Subjects I have taught: |
Special Programs I have created: |
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Profession Learning I have attended ...Mimio TV's for Educators
Adobe Educator Conferences Restorative Practices Google Educator No Nonsense Nurturing ELA Teacher Training Reimaging MAC and PC's Photoshop Creative Commons: Using images in the classroom Leveled Literacy Intervention KTO: Family Engagement PA Department of Education: Standards Aligned System Apple iPad Trainings The Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C) Video Conferencing in the Classroom |
Professional Learning I have given...Mimio TV's for Educators
Screencastify, Zoom, Google Apps, WeVideo Photoshop in the Classroom iPad Basics & iPad Accessibility KTO: Family Engagement Moodle in the Classroom Moodle for Teachers Moodle for Administrators Moodle for Librarians iMovie & iPad's in the Classroom Autism 101 (Alongside Content expert) Algebra concepts (alongside content expert) STEM in the Math Classroom (alongside content expert) STEM Networking Video Conferencing in the Classroom |
High School Graphic Design
Elementary STEM in the Lab
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Sample Lesson Plan:
K-6 Reading Teacher and Newspaper/Newscast Adviser
(2010-2011)
My first year teaching was a whirlwind! Working at West Middlesex was a blessing. I had the privilege of gaining valuable experience working with students of all grade, ability, and developmental levels. I also get the opportunity to observe and learn from so many other fabulous teachers. Please check out my resume and portfolio to see the details of what I have accomplished! I will be sad to leave such a great school, however, I am now, ready and prepared to move forward with my career and have my own classroom!
Here is just a small sample of some of my lessons and projects. I'm going to add videos, pictures, descriptions and student work as I continue to work on my site!
This is the school newspaper I originated this year at West Middlesex. The project gave me the opportunity to be very involved in everything going on at our Elementary Schools. I also got to see how community members and organizations get were involved with the school. Since it was the first issue, I wrote a majority of the stories but had a lot of help from my sixth grade writers as well. The students were so excited to buy a copy and read about what was going on within their school. I believe a school-wide newspaper really supports collaboration among the students, staff and parents and is also great for school spirit! I am currently working on the spring issue and believe it is going to be even more successful!
The Big Red Morning News
Leveled Literacy Intervention
At West Middlesex, I have been trained to implement the Leveled Literacy Intervention Program. This year, I have taught Kindergarten, First, Second and Fourth grade students using the program. It is designed to provide "powerful, daily, small-group instruction for the lowest achieving children." The thirty minute lessons include leveled books and nightly take-home books and assignments; word and phonics work; writing practice; and reading records including comprehension discussion. It has been remarkable to watch the student readers grow and see tangible evidence of their progress. I will upload photos and documents I have collected from program. More information can be found on the Fountas and Pinnell website: http://www.heinemann.com/fountasandpinnell/lli_overview.aspx.
Student Teaching (2009-2010)
Special Education
INCLUDE Project | |
File Size: | 1224 kb |
File Type: |
This was a captivating project where I used the INCLUDE strategy to make sure three students with disabilities in the classroom were given the education they deserved. It involved evaluating the lessons and determining the classroom environment for each. Then, based on the strengths and needs of the students, I brainstormed and implemented ways to differentiate instruction. Finally, I evaluated my approach and determined what worked, what didn't work, and what I could do for improvement next time.
Individual Student Case Study | |
File Size: | 380 kb |
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This assignment was one I became absolutely immersed in. It was a fascinating experience and lead to my desire to get a second certification in Special Education. I did extensive research on a student in my classroom with a Specific Learning Disability. I studied his IEP, observed his work and interaction with peers and teachers, and worked closely with the special education instructor to fully understand his abilities and needs. I then composed a series of lessons and worked with him one-on-one through interventions. I am so proud to say he made immense improvement since the beginning of the school year.
