| WEEK | TOPICS | READINGS | ASSIGNMENTS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IntroductionClassroom pre-practicum Current events overview Blogs and portfolios Goals, expectations, and assignments Activity 1: teaching without words (PDF) | How Students Learn (Chapters 1, 5, 9) | Assignment 1: observations in MIT classrooms (PDF) | |
| 2 | MisconceptionsActivity 2: how students learn jigsaw Preconceptions Facts and conceptual understanding Self assessment Videos: "A Private Universe" "Minds of Our Own" Misconceptions discussion Current events | "Misconceptions Reconceived" ( | Assignment 2: conquering your misconceptions (PDF) | |
| 3 | Classroom observationsMIT observations discussion Writing introductions | Assignment 1 due | ||
| 4 | Formative assessmentIn-class activity: formative assessment | |||
| 5 | Standards and standardized testsTexas standards and standardized tests TEKS - High school science standard TAAS - Grade 8 standard Massachusetts state framework-comparison Discussion of first classroom observations | "Assessment in Practice" | Assignment 2 draft due | |
| 6 | Differentiated instruction and multiple intelligencesBrainstorming ways to differentiate instructions Readings jigsaw Differentiating math instruction Classroom observations | "Differentiated Instruction" "Multiple Intelligences After 20 Years" | Assignment 3: position paper on differentiated instructions (PDF) | |
| 7 | Catch up and writingWriting activity Discussion of classroom observations | |||
| 8 | Educational technology and teaching with mediaPhysics lab (PDF) Discussion of classroom observations | "Impact of Educational Technology on Student Achievement." ( | Assignment 4: comparison of media (PDF) | Assignment 3 due |
| 9 | Educational technology and math educationMath educational technology Labyrinth Discussion of classroom observations | |||
| 10 | Math education and writingSpecial guest: Robert Gerver Town hall preparation Writing work Current events and observations Introduce final assignment - Planning final projects | "Guided Inquiry in the Science Classroom." | Final assignment (PDF) | |
| 11 | Standards town hallTown hall meeting-standards (PDF) Final portfolio info | Final portfolio (PDF) | ||
| 12-14 | Final projectsDesign and teach a lesson | "Putting Principles into Practice: Teaching and Planning." | Assignment 4 due Final assignment due Final portfolio due |









