Why is this class different?
Why? Because I am different. My students are different. Our school is different. No two students are alike and all of us learn in a very different way. We will each find our own path in this world. My hope is to provide, or polish, the tools each of my students need to be successful in whatever path they choose.
Junior year is a bit of a struggle. It is generally the most rigorous: academically, athletically, and socially, of the high school career and it is ever so much closer to the precipice between childhood and becoming an adult. College readiness is no longer a goal, it is now a necessity. And for the students that have chosen to go directly to the work force or into service, all college readiness skills will assist them in their journey, whether they realize it now or not.
Educators through around acronyms and titles like Differentiated Instruction, Tier 3 Intervention, Targeted Tutorials, Framework, Learning Strategies, RTI, ELPS, on and on and on. While I research and employ each of these with fervor, I advocate strongest for GRIT: determination to do whatever it takes to reach a goal. For me this mean I en devour to inspire each of my students to persevere to thrive in the midst of whatever it is they face and never give up until they reach their goal! And so, since each of my students are very different, my class is very different for each of them.
Parents/Students Click here to complete a survey to help me understand how to assist your students learning needs.
Why? Because I am different. My students are different. Our school is different. No two students are alike and all of us learn in a very different way. We will each find our own path in this world. My hope is to provide, or polish, the tools each of my students need to be successful in whatever path they choose.
Junior year is a bit of a struggle. It is generally the most rigorous: academically, athletically, and socially, of the high school career and it is ever so much closer to the precipice between childhood and becoming an adult. College readiness is no longer a goal, it is now a necessity. And for the students that have chosen to go directly to the work force or into service, all college readiness skills will assist them in their journey, whether they realize it now or not.
Educators through around acronyms and titles like Differentiated Instruction, Tier 3 Intervention, Targeted Tutorials, Framework, Learning Strategies, RTI, ELPS, on and on and on. While I research and employ each of these with fervor, I advocate strongest for GRIT: determination to do whatever it takes to reach a goal. For me this mean I en devour to inspire each of my students to persevere to thrive in the midst of whatever it is they face and never give up until they reach their goal! And so, since each of my students are very different, my class is very different for each of them.
Parents/Students Click here to complete a survey to help me understand how to assist your students learning needs.
What is Blended Learning?
This is a classroom strategy that is more of a culture or structure of lesson planning. It BLENDS the best of on line learning with the best of teacher student face to face instruction. Blended learning integrates web interaction, student self advocacy, interactive technology, in class group activity, student centered learning, technology driven instruction, individual practice, student collaboration, targeted tutorials, and student collaboration. This allows the student to work at their own pace and select their own learning preference. And allows the teacher to remove them self from majority group lecture with little student interaction to targeted small group interactive tutorials. Blended Learning is not flipped classes where students are expected to spend additional time working at home. Students only have homework when they have not met the daily expectations. This model maximizes the efficiency of both the student and teacher leading to maximized more intentional student teacher interaction and maximized learning. Each day is different avoiding ruts and keeping the class fresh.
This is a classroom strategy that is more of a culture or structure of lesson planning. It BLENDS the best of on line learning with the best of teacher student face to face instruction. Blended learning integrates web interaction, student self advocacy, interactive technology, in class group activity, student centered learning, technology driven instruction, individual practice, student collaboration, targeted tutorials, and student collaboration. This allows the student to work at their own pace and select their own learning preference. And allows the teacher to remove them self from majority group lecture with little student interaction to targeted small group interactive tutorials. Blended Learning is not flipped classes where students are expected to spend additional time working at home. Students only have homework when they have not met the daily expectations. This model maximizes the efficiency of both the student and teacher leading to maximized more intentional student teacher interaction and maximized learning. Each day is different avoiding ruts and keeping the class fresh.
Click here for a link for reading info on Blended Learning.
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Click here for a video on Blended Learning
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What is Preference Learning?
Everyone learns in a different way. Students are given surveys that help them determine their personality profile and learning style. But their learning preference is a personal choice. My goal is to help students discover how they learn most successfully so they can employ the proper tools to help them learn most efficiently and effectively in all their classes, their job, in college, and throughout life.
It is not uncommon for a student to say "I don't learn like this" or "I only get it when you are talking to me" or "I only learn from fill in the blank notes or a power point" when in reality the student has not yet realized how they learn best or may just want to be told instead of discover or interact with new information.
