Station Rotation Model of Blended Learning by Shelby Scoffield

Have you ever wondered what "Blended Learning" looks like in real life? The following is an article written by Shelby Scoffield, AP and Honors English teacher at MHHS. The "Station Rotation Model" is ONE strategy that is used in the Blended Learning Toolbox.

Station Rotation Model in an English Classroom

by Shelby Scoffield

When I began reading about Blended Learning, I kept seeing a the phrase “organized chaos” pop up in various journal articles and blogs. The more I read-- the more I realized how I had an iron grip hold on my English classes.

I eventually came to the conclusion that my classroom was much too structured, neat, and orderly. If I was to really cater to 35 different learning styles, I really needed to loosen up. If I was to really teach a student, I needed to stop dictating the day to day activities, and really start listening to what they needed to learn.

“Organized Chaos” really began to make since to me when I read an article about “Station Rotation,” a model of Blended Learning. I loved the idea of going back to elementary school and creating learning centers. As I continued to read, I stumbled on this video:

It was then that “Ms. Scoffield’s Station Rotation Theory for the English classroom” was born. Modeling after Intrinsic schools, I created the following learning centers for my classroom.

Basic rules:

• Students have the option of what assignment they will complete for that class period. (Assignments are always listed on the board)
• They are told every day to complete the hardest assignments in class and the easy ones at home.
• Students are allowed to visit each center only once during the week.
• Students are required to visit station 1 throughout the week.
• Students are required to mix it up. That is, they have to sit next to new people every day.

Station 1-- Direct one on one instruction with teacher. This station is set up as a long conference table and the teacher is always sitting up in the front.  The teacher sets up the assignment, the students complete a short assignment together on the interactive whiteboard, and then they complete the graded assignment on their own.

Station 2-- Individual or Partner work. This station is geared towards getting the students to work together as a group. They usually have to do things like a Google presentation, a podcast, or a film clip.

Station 3-- Socratic Seminar Station. This station is geared towards getting the students to talk to each other about a certain idea or concept. They usually have a news article to read and discussion board prompt to respond to. When they are done, the teacher comes to this table and briefly discusses what they learned.

Station 4--Technology Station. This station is geared towards getting the students to learn using various technology and apps. Assignments can include getting onto Twitter, Pinterest, DIIGO, Screen--castify, Instagram, Spreed, etc.

Station 5-- Independent Work. This allows the student to work on whatever they need to in that unit. Students work ahead and even begin looking at the unit projects.

Station 6--  Teach each other a skill or concept. This station allows students to teach another person a skill or an idea that they need to master.

Station 7-- Test taking station. Here, students study for or complete the unit exam.

Station 8-- Silent reading and Movie Watching. This is for students who are confident in their abilities to do the assignments and would like to spend the time reading the book or watching an approved movie version of the book.

Ms. Scoffield's Station rotation model give students a mix of direct instruction, individual work and practice, group and partner work, socratic seminar, and student control over path, pace, and place where their work is done. Stay tuned for more articles about instructional strategies being used at MHHS and what those strategies look like in the classroom.

PSAT/NMSQT Test is Coming!

Attention all Juniors and Sophomores!  The PSAT test is coming to Mountain House High School for the very first time on October 14th 2015!  The PSAT is an awesome opportunity for you to practice taking a test that is similar to the SAT.  The PSAT is a test developed by The College Board, and the test is NEW this year.  The new test closely mirrors the NEW SAT tests that have been in place for a year already.  The new test has been redesigned to assess a student's ability to solve problems, communicate clearly, and understand complex relationships.  The test is designed to do the following:

• Measure the essential ingredients for college and career readiness and success, as shown by research.
• Have a stronger connection to classroom learning
• Inspire productive practice

The test will be offered this year  Juniors, and any Sophomores who are interested in taking the test. Juniors who take the test will have their scores reported to the National Merit program for recognition as a National Merit Scholar.  (Sophomores are not eligible for this designation, and must take the PSAT again in their Junior year to receive this designation).  After students receive their results from the PSAT, College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to offer more personalized study recommendations that are completely free of charge.  

Because this exam is voluntary, this year's test will cost $20 for each student wishing to take the exam.  We encourage ALL Juniors to participate in this exam, and want to encourage anyone who is interested, and may need assistance paying for the exam to contact their counselor.  

More information about the exam, the content in the exam, scoring, and the benefits of taking the exam are available on the College Board PSAT website.  CLICK HERE to access the website.  

Stay tuned for more information about when and how to purchase your exam!

