Blog Post #6: Reflection

I have learned  quite a bit from observing and speaking with my cooperating teacher. She is a wonderful teacher that loves her job and her students. Through observing her I have learned that I have a lot of the same feelings about teaching as she does. I love it, I love everything about it. I have had the opportunity to teach several times a day and even sub for part of a day. I have also learned how important it is to reach each student and differentiate. I learned it is easy to get to know each students needs, and have found myself incorporating my own observations about specific students needs into my lesson plans. I learned how truly excited I am to have my own class.

Blog Post #5: Teaching Strategies

1. Cubing
2. Graphic Organizers
3. Think Dots
4. Think-Tac Toe

Blog Post #4: Determining the Imporatnce of Curriculum

A.      How do you think you will do determining what is important in curriculum?

  

 I think this might be hard my first year as I myself will still be learning how to be a good teacher. I think it will be challenging but through every activity and lesson I do with the students  I  be closer to determining what is or isn’t important. I also think seeking the help of my team will clarify what is important.

What type of an active learner and decision-maker are you?

                I like learning and discussing in groups. I always gain a lot from others ideas and inputs. I can make decision easily but I like to hear others opinions.

Respond to the bulleted list (with explanations, beginning at the bottom of page 58 and ending in the top, right-hand column of p. 60) of evidence Carol shares to support the fact that trying to completely cover the core curriculum is not effective.  Were you aware of all of these reasons?  Are there any that you disagree with?  

I agree with Carol on the majority of the bulleted list, but always thought we were expected to teach every part of the curriculum. Reading this made it clear that there is no way a student can actively learn and retrieve all information that is to be covered in the curriculum. If you want learning to be meaningful you need pick what is important in helping the students and what they will be able to connect with. It is better to teach less so that the students can understand it well than teach too much and the students start tuning everything out or lose faith in themselves. Teaching students how to find information for them self is essential in helping them become successful adults.

B.      Within the description of Mr. Johnson's 5th grade study of buoyancy (beginning on p. 69 and ending on p. 87), please find at least 4 specific ideas or descriptions that verify to you that Mr. Johnson is a "fox-taming teacher."  Cite the page on which you find each idea, and share your personal reflection about each.

1.       “Mr. Johnson specifies in his curriculum plans exactly what his students must know, understadnd, and be able to do related to the topic.”(p. 69)

This proves that Mr. Johnson thinks ahead and does a lot of planning for his lessons. This is essential in being a “fox-taming teacher. You need to anticipate ahead of time what might happen and have clear expectations of what the students need to know so you can base your instruction off of it.

2.       “…He has a roadmap for continually assessing student progress as the unit moves along.” (p. 70)

This indicates that Mr. Johnson is constantly reflecting on his teaching methods and how they have or haven’t worked for his students so he can adjust if needed. This can make all the difference. If you aren’t getting through to a student you need to be able to recognize it and admit that you might not be teaching it right for them.

3.       “For advanced learners, he will plan appropriate challenges that extend essential understanding rather than using extraneous activities to fill time. For students who struggle, he will plan multiple ways to teach and revisit the essentials.” (p. 71)

Mr. Johnson doesn’t use a one-size fits all method. He understands that no two students are going to learn exactly the same way so he needs to do different things. If you do this no student should be left behind, they will all be successful in your classroom and hopefully in their future endeavors.

4.       “Mr. Johnson plays the role of consultant for a company seeking to engage services for boat design and asks a ride range of questions about his observations. In the end, he guides them to accurate statements about density, displacement, and buoyancy.”(p.74)

This shows the students that he is invested in them and is taking the time to help them.  This is essential in making the student feel comfortable in the classroom and in making them feel valued. This is something that needs to be established quickly to gain students trust.

