Brian L. Pichola• Elyria Catholic High School

• Univ. Toledo: BA Biology, BA Psychology

• Kent: M Ed Curriculum & Instruction, Middle Childhood

• 9 years at Harmon (8th grade), 5th year at AHS (Physical Science and Biology)

• Member: NSTA, AEA, OEA, NEA

Contact Info

• Email works best:– bpichola@aurora-schools.org

• Phone:– 954-2300

What’s Different?• We rely much more on the student to self

advocate• We’re not going to make them come in for help…

we’ll invite them, let them know we’re here• “safety net” is still here…it’s just shrunk• It’s not that we don’t care…it’s that we are

moving them towards adulthood and independence a little at a time

• We give them the tools…they need to use them

What tools?• PIV/grade sheet/email

– PIV is required to be up to date twice per quarter. I update it about 4 times, about every two weeks.

– I’ll email you when it’s done, feel free to email me in between

– Students have been taught how to figure out their grade

• SchoolPointe– Assignments listed on Friday for upcoming week– Also posted outside classroom, papers in bin– Contains copies of self assessments, class notes, etc.

What tools?• Pretests/green sheets

– At beginning of each unit, green sheet gives vocab, topics and description of assessment at end

– Pretest used to see what already know; introduce what will be learned. Not for a grade but shows up on PIV in 0% category

• Self assessments– During unit to say “here’s where you should be” – Also don’t count for grade, but on PIV– Let you know if should get help– Let’s me know if class is ready to move on

What tools?• Test reflections

– After a test, breaks down question by question what topic it was about

– See what areas weak for retake– Use to study for final, as won’t have copy of test

• Learning style/metacognition– We’ll do a lot bout learning about learning …

examining how we each individually learn and tricks we can use to be life long learners

What tools?• Online text

– www.pearsonsuccessnet.com ... just the text, nothing else

– my.hrw.com … “old” book online– they have a name/password … see me– whole text, quizzes, visual concepts, read outloud

• Extra help/extra credit– Help: me: Tues and Thurs after school

after school study center: Mon – Thurs after school (tutors)

– Credit: 30 points per quarter. Propose something related to class that extends knowledge

Typical Unit

• Pretest: a test before we even start anything…0%category, green sheet w/ vocab and explanation of unit and assessment.

• Engagement/Exploration lab…“right” answers not as important as making observations and own inferences about what happened

• Explanation phase…vocab/bookquiz. Make cards for vocab, but can’t use on quiz. If take notes form book, can use them. Assigned 1 week in advance.

Typical Unit• Extension lab…another activity to take what you know

and put it to use. “Right answers” more important now

• Evaluation: daily: question of the dayself assessment somewhere in the unit, often

more than 1…0%post test…do the pretest over. Do you understand

now what you got wrong the first time…0%assessment…55%

Biology Topics1st Quarter:

Foundations of Science (measurements, scientific tools, etc.) Cell structures and functions Cell processes (cell transport, photosynthesis, cell respiration, cell division)

2nd Quarter: Cell processes (cell transport, photosynthesis, cell respiration, cell division) Genetics and Heredity

3rd Quarter: Evolution Ecology/Biomes 

4th Quarter: Taxonomy: Bacteria, Viruses and Protists Taxonomy: Animals