Service Learning Project
Overview- This service learning project allowed my PLT to examine real concerns from the classrooms and advocate for solutions to be used at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School (CCMMS). As a PLT we selected the topic Creating a Classroom that Welcomes all Students, defined why it is a problem, and proposed a practical way to address this in the school. We then created a VoiceThread for the staff at CCMMS that offers clear connections and suggested action steps for teachers.
Reflection
Top 5 Lessons Learned-
1- Group work is done best when all parties do their work in a timely manner. When working with so many people it can be difficult to get together to complete all work. We would meet every couple weeks to stay on track and create deadlines for when we need to get our part done. This helped us work together as well as work around each other's schedules.
2- Creating a welcoming classroom environment requires you to put in work. I always thought this was a basis in the classroom but you do need to find ways to ensure all students feel welcomed.
3- Creating a welcoming classroom environment needs to be done in an online classroom as well. We don’t know where we will be when we start teaching so it is important to learn on how to create that classroom environment through an online platform.
4- In your classroom create a sense of belonging framework. These are simple statements to bring students mindful to what is going on and that they matter. These can be posted around the classroom and used to remind students to feel better.
5- Team building activities are important in classrooms not just for teams and groups. Getting to know your peers better, helps the classroom flow better, and students better support each other.
Reflection Questions
How can you transfer this experience into your future classroom?
This project has helped me adapt skills to use in my classroom like belonging framework, creating about me frameworks and team building activities.
How did your service learning project change your assumptions of the causes and solutions needed to address larger societal needs?
I always (which is bad) just assumed students saw school as a safe place so this helped me learn that it is important to consciously address this and help your students feel safe. Learning these skills will help make students feel safer.
How did your service learning project develop your problem solving and critical thinking skills?
During our group meetings when discussing a plan of action for our students we were able to take situations we had growing up and how we could have addressed it differently. This helped us remember that sometimes you do have to think before you act so situations are handled in the best way.
What did you discover about yourself throughout this project?
I discovered that this topic is something I hold close to my heart. We were learning about trauma and social emotional learning during this project which helped me see that our simple plan could have a big impact. Growing up as a student with trauma, seeing school as a safe place may seem small to some people but has a huge impact on students.
1- Group work is done best when all parties do their work in a timely manner. When working with so many people it can be difficult to get together to complete all work. We would meet every couple weeks to stay on track and create deadlines for when we need to get our part done. This helped us work together as well as work around each other's schedules.
2- Creating a welcoming classroom environment requires you to put in work. I always thought this was a basis in the classroom but you do need to find ways to ensure all students feel welcomed.
3- Creating a welcoming classroom environment needs to be done in an online classroom as well. We don’t know where we will be when we start teaching so it is important to learn on how to create that classroom environment through an online platform.
4- In your classroom create a sense of belonging framework. These are simple statements to bring students mindful to what is going on and that they matter. These can be posted around the classroom and used to remind students to feel better.
5- Team building activities are important in classrooms not just for teams and groups. Getting to know your peers better, helps the classroom flow better, and students better support each other.
Reflection Questions
How can you transfer this experience into your future classroom?
This project has helped me adapt skills to use in my classroom like belonging framework, creating about me frameworks and team building activities.
How did your service learning project change your assumptions of the causes and solutions needed to address larger societal needs?
I always (which is bad) just assumed students saw school as a safe place so this helped me learn that it is important to consciously address this and help your students feel safe. Learning these skills will help make students feel safer.
How did your service learning project develop your problem solving and critical thinking skills?
During our group meetings when discussing a plan of action for our students we were able to take situations we had growing up and how we could have addressed it differently. This helped us remember that sometimes you do have to think before you act so situations are handled in the best way.
What did you discover about yourself throughout this project?
I discovered that this topic is something I hold close to my heart. We were learning about trauma and social emotional learning during this project which helped me see that our simple plan could have a big impact. Growing up as a student with trauma, seeing school as a safe place may seem small to some people but has a huge impact on students.
Digital Learning Competency
Overview- This will course helps me gain the skills needed for digital learning, specifically content and instruction. Upon completion of this course I received a certificate that pushes me one step closer into my admission to candidacy to become a teacher. Through this course I use skills obtained in my ED 204 class to complete this module.
Reflection
1. How can you transfer this experience into your future classroom?
This experience showed me about the different tools that are available through technology to be used in the classroom. There is so much more than google docs and powerpoints. Softwares like Canva and Storybird to create content online that can be presented to a class and be created by the class.
2. How did creating a digital product help you develop technology and content skills?
When creating my poem with Storybird I was able to gain skills of using new software. I was able to analyze different pictures to determine what will fit my words. I was also able to use different fonts and elements to add to the photo adding to my understanding of designing. I was also able to see many different examples that were very helpful in creating my own.
3. When you implement this digital product in a future classroom, how will you handle equity issues (students who do or do not have access to technology) and how will you differentiate for students with different skill levels and English Language Learners?
I would love to implement different digital products in my classroom but I do want to be fair to all of my students. When an assignment is to be done online I will take class time to do it so that all students are able to complete the assignment. For students to all have equal skills to complete the assignments I will have workshop days. I will go through the basics and different skills oh the activity we are doing to ensure all students are able to operate different programs. We can come together as a class to make an example item to gain skills but have something useful.
4. What did you discover about yourself throughout this project?
I discovered that learning can be done in many different ways and does not have to be sitting down and watching a PowerPoint. Growing through school that is mostly how I was taught but I did not like that, I liked being interactive and being hands-on. In my classroom, I will use these different elements to contribute to the learning of my students because even though you are learning it is in a fun way.
This experience showed me about the different tools that are available through technology to be used in the classroom. There is so much more than google docs and powerpoints. Softwares like Canva and Storybird to create content online that can be presented to a class and be created by the class.
2. How did creating a digital product help you develop technology and content skills?
When creating my poem with Storybird I was able to gain skills of using new software. I was able to analyze different pictures to determine what will fit my words. I was also able to use different fonts and elements to add to the photo adding to my understanding of designing. I was also able to see many different examples that were very helpful in creating my own.
3. When you implement this digital product in a future classroom, how will you handle equity issues (students who do or do not have access to technology) and how will you differentiate for students with different skill levels and English Language Learners?
I would love to implement different digital products in my classroom but I do want to be fair to all of my students. When an assignment is to be done online I will take class time to do it so that all students are able to complete the assignment. For students to all have equal skills to complete the assignments I will have workshop days. I will go through the basics and different skills oh the activity we are doing to ensure all students are able to operate different programs. We can come together as a class to make an example item to gain skills but have something useful.
4. What did you discover about yourself throughout this project?
I discovered that learning can be done in many different ways and does not have to be sitting down and watching a PowerPoint. Growing through school that is mostly how I was taught but I did not like that, I liked being interactive and being hands-on. In my classroom, I will use these different elements to contribute to the learning of my students because even though you are learning it is in a fun way.