Katrina Lifer's Blog

Using a lesson plan generator found on magicschool.ai I created a lesson that would be used for teaching a second grade classroom about addition with regrouping. Students would have the prior background knowledge of adding two digit numbers without regrouping. The lesson can be found at:  https://app.magicschool.ai/tools/lesson-plan-generator?share=44bc0b90-5b9d-4821-bed2-c649b1dd119c The lesson created with Magic Schools lesson plan generator did align with the standard I was hoping for, however the lesson itself lacks direction and opportunities for practice. The assessment listed is aligned with the standard, but again lacks content. There should be much more direction in the lesson and many more examples given. Teachers will also need to explain and demonstrate the why. This lesson plan tool is a great example of where to start. There is very little guided practice for students listed. (Frey & Fisher, 2013) Teachers should add in more examples as well as give the students ...

  What is the nature of Authentic Intellectual Work?  How does it differ from traditional approaches to instruction and assessment?  Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW), is more important today than it has been in years past. Our students do not work on the same wavelengths as students in the past and times have changed that. Traditional approaches of instruction and assessment are more of a teacher centered learning environment. It focuses on memorizing content, drilling of information for the surface level answers, and lacking differentiation in a true sense. When applying a more AIW approach the learning environment becomes more student centered. Application of knowledge goes much deeper, focusing on the production of finding the answers and not just on knowing the answers. This approach brings about a more practical approach to knowledge and real life situations.  Discuss the components of Authentic Intellectual Work and provide deep consideration of at least one c...

My name is Katrina Lifer. I have been a 2nd grade teacher and Instructional Technology Coach in small town Altus, OK for the past 4 years. Prior to 2nd grade, I taught 1st for 3 years and 5th for 1 year. I started my teaching career in 2009 as a teacher's aide and quickly realized how much I wanted to have my own classroom. For the 2025-26 school year I am switching jobs and will be serving as a PK-4th grade STEAM teacher. I am looking forward to the change and can't wait to start in August. I am pursuing my degree in Ed ucational Technology to help with this new career path. With the knowledge gained from this degree program I will be assisting in the development of a curriculum that can be used in our program for years to come. My goal would be to eventually be a full time Instructional Technology coach for my district and help other teachers with integration of technology and STEAM concepts into their daily lessons.  I have been married to my husband for almost 22 years. We ...