Module 2 Reflection

Module 2 Reflection
Bill Kolesnik

This module has helped me think about using standards differently by the way I even look at them for starters. Before, they were written pretty “cut & dry”, explicit to instruction and focusing on a particular area. Now, learning about the essential question, and how the “big picture” can be used to help direct what you want students to learn/do has me feeling very optimistic about the coming school year. The standards are now written using the “big idea” format, which lends itself to taking it in a variety of directions across different subject areas. But it is essential to be certain of your “starting point.” Otherwise, you’ll go in any one of a number of directions, desired or not.
Assessments being embedded throughout the learning cycle are what every teacher wants to do, but not always how to do it, or the ever present issue of time. With the district requiring us to follow pacing guides in a given amount of time prior to the district assessments it is a constant uphill battle. I’m familiar with the different forms of assessment, and I feel that by designing this unit with my teammates and implementing this in the classroom I’ll see “how it works” and what can change along with way. All about adaptability.