SUCCESS! Orientation

This past week, students continued participating in orientations during SUCCESS! period.  This week students reviewed the following topics

1. School Rules, including:
1. MHHS Mission and Values
2. Tardiness and class cuts
3. Dress Code
4. Cars and Parking Permits
5. Closed Campus
6. Student ID policy
2. SUCCESS! and Intervention
1. Students learned how we will support them if they fall behind through viewing the following presentation:  SUCCESS & Intervention
3.  How to watch and take notes on instructional video
1. Students viewed the following presentation:  Watching Instructional Video
4. How to take good notes
1. Students viewed the following presentation:  Taking Good Notes
5. Plagiarism
1. Students learned the difference between collaboration and plagiarism through participating in an online activity on the topic prepared by Cornell University.  https://plagiarism.arts.cornell.edu/tutorial/index.cfm

Ask your student about what they have learned this week.  Our commitment to all students is to help them gain the tools necessary to be successful at Mountain House High School, and beyond.  We hope you take some time to review the resources here, and talk to your student about what they have learned!

Advisory Week #3--Spark Champions

This week's Advisory period continued last weeks focus on what "sparks" a student's interests.  Students reflected on a quote from Oprah Winfrey who said "A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself."  Students were asked to talk with a partner about this quote, what it means to them, and whether they believe the quote.  Students talked a little bit about "Spark Champions."  Spark champions are adults in a student's life who has helped them discover their spark, helped them grow, and helped them pursue their spark.

Here are some questions you can ask your student so that you can have a conversation with them about their "spark champion."

Do you have a spark champion?
Who is your spark champion?
What does your spark champion do for you that helps you to pursue your spark?
If you don't have a champion, how can you find one?

 

PLTW Biomed by Kris Olson

Check out the great things going on in our Biomedical Science program!  The following article was written by Kris Olson, our PLTW Biomedical Science teacher.

Mountain House High School is on the cutting edge with high school medical career training having implemented the Project Lead the Way BioMedical Program.  The currect classes offered include Principles of BioMedical Science(PBS) and Human Body Systems (HBS)  with Medical Interventions(MI) on the way next year.  PBS investigates the death of a ficticious woman named Anna Garcia.  Students investigate the scene of her death, her medical history and her autopsy reports in conjunciton with learning about the serious medical conditions of diabetes, sickle cell anemia, heart disease and infection.  At the end of the year they prepare a case report identifying her cause and manner of death.  In HBS students learn about anatomy and physiology through an array of stimulating activities such as using clay to build the organs on a skeleton, physiology experiments using technology to gather the data and then apply their skills to a number of cases studies.  Next week they will use measurements and observations to determine the gender, ethnicity, height and age of a skeleton found along a hiking trail (simulated case study no one has been found dead along the MH trails).  Additionally preparation for HOSA (Health Science Student Association) competitions is embeded into HOSA and we have a huge club this year.  Keep up with what the students are doing at the Mountain House HIgh School Health Science Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-House-High-School-Health-Science-Program/1751839618375688 and the Mountain House HIgh School HOSA Facebook Page at 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-House-High-School-HOSA-Club/926053587438452

Finding Your Spark--Advisory Week 2

The advisory lesson for this week focused on conversations with student about what "sparks" their interests.  Students discussed the quote "Follow your passion, and success will follow you" and how that quote can relate to them and their lives.  Students also had the opportunity to view short video clips that show characters in movies who found their "Spark" in life.  The links to these video clips can be found by clicking HERE.
Research shows that knowing about, and nurturing the "spark" in your life will help you be happier and more successful in life.  This same research also shows that 1/3 of youth haven't yet identified their "spark."  Over the course of this year, we will be helping students discover their "spark" and helping them to understand that their "spark" can change over time.
Take some time with your student in the next week to discuss what they enjoy doing.  Have them share what they think their initial "spark" is.  Talk with them about what the "spark" in your life is and how it motivates you to keep going on a daily basis.

Canvas Training

On Wednesday the 19th of this week, students began learning a little bit more about the Canvas Learning Management System, and how it.  Over the next several days, students will learn how to use Canvas to access their assignments, look at their assignment calendar and grades, and how to manage their notifications to send them text messages and email reminders of their homework assignments.  Students watched short overview tutorials on these topics.  These videos can be found at the links here:

Canvas Overview

Assignments Overview

Submitting Assignments

Calendar

Checking your Grades

Managing your Notifications

Senior Sunrise

Did you know that MHHS has a small, but growing Senior Class this year.  This Senior Class will be the first graduating class in the history of MHHS.  Students who are attending MHHS have purposely chosen our school as the place that they want to graduate from.  Seniors are excited to plan activities and establish traditions that will last for a lifetime.  Our first Senior Activity this school year will be our Senior Sunrise.  On Friday, August 21st, all seniors  are going to meet on the Quad at 5:45 A.M. for breakfast, and to watch the sun rise at the beginning of this year.  Students will be preparing a time capsule, and have been asked to bring memorabilia to place in the capsule.  If you or your student is a Senior this year, send them on over on Friday the 21st for our first annual Senior Sunrise!

