Individual Comprehensive Plan Incorporating Web 2.0 Tools
Summary of Plan
Purpose:
I am an Educator whose purpose in the 21st Century of learning is to create a positive learning by incorporating technology and resources with Stakeholders and Partnering Companies. This plan was created to motivate students to actively participate and cooperate in a positive and safe learning environment. The purpose allows teachers, students and the community to interact and collaborate with each other both physical and virtual using Web 2.0 tools. This site will allow me to share technology and Educational resources with other teachers, students, parents and the community. I believe that this will be a great source and positive learning and cooperative learning environment for students to engage during the learning process.
Population:
The school is a public middle school nestled snuggled in a small community of middle class professionals in Coral Gables, Florida. It offers an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for eleven hundred students ranging in grades six through grade eight. It services diverse families in this multi-cultural community of South Florida. The school is a magnet school for technology. The target audience are 7th grade Language Arts students between the ages of eleven and fourteen. There are several bordering communities surrounding the location of the school that seemingly encompasses constituents from low socio-economic backgrounds.
This school serves many children with diverse backgrounds including Hispanic, Black, Asian, English Language Learner’s (ELL) and Students with Disabilities (SWD). The particular students participating are Culturally Diverse students. There are six boys and seven girls. Five student participants are of Hispanic culture, four students are Black, two are ELL, one student is Asian and one student is classified as SWD. Seventy-five percent of students read on grade level and twenty-five percent struggles with reading on grade level. Presently, of the 357 students enrolled in the 7th grade, there are currently 38 White students, 45 Black students, 271 Hispanic students and 3 Asian students.
The Plan:
In keeping with the school and Common Core Standards, the plan focuses on high expectations for students while creating strong and focused instructional programs that motivate students to explore new ideas through technology. Keeping in mind with the mission of the school, this plan will focus on the application of technology to provide an academically challenging and safe culturally diverse learning environment which fosters the development of strong character and intellect. The learning environment prepared for students will enable all students to positively and actively contribute to an ever-changing, technological, global society. Students will work on group projects collaboratively with each other through group discussion by bringing their own creativity. Students will also have the opportunity to work individually accessing information, exploring new concepts, manipulating data and creatively expressing ideas using various forms of technology available to them.
Student Behavior:
All students will behave in a manner that is socially acceptable and conducive to the learning and teaching process. Any student whose behavior disrupts this process or that infringes upon the rights of other individuals will not be tolerated. Students and parents will receive a copy of the Code of Student Conduct and classroom rules that details the maintenance of appropriate student behavior. The specific consequences are as follows:
1. Parent/guardian contact
2. Reprimand
3. Student, parents/guardians/staff conference
4. Peer mediation
5. Revocation of the right to participate in social and/or extracurricular activities
6. Confiscation of wireless communication devices
7. Detention
8. Temporary assignment from class where the infraction occurred
9. Participation in an informal counseling session related to the infraction
10. Refer to outside agency/provider
11. Behavior Plan
There is a zero tolerance policy toward school related violent crime.
The Code of Student Conduct also has a model student behavior policy that creates a safe learning environment and reduces disruption of the educational process. This includes citizenship, honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility and the pursuit of excellence. Students are recognized and appreciated for positive behavior with rewards.
Award of Excellence
Other rewards for model student behavior:
Trophy/Ribbon/Plaque/Medals
Time for music and dancing
Extra computer time/game
Free time at the end of class
Class Field Trip
Fun walk with the principal or teacher
Note home to parents
Appointed the class messenger
Taking care of the class pet
Eating with the teacher
Selecting prizes from a treasure box
Stars, smiley faces or stickers
Extra recess
Leading of class line to lunch or recess
Student of the month and display photograph
In school contact for behavioral issues:
Teachers are aware of the school’s policy in regard to behavioral issues and discipline matters. The administrators will determine the necessary corrective actions after submitting a referral. Parents are advised at the beginning of the school year to contact administrators if there are any concerns regarding discipline issues.
Elements for Safety:
At the beginning of the school year students and parents are given a handbook which details the elements of safety. Parents are notified if a student is injured immediately and the incident is documented and reported to the school’s district.
Since Florida is located in a Hurricane zone, a severe weather drill is conducted twice yearly. Fire drills are also conducted on a regular basis. These drills are to ensure all students know how to respond in case of a fire or hurricane. Evacuation routes are indicated in each class close to exits. Administrators and teachers will account for all students present in class on the day of the drill with a pre-organized system. Parents, the community and stakeholders are also advised of the elements of safety via the school’s website.
Time Management:
The classroom will be designed to create a safe atmosphere in which students to learn through technology by listening, asking questions, responding to lessons and participating in activities. Class time will be one hour every other day, beginning on Mondays. Effective time management will be utilized to optimize learning opportunities. Students will be in a safe and comfortable environment that promotes learning. Activities will be organized and planned ahead to ensure pacing is appropriate. Engaging students in daily classroom activities and lessons effectively with time management is the key to maintaining instructional focus.
Teachers use the online grade-book to input grades. This management tool also is used to keep track of students’ grades, behaviors, disabilities, contact information and family information. Parents can use the website http://www.dadeschools.net by logging into the parent portal to receive up to date information on student’s attendance and grades. Students also have access to this site via student portal.
Data Collection:
The Student Response System will be used in the classroom to manage and collect data. This can be used in conjunction with an online management program that tracks attendance, grades, performance and assessments. Teachers will use emails to keep parents abreast of students’ progress. A teacher’s blog site will also be provided to students and parents to be informed of daily activities and weekly lessons. This system will be used to track behavior and monitor students’ progress.
Floor plan of learning environment:
The floor plan will be set up to be conducive to individual or group learning.
Networked Computers will be available for each student in the 7th grade class. Additional computers in the Computer lab will also be available for any student who needs. The teacher will have a computer at her desk in the front of the room with a projector and Promethean Board. Students will sit 4 to a desk at a round table with a computer stationed in front of each chair. Adjustments will be made during lessons for individual or group activities. Access to the Internet will be available to the 7th grade students with the acceptable use of the Internet policy.
Materials
The following materials will support and improve the learning environment:
Computers
iPads/Tablets
Projector
Promethean Board/Smart Board
Pencils, Paper
Flash-drives
Referral Forms
School Calendar
Parental Involvement
Self-Reflection/Short and Long Term Goals:
Now that the plan is in place, implementation begins. As I look back at my plan and reflect, I anticipate changes to improve the overall learning environment after implementation. Using time management to approach daily instruction is imperative. Assessments at the beginning and end of the school year will reveal strides made with this plan. Results should prove that lesson plans and instructional methods for all students including those with disabilities are beneficial.
Adjusting lesson plans and instructional methods to fit different learning styles of the learners will be made. Long term goals will include using assessment data to structure lesson plans and differentiate instruction. Professionally, I anticipate collaborating with colleagues, sharing and gaining more knowledge of Web 2.0 tools for instruction. Professional development will be mandated to keep abreast of advanced technology. This plan includes the goals and policies of the district and school that will create positive learning environments.
The World We Live In Today 