Blog Post #3: Truths

1. "Schools are like airport hubs; student passagers arrive from many different backgrounds for widely divergent destinations. Their particular takeoffs into adulthood will demand different flight plans(LEVINE, 2002, P.336)." (p.1 FPDC)

Even though teaching and interacting with my students will be much more personal then an airport hub this quote reminds me of how  different each student is and will still be when they leave my classroom. It will be my job to help them successfully reach their final destination.

2. "Learning environment is the "weather" that affects virtually everything that transpires in the classroom." (p.5 FPDC)

I love this quote. A great environment truly is the key to a students learning. You have to set the right mood in your classroom so a storm doesn't take everything out or stunt the progress.

3. "It is likely that each child says to us in his or her own way, 'I can't do that until you have tamed me. I can't give myself to this place, to this work, to you until I know you believe in me.' In 30 different ways, students in a class of 30 say to the teacher, like the fox, 'Tame me, please.' They want to feel a personal connection to those who share the classroom with them." (p. 9 FPDC)

This quote pulled at my heart. It made me realize how scared students are going to a new class with a new teacher. It even made me reflect on my personal experiences in classrooms when I wasn't being affirmed and so desperately needed it. It reinforces the importance of morning meetings and making sure every child feels like they contribute to the class in a positive way.

4. "Challenge in the classroom gives roots and wings to young dreams." (p. 19 FPDC)

I absolutely love this statement and believe in it. Without challenge students would not be able to see what they are capable of and would not grow. I want to challenge my students and let them know I am challenging them because I believe in their dreams.

5. "When a student is 'missing the mark,' the persistent teacher does not assume the student cannot learn, but rather assumes the student is not learning in the way he is currently being taught. The persistent teacher will find another way. In the eyes of that teacher, when a student fails, the teacher fails." (p.32 FPDC)

This reminds me of how I should continually reflect on my teaching methods. When my students succeed I feel as happy for them as they are and if they fail I feel the frustration.

Blog Post #2: Six Statements About Differentiation

1. Rather a parent, day care provider, or a teacher you know that not every child is the same. You need to change your approach to teaching with every child in your classroom because they all have different experiences, backgrounds, and learn differently.

2. If you spend the time to get to know each student through pre-assessment, continually assessing their knowledge and understanding, getting to know their interests, and background you will be able to teach to each child's needs while teaching the curriculum.

3. Differentiated teaching is responsive teaching that requires the teacher to know who they are teaching, where they are teaching, what they are teaching, and how they are teaching. None of these are more important then the others.

4. Differentiation includes making the child feel safe at school, in your classroom learning environment, and part of a community by getting to know the students and having the students help other students through the learning process.

5. Students need to be responsible for there own learning and compete against themselves instead of others. Students should learn that everyone has different needs and it is not fair to compare themselves to others. They should try to improve their own learning and knowledge by trying things that are just a little too hard for them.

6. The teacher must know what they want each student to learn before they plan each unit. The teacher needs to take into consideration the curriculum, and a few concepts they want the student to know and remember before they can differentiate the lessons to students needs. Differentiation does not necessarily mean you have to plan a million activities you have to make sure the student understands and is engaged in each activity.

Blog Post #1: Morning Meetings Reflection

I love the idea of holding morning meetings. Growing up I was an extremely shy child. I didn't like to answer or ask questions because I was always afraid of what others might think and wasn't entirely comfortable in the classroom environment. I believe holding daily morning meetings would benefit shy or withdrawn children the most. If a child can laugh and have fun with their teacher and classmates it makes them feel more like a family or community that they are comfortable participating in. I believe morning meetings could help students with special needs as well. It is a great routine for children and can help the students build friendships. As a teacher I believe the daily routine of a morning meeting will make your students feel safe in your classroom. It helps you to get to know the students better and helps with management issues. It is also a great teaching tool. You can incorporate almost any subject into your morning meeting message or games. Anytime you can make learning fun, the students will understand and remember the concepts better. I believe morning meetings is the base of differentiation and is a great tool for understanding students needs.