This is the Life We Have Chosen

          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.