High School Field Observation Portfolio

Timber Creek High School1001 Avalon Park Blvd, Orlando

32828321-325-7800

Michael YangEDF 2005Fall SemesterOctober 1, 2012

Teacher Observed:

Jason SkinnerHonors World

Historyjason.skinner@ocps.net

PROJECT

TEACHERJASON SKINNER

Honors world historyTimber Creek High School

ObservationHours

VerificationForm

Artifact #1

This is a student’s flowchart on the Roman Empire.

FLOW CHART

These are notes taken by a student, specifically called “Cornell” notes. Cornell notes consist of the usual notes, though on the left are questions, and at the bottom is a summary of the notes. The students can cover up the notes part with another sheet of paper and quiz themselves by only reading the questions.

LATE MIDDLE AGES NOTES

Artifact #2This is a copy of their world history book. There is a class set available to the students, as well as an online version for them to read their chapters at home. If they do not have access to the internet or computer at home, they can check out a book from the media center.

WORLD HISTORY TEXTBOOK

Artifact #3Although this is quite misleading at first glance, this is actually a lesson schedule that shows the students what they will be learning throughout the year. The arrows help students visualize the progression of the curriculum.

LESSON SCHEDULE

Artifact #4Here is a

handout of “African Kingdoms in the Middle Ages” given to students who are separated into groups. Each group will read the book and fill out the paper, then present the information to the class.

Mr. Skinner TeachingGiving a lesson on the Late Middle Ages, including talking about the Black Plague that swept across Europe.

The students taking notes along with Mr. Skinner’s presentation and lecture the Hundred Years War. If you notice, there are speakers in the ceiling connected to the computer and projector so that videos and lessons will have audio throughout the classroom.

TechnologyIn this picture the students are taking notes from a powerpoint presentation that is projected from an ipad.

Skinner’s Lesson PlanHonors World History

Lesson Plans cont.Honors World History

Recommendation Letter

1.WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER?

“UNPREPARED MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, MAINLY IT’S THE LACK OF RIGOR; MANY OF THEM SAY THEY BREEZE THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL OFTEN SLEEPING THROUGH CLASSES AND NOT DOING ANY WORK BUT STILL GETTING A’S AND B’S.”

Interview with Jason Skinner

2. WHAT CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ISSUES ARE COMMON AT THIS GRADE LEVEL? WHICH EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES DO YOU UTILIZE TO HELP WITH EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT?

“BECAUSE THEY ARE SO UNPREPARED FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL THEY DON’T DO THEIR WORK, AND THEY STILL EXPECT A’S AND B’S. ALSO, THE PRESSURE FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ADMINISTRATION IN RAISING GRADE AVERAGES HAVE COERCED MANY TEACHERS NOT TO GIVE ZEROES. THE LOWEST GRADE WE CAN GIVE, EVEN FOR MISSING WORK OR NOT COMPLETED WORK, IS A 50%. AS FAR AS HELPING WITH THESE PROBLEMS, I TRY TO MAKE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS, AND GIVE EXTRA TIME AND EXTRA EFFORT WHEN POSSIBLE.”(HE CONSISTENTLY STAYS AFTER SCHOOL FOR 1-2 HOURS EVERY DAY TO HELP STUDENTS MAKE UP TESTS AND STUDY/TUTOR).

Interview cont.3. WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO INCREASE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT WITHIN YOUR CLASSROOM?

“I HAVE A PARENT-TEACHER EMAIL LIST WITH AN ONLINE SYLLABUS THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO 24/7. THIS WAY PARENTS CAN ALWAYS BE UP TO DATE IN CLASS, EVERY WEEK. THEY ARE ALSO ABLE TO CHECK STUDENT’S GRADES ANYTIME, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALWAYS POSTED ONLINE. ALSO, EVEN WHEN STUDENTS ARE SICK AND MISS CLASS THEY ARE ABLE TO SEE ALL THE NOTES GIVEN ON THAT DAY THROUGH A WEB PORTAL.”

4. HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH OTHER FACULTY ON CAMPUS IN ORDER TO USE EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES WITH THIS AGE/GRADE LEVEL?

“I GO TO PLC MEETINGS ONCE A MONTH, AND EVERY FEW WEEKS DIFFERENT TEACHERS WILL MEET UP AT A LOCAL BAR/SUSHI RESTAURANT AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT TEACHING STYLES AND METHODS THEY USE.”

Interview cont.5. WHAT STRATEGIES DO YOU UTILIZE TO MOTIVATE THE UNMOTIVATED? DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR STRATEGIES HELP WITH INTRINSIC MOTIVATION OR EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION? “HA, I HOPE BOTH. CARING. OFTEN, I FEEL THAT MANY STUDENTS HAVE A DISCONNECT WITH THEIR TEACHERS AND JUST DON’T FEEL LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR WELL BEING OR THEIR GRADE, BUT I TRULY DO CARE FOR EVERY ONE OF MY STUDENTS. I TRY TO CHALLENGE THEM EVERYDAY, AND HOPE THAT I CAN SUCCEED IN MAKING THEM BETTER PEOPLE. I OFTEN PUT IN THE EXTRA TIME TO STAY AFTER SCHOOL TO HELP ANY STUDENT THAT ASKS FOR HELP TO MENTOR OR TUTOR WITH WHATEVER THEY MAY NEED.”

- JASON SKINNER