Blog Post 4: PARCC Testing and Common Core

After reading the four articles provided to us on the PARCC exam and the Common Core Standards, you must be thinking about how you are feeling about the implementation of both, as they are such hot issues for educators. Many would argue that not only are the Common Core and PARCC advanced beyond realistic expectations for our students, but that they are also contributing to a loss of interest in learning. Based on your readings, what are your thoughts on this way of thinking? 

Blog Post 3: Task 1 and Strategies

In completing Task 1, what strategies have you been finding that seem more effective in addressing ELL or Special Needs students? Do you feel that some strategies simply do not have the capacity to include these types of students? Why or why not?

Blog Post 2: Various Research

Here is the article Melanie mentioned in class last meeting concerning reading aloud to students:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/us/study-finds-reading-to-children-of-all-ages-grooms-them-to-read-more-on-their-own.html?_r=0


Here is the blog topic for the week:

 After reviewing the various topics asked to research, how do you feel Socratic Questions and Literary Circles relate to Bloom's Taxonomy in regards to the Cognitive domain?
Do you feel that Socratic Questioning and/or Literary Circles help to enhance students' abilities in terms of reaching the higher level of Bloom's Taxonomy in regards to the cognitive domain?

Blog Post 1: Effective Instruction and Strategies

After refreshing ourselves with the different types of instructional strategies, the Adlit.org article provides for us a list of effective reading programs with brief descriptions of each.

-Taking into consideration Dweck's research, do you think she would agree with the idea of "Instructional Process Programs (IP), such as cooperative learning, strategy instruction, and other approaches primarily intended to change teachers' instructional methods rather than curriculum or textbooks"?

-Given the types of reading programs listed as "Moderate evidence of effectiveness", do you feel their approaches support or dispute Dweck's ideas?