EDUC 325

Managing and Motivating Classrooms

FINAL and CRITERIA

Your challenge is to document your learning from this course by drawing connections between your classroom observation (8-10 hours) and all that we have studied and discussed in this course.

All projects must include:

· An overview of the setting/context that you observed in—school, grade level, general perceptions of environment

· A diagram or description of the classroom set-up/environment

· A detailed journal or notes of your observations attached as an appendix

· Your field experience form that notes dates and times of observation, signed by the visited teacher

AND . . .

· A 6-7 page paper that . . .

~ describes classroom policies, rules, expectations.

~ analyzes the teacher’s approach to management and is supported by the readings / research that we’ve discussed in class and your own thoughts on how the teacher’s approach is working or not working.

~ provides suggestions for enhancing the community and increasing motivation to learn.

~ provides a summary of how you will apply what you have learned (approx. one page of total).

OR

· A portfolio that clearly documents your learning over the course of the semester and includes all assignments and revisions; a brief reflection (paragraph) focusing on your learning and growth for each assignment; a 3-4 page analysis of your field experience with key learnings, connections and applications; and a 1-2 page reflection describing your overall learning from the course.

Hard copies of all projects are due before Thursday May 17^th (exam time is technically Wed. evening the 16^th). If you would like feedback on the project and the opportunity to revise as necessary before your final submittal, the paper must be handed in no later than Thursday, May 10^th.

CRITERIA—THE ESSENTIALS (for both paper and portfolio)

· The context for the observation is clearly described leaving the reader with a strong sense of understanding about the classroom visited. The reader can easily picture the classroom setup and feel the atmosphere created within that room based on the descriptions provided.

· The journal included is easily accessible to the reader. Writing is very legible or typed and includes complete descriptions of relevant details and situations observed. If the journal includes observations for other courses, those that have relevance for EDUC 325 are clearly highlighted.

CRITERIA—PAPER (6 –7 page paper including one page summary of how you will apply what you have learned)

• Clearly addresses the topic of management and motivation and shows an obvious understanding of important course concepts.
• Uses the classroom observation as the foundation for this discussion. Many relevant examples from the class observation are noted throughout. These examples not only look at classroom policies, rules, expectations etc. but also look at curricular, instructional and assessment decisions that the teacher made to increase motivation of the students.
• The analysis of the teacher’s approach to management is insightful and is consistently supported throughout by information from all three texts and additional course handouts.
• Questions that surface from the observation are discussed thoughtfully demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the complexity of the content matter.
• Provides relevant suggestions for enhancing the community and increasing motivation to learn that are clearly based on class readings and discussions.
• Thoughtfully describes how the writer will apply the core generalizations learned through this project. Clearly addresses the question “How will you use what you have learned?’
• Citation system is used consistently and references are noted in the appropriate form at the end of the paper.
• Flawless (or near flawless) writing mechanics have been applied making the paper exceptionally easy to read and understand.

CRITERIA-- PORTFOLIO

1. A Collection of Work

· All reading responses (originals with feedback) along with revisions are provided with attached reflective paragraphs summarizing the important learnings in light of what has been learned over the entire semester especially considering the class observations. All reading responses originally scored /- have been thoughtfully revised showing evidence of attending to feedback.

· A one-page reflection on the midterm project that describes the project and the important, specific learnings that resulted from it, is included. Additionally, potential modifications are noted that might improve the project based on feedback that was provided to each group.

2. 4 - 5 Page Observation Analysis (including a one page summary of how you will apply what you have learned)

· See rubric for paper above.