To West and East and Back Again

1
To West and East and Back Again

• Shelley Baker
• University of Pennsylvania MCEP
• Chemistry 502

2
(No Transcript)
3
Educational Background

• BA Biology from Millersville University
• Graduate work at Penn State Hershey
• Obtained teaching certification few years later-
  biology then chemistry
• SUNY Buffalo graduate work in education.
• MCE student at the University of
  Pennsylvania.

4
High School Teaching Experience

• 1991 - 2004 High school science teacher-
  International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL),
  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• 2004 - present - High school chemistry teacher-
  Twin Valley School District, Elverson, PA.

5
Twin Valley School District

• Located between Morgantown and Elverson, 20
  minutes from Downingtown, 40 minutes from
  Reading.
• Rural district spanning Berks and Chester
  Counties.

6
(No Transcript)
7
Twin Valley School District

• District enrollment of over 3000 students, high
  school enrollment, 1007.
• Demographics
• 99 white
• 95 graduate
• 44 attend 4 year colleges
• 34 attend other schools of high education

8
Twin Valley School District

• Physics First grade 9, Chemistry grade 10,
  Biology grade 11.
• Science elective grade 12.
• AP Physics, Biology, or Chemistry
• Forensics
• Chemistry or Physics II
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Astronomy

9
Twin Valley High School

• Science department
• Team physics (3)
• Team chemistry (3)
• Team biology (3)
• Ag science department (including environmental)
  (3)

10
Twin Valley High School

• Combination classrooms for physics and biology.
• Separate suite for agricultural science classes.
• 3 chemistry classrooms with one shared lab.
• Transitions in the high school for 2005.
• 4th year of Physics First
• 2nd year of full inclusion
• 1st year of block scheduling

11
Current Teaching Assignment

• Academic Chemistry grade 10
• Honors Chemistry grade 10
• Chemistry II grades 11/12

Chemistry is not a spectator sport.
12
A Day in Mrs Bakers Class
Goal Student-centered, guided
inquiry Curriculum Concept-based

• Activation - question, brainstorm, read aloud.
• Mini-lesson - introduction, Pogil style
  handouts, packets, partner, small group, whole
  group.
• Guided Practice - station activities,
  manipulatives, web quests, practice problems.
• Independent Practice - jigsaw activities, review
  activities, post lab questions, homework.
• Reflection - group summary, exit question,
  journaling.

13
Lessons Learned to Take Back to the Classroom

• Continue/develop Pogil/PIM types of exercises.
• Use data analysis exercises.
• Build webpage for student use.
• Incorporate more opportunities for students to
  use technology as they complete assignments.
• Understanding from a learners
• perspective.

14
Love and thanks to my family for their support.
15
Thank you instructional staff and Cohort 6

• Looking forward to continuing the journey with
  you.