Terry Judson One Project Focus on 4 Students StandardsResources

Terry Judson: 9th & 10th Grade
Global Studies,
Queens, NY

Unit: Religion

Project: Powerpoint Presentations

Project Outline

Project Description

Teacher Reflections

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Mr. Judson gives an overview of the project:

"The website, I hope, shows some of the opportunities and challenges that we have here at the International High School.   Students in my classroom come from many different countries, with various amounts of time in the United States, and varying levels of native language proficiency, literacy and English language literacy and proficiency . . . " (more: watch video clip)

Mr. Judson reflects on the Powerpoint project:

"Overall, I'm pleased.   When comparing it to last powerpoint, I think there's a little less enthusiasm because it's the second time this year, and for many students, the Ancient Civilizations powerpoint was the first time, so there was a little bit more enthusiasm..." (more: watch video clip)

 

The challenges of having to teach so much content:

"One aspect of the project was incorporating student choice, in terms of what religion they wanted to focus on. All teachers, particularly social studies teachers, will understand that." (more: watch video clip)
 

The benefits of doing projects in a diverse classroom setting:

"It is nice, taking advantage of the diversity in the class. Our two Islamic students are really valuable resources--I think they're constantly being asked for information.   I think that many of them like sharing their religion, the main points about it, and helping students with it."  

 

Being available for weaker students and expectations for students when using their native language in the classroom:

I try to respect their native languages, and if they can't speak it in English, then speak it loud and clear, and explain to us." (more: watch video clip)

 

Following up with individual students when they have minor factual misunderstandings of the material:

"During student presentations, I need to decide how much I want to interrupt the students and how much I want to let them continue . . . If it's significant, I stop the presentation and address it." (more: watch video clip)

 
   

Broader Understanding, Real Life Learning

"It is working toward those larger, more essential questions. How have belief systems affected the world? How have they spread? I think all teachers face that need to address what's most important, what's essential. . . we want the students to grow as people . . ." (more: watch video clip)

 
   

Individual Students' Progress:

"Because this was on a topic that he was interested in, and because student choice was incorporated into the project, he worked at a higher level than he usually does." (more: watch video clip)

 

Advice to teachers:

"For teaching ESL students, hard is good. Better too hard than too easy." (more: watch video clip)

 
   

How International High School prepares students for college:

"Our college acceptance rate is in the mid-80 to low-90%. Part of that is that they're recent immigrants, and they have a lot of hope. This hope motivates them. And they have a lot of support from their families." (more: watch video clip)