Week 4 Reflection...

My principal and I meet briefly this week to review the comments and suggestions from my blog and make revisions to my plan. Last week we had decided to focus on one grade level and special education student only, but after reading my blog we decided it would be best to include ESL students and Gifted and Talented students in my research. My principal feels that by only focusing on 5th grade, we can provide instruction that will not only benefit our struggling students, but also provide extensions our Gifted students. The changes are indicated in RED. Next, we looked at different ways to survey students and teachers and decided to use an online survey. That way surveys can be completed and data compiled quickly. I will start working on the survey questions in the next few weeks. We also discussed the timeline for my project and she thinks the sooner I start, the better off I will be. She suggested making a list of literature about differentiated instruction and to go ahead and start reading. I will take this advice because time will fly by and I don’t want to get behind. She is very please with the rest of my plan and is excited to get it started. Jessica Gerlich’s Action Plan Goal: To ensure that 5th grade science instruction meets the educational needs of all students and their abilities. Action Steps(s): Person(s) Responsible: Timeline: Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation 1. Meet with the science team and discuss concerns with the current science curriculum. J. Gerlich M. Merricks 5th grade Science Teachers Special Education Teachers Instructional Paraprofessionals March 2013 April 2013 Science Curriculum Benchmark Test Data Student IEPs and ESL Modification Profiles and GT lists Notes taken about areas of concerns. 2.Collect and analyze data to identify gaps in instruction using assessment data, classroom observations, teacher interviews and/or surveys, and student interviews and/or surveys. J. Gerlich M. Merricks 5th grade Science Teachers Special Education Teachers Instructional Paraprofessionals Targeted students groups from grades 2-5 March 2013 May 2013 Science Curriculum Assessment Data (district and state) Mega Monitoring Software Student IEPs and ESL Modification Profiles and GT lists Teacher/Student Interview questions and/or Surveys about Science Instruction Spreadsheets and notes that identify the concepts students are not mastering, classroom observation notes, and reflections from interviews and/or surveys. 3. Develop a deeper understanding of current research and methods of differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students. J. Gerlich M. Merricks Special Education Teachers Instructional Paraprofessionals 5th grade Science Teachers March 2013 May 2014 Literature about differentiating instruction Interviews with Special Education Teachers Professional Development about Differentiated Instruction Reflections and ideas from literature, answers from interviews, and professional development classes. Lead a book study about Differentiated Instruction. 4. Engage in self-reflection throughout the project using blogs and journals. J. Gerlich March 2013 May 2014 Google site and blog Reflection Journal Entries on Google blog and journal. 5. Meet with science team to incorporate strategies into lessons. J. Gerlich 5th grade Science Teachers Special Education Teachers May 2013 May 2014 Science Curriculum Guides Notes collected from research about differentiated instruction Lessons with incorporated strategies. 6. Explore programmatic patterns in implemented strategies using assessment data, classroom observations, teacher interviews and/or surveys, and student interviews and/or surveys. J. Gerlich M. Merricks 5th grade Science Teachers Special Education Teachers Instructional Paraprofessionals Targeted students groups from grades 2-5 September 2013 May 2014 Science Curriculum Assessment Data (district and state) Mega Monitoring Software Student IEPs and ESL Modification Profiles and GT lists Teacher/Student Interview questions and/or Surveys about Science Instruction Lesson plans, spreadsheets and notes about assessment data, classroom observation notes, and reflections from interviews and/or surveys. 7. Determine direction by meeting weekly with science team to discuss lessons and student achievement. J. Gerlich M. Merricks Special Education Teachers 5th grade Science Teachers September 2013 May 2014 Science Curriculum Assessment Data (district and state) Student IEPs and ESL Modification Profiles and GT lists Lesson plans written in meetings. 8. Take action for school improvement by meeting with science team and site supervisor to discuss implemented strategies and student achievement. J. Gerlich M. Merricks Special Education Teachers Instructional Paraprofessionals 5th grade Science Teachers March 2014 May 2014 Science Curriculum Assessment Data (district and state) Student IEPs and ESL Modification Profiles and GT lists Notes and reflections from meeting. 9. Sustain improvement by frequent evaluation of lesson plans, assessment data, classroom observations, and teacher/student interviews and/or surveys. J. Gerlich M. Merricks 5th grade Science Teachers Special Education Teachers Instructional Paraprofessionals Targeted students groups from grades 2-5 Ongoing Science Curriculum Assessment Data (district and state) Mega Monitoring Software Student IEPs and ESL Modification Profiles and GT lists Teacher/Student Interview questions and/or Surveys about Science Instruction Lesson plans, spreadsheets and notes about assessment data, classroom observation notes, and reflections from interviews and/or surveys.