Welcome to Mr. Adams' Portfolio
My portfolio includes the syllabus for my classes, goals supported with evidence, and examples of student work in my classroom.
Course Syllabuses:
My course syllabuses include the course description, resources used in class, assessment / grading breakdown, learning activities, class expectations, and an academic calendar for my classes. Course syllabuses are available to students, parents, and administrators on my weebly page.
My course syllabuses include the course description, resources used in class, assessment / grading breakdown, learning activities, class expectations, and an academic calendar for my classes. Course syllabuses are available to students, parents, and administrators on my weebly page.
Goals for Mr. Adams' Classroom:
2015-16 Goal: 80% of students will achieve 80% on the World History Essay Tests 1-4.
Writing across the curriculum is an important activity in my classroom. Students in Economics, Civics, US History, and World History use formal writing techniques throughout the year. Students also use writing across the curriculum through the use of technology.
World History Essay Exams:
In World History, students are allowed to use Writing Across the Curriculum Rubric 1 while writing their essays. Students will now use Writing Across the Curriculum Rubrics 2 & 3 to self review Essays 2 & 3. Writing rubrics were provided by the English Department at Norway High School.
In World History, 45% of students scored 80% or higher on Essay Test 1, 78% of students scored 80% or higher on Essay Test 2, 79% 0f students scored 80% or higher on Essay Test 3, and 85% of students scored 80% or higher on Essay Test 4.
2015-16 Goal: Student growth as measured using locally developed assessments. 80% of students will achieve 80% on assessments throughout the school year in Civics, Economics, and US History.
Economics
Results for the CH 8 Assessment are as follow: While no 1st Quarter student scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test, 83% of students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test. Also, zero 3rd Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test. However, 85% of 3rd Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test.
Results for the CH 17 Assessment are as follow: While no 2nd Quarter student scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test, 83% of students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test. Also, zero 4th Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test. However, 80% of 4th Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test.
Civics
Results for the CH 3 Assessment are as follow: While no 1st Quarter student scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test, 100% of students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test. Also, zero 3rd Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test. However, 84% of 3rd Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test.
Results for the CH 14 Assessment are as follow: While no 2nd Quarter student scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test, 65% of students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test. Also, zero 4th Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Pre Test. However, 64% of 4th Quarter students scored 80% or higher on the Post Test.
US History
In US History, 81% of students scored 80% or higher on the Chapter 9 Test, 82% of students scored 80% or higher on the Chapter 9 Test, 81% 0f students scored 80% or higher on the Chapter 20 Test, and 82% of students scored 80% or higher on the Chapter 24 Test.
2015-16 Goal: Evidence of technology use. Sustained use of technology to enhance lessons / differentiation / communication.
The use of technology in my classroom enhances lessons, differentiates learning and instruction, and communication between the teacher and student / parent. My webpage is loaded with information and technology uses such as class pages, class resources, video, rubrics, projects, and much more. Here are some examples of the use of technology in my classroom:
Enhanced Communication through Technology:
Classroom Management Systems:
Students in Mr. Adams' classroom use Classroom by Google. Classroom by Google is a Classroom Management System that allows the teacher and students to share classroom resources such as text content, slide shows, video, projects, and test reviews on a digital platform. Also, students have access to this information at any time and virtually everywhere.
Moodle is an education software helping teachers and trainers create and deliver effective online learning environments used by millions world-wide.
Enhanced Lessons through Technology:
YouTube, along with Khan Academy, are resources used to supplement class materials. Videos from YouTube are often used in my classes to bring certain events or concepts to life. Khan Academy is a resource used to supplement class materials mostly in Economics.
Paper.li is a content curation service that let's you turn socially shared content into beautiful online newspapers and newsletters. But more than that it's an easy to use, powerful tool that helps you save time by surfacing content (blogs, articles, sites, video,images) and people who are interested in the same topics that you are!
The Michigan High School Content Expectations are the framework for my classes. HSCEs provide a road map in terms of what the Michigan Department of Education expects our students to master in the classroom. HSCEs can be found in my weekly lesson plans and on my course syllabus pages which can be found on my weebly page.
Evidence of differentiated instruction. Sustained use of differentiated instruction / learning in my classroom.
Differentiated instruction is an important technique in my classroom. While grade level content expectations are not minimized, students have the opportunity to challenge themselves through class projects, discussion boards, and periodic "class challenges". Test reviews also provide students an opportunity to exceed learning targets on a regular basis. Here a some examples of differentiated instruction in my classroom:
Differentiated Instruction through Class Projects:
Class projects typically occur once every quarter in all of my classes. Class projects vary from writing assignments including role playing, presentations with slide presentation software and an oral presentation aspect, a rational choice major purchase portfolio, and music including writing song lyrics. Keynote, Google Slides, Google Docs, and Google Forms are some of the resources used for these projects.
Examples of Student Work:
Differentiated Instruction through Discussion (video) Boards:
Edmodo is used for the discussion (video) board assignment. Students in Economics, Civics, US History, and World History watch a video (relevant to current events and content covered in class) and participate in an online discussion with their classmates.
Differentiated Instruction through "Class Challenges":
"Class Challenges" are designed to provide students with an opportunity to go deeper into class content. Challenges are offered periodically throughout all of my classes and also provide students with an opportunity to earn "extra credit". "Class Challenges" are not mandatory.
Examples of Student Work:
Differentiated Instruction through Test Reviews:
Test reviews are provided for students in my classroom on a regular basis. Test reviews include chapter objectives, main ideas, content vocabulary, learning targets, focus questions, graphic organizers, and comprehension questions to provide students with the necessary information to succeed on assessments. Students are encouraged to exceed expectations in their preparation for assessments.
Future Goals:
- continue to provide students with the opportunity to learn in a highly effective classroom
- continue to integrate enhanced learning opportunities through the use of technology
- continue to enhance differentiated learning opportunities
- incorporate the use of iBooks throughout my classes through the MiOpenBook Project
- expand student learning through collaboration with students / teachers from other schools
- continue to help produce active, civic minded graduates
- continue to enhance the connection between student learning and achievement with parental involvement
- continue to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs
- continue to educate students on the harmful effects of bullying