Sunday, April 18, 2021

5 year hiatus, but so much I have learned!

 So I may have said I would be back and here I am doing it again...lol! I am back in 4th grade, back at my previous school and back trying to complete my master's degree, but this time it is a subject I am more motivated in and love. Mathematics and Science are some of the critical teaching subjects for the future. All of the modern technology that even 5 years ago were a dream are popping up instantly. Did you know within the last 5 years a company was promoting designer face masks on Shark Tank and the sharks thought it was hilarious and didn't invest. I bet now they are regretting not making the investment seeing that we are over a year into wearing face mask due to the pandemic.




Well I am proud to say that in my hiatus I was able to become a Knight student again. I am pursuing my master's degree in K-8 Mathematics and Science Education. Class is done over Zoom which is completely different, but I am learning many things.

This semester I am taking a course titled Critical Issues in Special Education. There are seven "Big Ideas" that we focused on.

1. The impact of law and/or history on the field of special education and STEM
Did you know that in the 1500s if someone was born with special needs they were killed? That is awful, right? In the 1600s people assumed that someone with disabilities were demons and would try to drill holes in their head. Little people were forced to be court jester and entertain people. During the 1700s wars brought about more interest in how the brain worked and people began studying the brain, schools for the disabled were being opened and sign language was developed. From 1975 to 1990 the Education for all Handicapped Children Act was in place and has now been redeveloped into The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004. IDEA has been a great gain and win for individuals with disabilities and allowing them to have more opportunities in their educational plan.

The 1984 case Rowley v. Hendrick Hudson School District brought up the fact that individuals with disabilities should have access to a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) in the "lease restrictive environment". It was brought about by the parents of Amy Rowley whom was a deaf student, that required a sign-language interpreter in the classroom. In today's society it seems like it would automatically be granted, but at that time it was not the norm. Another court case that had a huge influence on the education of individuals with disabilities is Endrew v. Douglas County School District. On March 22, 2017 the Endrew case made sure that students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are given a plan that is appropriate for the student to make the most growth and progress in their education.

2. The concept of inclusive education in STEM

The concept of inclusive education is important in STEM many students with disabilities are automatically isolated and not placed in the least restrictive environment. In STEM many activities are hands on and can use concrete manipulatives that are useful. Students with disabilities should be able to
be included in all parts of STEM from the science experiments, use of technology, engineering, and science.
3.   How the Common Core should be used to support students with disabilities in STEM

In Florida we do not use common core specifically, but within our standards we do have what are called access points. These access points allow students with disabilities to still accomplish the basics of the standards specifically in core subject class at their level. 
For example, MAFS.4.OA.1.3 - Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.
Access Point: MAFS.4.OA.1.AP.3a - Solve and check one- or two-step word problems requiring the four operations within 100. 

4.   How you will use technology to impact student learning in STEM

I will use technology to help support my students in STEM. Some students do well with iPads versus computers. Students can record videos using Flipgrid if they are more comfortable with oral presentations instead of paper based assessments. A great website that teaches the basics of coding is www.kodable.com which allows students to learn about coding while playing games.

5.   How collaboration between general and special educators is critical in STEM and how you will make this happen within your own teaching

There are 7 Effective Inclusive Practices in Relation to Co-Teaching

    1. Creating a school-wide culture
    2. Celebrating the success of all students
    3. Developing interdisciplinary collaboration
    4. Implementing Effective co-teaching
    5. Establishing active learning environments
    6. Implementing successful evidence-based instruction
    7. Improving grading and assessment

It is important for general education and special education teachers to collaborate and discuss what is being taught in both classes to best benefit the education of the student. If the type of support for the student is in-class support it is important to inform the special education teacher of what has been planned in order to best support the student.

6.   How behavior can impact learning in STEM

Behavior can impact learning in STEM because if a student is not able to control their behavior it can sometimes destroy the moral of the class and even the teacher to finish a lesson. When students are motivated to participate and learn about a subject they are more willing to cooperate.

7.   Social skill instruction impacts STEM education

In order for STEM education to be successful social skills instruction is definitely needed. Students work with partners and/or teams when working on lessons and or activities. Teaching students about how to vocal express themselves in a productive way helps with the trusting of group members.  


Monday, May 5, 2014

I'm back, May Currently

 
 
Well I am back everyone. I haven't been posting on my blog for almost 2 years. It has been an overwhelming 2 years full of purging unneeded people and things.
 
Update: I am loving 4th grade and this year I was able to teach some of my precious students I had in second grade two years ago. Whoopi!! Below is a picture of my classroom from the beginning of the year. 
 
