Reading Response #1

Chapter 1 Technology
In the technology book I read it is important to set an objective for students
to make a connection between what they are doing in class and what they are
supposed to be learning. Technology is a useful tool to have when setting
objectives. Some examples include word processing application, data collection and
analysis tools, databases and reference resources, as well as communication and
collaboration software to name a few. All these tools can be used with technology to
help further education our students and is a useful tool for parents to have to
monitor their childs progress at home. Students can reach their peers and teachers
can get in contact with their students outside of the classroom with this new
technology.
Chapter 3 Middle School Teacher
Students in middle school can either make friends easily or it can be difficult.
Either way the peers of student have an effect on them. From peer pressure, trying
to fit in, social media, interest in the opposite sex, but not all peer pressure is
negative and adults need to recognize the difference. Children may act differently
around their peers but the home still provides stability and security for adolescence.
They are searching for their new identities as young adults and this time is can be
confusing. From sexual identities to ethnic identities, these students are try to find a
place where they belong among their peers.

Reading Response #2
Reading Response #2: describe how the information presented in the reading
applies to middle school settings.
Chapter 6
Curriculum is not just standards and material a teacher must cover but
instead is the total experience a student has at school. To meet the curriculum
teachers in different content areas can work together to use different approaches
such as the Multidiciplinary and Interdisciplinary to meet this goal. In either
approach lessons must be meaningful to the students. Teachers and students can
work together to develop a meaningful curriculum that they actually are interested
in learning while still learning life skills.
Chapter 2
Motivating students and recognizing their efforts is an important aspect of
being a teacher. First students need to make the connection between effort and
success. When a teacher gives recognition for hard work, it can promote selfdetermination and encourages students to continue to work hard and put forth
effort that made them successful. Giving recognition can come in many forms but is
most successful if it is done with true meaning.

Reading Response #3
Chapter 7
Instructional practice should focus on the learning needs of the students and
accommodate our lessons to meet those needs so students can thrive academically.
In this chapter it stressed students learn in many different ways. They can learn
with a hands on approach, through peer interaction, brain based learning, and
student involvement in the lesson/lecture. Teachers have a big responsibility
because they need to know their students, how they learn, and identify what each
student needs to grow. Also to remember to receive the input of the students to see
how they learn and what they are interested in to reach academic success.
Chapter 3
Cooperative Learning is an instructional strategy that allows students to
interact with one another to help maximize learning. Students nowadays not only
can communicate face to face but can also communicate through technology when
they are not meeting in person. Website creations are extremely useful because
assignments, reminders, questions, and assignment submissions can all be posted
on a website where students and teachers have 24/7 access to information. To help
facilitate this kind of learning teachers and students can use communication and
collaboration software. For example, students can use Google Docs to edit papers
while using Skype to discuss information more easily.
Reading Response #4
Chapter 9
Having students and teachers work together on a curriculum is beneficial for
students growth and learning. In this kind of classroom setting students gain life
skills such as communicating, working with others, creative thinking, decision
making, and problem solving. Also students are more engaged in their learning and
excited about learning because they had a say on their curriculum. This approach to
teaching is intriguing and successful, because of this I would like implement it in the
classroom. However, I would like to see the process of how teachers makes lesson
plans based on students interest while also incorporating the state standards. I feel
this will be the biggest struggle but the outcome would have great results.
Chapter 4
Technology can be implemented in many different ways and are included in
cues, questions, and graphic organizers. For example, when giving cues in a
classroom teachers can use organizing and brainstorming software to aid in their
instruction. This can look like an Inspiration organizer to help students see their
learning goal. Another example is to use online discussion or videos for your
students to access. While students watch a video independently they can pause it

at their own time and fill out information they believe is important. Also the teacher
can use online cues for students so they know what information is important to
learn about the video.

Reading Response #5
Chapter 10
Teaming is a vital aspect of a middle school. It offers students and adults to
know one another as well as to develop relationship between student and teacher.
This way larger schools can create a closer relationship between student and
teacher even when the student is switching classes every hour. However, in a
perfect world with perfect schools, we would have perfect teams. Because this is
not the case, team structure could end up being difficult to contain. When students
and teachers develop a relationship, adults can offer advice about real world
problems, emotional interest; this can be done through advisory programs. Having a
normal schedule can make this kind of relationship difficult to form, but by forming
an alternate schedules making relationship can be easier for students and teachers.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 discussed nonlinguistic representations. Giving students a diagram,
something physical to hold, or any kind of visual can help them better understand
the material. This can include a diagram, organizer, media, word processing
applications, etc. In subjects like mathematics where verbal instruction is not always
helpful, diagrams and visual representation is a tool teaches may use to further
instruct their students.
Reading Response #6
Chapter 6
Note taking and summarization are important aspects of learning. Many
students do not know how to take notes in a way that helps them grasp the
material. However teachers can show students technique for note taking and
summarization that makes sense for them. Teachers can show students rule-based
summarizing to help them identify the important parts of a passage or lesson. Some
series of questions teachers can asked students are narrative, topic-restrictionillustration, definition, argumentation, problem/solution, and conversation to assist
summarization. For note taking, teachers can give students teacher prepared notes
and also use media to help organize important information. Teachers can teach the
material, but it is not beneficial unless students know how to organize it and use it
as a tool for learning.

Reading Response #7
Chapter 5 Brown
Teachers can create an environment that can cause fear and stress to
students. These environments can result in the disruption of emotional stability that
is required in order for students to learn. In order for learning to take place teachers
must create a caring environment for the students. Some examples of this include
genuinely knowing students, communicating effectively with students, and
encouraging positive student relationships. To promote risk taking, teachers need to
create collaborative-noncompetitive-earning environments. This means no bullying,
acceptance of diverse learners, as well as collaboration between students and their
teachers.
Chapter 8 Hubbell
Comparing, classifying, creating metaphors, and creating analogies are all
processes that help students identify similarities and differences. Graphic organizers
can be used to find similarities and differences but students dont necessarily need
software. Students can make graphic organizers on google docs and share it with
teachers and classmates to promote learning. If Microsoft word is available,
students can also create organizers, puzzles, highlighting tools, spreadsheets,
charts, and templates, to help with the four processes.
Reading Response #8
Chapter 8 Brown
Assessment is not testing, homework, evaluating, or grading. Instead
Assessment it is a set of strategies for discovering what students know or can do as
a result of engaging in learning experiences. Assessment for learning is more
powerful than standardized test because it is based on the idea and practice of
assessing students and resulting in teachers helping them grow cognitively. Just like
for the curriculum students can also be active participants in their assessment such
as setting goals and their learning preferences. Because not every student is the
same teachers need to have diverse assessments that consist of genuine learning
activities and also have diverse assessment tools.
Chapter 7 Hubbell

Assigning homework and providing practice give students a chance to apply

what they have learned in class. The most useful information I found from this
chapter is using Multimedia to do homework. Teachers can use Khan Academy,
having lecture available online in a video and as an audio, or having multimedia
projects. Also having communication and collaboration software can also be useful
for homework. For example, an English teacher can use Microsoft Word Track
Changes and Insert Comments to give direct feedback on a students writing
assignment.
Reading Response #9
Chapter 11 Brown
Middle schools are filled with young adolescents that need support from
adults and from their peers. School should be a place where students are
encouraged and valued for who they are and have their thoughts and ideas be put
into consideration. These adolescents are forced to go to school and therefore need
to be heard. According to the students that were interviewed, all students want from
their middle school teacher is to have a classroom that integrates their ideas and
incorporates them in their learning environment.