4th Module

I was very excited to work on this module because I see enormous value in collaborating with other professionals to better instruct students and engage them in the learning process. I also enjoyed the technology aspect to this module. Technology enhances the educational experience as Marzano and Pickering seem to believe because students become more enthusiastic and interested. Students will perceive that our professional educators are important adults (not just the classroom teacher). This will help students become more engaged as it states in the book The highly Engaged Classroom. Finally, my co-teachers are both people I respect for their extensive knowledge and expertise. I am thrilled to have their collaboration!

Module 4:

Locating and Partnering with Co-Teachers Plan

Plan Elements:

1-      Name the professional educator you plan to partner with.  Include the following information:

a.      Joan Hall and Arthur Williams M.D.

b.      Outreach educator and medical doctor

c.       Joan.hall@cincinnatizoo.org and alaineandart@hotmail.com

2-      Describe the plan you have made with this person.

a.      How will you bring what they have to offer to your students?

The professional educator, Joan, will accept student generated questions about animal classifications submitted through email prior to the zoo’s classroom visit. The professional educator will discuss the questions during the zoo visit to our class. The class will visit the Cincinnati Zoo web page www.cincinnatizoo.org  prior to zoo’s visit and make predictions about the animals they will see during the zoo visit. The students will discuss animal classifications and features. The students will visit the web to learn more about animals. One site will be: http://www.krattbrothers.com/main.html. After the visit we will share pictures and video taken with a flip camera. We will email the professional educator the pictures and video. The students will email any additional questions after the zoo visit. Then the students will choose an animal to create a flip book about. As a culminating activity the students will Skype with a professional. They will Skype with Dr. Williams. He will be presenting a “mystery animal”. He will be introduced as Arthur Williams. The students will each write a question about the animal to discover what kind of animal is the mystery animal. After the students have each read their question Dr. Williams will answer the question. The children will be encouraged to guess what the animal is. Then Dr. Williams will reveal the mystery animal is a human and reveal his title. Students that guessed correctly will be announced in our class paper and on the school news.

b.      What technologies will you use? (video/ voice technologies, etc?)

We will record the visit with a Flip camera; we will explore the web on a Smart board, and send emails or Skype with the expert. The school news is produced, filmed, taped, and broadcast within our school and that technology is reflected in this plan.

3-      What are the school disciplines and specific national, state, district or school standards that it will address?

a.      The Kentucky standards :

Academic Expectations

SC-EP-3.4.1

Students will explain the basic needs of organisms.

Organisms have basic needs. For example, animals need air, water and food; plants need air, water, nutrients and light. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their needs can be met.

SC-EP-3.4.3

Students will describe the basic structures and related functions of plants and animals that contribute to growth, reproduction and survival.

Each plant or animal has observable structures that serve different functions in growth, survival and reproduction. For example, humans have distinct body structures for walking, holding, seeing and talking. These observable structures should be explored to sort, classify, compare and describe organisms.

DOK 2

WR-EP-3.5.3

In Transactive Writing,

·      Students will adhere to standard guidelines for grammar and usage.

·      Students will use precise word choice.

      Students will use the specialized vocabulary of the    discipline/content appropriate to the purpose and audience.

WR-EP-1.2.3

In Transactive Writing,

·      Students will communicate relevant information.

·      Students will develop an angle with support (e.g., facts, examples, reasons, visuals).

Students will apply research to support ideas with facts and opinions.

4. How will you assess what your students have learned?

I will observe the students informally before, during, and after the visit and the Skype chat. I will observe the students during

 discussions held before and after the zoo visit.(SC-EP-3.4.1) (SC-EP-3.4.3)

To assess the learning I will have the students create a work sample. The book will describe animal features, homes, and the animal’s basic needs. The students will write out questions for Dr. Williams using the correct punctuation and language conventions. (SC-EP-3.4.3) (WR-EP-3.5.3) (WR-EP-1.2.3)