Reading
Owl Moon Vocabulary Lesson | |
File Size: | 33 kb |
File Type: | docx |
This was one of my first lessons I gave! It was to a small group of students and they seemed to have as much fun during the lesson as I had giving the lesson. First we read the classic chldren's book, Owl Moon. The story has some deep and inspiring underlying meaning I wanted to students to comprehend. I created a sequence of activities that were based on vocabulary words (silently, brave, patient, and hope). These activities lead to an actual understanding of the words and the ability for the students to apply them. The final part of the lesson asked the students to create miniature books using the vocabulary words. It required them to demonstrate comprehension skills by using the words correctly, rather than just match it with a definition. My students did a fabulous job! Here are two examples:
Number the Stars Lesson | |
File Size: | 42 kb |
File Type: | docx |
For this lesson, first, I read Number the Stars. Then I planned a unit that integrated history, writing and reading. This document first summarizes the integration and overall goals of the unit. The lesson plan at the end of the document is the final lesson of the unit which involved a writing prompt. Students were to compare and contrast the characters of Annemarie from Number the Stars, and Little Red Ridding Hood. This required them to not only understand what they had read but use the compare and contrast skills we had been working on in writing. A rubric is also included, something I believe students should always be given so they can know (1) what is expected of them and (2) can be held accountable.
Math
Eatn' Park Lesson | |
File Size: | 33 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The purpose of this lesson was to require my 3rd grade class to use high-level thinking. The topic was combinations and the objective was for students to figure out how many different combinations they could order off of an Eatn' Park menu with $3.00. The ultimate goal was for students to discover a method, equation or solution to figure out the task. The lesson incorporated the SMART board, menus from Eat'n Park, calculators, manipulative money and scrap paper. First, they worked independently. Then they were allowed to collaborated with each other. The first clip from the lesson begins when students starting to make important observations and share thier discoveries with the class. As they share them with the class, I am using the SMART board to model thier work. The second clip begins when students start to realize the solution to the task. Its fascinating to watch them become so excited about math!
SMART Board Sequence | |
File Size: | 262 kb |
File Type: | notebook |
It is no exaggeration when I say I used the SMART board for virtually every lesson I taught. This means either writing on it, letting the students do an interactive activity on it, or using educational websites through it. Not only does it make teaching more effective it also does an amazing job engaging the students! I was able to scan the Eatn' Park menu on to the SMART board and model areas of the lesson where students were struggling.
Division Lesson | |
File Size: | 626 kb |
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Student Handout | |
File Size: | 277 kb |
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This was another high-level task I created. It begins with a literature connection, The Doorbell Rang, followed by an additional task for the students to solve related to the book. Since the story is about sharing cookies evenly between more and more people, the topic for the lesson was division. Below is the video of me engaging the students by reading The Doorbell Rang. As I read, we stop after each page to figure out how many cookies each kid will receive if they share them. Since this was the students' first lesson with division, this allowed me to model the process they were going to be using in their task. Using the picture book and the interactive SMART board, you can see the students remain actively engaged.
The next video clip shows me concluding the book and the demonstrating activity on the SMART board. Then, I introduce their task: to figure out how many different ways you can evenly divide 24 cookies. Based on Smith and Stein (2008) this task fell under the higher-level of demands. First it required the students to take initiative becuase they were given freedom to explore their options in groups; I did not provide them with specific procedures for solving the task. The task demanded the students to participate in procedures with connections and do mathematics, not follow an algorithm. They had to be creative by analyzing the task and explore the nature of the problem. It also asked them to use self-monitoring and self-regulation processes by recording all their work and tracking their progress. Also making it a high-level task were the students' efforts to collaborate in groups and use the manipulatives to discover a strategy for the task. You can see what a great job they do working with each other and using the "cookies" to group and find solutions.
The final video show the students sharing their answers with the class. Each group gets the opportunity to go to the SMART board and show what they did. I feel this is important becuase not only does it help keep the students engaged, but I have also found a notable benefit in having students teach students. Sometimes children who are struggling can better understand material through the explanation of a peer. At the conclusion of the lesson, all students were able to correctly identify the 7 different ways to evenly divide 24 cookies. I determined this based on the informal assessment of the group discussion as well as the work they handed showing their work.
