How things are changing! Now I am going to start off with what a very scary topic we talked about today was. Fighting and sexual relations. I will handle sexual relations as it comes my way, but the fighting is what I am most afraid about. Me being a 90 lb. 5'2 girl, I would easily be taken down by students that are bigger than me. I could not physically restrain a student having a meltdown if they are bigger than me, even with training. I know I will have to be quick on me feet and always have a plan for anything that goes wrong.
One thing I feel really fulfilled with in this class is the knowledge we are receiving. We are currently learning about the six steps of a learning plan (Learning Target, Setting the focus and connecting to prior learning, Teacher Input, Guided Practice, Independent Practice, and Closure and Looking forward) but we did not stop with what the six steps were, we went further in our learning. Before the learning target we must see where the students are as a whole. By giving them a pre-assessment test we are able to see what they struggle with and what they understand. From the last thing they understand we can make a lesson connecting their previous learning to what they will be learning. When we do decide the learning target we must keep their capabilities in mind, knowing what we should and should not expect of them. When the teaching starts, we must build up, or scaffold, on what they already know.This will help the information become more internalized. Any type of formative assessment should be done after this step. If they do not understand, see where you can backtrace and reteach what they do not understand. If they do understand, move on to the next step. When the guided practice is done, we as a teacher should be their coach, there to help them along the way of the process. When time comes for their own individual work, we will become what a coach does during a game. There for help and advice, but not telling them every step of the way. After all of this, have a formative assessment to see where the students are with this new information. If they understand move on, if they do not readjust your lessons to help them better understand. All during these steps it is important to check for the student's understanding.
Wow that was a lot for a simple lesson plan, right? Well, there are no simple lesson plans. Each thing done as a teacher needs to be meaningful and helpful to the students. Do not waste their time, they deserve to have a great education.
Diversity is huge in knowing what this really means today. It is not about race, even though this is a factor. It is economic statuses, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, culture, religion, home life, and so much more, We need to be able to understand where each student is coming from and accommodate to their needs.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
How Has Time Passed so Quickly?
We are so close to being done with the fall semester, it's quite sad. I have thoroughly enjoyed being in class.
I can not stress this enough. Being prepared is so important. There is no such thing as being over-prepared. I feel like I constantly repeat myself saying this, but there is so much being-the-scenes work that goes into teacher it would have never occurred to me before this class why we as teachers are doing what we do/will do.
Let my further explain what is behind the scenes. I will be talking about North Carolina, because I haven't needed to research other states at the moment. There are the state's requirements of what is to be taught to the students by a certain date. Of course as teachers we must teach everything, but in what order? There is a purpose to every lesson taught. There first must be an assessment to understand where the class as a whole is in their understanding of the content. From knowing what they know is where the lesson plan starts taking place. The greatest thing is to connect their knowledge. For example, in math students need to know how to add before they can multiply. Multiplication has addition in solving the problem. When they have a greater understanding of adding, then moving onto multiplying is easier for them to connect with what they know. Of course as a teacher I must make sure each individual understands what they are being taught. I can review any worksheets handed out to them to see how well they are doing, or what isn't clicking with them. I can make sure they are able to explain to me effectively the content. Once they are all comfortable with the lesson and what they are doing, I will move on to the next step in the lessons.
Time management is life for any teacher. There are always deadlines we must meet.
I will admit, I have gone into my theater club not having a clear plan in mind. And when that happens, the students can tell instantly. They will act out just because they know there's no reason to be on task. And that is a huge mistake on my part. Mostly because my time management skills are all over the place, but slowly improving. Now I have a clear vision for them. We started off with silly little games to teach them teamwork and how to express different characters, things, or emotions they were giving. Want to know what I found out about myself? I was unconsciously evaluating their skills for drama. I didn't realize this until this afternoon. I was asked to help write my students into a play they will be participating in for Christmas. I knew exactly how many lines each should have, the abilities they would be able to do to enhance the play, the characters they would do well with, how well they took direction, and if they were able to memorize. I can't believe I knew all that! I haven't even held auditions yet, which will be this coming Monday. I have the ability in me to do so many great things in the classroom, but I was never letting myself come near my potential. I'm going to work on that part.
