Room #21--Geography/History---Constructivist/ Constructionist

"7th & 8th GRADE CONSTRUCTION ZONE"

Enter for hands on learning----My classrooms have never been traditional. Students do not sit quietly at their desks and take notes as I talk the whole period-- Instead everyone is interacting! Fred Moodry Middle School is filled with technology and most of the teachers, teach with a constructivist/constructionist approach. Projects and construction are going on all over the place!

In our readings this week, a triangle was drawn with main idea at the top and supporting details at the bottom. I can relate to the constructivism approach to top down. "I LOVE HANDS ON LESSONS/TECHNOLOGY. If students feel they have a voice in their learning and the teacher values their opinion--everything else will fall into place.

In our classroom--(I say our classroom because it belongs to the students as well as myself), we explored many project based lessons this year. Students really enjoy virtual reality trips such as National Geographics Xpedition Hall and then follow ups with graphic organizers of some kind. Orey defines the constructionism approach by stating that people learn more when they build artifacts, projects, etc. (Laureate ed., 2008).

The We the People program/Project Citizen is a fantastic approach to project learning. My students wrote , "Ordinance 217" for our county this year--"Save lives don't txt & Drive". IT PASSED! On May 20, 2010 It became a county law. They were able to get the support of the whole community by posting a wikispace, podcasting skyping, web-quests, etc. My 8th graders were able to pull off this large project because they took ownership!

I am a big believer in the teacher being the facilitator of the room, guiding the students, and letting them solve problems on their own with my guidance.

thirteen-Ed online. (2004). Inquiry based learning. Concept to classroom.

Glazer, E. (2001). Problem based instruction. Orey, M. (ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology.

C.V.V.W.Y.P.--EQUALS LEARNING THEORIES AND INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES

The initials C.V.V.W.Y.P. stand for concept maps, virtual trips, videos, wikispaces, you-tube, podcasts! All of these items add up to a classroom full of exposure, allowing them to retain information in long term memory.

It is extremely important for students to be exposed in a number of ways. The more connections students make, the easier it is for them to grasp and get involved in the subject matter. If they experience, then observe, and then reflect---it ties everything together.

Working with Prezi.com will allow students to do all of these items at once. A great lesson is to make one of each then as a final project add these to a Prezi, it is amazing how students will get into this project. Russell and Sorge (1999) also point to how technology can give students "more control over their own learning."facilitating the analytical and critical thinking and the collabortation championed in the construcivist approach to education (pp. 1-2)

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Behavorist learning theory [Motion Picture]. bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore:

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD

Heinz 57 is my Perspective

If one person was to define my theory on teaching as they see it, they would call it the Heinz 57 theory, because I am a little bit of everything--and a whole lot of patience, understanding, love, and caring.

Today I was reviewing drawing maps of the world from free hand (memory maps). Most students were zipping right along, and then I would have the occasional student say, when did we learn that! I cover this material inside and out---you name it, I have an activity for it! I actually think of lessons while I am sleeping and get up and write them down, (that is a teacher trait). Behaviorist takes over, have you been practicing drawing maps at home????? Students responds with nope, have not had the time! My response, sweetheart---you have not had the time since the beginning of the year? lol!!!!Practice, dril, Practice, drill----

Tonight I will be getting all kinds of text messages from my honor students asking questions on the papers they are writing for their upcoming congressional hearings. Love to be able to text with them, quick response. Also will be doing some blogging with them tonight great way to review, because they love this type of interaction.