 
 


So in honor of being back and teaching 4th grade I am participating in Mrs. Farley from http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/ May Currently


I would like to dedicate my surprise to Lisa at Fourth & Ten because she is holding a TpT Sale and Teachers Pay Teachers is my go to site next to Pinterest. Check out her blog.
http://www.fourthnten.com/

You can also visit her TpT store:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fourth-And-Ten

Hope you enjoy my new posts coming soon. P.S. summer is almost here.

Tiffany

Friday, July 13, 2012

4th Grade

OMG!!! I am moving from second to fourth grade. What do I do? Where do I start? On top of that my classroom is super duper tiny. Any suggestions or tips?

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

IRA

So it's day 2 here at the IRA conference and I am having a good time. The part that I think everyone likes to here is they giveaway free stuff. I just couldn't believe how much stuff I walked away with today. I spent 2 1/2 hours (yes I said hours :-) ) in the exhibit hall. I was able to meet a new up in coming author, Courtney Shienmel and have an autographed copy to show my kiddies!

Image of Courtney Sheinmel  Stella Batts: Needs a New Name

The line for R.L. Stine was extremely long so I couldn't get to him. There were many authors all around.
The main theme at almost all the booths were Common Core which make me a little apprehensive about starting it next year but I spoke to an Imagine It rep and she told me the eSuite that we use will have the CCS associated with it online soon.
I attended a few sessions that were good and some that made me feel like I was sitting in a data meeting at work! I attended a session on the DAILY 5 but all they kept saying was read the book, read the book, procedure, procedure....if I needed a reminder of classroom management I would have chosen a workshop on that. Hopefully the 2 sisters are more informative.
Chicago is a very historic city. The architecture on the buildings and a lot of us going WOW!! I really think if you had the opportunity to attend next year in San Antonio, TX you should jump on it. It is a great enlightening experience. It is also a great place to network.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Magic Kingdom, Spring Break, IRA Conference, April Currently

Magic Kingdom Fun

So I live in Orlando, home of Mickey Mouse and all fun things imaginable. The place where dreams come true. My family came to visit so my nieces could experience the magic of their dreams coming true. Here we go:

Cinderella's Castle yes the Cinderella!!! The other Princess castles should be done next Spring.
My niece Treasure with my mom and stepdad in the background

My niece Tariya after she had a meltdown over a $70 princess dress that my mom refused to buy.

The girls and I 
We had a great time and I am glad the came on their Spring Break to visit. Now on to my Spring Break....

I had to bring the class pet Max the rabbit home with me this week and he clearly was missing the class in this picture

Florida teachers get into Sea World for free so two fellow teachers and I took the trip less than 5 miles from my house.

I'm underwater lol

To wrap Spring Break up my annoying lovely boyfriend and I took his son to the Science Center for his 2nd Birthday!

IRA Conference

Are any of my fellow bloggers going to the International Reading Association's Conference in Chicago at the end of this month? I am so excited to go woohoo!! 
If you are going leave me a comment I would love to meet up. To top it off I get to go to a Daily 5 workshop facilitated by the Two Sisters!!!!

April Currently

On to the April Currently hosted by the very own Mrs. Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.


My super power is something I think everyone might wish for as a single or even a married teacher.



Sunday, March 4, 2012

Update, Currently

So I have definitely been behind in posting but I have been keeping up with everything in the blog world. Here are a few pics of things I have been doing in my classroom.

We had an in school Field Trip to the Zoo!

 The bear tracks
 They are obviously in deep "discussion" (arguing)
 Our class pet Max! He is a wild bunny that chases us and pees on us! Ugh!!!!
 The kids made Valentine's Day mailboxes.
 My monkey mailbox :-)
 More kids boxes
 My gift to the kids
 Our solar oven experiment
 Everybody say S'mores!

My lovely Thirty-One bag arrived!

Now we are all caught up!


Everybody loves Farley's Currently. This one is so cute for March. To join her Currently Party for Click Here.
March Currently

Monday, February 6, 2012

February Currently and my uber stuffy nose day!

Here is my February Currently...Thanks to Mrs. Farley over at Oh Boy 4th Grade!



So today I was uber stuffy and sneezing all over the place. Germs run around our classroom like crazy. I had 3 kids out today. We try to sanitize all the time. Ugh its the worst when you have to work and your not feeling your best. My kids try to be my little nurses which is hilarious. I loathe being absent so I take my sickness to work even though I tell my kids not to come to school when they are sick "Do as I say not as I do?"