The+Inquisitors

The Inquisitors Alief/Spring Branch `

Fola Adesanya - Creativity
 * Name - What we bring to the group:**

Judy Castro - Optimism

Queen Johnson - Awareness of Individual Differences

Roxana Mehdi - Honesty and Inspiration

Andrew Onwuegbu - Feasible eccentric ideas

Kristin Van Hook - Leadership

Pheba Varughese - Verbal skills

September 03 //What are 3 considerations you have taken away from the information today on teaching with educational software, Web 2.0, and peripherals (i.e., what did you learn today?!)// 1. There are many resources and tools available for our use as teachers as well as the needs of students. 2. There are many peripherals for us to use in our classrooms and a plethora of ways for us to use each peripheral. Teachers need to be prepared when using these peripherals and be sure that all tools are working before presenting them to the class. 3. Before presenting an educational software, Web 2.0 Tool, or peripheral to our students, we will "do our research" and be sure that all materials are appropriate as well as academically beneficial.
 * PLC Assignments:**

September 10 1. What was your group able to accomplish today that you would not have on your own? As a group, we were able to develop different ways in incorporating technology in the various lessons for each of our grade levels that we are assigned to. 2. What steps do each of you need to do next to complete these tools? To complete the tools, we each need to review the rubric and explore the software for each assignment as well as look through the examples that were provided. We also need to speak with our cooperative teachers to further understand how we can use these tools in the classroom.

September 24 1. As a group, reflect on what you have learned today about studying teaching in collaborative groups. Teachers have different strategies for teaching, students have different strategies for learning, and collaborative groups help teachers reflect on their teaching and to also respect different opinions. 2. As a group, draft a brief statement (approx 1-2 paragraphs) of what you learned or new understandings you came to during this discussion. What did you agree with/about, and what did you not agree with/about? How do you KNOW you learned and grew?! Post this statement to your PLC page. As a group, we learned that all educators have different teaching styles and that all students have different learning styles. We agree that educators should use diverse teaching strategies in the classroom, so that all students may benefit from lessons. We disagree about limitations put on students and classroom management strategies. We know that we learned and grew because we shared ideas, were able to reflect on our experiences, and were able to respect one another even when we came to disagreements. October 29 1. As a group, reflect on what you have learned today about studying your own teaching practice. Why should teachers ask questions about their own teaching? How would your job be different if you approach it with an inquiry stance versus approaching it with no intention to ask questions? - Teachers should ask questions about their own teaching so that they can improve their strategies. - To make sure strategies are effective. - Reflection and improvement. - If you approach your job with an inquiry stance, you will always be looking for ways to improve how you teach your students. If you approach your job with no intention to ask questions, you will just stick to one strategy and will not be as open to other ideas or strategies.

2. As a group, draft a brief statement (approx 1-2 paragraphs) of what you learned or new understandings you came to during this discussion. What did you agree with/about, and what did you not agree with/about? How do you KNOW you learned and grew?! We learned about how the "Word-A-Day" approach and how to effectively use it in our classrooms by using multiple different strategies. Using the "Word-A-Day" strategy, students can act out or illustrate definitions of words, use the words in everyday dialogue, identify words in stories, etc. We compared our own classroom management strategies and discussed ways that they could be improved upon. We analyzed what works in classrooms and what doesn't. We discussed that teachers can't use the same classroom management strategies from year to year. Each year brings new students and new situations; so classroom management strategies should be adjusted also.

November 5, 2010

1. As a group, reflect on what you have learned today about becoming a healthy educator and maintaining work-life balance. What will it take to keep YOU a healthy, happy professional educator? (Note: what works for your friend in the next classroom may not work for you!). [Note for PLC Leaders: you might have members discuss what is important to them.] • Engaging in personal hobbies? • Remaining involved in your church? • Planning time to see friends? • Getting up at 5:30 to run every morning? • Continued professional development on areas that spark your curiosity? • Making a commitment to getting work done at work and not bringing it home? What choices will you make? Where will you draw boundaries? How can you beat the odds of 1/3 of teachers leaving the field by the 5-years point?

- In our group we decided that maintaining a schedule will help you put your plans into action regarding our wellness. Having a schedule or regular routine will take some stress out of your life. As far as drawing boundaries, do not allow personal problems to interfere with your teaching practices in the classroom. In regards to beating the odds of teacher leaving the field, they should have a good support group and maintain a fluid thought out action plan.

 2. As a group, draft a brief statement (approx 1-2 paragraphs) of what you learned or new understandings you came to during this discussion. What did you agree with/about, and what did you not agree with/about? How do you KNOW you learned and grew?

 Our group agreed on maintaining a healthy schedule is key to being more prepared in the classroom.  Our group disagreed about what health looks like physically, some believe if you just exercise that your body is healthy; others believe that by eating healthy and exercising your body is beneficial to your body's overall wellness. How we know if we grew or learned from the topic, by others giving their input on various topics, we were able to look at others perspective.

3. Individually, it is time to register to present at the QUEST Teacher Research Symposium. Registration is simple, and REQUIRED! Just go to this link and enter your name, email, and general presentation topic (your wondering!): []

September 03 - Pheba (CITE Lab) September 10 - Fola (Kendall Public Library 10:00 am) September 24 - Andrew (UH in the cite lab at 10:00am) October 8 - Class meeting in KIVA this week October 29 - Roxana and Judy (UH CITE Lab 11:30am) November 5 - Queen and Kristin
 * Meeting Dates - Leaders:**


 * Announcements:**