experts". After researching we returned to our base groups and taught them about our topic. So we had five different experts in our group!

I liked this idea because we were able to become experts in one topic and by reteaching the topic we really had a deeper understanding. The problem I did have with this method was that it was hard to retain knowledge that the other experts taught. So although I am an expert in one topic I only had a small grasp on the other topics. I liked how we had to tests because that helped me test my knowledge and review so I became more comfortable with the material 

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative Learning!

Positive Interdependence: When members understand that they must work together to achieve the goal they promote a more positive environment. 

- Higher Achievement 

-More Time Spent on Task

- Critical Thinking

- Higher Self Esteem 

-Helps cope with Stress

-More students succeed 

Three different types of cooperative learning groups

Formal- one class to a few weeks

Informal- a few minutes

Cooperative- long term 

Individual Accountability:Taking responsibility of your part of the group 

The purpose of the group is to make each member stronger and more likely to succeed.

How to ensure group accountability  

Groups should be small and manageable 

Individual tests to each group member

Random oral exams to students 

Assigning roles to each student 

 Group Processing: is when students work together while the teacher monitors and the students discuss off of each others ideas. 

4 parts

-Feedback

-Reflection

-Improvement goals

- Celebration 

Purposes

- Improve working together over time

-Streamlines progress

-Increase individual accountability 

-Reduces negativity

Social Skills: Interacting with others

Six Outcomes

1. Personal Identity 

2. Life Success 

3. Quality of Life

4. Mental Health

5. Physical Health

6. Ability to Cope with Stress

The Four "F" Skills

Forming: The basic skills needed for a functioning, cooperative learning group.

Functioning: The skills needed to manage the group’s activities to complete a task and to maintain effective working relationships among members.

Formulating:The skills needed to understand the material being studied at a deeper level, to stimulate the use of higher quality reasoning strategies, and to maximize retention.

Fermenting: The skills needed to rethink the material being studied, manage cognitive conflict, search for more information, and communicate the rationale behind one’s conclusion.

Four Phases of Learning Social Skills

1. Awkward

2. Phony

3. Mechanical

4. Integrated

Bloom's Taxonomy

Knowledge: The lowest level of the cognitive domain. It is about recalling information. 

Examples include knowing facts, theories, principles etc. 

Verbs included are: define, list, state, identify

Comprehension: The second level of the cognitive domain. This level is about the meaning of information. It's one step beyond recalling information.

Examples include understanding facts and principles, interpreting charts and graphs, justify methods and procedures.

Verbs included are: Explain, predict, interpret, infer, summarize

Application: The third level of the domain. This is the ability to use the new information to concrete situations. It is a higher level of understanding than comprehension.

Examples included are apply concepts and principles to new situations, apply laws and theories to practical situations

Verbs included: How would you show, make use of, modify, demonstrate, solve, or apply

Analysis: The fourth level of the domain. The ability to break down material into its components.It requires an understanding of both the content and the structural form of the material.

Examples included are: recognize unstated assumptions,and distinguish between facts and inferences.

Verbs used: Differentiate, compare / contrast, distinguish

Evaluation: the highest level. It involves judging the materials value. It contains a little bit of all the other parts of the domain. 

Examples include: Judge the consistency of the written work or judge how the conclusions are supported by the data. 

Verbs: Justify, appraise, evaluate, judge 

Creating: Putting parts together to make a new whole. It stresses creative behaviors, with emphasis on the formulation of new patterns or structure.

Examples are  write a well organized paper, give a well organized speech, write a creative short story

Verbs include: Design, construct, develop, formulate, imagine, create, change

Assessment

Today we learned all about assessment! Assessment in extremely important because it is a way to assess the students progress on the topics. We can directly compare and see how students are improving or what areas we need to reteach! You can assess students on their readiness (skills, concepts, and content knowledge), their interests, or their learning profile (strengths, weaknesses, work preferences). 

But what does assessment actually consist of? 

Measurement

Evaluation 

Feedback 

It is important that assessments aren't seen as punishments or just as grades. If given the right ways tests should be gifts that enhance the students learning. Teachers need to use the assessments and give feed back and make instruction decisions based on the assessments. 

Three types of assessment

Diagnostic

This is your pre-test to see what students already know

Formative

This is an on-going assessment throughout the unit

Summative

This is the end of the year or end of unit test 

Selected-Response Questions

Multiple choice

Binary choice

Interpretive exercises 

Matching

Constructed-Response Questions

Completion 

Short answers

Restricted response essay

Extended response essay

What is Social Studies?

When I think of Social Studies my first thought is that it is the study of the past, but in reality it is so much more than that! It includes Geography, Economics, Social Science, Citizenship and many other things! I personally have had some great Social Studies teachers in my life as a student and because of that I always really enjoyed the subject. I also had teachers that made it extremely dry and boring. My teachers have shaped the way that I want to teach Social Studies. 

In class we talked about the powerful elements of Social Studies. It occurred to me that all of the teachers I loved used these elements to teach. The elements included:

Meaningful

connecting to real world experience

Integrative

uses more than one discipline or skill

Value-Based

strengthens democratic value and social responsibility 

Challenging

uses children's critical thinking abilities

Active

hands on and minds on activities

Another interesting aspect of class was the learning pyramid about the best way students learn! I need to keep this in mind when I become a teacher!

Attempting to Blog

So here I am attempting to blog! To be honest I have never tried to blog in my entire life. It is something that I have never really understood, but after playing around with this it doesn't seem all that hard. It is kind of exciting to be able to do something like this. 

What I am looking forward to about blogging is having a space to write down my thoughts and ideas and share them with my peers. 

I thought this quote was funny and interesting: 

First Day of Class After Thoughts

After the first day of class I walked out of the classroom overwhelmed. How was I ever going to be able to keep up with all these new technological resources? I had never had a class where everything was online! At the time I was extremely nervous, but even now after a few class days have passed I still feel a sense of anxiety about this class. Although, I do feel more confident in my abilities to learn new things based on what we have done so far.
I have heard many things about this class. The first thing I heard was that this class was a lot of work. I know that I am going to have to stay on top of my work and not procrastinate. This can be tough at times for me because I play softball for some of the fall and can be extremely busy. I know that I will need to prioritize this class above most things. I also heard that this class will teach you a lot of different techniques that I can use in my future classroom. I am extremely excited about this! I want all of the resources I can get to help me be the best teacher I can be!
Let's see how this journey goes!