A+Connected+Approach+to+Science+with+Pranaitis

**Part 1 **
The element from the 21st century learning "ecosystem" that I will focus on this school year is to create a learning environment that is **connected **. This is an environment that promotes integrative thinking and problem solving through connecting ideas, resources, and people. My goal is that my students will actively participate in their learning through personal initiative and within group settings, especially through specific means of technology.

I will focus on this particular element because it aides in creating a classroom that is also flexible and socially responsible  while molding students to be collaborative , strong communicators , and critical thinkers and problem solvers . I will use varied instructional strategies <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">, <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">resources <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">, and <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">technology <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">to create this environment and reach my goals.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I believe this idea of being **<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">connected ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">can truly foster an environment that works symbiotically through the elements [stated] above (and, in turn, impacts these elements) and can be an integral part of shaping a student's learning experience. In other words, I believe having a symbiotic relationship between these ideas means they all exist within a web where each element impacts every other element and so on...

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I anticipate that: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1) my students will become more motivated to seek answers to their questions using multiple resources and/or resources that best fit their learning style/needs. I believe this will occur because I will provide a variety of resources using technology they can access which will increase student engagement, time management, and buy-in;

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 1.5;">2) there will be a higher gain of knowledge and retention. I believe if students access information they understand they will make stronger, longer-lasting connections. If students learn in a variety of ways and there are a variety of methods/opportunities for them to do so, they will actually learn "more;"

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3) students will improve upon their communication and collaboration skills. I believe this will happen because I will be more purposeful with incorporating writing and processing opportunities in my science class. Also, I will provide a variety of methods to do so through (Edmodo, Google site, etc.)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">These statements stem from the fact that I have specific goals, and I will use specific tools to meet these goals. I also believe these ecosystem elements constantly affect each other and work together in tandem. If you make changes to one, changes will be experienced by all.

**<span style="color: #008080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Part 2 **
<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 1.5;">Artifact 1 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 1.5;">: Google Site - "Science w/Pranaitis" <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is my new website that I will use in place of Blackboard. This will serve as a portal for students and parents to access class information, assignments, and resources. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Science w/Pranaitis - Google Site

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Artifact 2 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">: Edmodo <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This year I will be more purposeful and consistent with using Edmodo. As you can see below, each science class period has its own group. I have posted a survey (using Google Form) for everyone to complete once they have joined their respective "group." This location will also be used for announcements, polls/exit slips, etc. to gather feedback and widen teacher-student and student-student communication.

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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Each class period will also be subdivided into groups by their lab teams. At the beginning of the school year, students take the survey (above) and I use the information gathered to place them into lab groups according to some commonality. This serves as a great way to get to know my kids as well as practice meaningful grouping. Students will have the opportunity to name their lab group (as opposed to a designated number). Throughout the year, I will assign various discussion questions/points or "write-around" activities at their Edmodo group for the students to collaborate on outside of class.

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<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Artifact 3 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">: Using the Ladibug to Create Tutorials <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">When it comes to the math component in the science curriculum, I deal with a wide array of students' levels of confidence and abilities. I would like to record short 2-3 minute videos that help recap lessons and processes in class that the students can access on my Google Site and watch at any time. I am planning on also recording students completing a lab that could be posted for students who are absent or need to refresh their past learning.