Technology

          I am integrating reader’s theater into my classroom to help with fluency.  I decided to try the apps Sock Puppets and Puppet Pals.  I read a story that goes with our curriculum and then found a grade level reader’s theater to go with it.  I told my class that we would get to present the plays with the iPads.  They were so excited.  We practiced the reader’s theater multiple times throughout the week.  I decided to begin by using the Puppet Pals app since there are more options and the recordings can be longer.  I uploaded characters to the app.  The students then presented their plays with the use of the app.  They were able to interact with the characters as they read their parts.  Then we showcased our plays by watching them on a projector.  The students were proud and excited to hear their reading with expression and fluency.  This is an app that I am going to continue to use and find ways to implement into my classroom.

Teacher-Level Factors

          Before reading Marzano’s chapter on teacher-level factors, I predict he will note management and teacher-student interaction as important.  I believe management will be noted as important because if a teacher is not consistent and students don’t feel in a safe comfortable learning environment, learning will be challenging.  I also think that teacher-student interactions will be noted because students need to know they are loved and cared for in order for them to be and feel successful.

          After reading Marzano’s chapter on teacher-level factors, we have some similarities.  He says the three most important factors are instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, and classroom curricular design.  His factor that I predicted was management.  I think that teacher-student interaction also fits in this area.  Students need to be an environment that they can learn in otherwise how can learning take place?

I do agree with Marzano when he says that individual teacher decisions have a greater impact than decisions at the school level.  I believe an effective teacher knows their students and needs to make decisions that benefit the class.