Instructional Methods
Teaching and learning is my passion, and my calling in life! Therefore, this page on instructional practices, past lesson examples, and materials I have created for students is a bit lengthy. Please use the table of contents to move through quickly if you are looking for something specific!
Page Contents:
Hands-On Learning:
In the video are some examples of projects I've done with my students. In order of appearance, here are the lessons featured:
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Dissecting the parts of a flower,
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Creating villages to study the effects of erosion and city planning
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Creating clouds to study condensation
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Building circuits using different conductors and insulators
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Creating the visible light spectrum to study waves
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Using watercolors to diagram the water cycle
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Studying other culture's beliefs by creating an ofrenda for "Dia de los Muertos"
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Building structures with different shapes and materials to learn about the engineering process
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Finding the freezing point for different liquids
Project Based Learning
Endemic Species Zoo:
Each student chose an endemic animal to "rescue", then researched their animal's habitat, ecosystem, and food web in order to create a perfect enclosure for it in our virtual rescue zoo. The students then had the opportunity to show their zoo to other classrooms in the school!
Flat Teacher Class Book:
Each student took home their "flat teachers" and had us as visitors at their homes, doing different activities together that they were asked to take pictures of and document in a journal. They also took at least one video of an activity they did with their flat teacher. After a week, the students chose their best picture and adventure and we went through the writing process to make them into chapters of a class book that we then published, and students were able to read in our class library.
Human Rights Monologue Collection:
Monologue Collection, Presentation Film and Advocacy Website
After reading Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, students worked with a group to create a monologue manuscript based on different character's points of views and interpretations, and then they performed their monologues with their groups. We turned these presentations into a movie and made an advocacy website to promote the human rights we had learned about together.
Data Driven Instruction
I am very conscious of collecting formative data on my students, as well as analyzing summative data in order to determine next steps for instruction in order to make the most impact for my students. I frequently do running records to determine reading fluency and comprehension levels, as well as skill check-ins to determine specific student needs as well as any significant gaps in whole class understanding, which indicates a skill needs to be retaught in a new way.
The data tracker I use after assessments in order to decide on remediation and reteaching needs.
The most recent data presentation format that I use to share data, progress, and needs with administration and district officials.
Lesson Material Examples
Virtual lab stations and workbook to help students understand the functions of different meteorological tools. After, the students would get practice using them in person.
In order to teach the concept of comparing and contrasting with my students, we read different versions of the "Cinderella Story" from all over the world. It was also a great opportunity for my children to learn more about different cultures and people around the world.
At the beginning of our new reading unit, we do inferencing lessons where the students find the clues hidden in the picture and analyze the clues to determine the new unit topic on their own. This unit topic is "How sports and athletes play a role in social change".
Click on the image yourself to find the clues!
A virtual introductory lesson on how to formulate and write paragraphs that I use with my students at the beginning of the year before we begin essay writing.
High Engagement Review Games
Games are a great way to increase student engagement and interest in a topic, so I frequently make games as review activities to do during a station, as homework, or during free time. I have made escape rooms, classic arcade style games, jeopardy games, and more. Below are a few I've used recently.
A review of our Living Things unit in science (which is usually taught around Halloween time). It is an escape room format, so students must answer questions in order to escape.
A review of the nonfiction text structures. Students must correctly identify the "impostor text" to move to the next level.
A review quiz game on the solar system we use as a station activity or as a choice for homework.
Examples of Lesson Plans