It is beneficial for some parents to also take the personality and learning profiles so they can see the commonalities and differences they share with their student. This may alleviate the "Do it like this", "I'm not like you", or "You never understand me" struggles.
Everyone learns in a different way. Students are given surveys that help them determine their personality profile and learning style. But their learning preference is a personal choice. My goal is to help students discover how they learn most successfully so they can employ the proper tools to help them learn most efficiently and effectively in all their classes, their job, in college, and throughout life.
It is not uncommon for a student to say "I don't learn like this" or "I only get it when you are talking to me" or "I only learn from fill in the blank notes or a power point" when in reality the student has not yet realized how they learn best or may just want to be told instead of discover or interact with new information.
It is beneficial for some parents to also take the personality and learning profiles so they can see the commonalities and differences they share with their student. This may alleviate the "Do it like this", "I'm not like you", or "You never understand me" struggles.
Click here to take the Personality Profile.
You are the only one that sees the results. |
Click here to take the Learning Styles Survey.
You are the only one that sees the results. |
It is important the student puts to use what Personality Type they are most similar to and what Learning Style they benefit from most.
The Personality Type is useful in determining how they function socially. Is the student a leader and want to take charge of their lab group or are they detailed and want to manage the group protocols and procedures. While it is important to function in the area of strength it is also important to act in all positions to understand how to relate with others and their strengths best. Understanding the personality type helps students understand why they function as they do.
Similarly, a student can not always learn according to their Preferred Learning Style because future teachers and employers may not teach in that manor. In this class, students are expected to select learning opportunities that cater to their preferred learning style no more than 70% of the time. Students must also develop their ability to learn from other strategies and must be able to recognize when to do so.
The Personality Type is useful in determining how they function socially. Is the student a leader and want to take charge of their lab group or are they detailed and want to manage the group protocols and procedures. While it is important to function in the area of strength it is also important to act in all positions to understand how to relate with others and their strengths best. Understanding the personality type helps students understand why they function as they do.
Similarly, a student can not always learn according to their Preferred Learning Style because future teachers and employers may not teach in that manor. In this class, students are expected to select learning opportunities that cater to their preferred learning style no more than 70% of the time. Students must also develop their ability to learn from other strategies and must be able to recognize when to do so.
What are the expectations on my student?
Students are expected to follow all class rules and procedures but most importantly students are to understand that their education is their responsibility! Click here to read the class Syllabus and procedures. |
My education is my responsibility! |
- Students work respectfully to all in the groups to which they are assigned. Students must understand they may be moved at any time to maximize the learning for them and others.
- Students complete all expectations of the posted daily "I Will" statement. Portions that are not completed in class are expected to be completed prior to the next class period. Class time is expected to be well utilized without procrastination.
- Students are expected to check the due dates on the class website and listen in class for any changes which will be reflected on the website. Students are responsible for all make up work without prompting by the teacher.
- Students earn 76% or higher on all assessments or will study the options they did not select in the content they have not shown mastery and will retake the assessment for an average grade. All retakes must be completed prior to the unit exam.
- Students that that show less than 76% mastery on any assignment or assessment are expected to attend tutorials within 3 days.
- Students understand the end of unit review expectations are listed on the website at the beginning of each unit and are due as students enter for the Unit Test. Some unit reviews may be broken into smaller pieces with portions due prior to the review and portions due as the student enters for the Test.
- Students are expected to select options and create new options that maximize their learning. The Teacher may make changes as needed for the greatest benefit of the student.
What are my parental expectations?
Research suggests that adult support may be the single most important aspect of how children succeed in school and life. |
The parent student/teacher/team is paramount to success. Please keep an open line of communication with me at all times.
I am best reached by email at [email protected] I want to know about all situations and information that can improve your student's time in my class and our school. Please do not wait until the night before a test or the end of a grade period to alert me to an issue. Help me be as proactive towards your students success as possible. Feel free to browse the class site deadlines and encourage your student to complete all expectations. But know that ultimately, learning is the student's responsibility and student self reliance is an important step towards adulthood. Please alert me to any information that may help me motivate your student or help your student have the best possible experience and education. |
What are resources to help me?
Click here to read research on Blended Learning and Learning Preferences.