One of the things that have really changed for me from cycle 1 to cycle 2 is the intensity and students response to the activities.

The students ready to go try to decide what to add to their KWL charts or Venn diagrams. Cycle 2 is review and cram time for the CRCT. We review and practice daily on skills and test language.

I am using reading strategies to locate the main idea of the question and tie that to each answer choices.

I expected my students to score well on the first Benchmark given in Nov. of 2009. Over 20 percent of the skills on the first Benchmark, I had not covered. I move at a slow pace in math because at least 60% of the students struggle with basic skill addition and regrouping, subtracting and regrouping and multiplication facts. One of the things that I really needed to focus on was the fluency of multiplication facts. Fifth grade is a critical grade with math and knowing multiplication facts is necessary.

I also discovered the data I collected from success maker lab was somewhat not accurate. I say this because of an observation I made one day when I walked into the lab and caught a student just punching buttons until the lesson gave him the correct answer after getting the answer wrong. Another factor that might affect the true results of data collected is the performance of the computer that day. The computers are old and outdated and some need more speed.

This means I need to use only Thinkgate and my Skills tutor results.  Using My Skillstutor allow me to assign skill that align with what I teach from week to week.  To keep track of my data I pull reports weekly from my Skillstutor to check the mastery of skills taught on weekly basics.  I use the results of the Benchmark to check and note each skill that my students are struggling with as well as what skills they are mastering.  The Second Benchmark administered March 1-5 of 2010 Showed gains by 12%.

My Filmmaking and Principles and Education class is very helpful.  I am in my third week of the course and I have gained a lot of knowledge about filming and good ideas on how to use filmmaking in my classroom. Digital Story Telling is very powerful.  I had several of my students participate in our county technology fair.  I was very instrumental in helping them to create PowerPoint’s to create samples of lessons taught in math and science.  PowerPoint was the only program available for them to use.  I want them to recreate the project, do a voice over, and create a digital story.  Ms. Kathy is being very helpful and shows a lot of dedication to her students, the program and her love and professionalism to filmmaking.