Well, it was a little disappointing that there was no snow delay on Friday, but at the same time I did appreciate the experience of a full day at school. My co-op does not have a class 1st period (that is her planning period), so when I got there (around 7:15), we left her room to do hall duty at 7:20. 1st period starts at 7:30; there is no homeroom. So, I went over to the other FCS room to observe a foods class; one student did a presentation on Sodium, and then the class watched and discussed a clip taped off of NBC on food portion sizes in America. For 2nd period, my co-op, Sherry, came over to the foods classroom to teach her family relationships class; there were supposed to be 3 presentations completed during this class, but all 3 presenters were absent. So, Sherry showed a movie on cultural communication and then the class discussed it. We went back over to Sherry's room for her 3rd-5th period child development classes. Tuesday-Thursday, there is a preschool lab school from 11:00-2:15; on Mondays, Sherry teaches child development content, and on Fridays the child development classes discuss things that the preschoolers did during the week and how to help them continue to improve developmentally. So on Friday, periods 3-5 were almost entirely discussion. There are only 5 class periods during the school day; so at 2:30, when students were dismissed, Sherry gave me a tour of the building.
The "exciting" part of the day was when a few students started a fight outside of Sherry's classroom between 3rd and 4th periods. Sherry's room is right by the cafeteria, so on their way from lunch to class, a student threw a water bottle at someone else and people started pushing others into the wall and nearby lockers. Two of the students involved were actually in Sherry's 4th period child development class, so before class started, she had to escort them down to the principal's office. Breaking up fights is probably one of the things about teaching that I dread the most. I appreciated that it was not my responsibility to intervene on Friday. Although, the way Sherry handled the situation, made it look very easy. She asked both of her students to step into the hallway with her, where she quickly got their sides of the story, and then took them down to the principal's office because more than just her students were involved. I hope that should I ever be in Sherry's position, I would be able to handle it as quickly, efficiently, and fairly as Sherry did.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monday, January 26, 2009
Reaction to Wong
Two Wongs don't make a right!! Haha. I love this guy so far, and I can't wait to hear more about his thoughts on classroom management. I think his ideas are going to be very beneficial for all of us during our student teaching experience.
Since we have been visiting for the last few weeks I have been fortunate to discover which students could potentially be problem students for me! The reason I say I'm fortunate is because I have to chance to see what causes them to act out, who causes them to act out, and how my co-op handles the student. Although having a classroom of our own won't be so accommodating to our needs as a new teacher it is still going to ease us into the process of classroom management. We won't be going into battle unprepared!
The section I was assigned to read talked about the importance of using research-based practices in our teaching. It is believe to be an effective teacher on must believe it is the teacher who makes the difference in the classroom. Without good teachers we cannot expect good students.
My section also addressed why positive expectations are so important. This goes along with what Wong was talking about in the video on Wednesday night. An expectation is what you believe will or will not happen. This is such a powerful word. If you are a positive teacher who expects a great level of achievement out of your students, the odds are greater that what you want will happen. It is important to stay optimistic and have a positive ATTITUDE, the students WILL pick up on these things. That's all!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Reaction to Wong
I think it was Jenn who was saying that had he not been an entertaining, humorous man, he would not have had much credibility. But, since he did, he was much more believable and easy to pay attention to. I think that in order to be a great teacher, individuals ought to possess a sense of humor, just as he did. Also, if you're not going to make jokes and laugh about certain situations, you will never get out alive...and I think the students will realize this.
After reading my section of his book, I realized even more so that this profession is about who you know and what resources you have. If you do not make friends with your colleagues, it is going to be a very bumpy ride. I think after years of hearing to not sit in the teacher's lounge because all they do is break down students, I realized that I should not dismiss this idea so quickly. The other teachers in there may not be dissing students...and if not, it's a great way to build camaraderie with them. Also, about resources--as students we have basically been told to never be resourceful...teachers want everything to be your own ideas, etc....which I understand. However, now, we have to realize that is absolutely OK to be resourceful. In fact, we NEED to use our resources.
K, that's all :) See you guys Thurs.
After reading my section of his book, I realized even more so that this profession is about who you know and what resources you have. If you do not make friends with your colleagues, it is going to be a very bumpy ride. I think after years of hearing to not sit in the teacher's lounge because all they do is break down students, I realized that I should not dismiss this idea so quickly. The other teachers in there may not be dissing students...and if not, it's a great way to build camaraderie with them. Also, about resources--as students we have basically been told to never be resourceful...teachers want everything to be your own ideas, etc....which I understand. However, now, we have to realize that is absolutely OK to be resourceful. In fact, we NEED to use our resources.
K, that's all :) See you guys Thurs.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Reaction to Blogs!
Amanda, I couldn’t agree with you more that we as teachers need to put ourselves in our student’s shoes. I think it is important to remember what it once felt like as a middle school/high school student ourselves in order to be more effective. Let’s face it; students have so much more going on in their lives then attending our family and consumer science class. But it is our job to use class time as effectively as possible.
Kim, I enjoyed reading both your articles. I’ll make sure I’m not one of those teachers who don’t know how to use PowerPoint! Technology is ever changing and it is our job as teachers to stay current, by doing so, our students will not only take us more seriously they will use us as a resource. I also found our second article helpful in that students want more freedom in the classroom to expand their learning. This also gives students the opportunity to tap into their own creativity.
