Amel+El-Mahgoub

AEl-Mahgoub

__Response Journal #1 __

By the end of this course I want to have built a greater understanding of curriculum mapping/design and assessment to be able to create courses that will provide my students with knowledge, understanding and skills that will benefit them not only during the course, but more importantly, in their daily lives. I hope that the tools that I acquire during this course will lead me to become a better educator. I also hope that the skills/knowledge I gain here aide me in designing courses that are more engaging and assessments that better measure student understanding.

__Response Journal #2 __ In David Perkins article ‘Knowledge Alive’ he talks about how teaching at the moment focuses on dispensing knowledge without factoring in how this knowledge can be used by the students.
 * Knowledge Alive **

He states that ‘the knowledge arts’ include four chapters:- - creating knowledge - communicating knowledge - organizing knowledge - acting on the knowledge

I agree with the author in that we need to make sure that all four chapters of the ‘knowledge arts’ are included in our teaching in order to produce students that have the necessary skills to make them successful in life. I think that there are at least five main factors that can influence the results of the ‘knowledge arts’ report card and how many chapters are included in the curriculum:- 1. the curriculum 2. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">the educator <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">3. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">the student <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">4. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">the administration <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">5. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">the course <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">6. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">the parents

<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Although chapters of the ‘knowledge arts’ are currently included in teaching I think that there needs to be a change in the way the curriculum is designed before we can see all four chapters of the ‘knowledge arts’ implemented in each subject. The goal being, creating a curriculum that will equip today’s students with the skills/tools needed for them to succeed now and in the future.


 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Preparing for Today and Tomorrow **

<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Elliot W. Elsner’s view suggests five aims that are appropriate for schools seeking to prepare students for today and tomorrow they are:- <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Judgement – the ability to give reasons for the choices made by an individual. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Critical Thinking – the ability to critique ideas and to enjoy exploring what one can do with them. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Meaningful Literacy – the ability to encode or decode meaning in any of the symbolic forms used in culture. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Collaboration – the ability to work with others collectively, cooperatively and in harmony. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Service – the creation of conditions through which students can make a contribution to the larger community.

<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">In my experience, at YIS many of the parents/students are more focused on the grades than on the learning. The parents will come to request a conference to ask why their son/daughter got a particular grade rather than asking about what skills their son/daughter need to focus on to improve their understanding in a particular subject.

<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">I have been able to focus on many of Eisner’s aims. In my grade six technology class for example, I have been able to work with our technology coordinator to amend the curriculum to incorporate new technologies. These technologies require students to collaborate, to think critically about certain technologies and their uses and to make judgements as to how useful these technologies are in their technology class, other classes and their daily lives.

__<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Response Journal #3 __ <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Benefits of constructivism:- <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Students construct their own understanding <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Students reflect and reassess their ideas <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Students find this type of learning fun <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Students learn to integrate new information <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Students work in groups, they are then able to shares idea and learn from each other <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Knowledge is dynamic <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">What educators should be cautious of in relation to constructivism:- <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Being bullied by parents who do not understand this teaching model <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Administrators that may look like they want you to use the constructivist model but actually prefer the traditional classroom setting <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">· <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">All students are actively engaged/participating in learning especially when working in groups

__<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Response Journal #4 __ <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">What they learn is personally meaningful. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> I always try to look for ways to adapt the resources so that they are relevant to them. E.g. in my grade seven science class there is an exercise where the students had to look at various aerial photographs of a community alien to them. To make things more personally meaningful the student used Google Earth to look at our local community in Yanbu. This was very exciting for them. We always discuss how the topic is relevant to them. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">What they learn is challenging and they accept the challenge. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Some of my students find science particularly difficult, I motivate them and let them know that there are several people supporting and them and want them to do well. When they feel comfortable and they know they are always free to ask each other or ask me questions they tend to perform much better. Continuous praise is also necessary to get some students to accept the challenge and new challenges. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">3. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">What they learn is appropriate for their developmental level. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I think this really depends on the student’s prior knowledge and educational background. A teacher should be able to assess her/his students and then adapt the curriculum where necessary for students at different developmental levels. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">4. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">They can learn in their own way, have choices, and feel in control. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Students, in pairs or as a group, sometimes get to plan how they will carry out a certain experiment. They must then try it out reflect, amend their previous plan based on their results and try it again. They also have the option of coming to me to discuss their findings if the wish. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">5. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">They use what they already know as the construct new knowledge. **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The above answer can be used here too. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">6. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">They have opportunities for social interaction. **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The majority of the time students work in pairs or in a group in my grade seven inquiry-based program <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Full Option Science System (FOSS). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">7. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">They get helpful feedback. **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Students can get feedback from me or their peers (where I am always listening). Feedback maybe written or oral. Feedback should be given as soon as possible so students are able to make the necessary connections. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">8. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">They acquire and use strategies. **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Students have different strategies. Some note-take while others take it all in while performing the experiment. I try to incorporate/model different strategies that I think will be useful to my students e.g. using media (simulation programs), flowcharts, brainstorming. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">9. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">They experience a positive emotional climate. **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">It was very important to have my students discuss and write up a list of what expectations they thought I had of them and the expectations they had of me. I think a positive emotional climate is only possible when students know what is expected of them and that respect is the most important thing. We also discussed the different forms of respect e.g. each other, the equipment, time etc. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">10. **<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text2;">The environment supports the intended learning. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I only like to have a few posters up at the beginning of the year so that the students can fill the bulletin boards and remainder of the walls with their own work.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The majority of these conditions exist in my classes, some definitely more than others. I try to reflect on my previous years teaching to see what changes I can make to better improve the course.
 * <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Which of these conditions are viable in your present teaching assignment? **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> __Response Journal #5__

__<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Response Journal #5 __

<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Justify the claim that the best lesson and unit designs are "backwards." ** <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">You are always more likely to achieve your goals if you have a plan and a target. Backwards design keeps you focused on the task that needs to be accomplished to attain the desired results. The educator focuses on the big ideas and what they want students to gain from the unit before they begin. The unit projects, lesson activities and assessments are created to achieve the desired results/district outcomes and not just to cover material or cover what’s in the textbook. Resources and materials are used only if they support the selected outcomes. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">A unit must be constantly reflected on and revised. Accommodations should be made for students’ skills, past knowledge and experiences. For example while preparing your unit test you want to make sure that the main ideas have been covered during class activities, discussion etc.