Alexa D'Auria

11/17/14

EDUG 768- Final Growth Statement

Integrated Curriculum in Math, Science, and Technology for students who are at
Risk, English Language Learners, and Disabled was an extremely beneficial course that
taught me various tiered lessons that can integrated into the Common Core standards and
curriculum. Lessons included many visuals and the use of manipulatives. I enjoyed
playing the role of a student in these three different types of classrooms.
I really liked how each subject was taught by three different professors and that
we had each professor only three times in the semester. This made it more interesting and
fun.
In science we received a lot of materials and did many hands on projects, which is
important for special needs students. We reviewed the scientific method. One of the
activities that I would definitely use in my classroom would be the scrambled sentence
activity, where students work in groups and have to make hypotheses about the sequence
of word cards to make a sentence that makes sense. Therefore, this lesson integrates ELA
standards with science standards.
Many science activities require higher order thinking skills. For example, one
activity we performed was creating a swinger. This lesson was based on physics concepts
and included much academic language. It also required making various hypotheses. We
reviewed how to create different types of graphs, which benefits visual learners, and how
to analyze them.

I learned a lot about safety procedures in a science lab. I also learned how to
find/plan a valuable and educational location for a science class field trip. I learned that it
is extremely important to know how make detailed observations. It is also beneficial for
special education students to receive graphic organizers in order to categorize concepts
and break down their thinking.
In math, I loved doing the Kenken puzzles! I was immediately determined to
complete each puzzle and I think that it is a great way to begin a class. I would definitely
use this in my future classroom as a do now activity because students can complete
puzzles that relate to the various operations and difficulty levels. I also really liked the
estimation jar. I think that is a great incentive for children and also a valuable way to
learn. I think that in classes with older students, it is beneficial to pick a card and sit at a
table of three or four other students with the same card. This strengthens cooperative
learning and communication skills. It allows students to get to know their classmates
more.
We reviewed word problems, proportions, percents, conversions, how to model
problem solving skills, counting, and measuring. I learned that October is National
Popcorn Month. I think I will incorporate popcorn into my math lesson in my future
classroom during the month of October. I think popcorn can be used as a manipulative.
Students will be able to count, measure, and make estimates/predictions using various
objects and even their senses. Furthermore, students can determine probabilities. They
can also learn about the history of popcorn, which ties into Social Studies standards, or its
nutritional benefits (health). Finally, I learned that you can use origami to teach
geometry. I would incorporate the history of how origami originated. Students can choose

different colors to make various objects. I love that origami involves a step by step
process. This is great for special needs students.
In technology, I learned how to create a student and parent friendly website and
what materials should be provided for all to see and use. I also learned how to make a
webquest and find appropriate websites that enhance student learning and connect to the
standards.
All three professors offered many websites for teachers and students to use to
enhance learning. The homework assignments and class discussions were extremely
beneficial. I would definitely recommend graduate education students to take this course
because it covers the math and science requirements.