Writing
Narrative Writing Unit | |
File Size: | 1213 kb |
File Type: |
Having a history in journalism, writing is a subject I really enjoy teaching. This is a summary of a narrative writing unit I created using the Backward Design Template. This was a technique I found effective and began incorporating into other lessons. It allowed me to focus the learning goals, activities, and assessment evidence including informal and student self-assessments. The document below is a performance assessment I created for the end of the lesson. It asked the class to become authors and write a narrative about something that happened in our classroom during our school year! Next, they would go through an editing phase and finally put it all together to create a chapter book! I found a web page which allows users to create and publish books (studenttreasures.com)! Then students would each get a copy at the end of the year! The assignment sheet includes a checklist which I have found to be a great tool for students to use to monitor their own progress. I have also included the rubric below which is given to the students with the assignment so they know what is expected of them. Even in third grade, the students proved they were more than capable of using and benefiting from a rubric.
Social Studies
Social studies is a subject that even I was guilty of underestimating. However, I discovered not only how important it is, but also how fascinating it can be! By integrating it into the subjects that are often given more instructional time, students can still learn necessary information regarding history, government and economics, and sociology. For example, with the wealth of children's literature available, using a book connecting to social studies is not only extremely engaging for students but also has proven results of effectiveness.
Personal Interests Lesson | |
File Size: | 679 kb |
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This was my first literature connection lesson plan. Based on the National Standards for Social Studies, its purpose was for students to understand factors of personal identity, such as interests. After reading the book and discussing the character's interest (insects), students then choose their favorite animal. Using a graphic organizer, students make a connection between what they like and how it effects their personal identity.
The History of Halloween Lesson | |
File Size: | 470 kb |
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Yet another lesson I loved creating, this was given to my peers the day before Halloween and was all about its history throughout the world. While this lesson is geared towards secondary-aged students, I plan to adapt it to be compatible for elementary students. Like most of my lessons, this incorporates technology and multiple tools and resources. The students spend time at four different stations to learn about the history of Halloween. One is watching a DVD, one is browsing the internet, one is children's books, and one is short articles. The students were given a word bank to help guide their studying. After the stations, I tested what they learned through the Jeopardy game. We all had a blast, and Halloween turns out to be more fascinating than most know!
History of Halloween Jeopardy Game | |
File Size: | 382 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Police Officer and Rules Lesson | |
File Size: | 667 kb |
File Type: |
This was another literature connection lesson. After "reading" Officer Buckle and Gloria through an internet book reading, we utilize graphic organizers to understand (1) the rules of a police officer and (2) a relationship between safety problems and solutions. Finally, the students get to create a safety tip poster to hang around the classroom. This lesson also utilizes an online activity,"How You Can Stay Safe." A supplementary part of this lesson is asking a local police officer to be a visitor in the classroom so students can interview him to understand and appreciate what he does for our community.
Science
Polar Bear Lesson | |
File Size: | 431 kb |
File Type: |
Polar Bears and the Shrinking Ice Caps
When creating this science lesson, I utilized the Learning Cycle, requiring students to go through five stages: engage, explore, explain, extend and apply. Once again utilizing the SMART Board, the engage phase focused on an online quiz and brainstorming activity. Next, I asked my students to become scientists and explore with the data on polar bear populations. This picture shows them creating a chart based on the data. Next, during the explain students discovered why this data existed and extended by giving them more information regarding the subject matter. Finally the students continued to be scientists by predicting which groups on the chart were adapting to the shrinking polar caps. While this lesson was quite complex in areas, once again my students left me impressed!
polar_bears.notebook | |
File Size: | 13022 kb |
File Type: | notebook |
This SMART board lesson sequence I created is particularly useful. I included the PDF version in case you do not have the Notebook program on your computer. It incorporates pictures, visual animations, an online quiz for engaging the students, and video clips of (1) the shrinking polar caps and (2) polar bears hunting. (Note: the quiz and videos are not visible on the embedded document above) These visual aids helped the students understand a complex issue: the shrinking polar caps meant less opportunity for polar bears to find their food. By comparing "dissapearing" Pizza Huts to the shrinking polar caps, students could make a connection they were familiar with.
Sound Unit
This is a picture from a unit on sound I taught. The lesson was from NSRC's Science and Technology Concepts curriculum however, it did not make my job as a teacher any less important. Science can be particularly hard for students to grasp which is why learning by doing and discovering is so important. However, students need the guidance of teachers in order to successfully reach learning goals. Even if it is not a lesson I created, it is still vital for me to effectively implement the lesson and make alterations and modifications where I see necessary based on my students. During this unit on sound, students created instruments and then experimented with them. This gave them a concrete reference to understand what causes and affects sound. Not to mention the kids remained engaged while interacting with their instruments!
