Monitoring my GAME plan

As I am putting in place the goals that I have selected to work on I am finding that I am doing well. I have been able to change things up so that I can get the students interested in learning. For example, today I had the students complete an online scavenger hunt about Thanksgiving. We first discussed their beliefs and what they had been taught in the past about the holiday and then I put them in groups and set them on their way. I walked around and monitored their progress and they seemed to be having a good time. Once they were finished we came back together as a class and discussed what they had learned. They were all able to tell me something new they learned about Thanksgiving. I am also finding that I could really use more computers in the classroom. We are about to start MAPs testing again which will tie up the computer labs for three weeks so that I will not be able to do much with computers seeing as I only have two in my room. My other goal is also coming along. I have been working on setting up blogs for each of my students to use for certain activities once we return from the holidays. I am also attending a technology session on streamlining so that I can begin to include that in my class activities as well.

GAME Plan

The first goal that I would like to work on is inspiring students to learn. I know that many times they feel that the information is boring and they do not want to learn it. I have tried to present the information in different formats and yet the students still complain. Recently I have had a Promethean Board installed in my classroom. This has made using technology easier. The board is made to be interactive and with it being at the front of the room I am able to use it like a white board. I have developed lessons using the Promethean Board for subjects such as math that are interactive and have the students up moving around to use it. For social studies we have used it to take virtual field trips and in the future for science I would like to use it to do dissections and other labs. Along with the Promethean Board is the other goal I would like to work on. I would like to design more activities that use different forms of technology. In order to do that I need the opportunity to take classes to learn these things. One way that I have tried to improve is by attending lessons that are given at our school each Monday on different technologies. Each week there is a different topic for teachers to choose from such as streamlining and blogging. I am also working on a project that I want to start after the Christmas break that will allow me to set up blogs for my students to complete each week as well as other projects that will allow them to use technology instead of the same old writing report and creating a poster.

NETS-T Goals

As a teacher I have many goals that I would like to reach. After reviewing the NETS website I believe that one area I would like to have more effectiveness in is inspiring student learning. I try with each of my classes but I continue to struggle with this. I feel the pressure like many of us to make sure I teach each of the standards and that the students master those standards in time for the state mandated test. In order to achieve the goal of inspiring students learning and creativity I am going to continue to take courses that allow me to learn new ways to reach my students. I am also going to put these new lessons in place and work with the students to make sure they are inspiring them.
Another area that I would like to work on is Design and develop digital-age learning experiences. I now have a Promethean Board installed in my classroom so that I am able to do more with technology however I have really only been able to create some basic flipcharts for the students. I can download flipcharts that other teachers have done but I would like to be able to create more interactive flipcharts on my own. I believe that having the students directly involved in their learning will greatly affect their inspiration. In order to achieve this goal I have set up times with our local Promethean Board guru to get some lessons on how to design these flipcharts. I have also taken time to search through the features of the board to try to learn some of these things on my own.
In order to monitor my progress on these goals I will look at the student’s involvement in each lesson. I will also keep a journal that will allow me to see what type of progress I am making with these goals as well as allow me to see where I can still improve. I will also watch for professional classes that are being offered so that I can continue my learning in order to better serve my students.