Geography and beyond

The above video is a catchy song that can help students learn the countries of the world :)

Geography is an essential component of social studies instruction in elementary schools.  Geography is one component that is a part of all 10 social studies standards, making it extremely important to teach to students.  Just like every other component of social studies, geography lessons should be meaningful, value-based, integrative,  challenging, and active.  One way to teach reading maps discussed in chapter 12 is using a treasure hunt.  For this activity, teachers would create a map for students to follow in order to find treasure.  This would help students learn how to read maps, figure out symbols, and learn how to reach a destination. This activity would be especially engaging for the students because who does not love treasure?!?! After, I think it would be a good idea for the students to create their own treasure maps so they could also practice how to create maps.  Being able to read maps is a critical skill everyone needs to learn because they will not only continue to use them through out  school, but will they use them in other aspects of life like traveling.

Think beyond tests

ENGAGE

When it comes to assessing students, teachers need to move passed just giving their students just tests and quizzes.  Social studies should be meaningful, challenging, integrative, value-based, and active.  Social studies assessment should also be engaging and student friendly.  Assessment should be made up of measurement, collection, and evaluation.  There are many ways to assess students.  Assessment could be projets, rubrics, KWL charts, portfolios, and interviews.  Tests and quizzes should be used in the classroom, but it should not be the ony means of assessment.  Even more important is to include students in the process of creating assessment.  Students should never feel scared when it comes to assessment time.  As a teacher, I know that I will make sure that every student knows what is expected of them and they will never have to feel nervous when assessment comes around.  For my journal article review, I summarized an article that dealt rubrics as an assessment.  The citation is listed below because I think it will help everybody make successful rubrics :)

Gallavan, N. P., & Kottler, E. (2009). Constructing rubrics and assessing progress collaboratively with social   studies students. The Social Studies, 100(4), 154-158. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/274788251?accountid=28089 

That's a wrap

     Today was our last day with the fourth grade students and I cannot believe it.  Our time in the field went by so fast.  It was an amazing experience and I learned so much about economics and teaching children.  Although it was a good experience, I would not recommend the BizWorld projects.  In my opinion, the project moved too quickly and presented the students with too many difficult vocabulary terms at one time.  I think BizWorld needs to think of a more efficient way of teaching economics.
     I was very proud of our students and all that they have achieved.  Even during their recess time, the students worked hard on becoming excellent companies and completed various activities and assignments to the best of their abilities.  Again, although the students worked hard, I know personally the students I worked with were not huge fans of the program.  The students wanted more opportunity and freedom to show what they were learning.
     Today group four presented a lesson that was supposed to be a cooperative lesson.  Unfortunaltey, there was really no lesson presented today, making it hard to review the college students on their set up of cooperative learning lessons :(.  
 Overall, I think every college student did an AMAZING job teaching and I am so grateful we had a group of students and teacher that embraced us into their classroom.  Good job everyone!  

OUR FINAL MOVIE 

The countdown is officially on

     I cannot believe that our fieldwork experience is almost over.  I feel like we just embarked on this journey and were all so anxious to teach.  I feel like all of the fieldwork groups have done an AMAZING job teaching the fourth grade students.  Fieldwork group four prepared an inquiry prediction lesson for the companies.  I liked how the companies had to predict because being able to predict is a skill the students will use and need for the rest of their lives.  The students predicted which movie would profit the most and who would want to see each movie.  Unfortunately, nobody wanted to see our movie but after they see it, I am sure they will love it.  One way group four could have improved their lesson would have been to make sure the companies were really following the inquiry process.  The question asked of the companies was difficult for them to investigate because they did not know much about the other companies.  Group four did make sure to introduce the lesson, present a question to the companies, an opportunity to discuss their results, and provided feedback.
     Our students were a little more focused today when we were working on the movie.  All of them wanted to type the scripts for the movie and add details into the storyline.  I am very proud of the movie our fourth grade company was able to create.  One thing I would change in the future is to have every company use the same movie making strategy and procedure.  I know our company was sad that they did not get to go outside to film their movie or actually be in their movie.
     I am looking forward to the next fieldwork session for our grammy party.  I am sure the fourth grade companies are beyond excited to see their hard work paid off.

Back to work

     After having a week off for spring break, it was time for all of us to get back to work.  Today fieldwork group four began to teach.  I thought they did an amazing job!  All of them were well prepared and confident in the front of the room.  I would have been so nervous to teach because these four college students did not have a lot of time to prepare with one another because of spring break but they rocked it.

     Today, group four instructed a direct instruction lesson plan on important vocabulary that goes along with the BizMovie project.  They then had the students create sentences using the vocabulary they had just learned.  I was amazed on how well the companies did with this assignment.  With some assistance, the companies came up with educated and sophisticated sentences using the vocabulary.  For the most part, group four followed the steps of direct instruction lesson plans.  They got the attention of the students, explained the vocabulary to the students, thought out loud, provided them with examples, and gave them a guided practice.  

     After learning the vocabulary, the companies had an opportunity to make their movies for the first time.  Our company, Sparks Fly, was not so focused during the movie making time.  Some students worked hard on the movie while others were very distracted and distracting.  Hopefully, Sparks Fly will be more on task next session.