Mr. Topel Portfolio
Graduate Work Showcase
Welcome to my Master of Arts in Education (MAED) showcase. In this showcase you will find descriptions of my work during the time I spent in the MAED program at Michigan State University. My work samples can be grouped into three categories. 1) Lessons and Units which I designed to help teach students in math, science, or other subject areas. 2) Technology Integration and the use of digital tools which enhance existing lessons across several fields, and 3) Coaching resources and plans which help me to use sports as a way to continue teaching life lessons to students outside the classroom. Please click on the image which accompanies each description to view the full project.
Units and Lessons
Dissection Presentation via Prezi
At the end of our 8th grade unit on human biology our class completes three specimen dissections (gummy bears, owl pellets, and bullfrogs). However, the amount of vocabulary needed to follow a traditional dissection guide can be overwhelming, so I made this short presentation to help us prepare. The information is enhanced by the use of "prezi" a free online tool that allowed me to lay the information out as a concept map so that students can see all of the terms important terms, and recognize how they relate to each other. |
Click HERE to view the full presentation on prezi.com
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Inquiry Lesson on Reflexes
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) mark a new direction in science education. These standards emphasize student questions and curiosity over rote memorization. While I seek to spark curiosity in every lesson, some of my plans have been completely overhauled to build a unit of study around a central question. In this unit, students are asked "Can my reflexes get faster?" In the process of answering this question, students must learn how nerve signals are passed through the body, predict how, or even if this process can be sped up, and develop novel ways to precisely measure the time it takes them to react to an event. |
Student Motivation Plan
When it comes to teaching, I believe that planning good lessons is only half of the battle. Teachers must also determine how we can most effectively help our students to succeed. In this paper I outline my plans to work with "Keegan", a former student who struggled to stay motivated while completing his work, and was often so afraid to fail that he wouldn't really try to succeed. As this was a formal paper for one of my master's classes it provides much more written detail than I would normally record, but this paper does a good job of outlining the thought process that occurs every time I see a struggling student, and need to make adjustments to help them make the most of their education. |
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Technology Integration
Click HERE to go to the 7th grade math lessons. Class code: TSRXUYA (You will need to create a free account if you do not already have one).
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Educreations Digital Math Lessons
7th and 8th grade math classes are often difficult. This is especially true for parents who may no longer be able to easily explain math concepts to their students. Fortunately I was able to apply some of the technology skills I learned at Michigan State and develop videos which teach my Algebra and Pre-Algebra classes in a "flipped classroom" approach. In the "flipped classroom" students view these video lessons and complete a short exit ticket at home the night before, and can then work on developing these new skills by practicing on the assignment during class the next day. Students can also use the videos to replay difficult problems without fear of embarrassment, or to brush up on challenging lessons before a test. Since implementing this approach I have had far fewer stressed out parents, and, more importantly, greater understanding and comprehension from my math students. |
Minecraft Math Lesson
The world of Minecraft offers students the ability to build almost anything in a nearly limitless digital world. While this open ended "sandbox" style game can be both entertaining and educational without any teacher intervention, I took the tools of Minecraft and used them to introduce 6th grade students to the idea of exponential growth. |
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Click HERE to view the actual Google Form discussed in the video
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Google Forms for Formative Assessment
Not every use of technology is glamorous or game changing. In this showcase work I am substituting a Google Forms survey for a pencil and paper survey that I would have delivered to my students in the past. While the technology changes little about the student experience it allows me to tally and view responses more easily, and therefore to make changes to our learning approach if needed. |
Coaching
Using Basketball to Develop Character in Middle School Boys
Coaches have a unique opportunity to interact with and influence the young people on their teams. Unfortunately, too many coaches miss out on this chance because of an overemphasis on winning or a lack of knowledge about how to make the most positive impact on their players. I wrote this paper to outline a character building program for junior high boys on the seventh and eighth grade basketball team at my school. The program uses 10 to 15 minute lessons of various formats to teach specific skills and train athletes to exhibit positive behaviors such as hard work, respect, and gratitude. Participants in the program also use a written reflection journal to expand on the in-practice lessons and complete activities to make each lesson more applicable to their lives on and off the court. |
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Inside Out Coaching Book Review
While studying coaching at Michigan State, I read and reflected on the book Inside Out Coaching. This book, written by former NFL player and long time high school coach Joe Ehrmann, aims "To take back the spiritual and transformative side of the games our children play” and use sports to impact players for good. This book changed the way I look at coaching and inspired much of the work I completed in the character building program showcased above. |
More Showcase Work...
Photo used under Creative Commons from Toolstotal