As the first semester ends with an incredible snow storm, I find myself reflecting on the learning that went on since August!
Throughout the year, the students were challenged to read and take notes over the text, discover the main idea and key phrases central to the topic. Vocabulary quizzes were systematically given to ensure mastery and understanding of the terms, and retention quizzes were periodically given to ensure the understanding was long term. Throughout the reading assignments and the vocabulary quizzes, the students were also immersed in Project Based Lessons ranging from the 2012 Election to the Fiscal Cliff and how a bill becomes a law. It was my hope that the students would begin to apply the low level vocabulary terms and be able to draw their own conclusions about real life situations regarding our government.
The seniors have covered over half of the ICC standards and benchmarks and demonstrated their understandings of each during finals week. They were challenged to convey what they know to be true about the standards and then to reference their text or other supporting expository readings to provide evidence for their conclusions. The students used Google Drive and then shared their document with me so I can not only assess their understanding, but will be able to keep for documentation of students having learned the core curriculum.
Juniors in American History are also winding down their 1st semester by discussing their standards from the Iowa Core. Throughout the year, the students were asked to learn low level facts and terms, just as the seniors, and were challenged to apply these understandings using higher order thinking skills. Our most recent Driving Question was, "How Do We Perfect Our Union?" From this topic, the juniors created their own essential questions, spent a considerable amount of time researching and compiling pictures to illustrate the answer to their question. We then created a large map of the US and cut sections of the states out in which the students affixed their collages of pictures. A picture of the completed project will soon be posted as that will much more clearly explain the project! The juniors were awesome and the project (hopefully) brought topics from the Civil War to life!
I am excited to continue pressing forward in the Iowa Core and creating (with the assistance of the students) Project Based Lessons for semester 2!
