Early Adopters

Wilchester Elementary

2012-2103

My Journey

Round 1

1) Students will set up

accounts for Edmodo with

teacher direction. Pull students

in small groups.

Teacher posts an assignment

on Edmodo for students to

complete at home.

Parent letter send home via e-

mail explaining how the class

will be using Edmodo and the

expectations of the student.

Mini-lesson on responding

appropriately on-line.

Students log on to Edmodo at

home for assignment.

Students read the short story "

The Cliffhanger". The ending

has been left off of the story.

Students will answer a series of

questions about predicting

what will happen at the end of

the story.

Round 2

Book Club- Going Deeper Title:

Going Deeper in Book ClubSubject:Reading/Language ArtsGrade:4th gradeTime Frame:2-4 weeksSummary:Students will learn how to develop critical thinking questions for discussion in book clubs.Tasks:1. Mini- Lesson-Teach students how to use sticky notes effectively. Teacher models by showing her sticky notes from the class read aloud - The Half A Moon Inn. Copy pages so students can see how the sticky note is related to the text in the book. Allow the students to practice creating their own sticky notes by giving them a short story to read. Discuss notes with their book club group.2. Mini-Lesson- Review procedures for discussion by using the fishbowl strategy. Choose one group to serve as the model. ( Teacher will confer with this group beforehand to check for understanding.)3. Mini- Lesson- Asking good questionsCreate a 2 column chart titled- Thick Question and Thin QuestionTeacher reviews discussion questions from class read aloud. Models where questions would go on the chart and give characteristics/reasons why the questions would fit in that column.Students go through their book club questions and give reasons why their questions fit in that particular category.Class discussion - create a master list of what makes a thick or thin questions- anchor chart to hang in the classroom4. Mini- Lesson- Using Edmodo for book club discussionTeacher will demonstrate how to respond to questions about book club book. Teacher will group students by book club book. Each group will be assigned a set of questions to respond to on Edmodo. They must back up their answer with reasons and page numbers from the book.This lesson will be ongoing.5. Mini-Lesson-Questioning Prompts that Lead to Deeper ThinkingTeacher will model how to use questioning prompts to deepen book club discussion.How can your group extend the discussion with follow -up questions to get members of the group to explain their thinking/ideas in greater detail.

I took a step back

and worked on

questioning with

the students. The

students worked

on thick and thin

questions.

I wanted them to

become more

proficient with

questioning before

going any further.

Round 3

Ethan E. - 1. I think Andy decided to climb the wall because he wanted to prove that he could climb a big wall. 2.I dont think Andy is happy that his dad is making him take his little brother Ian with him because Andy might lose him or he could lose Andy,then Andy would get in trouble. 3. I would call them leaders because they are Andys friends and if they would be followers then they would be like Andys minions or his bodyguards. 4. I think that Ian ran all the way back to there parents and said that they were climbing a wall that was to steep or to high for Ian and that they were not listening to there parents directions which were to not climb anything to high for Ian or they would get in trouble,but did Andy listen NO !he didnt.uh oh what will his parents do.I think they will either ground him or not let him rock climb for a certain amount of time like a week or something. Ethan E. - 1. I think Andy decided to climb the wall because he wanted to prove that he could climb a big wall. 2.I dont think Andy is happy that his dad is making him take his little brother Ian with him because Andy might lose him or he could lose Andy,then Andy would get in trouble. 3. I would call them leaders because they are Andys friends and if they would be followers then they would be like Andys minions or his bodyguards. 4. I think that Ian ran all the way back to there parents and said that they were climbing a wall that was to steep or to high for Ian and that they were not more... less... Sep 27, 2012

Caroline A. - 1.He thought that if he climbed the wall he would get to lunch faster. 2.He did't want Lan to come becuse he was little.He also did't want Lan to come becusehe thougt Lan wold slow them down. 3.I wold call Pat and Tierney followers. 4.I 4.Ithink someone will come and help him. Caroline A. - 1.He thought that if he climbed the wall he would get to lunch faster. 2.He did't want Lan to come becuse he was little.He also did't want Lan to come becusehe thougt Lan wold slow them down. 3.I wold call Pat and Tierney followers. 4.I 4.Ithink someone will come more... less...

Students

answered

questions after

reading a short

text. The goal

was to practice

answering thick

questions.

Round 4

Student Questions from Book Club

This is from the

mini lesson I did

with one of my

classes on “Think

and Thin”

questions.

This is a student

example of

questions and

answers from a

book club

discussion.

I want to include the other 2 language arts teachers on my grade level for next year. We collaborate well together and think we are at a place where this will fit in with our curriculum.

What would I

want to happen

next year?

My Reflection