Final Project Brainstorm


Especially following the discussions we have had in class, and all of the information I have learned this past week, I have a few ideas for the change project. The main two changes that I really want to bring to my classroom are this: 

  1. Create a safe environment where students learn connections between science and social justice issues.
    1. Could be specific to race, gender, class, etc.
  2. Create a classroom where parent involvement is heightened, and parents feel that they are aware of what is going on in their student's science class.


Following these two changes, I see the opportunity to connect to my beliefs about what student learning entails. Obviously these beliefs are still being informed because I am a first year teacher, but I feel that these two align with the two project options above.

 

  1. Students learn when they feel that their identities are acknowledged, seen, and heard in the classroom.
    1. Additionally … students learn when they show and feel respect for each others diverse cultures and identities.
  2. Students learn when their parents or guardians are invested in their education and are connected to the classroom.


In terms of incorporating media and technology tools, I think that this is the most fun part of the project! Here are my ideas for how to carry out both change items with media and technology incorporated.

 

  1. Following the quarter on heredity and genetics, students will learn how race and racism play into genetics specifically, and then create a podcast using Soundtrap related to racial bias in science.
  2. I will create a classroom website on Google Sites. Though my Google Classroom is quite organized, parents do not have access to this resource. Therefore, the class website will serve as a place for me to post agendas, updates, reminders, and resources such as the syllabus, my contact information, and parent-teacher conference information.


If I am being honest, I believe that I will end up implementing both of these ideas into my classroom next year. However, the one which would benefit from me getting a jump on it right now is option number 1, so that seems like the best pick!


As of right now, this is my to-do list for this project:

  • Refine change, believe, media statements
  • Create narrative outline
  • Create Pecha Kucha outline 
  • Collect images that would be helpful for Pecha Kucha (~30)
  • Create Google Slides for Pecha Kucha
  • Record Pecha Kucha voice over
  • Complete writing of the narrative

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