Google Drive

Orientation for Tuesday 8/17 focused on the suite of applications that exist within Google Drive.  Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service created by Google.  It allows users to create and store files in the cloud, share files, and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with collaborators.  At MHHS, Google Drive is one place where teachers create shared documents and information for students, and it is a place where students will create documents, presentations, and spreadsheets that will be shared and turned in to teachers as part of their homework, projects, and tests.  During this orientation, students completed a Google Apps training through an online module that you can review by clicking HERE  and selecting the "Docs and Drive" menu.
Talk to your students about their Google Drive.  Students discussed how to create folders and organize work for each of their classes, and how to name new documents in those folders so that they are easy to find.  One neat fact about Google Drive...students don't need to have their Chromebook to access the documents in the drive.  With their username and password, students can access their documents from any computer with internet access.

Back to School Night

Friday the 21st of August from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. is our Back to School Night.  Back to School Night is an PARENT ONLY event. Parents will meet for an orientation meeting at 6:30 PM to learn more about our school, technology that we are using, and how to get connected with ongoing news and information from the school.

Parents will then have an opportunity to go to each one of their student’s classes for 10 minute presentations led by the teachers. We want to emphasize that Back To School Night at the high school is for PARENTS ONLY.  

For easy access to the orientation in the Gym at the beginning of the night, parents should plan to park in the parking lot in the rear of campus along Tradition Street.

We look forward to seeing all of our student’s parents on Friday August 21st at 6:30 P.M. for Back to School Night.

Student Gmail Use

Friday August 14th SUCCESS! orientation focused on the importance of email, and how it is used both in school, and in life.  Students learned that checking email is important to do on a daily basis, and they learned how to properly compose and send an email using the following components:

1. Include a greeting at the beginning and a salutation at the end of the message.
2. Include a concise and relevant subject line
3. Be clear about what your question, concern, or communication is about
4. Proofread your message before you send it
5. Spell the recipient's name correctly

Students also had the opportunity to participate in an online google apps training module that walked them through the Gmail system.  Parents can access that module by CLICKING HERE and then clicking on the "Gmail" link in the menu.  

We encourage you to talk to your student about how you use email in your daily life!

Mastery Based Learning

One of our goals at Mountain House High School is to make sure that all students have both the academic and technological skill needed to succeed in both college and career.  One way making sure that students are prepared is insisting that they master concepts and skills rather than just simply completing assignments. We inform of students and parents of this system through newsletters, social media and web presence, classroom explanations, and parent events on campus.  

MHHS has prepared a document that explains Mastery based learning and grading in detail. To access that document CLICK HERE, or visit the link on our webpage under the "Instructional Initiatives" section of the webpage at mhhs.lammersvilleusd.net

ADVISORY WEEK 1--Digital Life 102

Today's advisory lesson focused on the place that digital media has in the lives of our students.  Students discussed how big of a role that digital media plays in their lives, what they enjoy doing with digital media, and how the connect with others over that digital media.

Students then had an opportunity to watch a short video clip about digital media that had real students talking about their perspectives about digital media and how it has impacted their lives.  That video is posted below here:

After watching the video, students talked about what the upsides and downsides of digital life are.

Now that your student has had some background information about their digital lives, we encourage parents to get in on the conversation.  Talk to your kids tonight around the dinner table about your own digital life.  Think about the role that media plays in your life, and share your thoughts about how it impacts you.

Don't know how to start the conversation?  Here's a few conversation starter questions that you can ask the whole family as you talk together:

1. How big a role do digital media (Internet, texting, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, video games, etc.) play in your life?
2. How many times do you think you look at and consume digital media on a daily basis?
3. What are your favorite and least favorite things to do with digital media?
4. Do you connect with others or create things with digital media?
5. What are the positive and not-so-positive aspects of having digital media in your life?

Advisory Curriculum

During this school year, our Advisory class (8th period) meets every week on Thursdays after our Brunch.  During our advisory time this school year, students will be engaging in curriculum that helps them learn the basic principles of Digital Citizenship, and helps them to become better learners.  We want parents to be aware of what their students are learning each week during Advisory period.  Each week we will publish the topic that students are learning about during advisory, and provide some resources for parents in regards to those topics.

