5364+Week+2

__**Part 1: Videos**__

I was very interested in the CAST website videos that we were required to view this week in the course due to the diversity of learners I have in my own classroom. I teach three sections of the same class this year and unfortunately we found it in our best interest to ability group the students into three main classes due to the pull-out services they have to receive: dyslexic students, GT students, and academically low students. I have been out of the classroom for five years, and I am finding myself struggling with differentiating instruction for these three classes. I hope that by getting better acquainted with the CAST website's recommendations for the "what","how", and "why" of learning, I will be able to reach the dyslexic and low performing students in my classes more effectively.

__**Part 2: Readings**__

The readings this week, especially from chapter one of **//Using Technology With Classroom Instruction that Works//**, really helped me to see some places in my own classroom instruction that needed some tweaking. In chapter one of **//Using Technology With Classroom Instruction That Works//**, Pitler describes setting learning goals with students at the beginning of a learning unit. I did this when I taught Kindergarten many years ago, but I haven't been doing this with my 5th graders.I used a KWL chart, but not a KWHL chart when I taught Kindergarten, and I can see how the "how" is a really important element and should be included. I really think using a chart at the beginning of each unit would have a very positive impact on my student's performance. Another big idea that I used with my Kindergarten students, but not with my current fifth grade students is using organizing and brainstorming software such as Kidspiration with my students. I am interested in seeing the types of positive impact using these technologies before and after introducing a unit. Starting Monday, I am going to introduce students to our new unit on Matter using these methods. If students understand what they need to get out of the unit before they begin the unit I feel that they will have more of a focus on what I need them to know as they complete the unit.