As I have a clear direction now in my class to what the students are working towards now and for spring, I have such a better understanding what needs to be done from me to get my students ready. I'm so excited.
I can not stress this enough. Being prepared is so important. There is no such thing as being over-prepared. I feel like I constantly repeat myself saying this, but there is so much being-the-scenes work that goes into teacher it would have never occurred to me before this class why we as teachers are doing what we do/will do.
Let my further explain what is behind the scenes. I will be talking about North Carolina, because I haven't needed to research other states at the moment. There are the state's requirements of what is to be taught to the students by a certain date. Of course as teachers we must teach everything, but in what order? There is a purpose to every lesson taught. There first must be an assessment to understand where the class as a whole is in their understanding of the content. From knowing what they know is where the lesson plan starts taking place. The greatest thing is to connect their knowledge. For example, in math students need to know how to add before they can multiply. Multiplication has addition in solving the problem. When they have a greater understanding of adding, then moving onto multiplying is easier for them to connect with what they know. Of course as a teacher I must make sure each individual understands what they are being taught. I can review any worksheets handed out to them to see how well they are doing, or what isn't clicking with them. I can make sure they are able to explain to me effectively the content. Once they are all comfortable with the lesson and what they are doing, I will move on to the next step in the lessons.
Time management is life for any teacher. There are always deadlines we must meet.
I will admit, I have gone into my theater club not having a clear plan in mind. And when that happens, the students can tell instantly. They will act out just because they know there's no reason to be on task. And that is a huge mistake on my part. Mostly because my time management skills are all over the place, but slowly improving. Now I have a clear vision for them. We started off with silly little games to teach them teamwork and how to express different characters, things, or emotions they were giving. Want to know what I found out about myself? I was unconsciously evaluating their skills for drama. I didn't realize this until this afternoon. I was asked to help write my students into a play they will be participating in for Christmas. I knew exactly how many lines each should have, the abilities they would be able to do to enhance the play, the characters they would do well with, how well they took direction, and if they were able to memorize. I can't believe I knew all that! I haven't even held auditions yet, which will be this coming Monday. I have the ability in me to do so many great things in the classroom, but I was never letting myself come near my potential. I'm going to work on that part.
As I have a clear direction now in my class to what the students are working towards now and for spring, I have such a better understanding what needs to be done from me to get my students ready. I'm so excited.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Our High School Observation
I want to start off this blog with what is going on with me personally lately. My health is no where near par. My energy is gone. I have been struggling through the day just so I can make it back to my bed. This has been going on for weeks, I've just tried to hide it. My throat had started to swell to the point I was unable to eat. I went to the doctor and they had thought it was mono or something worse, being the underlying reason I am so drained of energy. My impending fear of needles has stopped me from finding this out. I went to the doctor to get blood work done, and ended up leaving from a breakdown at the sight of the needle. Nothing got done that day. I will try again, but my body is drained completely.
On a better note, we went to high school this week. I'm just going to say I am a confirmed elementary education major. The classroom we observed was very bland. The teacher was mean and snappy to her students, and some gave her attitude back. She would yell out that if they did not understand what she was showing them, they would have to write out each problem 25 times. The books they had used were not put in order, and she told them they must not know how to count. It was a very cruel environment. The kids were afraid of her. Not only that, but it seemed as if their self confidence was being pushed down. It is not an emotionally safe environment for anyone. One major reason I'm going to teach is because I want to show my students love and help them develop as a person, which is raising their self confidence. We may not remember everything a student may say, but they will definitely remember what the teacher says. We have to always watch what we do around them. I was also yawning a lot just sitting there. I don't like constant seat work. When I become a teacher I'm going to have activities so my students can walk around and get the blood flowing through their bodies. I want to make sure they're interested in what they're learning. To do this I want to make sure I am for the most part where the students can see me. When I talk I'm going to talk like I care.
