Kris Newton (Graves)

Key Quotes

"People are very willing to share their stuff"

"I've gotten more stuff from that kind of thing [online resources] than I have locally"

"The benefit of being on the same page [on same timeline, using same rubric] is that you can collaborate in ways that you couldn't collaborate otherwise"

"I feel like my creativity piece of it is satisfied by bringing my ideas to the group and having the group decide on some creative thing we're going to do"

Raw NotesKey Themes

25 years teaching Physics

Studied Mechanical Engineering at MIT

Teaches 3 classes: two 9th grade physics, one AP I physics

CRAL designed physics program independently:

  • collaboration of ~8 teachers: based upon Active Physics Models (project-based learning)
  • each of 4 units have CEPA (Curriculum Embedded Performance Assessment)
  • after every unit teachers participate in a 1 day debrief to tweak/adjust CEPA
  • design process: UBD (Understanding by Design)
  • CEPAs are consistent from teacher to teacher; rubrics can vary
    • Prefers to follow the curriculum closely - allows to share resources with other teacher, can swap classes, shared workload
  • teachers benefit by sharing timeline - easier collaboration
  • finds creative satisfaction by bringing thoughts to group & having influence

Involvement outside of CRAL - very involved, part of committees and projects, has contacts, but no ongoing collaborations with teachers

  • one teacher from CRAL now teaches in Arlington and now uses CRAL curriculum

Physics is an open community - people are happy to share their stuff (collaboration is mostly online)

Site: PrettyGoodPhysics – wiki/forum

Used to coach teaching physics; doing so at a distance would be difficult. A schedule would definitely need to be in place

Challenge: New Standards

  • 8 Science Practices - modes of engagement; can be somewhat abstract and difficult to implement
  • would be very daunting to implement without supportive environment, other teachers

 

Collaboration between teachers has created a strong curriculum

Curriculums are constantly being revised and tweaked depending upon

Utilizes online resources more than outside contacts

Without strong/supportive/collaborative teacher unit at CRAL, imposed standards would be difficult to implement

Virtually coaching teachers would be difficult. A schedule would definitely need to be put in place

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