Beki, I also enjoy when professors give me a choice. I have a paper due next week and we were given two options. I don’t know why but I feel so much better when there are two choices to pick from. I think as a society feel we have the right to choose and we don’t feel restricted. From a student’s perspective, they will have more excitement towards learning if they aren’t always being TOLD what to do.
Kim, I enjoyed reading both your articles. I’ll make sure I’m not one of those teachers who don’t know how to use PowerPoint! Technology is ever changing and it is our job as teachers to stay current, by doing so, our students will not only take us more seriously they will use us as a resource. I also found our second article helpful in that students want more freedom in the classroom to expand their learning. This also gives students the opportunity to tap into their own creativity.
Beki, I also enjoy when professors give me a choice. I have a paper due next week and we were given two options. I don’t know why but I feel so much better when there are two choices to pick from. I think as a society feel we have the right to choose and we don’t feel restricted. From a student’s perspective, they will have more excitement towards learning if they aren’t always being TOLD what to do.
Giving Students Ownership
1. Educational Leadership. Today's students have an exciting outlet for creativity and collaboration at their fingertips. As a result, students have shorter attention spans and it makes the job of the teacher that much more difficult to keep students engaged. So what do we do about this? The author of Educational Leadership suggests ways to instill ownership of learning. Some possible ways include, providing relevant curriculum material, using technology appropriately, offering choice learning projects, making learning active, and allowing students to move at their own pace. Teachers are also urged to instill student accountability. Some possible ways include teaching study skills for independent learning and learning new professional skills.
2. What students want from teachers. Students were asked for a time they felt in charge of their learning at school, when they were working not just for a grade but because they were excited and interested to learn. Some of their responses included: feeling they are taken seriously, being challenged to think, respected, given responsibility, and feeling they are important.
So many students feel high school is just a stepping stone to something bigger. Every student is in charge of his or her learning. How hard we work in school and take charge of our own learning experience depends on our goals in life. It is important for students to set goals for themselves and to work to achieve those goals but it is more important for a teacher to make students feel the most comfortable and feel they have the ability to succeed at whatever they may encounter.
2. What students want from teachers. Students were asked for a time they felt in charge of their learning at school, when they were working not just for a grade but because they were excited and interested to learn. Some of their responses included: feeling they are taken seriously, being challenged to think, respected, given responsibility, and feeling they are important.
So many students feel high school is just a stepping stone to something bigger. Every student is in charge of his or her learning. How hard we work in school and take charge of our own learning experience depends on our goals in life. It is important for students to set goals for themselves and to work to achieve those goals but it is more important for a teacher to make students feel the most comfortable and feel they have the ability to succeed at whatever they may encounter.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Giving Students Ownership
1: Consider School from a Students' Perspective
As teachers we need to put ourselves on the opposite side of the teachers desk to make sure that we are being effective. It is important that me make sure we grasp our students attention, and that we are able to maintain it throughout our lesson. If we believe most students will better comprehend the information by doing hands on activities or group work, then it is our job to facilitate learning in such a way.
2: Choose activities that prepare students to learn
It is important that you use yourself as a tool and resource in the classroom. Showing confidence, leadership, and assurance in the material is key to successful teaching. Pair share, group work, and classroom activities will facilitate deep processing of information. If these things are done, the learners will obtain the best results and be the most successful in your classroom.
As teachers we need to put ourselves on the opposite side of the teachers desk to make sure that we are being effective. It is important that me make sure we grasp our students attention, and that we are able to maintain it throughout our lesson. If we believe most students will better comprehend the information by doing hands on activities or group work, then it is our job to facilitate learning in such a way.
2: Choose activities that prepare students to learn
It is important that you use yourself as a tool and resource in the classroom. Showing confidence, leadership, and assurance in the material is key to successful teaching. Pair share, group work, and classroom activities will facilitate deep processing of information. If these things are done, the learners will obtain the best results and be the most successful in your classroom.
Giving Students Ownership
There were 2 short articles that I found interesting.
1. Modern Students-According to the article, students aren't learning because they're not prepared to learn and because teaching methods are not up-to-date. Students are not always held accountable for their learning; teachers should give students more choices, hold them more accountable, and update their teaching methods to use technology appropriately. Another way to give students more responsibility and accountability is to put them into smaller learning communities.
2. What Students want from Teachers-Students want more freedom in the classroom to expand their learning. These freedoms can include more open discussion and debates on a variety of topics and more room for creative expression on projects. A good way to do this is by giving students choices, with some limits, so that they can feel more in control of their learning.
1. Modern Students-According to the article, students aren't learning because they're not prepared to learn and because teaching methods are not up-to-date. Students are not always held accountable for their learning; teachers should give students more choices, hold them more accountable, and update their teaching methods to use technology appropriately. Another way to give students more responsibility and accountability is to put them into smaller learning communities.
2. What Students want from Teachers-Students want more freedom in the classroom to expand their learning. These freedoms can include more open discussion and debates on a variety of topics and more room for creative expression on projects. A good way to do this is by giving students choices, with some limits, so that they can feel more in control of their learning.
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