How the teacher taught was from the back of the class. She was not turned towards the class, but to the side. She sat there and wrote on a piece of paper that was projected at the front. She said what she was doing, but was not making sure the students were paying attention. I don't believe it was effective at all. I will make sure I can see the class at all times. When I teach I don't think sitting down will be effective when I want to keep the student's attention. Also, going slow is really beneficial. I can see where students are following or not just by looking at their faces. I can constantly stop and ask question to see where the students are while I teach. I want to be more involved in my teacher than this teacher was.
On a better note, we went to high school this week. I'm just going to say I am a confirmed elementary education major. The classroom we observed was very bland. The teacher was mean and snappy to her students, and some gave her attitude back. She would yell out that if they did not understand what she was showing them, they would have to write out each problem 25 times. The books they had used were not put in order, and she told them they must not know how to count. It was a very cruel environment. The kids were afraid of her. Not only that, but it seemed as if their self confidence was being pushed down. It is not an emotionally safe environment for anyone. One major reason I'm going to teach is because I want to show my students love and help them develop as a person, which is raising their self confidence. We may not remember everything a student may say, but they will definitely remember what the teacher says. We have to always watch what we do around them. I was also yawning a lot just sitting there. I don't like constant seat work. When I become a teacher I'm going to have activities so my students can walk around and get the blood flowing through their bodies. I want to make sure they're interested in what they're learning. To do this I want to make sure I am for the most part where the students can see me. When I talk I'm going to talk like I care.
How the teacher taught was from the back of the class. She was not turned towards the class, but to the side. She sat there and wrote on a piece of paper that was projected at the front. She said what she was doing, but was not making sure the students were paying attention. I don't believe it was effective at all. I will make sure I can see the class at all times. When I teach I don't think sitting down will be effective when I want to keep the student's attention. Also, going slow is really beneficial. I can see where students are following or not just by looking at their faces. I can constantly stop and ask question to see where the students are while I teach. I want to be more involved in my teacher than this teacher was.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The Middle School Visit
This Monday was our visit to the Middle school. We do this for one to see if we want go change our field of study, but also to see either where our students will be going to or coming from. Middle school is a world difference from elementary. I love most how elementary schools are personalized in the hallways with their students artwork. Elementary schools are just more open and inviting for the first years of children being gone from their parents for so long.
Now the class I was put into in our middle school visit was known as the worst class. They all had very surreal and tragic personal struggles at a very young age, and because of this acted out in class. I could honestly say they would not respect anyone with kindness, they would run all over them. Accidentally, I was sarcastic with them and the teacher in class, and because of that I got along great with the teacher and the students listened to anything I had to say. It was such a different approach than what I am used to as I am being trained to be an elementary school teacher. I love kindness in the classroom and showing love and nurture, but that is not always what is needed, As people grow older, they need more sternness than when they were younger. It is a harsh truth, but I still feel as if we can show more love than punishment in the middle schools. It is a job I am not meant for.
Every age responds differently. It is such an odd reality that I had never thought would or should change.
Now the class I was put into in our middle school visit was known as the worst class. They all had very surreal and tragic personal struggles at a very young age, and because of this acted out in class. I could honestly say they would not respect anyone with kindness, they would run all over them. Accidentally, I was sarcastic with them and the teacher in class, and because of that I got along great with the teacher and the students listened to anything I had to say. It was such a different approach than what I am used to as I am being trained to be an elementary school teacher. I love kindness in the classroom and showing love and nurture, but that is not always what is needed, As people grow older, they need more sternness than when they were younger. It is a harsh truth, but I still feel as if we can show more love than punishment in the middle schools. It is a job I am not meant for.
Every age responds differently. It is such an odd reality that I had never thought would or should change.
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