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The Student Needs Assessment was given on December 10 and 11. Two hundred and fifty-five students took the survey. Here is the summary of results. We have not discussed the results.

I have found many videos that are great commercials for 21st Century Learning. This one, like others shows a need for educational change. At Trotwood-Madison Middle School we are in improvement year five and seem to be holding on to the same old teaching styles. We are constantly try to change delivery of the same message with very little improvement taking place. In the Key Largo video it was refreshing to here a Principal say that learning was much than test score accountability. I feel that's about all that our teachers think about. There seems to be very little room for a risk taker. media type="youtube" key="_A-ZVCjfWf8" height="344" width="425"
 * Video of the week**

A majority of students in our student needs assessment said they would rather show what they know by doing project type work. I have seen there excitement when working in groups with a common project goal. We are too worried about short cycle and quarterly assessments to do a project most teachers will say. In the video it was stated that we have to give up the idea of curriculum that means being somewhere on a pacing schedule and instead learn things as needed. That's the most important part of project based learning, you learn what you need to know when you need it.

This will be my last week with Nate and Sherry. I will be rotating to Nioki's math class and Dawan's science class in the New Year. Language Arts and Social Studies have always been my weakest areas. I probably learned as much as the students in the last six weeks. I taught science for 23 years and I'm looking forward to getting started with math and science.

MJ Wolfe writes: I'm pleased to read that you are not letting others ineffective strategies move you away from the true reason you are in the classroom. Too many teachers allow others to set priorities in their classroom. You know the real reason children in the classroom is to learn. If they do that, learning happens and good test scores will follow. If they are just prepared for exams, noting worthwhile happens for the students. I've been learning about alternative assessment strategies during the last few years. Using those more authentic assessments helps my students see a picture of thier own learning, gives them confidence, and enhances their overall learning experiences. As a side effect of all this, their standardized test scores are improving, too. Good luck in Nioki and Dawana's class. Your presence there will energize them and enhance their participation in this course. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.