Meghan Mosher's ePORTFOLIO
Community
Learning Environment
In our classroom, I have created a predicatable learning environment in which each student has a postive experience. Everyday, the plan for the class is written on the board, including lesson objectives. Important due date and announcements are kept in one spot on the corner of the board, so that each student can see what is coming up, including tests and quizzes. Schoology is also used as a place where all materials are stored and alo as a calendar of events so students know what is coming. A learning environment built around postive language is modeled and enforced. Students are not split by gender, gender neutral language is used, and language targeted at insulting an individuals identity is not tolerated.
All backgrounds are valued in the classroom. Before each new unit, and several times during a unit, students are given the opportunity to access background knowledge and experiences. These experiences are shared with the class and every student has the opportunity to share. Students have the opportunity to work in partners and groups and through positive classroom interactions, they get to know other students in the classroom.
Students with IEPs and 504s are met with frequently to check in about their learning plans, modifications, and accomodations. Parents are also kept in the loop on their students' progress in the course. Students are given multiple ways to learn content through direct instruction, individual explorations, technology, and group and individual work. Students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of content, through formative and summative assessments and test retakes. Differentiation is based on content, process, and product.
Student assignments are scaffolded and students can access assisntance 24/7 through our Schoology website. For example, when working with graphing, tutorials (YouTube Videos, Documents) are available on the Schoology page for students who need a refresh on graphing. Videos watched in class are also posted on Schoology, so students can watch them again and use them as a review tool, or to reteach themselves concepts. Students are also invited to tutor time, where they can receive individual help, or work with classmates who demonstrate mastery of a concept.
Differentiation
Students' Strengths
Standard 2
Teachers establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students.
Management for Learning
Home/School Communication
Safety is imperative in the biology classroom, both physical and emotional. These safety expectations are discussed with students at the beginning of the year and physical safety concerns are address before each lab experiment.
Home/School communication is established immediately at the beginning of the school year, with a welcome letter. Parents and guardians are invited to multiple parent/teacher conferences each semester, with failing students recieving special invitiations. Parents also recieve notifications once a month created through Infinite Campus with a list of missing work.