Collaboration Efforts
Letter to Parents | |
File Size: | 446 kb |
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It is so important to have a positive relationship with the students' parents. When I begun my student teaching, I wrote a letter to the parents of my students and requested each and every student bring them backed signed so I knew their parents were aware of who I was and what role I would now be playing in their child's education. Throughout the year, I continued to collaborate with them while they volunteered in the classroom and for special events. It was obvious what kind of positive effect this had on the kids' education.
Rotating Math Schedule | |
File Size: | 528 kb |
File Type: |
I worked with a collaborative team to reconstruct and implement a new math and reading curriculum for the third grade. After studying various assessment results including PSSAs, MAPs, 4 Sights, and in-class formal and informal assessments, we discussed a hierarchy of each student’s strengths and weaknesses. We then created a curriculum involving rotating groups and interventions to meet each of their needs. It was a demanding task: to differentiate instruction, promote high-level thinking and develop skills and content specific to each individual student. However, the growth I observed across the students was remarkable and truly gratifying.
Integrated Lessons
"A Year Of Sounds" Lesson
I cannot wait to do this lesson again! It is a great opportunity for students to use their senses and some creativity. This was my example of the final project. The students were to create a musical piece with 12 measures (for the 12 months). Based on each month they had to think of a sound that could be played for that part of the musical piece. They were allowed to use all kinds of materials and resources to make the sounds. A key also needed to be included. So for my example, August was to ring a school bell based on the idea that its time for kids to go back to school! March involved blowing a referee whistle for March Madness. It was a lot fun!
The Art of Freedom | |
File Size: | 206 kb |
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This lesson integrated art and history, but also involved a literature connection. After reading a children's book, The Art of Freedom: How Artists See America. We discussed the art principles as well as the historical event or American aspect that was being portrayed. We also discussed the vocabulary used throughout the book.. The final part of the lesson asked the students to choose a piece of art work that represents how they see America and create a poster. The lesson plan includes an exemplar I created. The lesson was ambitious as it touched on art, art history, American history, and writing and reading. However, I hold high expectations for my students and know without a doubt they are able to fulfill them.
Social Studies and Technology Lesson Plan | |
File Size: | 242 kb |
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Student Handout for Social Studies and Technology Lesson | |
File Size: | 57 kb |
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Our Nation Lesson using the internet
This History lesson was a great way for students to learn about our Nation's history by having them utilize the Ben's Guide educational website (http://bensguide.gpo.gov/index.html). The student handout I created required the students to use each of their six cognitive domains noted in Blooms Taxonomy (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation). The pedagogical incorporation proved to be very effective as the students recalled later in the year what they had learned in this lesson during a review game.
Classroom Management and Procedures
Its no secret that classroom management is where most new teachers struggle the most. So for me, I put forth an extra effort to learn some useful strategies that I would be able to use in my classroom. Since students thrive in an environment which is orderly and routine, daily procedures should be given. The morning routine is particularly important because it sets the pace for the rest of the day. The first picture is morning check-in. Here, students show me that their planner has been signed by their parents and they have done their nightly reading for the Hundred Book Challenge. They also turn in an assignments or letters from home. Check-in is also a great chance to briefly meet with each of my students to build rapport and discuss any current issues one-on-one. While students are checking in, the rest of the class is reading the morning message from the SMART board and following its directions. After checking in, is morning greeting. This is for students to build relationships with each other and practice social skills. Finally, during morning meeting we discuss the day's agenda, any current events, share, and typically do an educational activity.
Extracurricular Activities
I will be completely proactive in ensuring students are growing and having an exceptional educational experience. This means continuing to work with them outside of the classroom through sports, after school programs, and other clubs and organizations. For two years now I have coached girl's middle school volleyball and hope to be involved in much more at the district where I teach.
Miscellaneous
Project: Creating a School
This was a a project I did in an undergraduate course that required me to create my own school. I'm including it in my portfolio because it is one of my favorite assignments. I think it was an interesting project and I believe it shows my passion and dedication to the education field. I created this document in InDesign and believe it also shows my creativity, attention to detail, and professionalism.