This year's curriculum for Advisory comes from two different sources.  The source that we have used for digital citizenship comes from a non-profit organization called Common Sense Media.  They offer resources for parents, students, and educators in regards to the media resources that are accessed by our students and families.  They provide a free, open source curriculum that we will be using throughout the year that will focus on teaching students about internet safety, privacy and security, online relationships and communication, cyberbullying and digital drama, digital footprint and reputation, self-image and identity, information literacy, and creative credit and copyright.  A link to this curriculum can be found by going to their website here:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/scope-and-sequence

The other focus for this year's Advisory curriculum will include lessons for students developed to help students identify their likes and interests, to teach them about the growth and development of their brain and how to develop a "growth mindset," and to help students reflect about indicators of thriving and the risk factors that can get in the way.  These lessons are developed by a non-profit organization called Thrive Foundation for Youth.  More information about this curriculum, and links to this curriculum can be found by going to their website here:  http://www.stepitup2thrive.org/

We sincerely hope that as we work together to provide resources to our students in regards to digital citizenship, and motivating factors for their learning and personal growth that we can positively impact students' lives.

Please stay tuned to this blog for updates on specific lessons that are taught each week in your students' Advisory Classes.

Chromebook Care

Today in SUCCESS! Orientation, all of our students learned a little bit more about caring for their Chromebook.  Students viewed the video below:

Students were also led through a short presentation.  Take a look at what they talked about in their SUCCCESS! Orientation here:



After students watched the video and listened to the presentation, teachers emphasized the importance of charging the Chromebook EVERY NIGHT.  If students charge their Chromebook at night, it should hold a charge for the entire school day.

Students also learned about the importance of keeping their passwords private.  No students should share any personal passwords, or loan their Chromebook to any other student.

Talk with your student about the care of their Chromebook, and make sure to purchase the Chromebook insurance if you have not already done so by contacting our Chromebook Insurance partner Worth Avenue Group at the following link:  https://my.worthavegroup.com/mhhsca

SUCCESS!

Mountain House High School has incorporated SUCCESS! period this school year as a way to support students in their learning.  SUCCESS! is a 30 minute period of time at the beginning of our 1 hour lunch block.  At the beginning of the school year, all students at MHHS will attend SUCCESS! period for the first 5 weeks of school to receive a beginning of the school year orientation.  We encourage you to check back here on this newsletter to follow the topics that students will be learning during this first 5 weeks.

Our first SUCCESS! Period on Monday the 12th of August, students will be getting to know one another in their SUCCESS! period, and all students will take a beginning of the year survey.

After the first 5 weeks of school, student grades will be used make assignments to SUCCESS! period.  Any student who has a "D" or "F" grade will be assigned to meet with their teachers during this time to get help, and improve their grade.  If the student improves their grades to above a "D" by the end of the next 5 weeks, they will exit from the SUCCESS! period.

Any student who consistently keeps their grade at a "C" level or above will enjoy a 1 hour long lunch every day.

If you have any questions about our SUCCESS! period, or about the topics being discussed during our orientation, please contact us here in the office.

Math Foundation Courses

During this school year, many of our students will have the opportunity to engage in a math curriculum that represents a shift in instructional strategies from the previous year.  As was stated last school year, math courses on our campus will take on a more interactive format where students are engaging in direct instruction, project based learning opportunities, flipped learning activities, lectures, and checks for understanding on a regular basis.  Also, students and parents should notice a marked difference in the communication from the school, and the opportunities for students to get assistance when they struggle.  We look forward to working with all students to be successful in math, and all of their classes this year.

Welcome Back!

We are excited about welcoming students back and kicking off our second year at MHHS. We also want to keep you informed with a few important announcements.

First, while all students have received a copy of their course schedule, changes may have been made over the past several days that necessitate all students picking up a copy of their schedule tomorrow morning from the main office.  Office personnel could use a few good student or parent volunteers to help pass these out.  Please see Mrs. Glenna in the morning if you are willing to help.  

All students and parents who have submitted Schedule Change Requests over the past week, should note that counselors will continue to work on these requests over the next 10 days.  Due to a high volume of these requests, please wait for a counselor to verify the changes and continue going to your printed schedule until a counselor notifies you of a change.  Parents should also note that schedules are also subject to change due to class size balancing and changes in the master schedule.

Please note that the Bell Schedule for this school year has changed.  First period starts promptly at 8:00 A.M. and school ends at 3:30 P.M. each day.  Fridays are no longer early release days.  

Please check the Bell Schedule Document here 

for information about our 12 early release dates and times.  

All students who have a Flex period should report to the Multi-Use Room at the beginning of their Flex period to learn about the rules and expectations of the Flex Period.

We look forward to seeing students back at school tomorrow morning.  If you have questions, please call our main office at 209.836.7460