Thursday, June 23, 2011

New 7th Grade Program



We have created a new program in the seventh grade next year. It will be co-taught by a "generalist" and special education teacher. Please take a look at the description of the class and leave some feedback... thoughts, questions, comments please!

7 comments:

anna.l.y. said...

This new program sounds like a great idea to implement in your school. After looking at the wiki, I was just confused about the term "process oriented." I dont really understand what that means, and how it ties in with allowing "students to take charge of their learning and reflect on the learning process." Aside from that, the program overview appears very clear-cut and descirpitive, and something that will really excite and encourage parents!

dperillo said...

I understand how this will help a below average learner understand the manner in which they learn best. But what about the gifted students? They will be a part of this study too right? My concern is that they will not be challenged enough to determine their potential and "learning style"

MRC123 said...

I think that this Ipad program is a fantastic idea and something I personally would enjoy both taking part in as a student and experimenting with as a teacher. I think that technology has such a positive impact on education that implementing more can only lead to more success for our students. With all great things comes the bad, and I think that parents will absolutely be questioning who gets picked, and for what reasons. There will be those parents who question why their son or daughter wasn't chosen. A friend of mine just recently told me that her school was adopting a program next year that would give desktop computers to the entire 7th grade. Although a completely different strategy of implementing technology into education, it does eliminate the problem of having to choose students and leave students out. I agree that supplying this many laptops is an enormous expense, and risking the entire 7th grades future on a 1st year program is risky, but I can see vulnerability for problems. If this program can indeed do the things it is intended to do, some parents may question if their children received as good an education. Although it is a fire to fight in the future, I am on board with this completely, and would enjoy having the opportunity to participate in.

Kristen said...

This is a great way for students to become indepedent learners and thinkers within a collaborative setting. I think teachers sometimes focus more on lecturing and giving answers which leads to "learned helplessness" and this is the complete opposite, it's a hands-on experience.

John Savarese said...

It is obvious a great amount of effort has been put into the desin of the program. Teaching kids how to learn is something I have not seen before. The schedule format seemed tough in that the students in this program begin their day at 8am, yet they don't eat lunch until 1pm.

RosaToro80 said...

I see that the ultimate goal for the students in this program will be creating and building knowledge rather than memorizing. I agree that students must understand their personal learning in order to process the knowledge that their acquiring. This will be essential for all the different learning levels of the students you will service. I love the idea that the students should take ownership of the class; changing the furniture, using technology (I pads), help develop curriculum…..exciting!

Joseliana said...

Constructing one's own learning is part of the Constructivist perspective. I believe this project will have high success as it is empowering to students. Students will be active participants in their learning. I believe it is just such as great idea. Children will be catered to their true needs, not the needs of the traditional 1950's students. I would love to see the results of such a student-centered project. Also, it would be great to be educated on how this program started ( the funding, the students etc).