Now that I have finished this course, I am really excited about becoming a teacher. It is really exciting for me to think of having my own class, working with children, being able to teach, and getting paid to do all these great things! I am definitely going to stick with this career path.
I feel like the service learning assignment has helped me come to the decision to be a teacher. While it did show me a lot of the downsides like long hours, stressful situations, rowdy children, etc. it also showed me that those things are small in comparison to the large teaching picture. During my service learning, I was able to teach a short lesson to the kids and being up there felt so good. Multiple experiences like that led to me wanting to stay on this career path.
I only have a few prerequisites to complete before I enter the program, so I will be taking those classes this fall. This summer I will continue to study for and take the praxis. After these few simple steps, I will be ready to enter the program and continue on my path to becoming a teacher.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Blog Entry #8
As I have gone through my SL, I have noticed different aspects of the ELED 1010 class showing up in the classroom. The biggest thing I have noticed is the diversity in the classroom and teaching to the needs of all the students. By learning the material, then seeing it performed in the classroom, I am making a stronger connection, and learning techniques to implement the class work into the classroom. I feel like these blog posts have pretty accurately described my learning and the understanding that I have learned online and in the classroom.
I feel like the prompts to these blog posts have encouraged me to look harder at the material in the classroom, therefore increasing my knowledge in the topic. My only problem was that some of these blog posts came after I had already finished my SL, so I didn't have the opportunity to look for the prompt messages in the classroom. I feel like I have grown through these blogs by paying closer attention to details, and being able to write the things that I want to say.
I feel like the prompts to these blog posts have encouraged me to look harder at the material in the classroom, therefore increasing my knowledge in the topic. My only problem was that some of these blog posts came after I had already finished my SL, so I didn't have the opportunity to look for the prompt messages in the classroom. I feel like I have grown through these blogs by paying closer attention to details, and being able to write the things that I want to say.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Blog Entry #7
When it comes to the educational standards, I feel that more attention is given to the more "popular" subjects such as math, english, and science, while subjects such as health and art get talked about much less. I feel this is in big part because of tradition. Most stories, journal entries, historical accounts, etc, talk about the more popular subjects while leaving out the other ones.
When working with the teacher, she uses the standards to make her lesson plans. She enjoys having a basic outline of what to teach, and the fact that the students already have a foundation built from the year before. She did make some comments about it being slightly restrictive to more advanced students, but is good for the average student and those who are slightly struggling.
When working with the teacher, she uses the standards to make her lesson plans. She enjoys having a basic outline of what to teach, and the fact that the students already have a foundation built from the year before. She did make some comments about it being slightly restrictive to more advanced students, but is good for the average student and those who are slightly struggling.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Blog Entry #6
The school that I am doing my service-learning at has a lot of hispanic minorities in the class. I love how the teacher doesn't give them any special attention (unless it is needed) while in front of the whole class, but does have personal interviews and reading times for the students who struggle learning in the english language. The students also go to a private tutor during the regular english lesson to practice the spelling and other english assignments with a professional.
One thing I really like is that the teacher has the students write down words they don't know or aren't familiar with while they go throughout the day, then she spends time with the students answering what those words are and helping them understand the context. This helps the students learn words that they know will be used in the classroom. This makes the learning process even better for the students which help them remain on the same level (or closer to it) as the rest of the class.
One thing I really like is that the teacher has the students write down words they don't know or aren't familiar with while they go throughout the day, then she spends time with the students answering what those words are and helping them understand the context. This helps the students learn words that they know will be used in the classroom. This makes the learning process even better for the students which help them remain on the same level (or closer to it) as the rest of the class.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Blog Entry #5
I think the biggest historical event that has had an effect on education is the Brown v. Board of Education. In the classroom that I am observing, there are children of all races/skin colors in the room. They are all inter-mingled, working together, sitting together, doing the same work, and none of this would be happening if it wasn't for Brown v. Board of Education. I am glad that kids are able to work together, and have equal educational opportunities together. And my favorite part is that the kids don't care if there is someone of a different race working with them, they are just happy to be together, and anxiously anticipating recess coming.
When interviewing the teacher about the no child left behind, I got some mixed feelings. The teacher is a first year teacher who is overwhelmed with new lesson plans, learning how to teach, learning how to deal with kids, etc. The extra regulations add another level of stress and worry. She is also grateful for the idea of helping all kids receiving a proper education and says that the sacrifices are worth it when all the kids are able to move on at the same rate.
When interviewing the teacher about the no child left behind, I got some mixed feelings. The teacher is a first year teacher who is overwhelmed with new lesson plans, learning how to teach, learning how to deal with kids, etc. The extra regulations add another level of stress and worry. She is also grateful for the idea of helping all kids receiving a proper education and says that the sacrifices are worth it when all the kids are able to move on at the same rate.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Blog Entry #4
Engaging activities:
Alternative Book Report - The students were able to chose from a list of alternative book reports for their at home reading. Some of these included: Creating a scene from the book, making a relationship chart of the characters, drawing a map of the setting, etc. This provided a great way for the students to enjoy their reading, and for their comprehension to be tested/applied.
Spelling Test Game - The day before the spelling test, the class reviewed the spelling words by playing snake. The teacher went through the class having each student say only one letter to the vocab word. If a mistake was made, the student sat down at their desk and spelled the remaining words as they were presented for the game. This helped students practice the spelling words in a fun/enjoyable way.
Group Book Discussion - The class was divided into 6 groups. The teacher would call each group back individually and discuss the readings from that week. Each student had a different job to do during the week (find three discussion questions, draw a scene from the reading, 3 vocab words, etc.) This provided a great way to get all the students involved and enjoying the reading together.
Not so engaging activity:
White board game - The point of this activity is to have the teacher display a math problem on the whiteboard, then have the students solve the problems on a mini white board at their desks. As an observer, I noticed that it was the same few students who were quickly solving the problems, holding up their boards, and stealing the teacher's attention by calling out that they were the quickest. I feel like if they would have been split into smaller teams they would have worked together and helped all the students in their group successfully solve the problem.
Alternative Book Report - The students were able to chose from a list of alternative book reports for their at home reading. Some of these included: Creating a scene from the book, making a relationship chart of the characters, drawing a map of the setting, etc. This provided a great way for the students to enjoy their reading, and for their comprehension to be tested/applied.
Spelling Test Game - The day before the spelling test, the class reviewed the spelling words by playing snake. The teacher went through the class having each student say only one letter to the vocab word. If a mistake was made, the student sat down at their desk and spelled the remaining words as they were presented for the game. This helped students practice the spelling words in a fun/enjoyable way.
Group Book Discussion - The class was divided into 6 groups. The teacher would call each group back individually and discuss the readings from that week. Each student had a different job to do during the week (find three discussion questions, draw a scene from the reading, 3 vocab words, etc.) This provided a great way to get all the students involved and enjoying the reading together.
Not so engaging activity:
White board game - The point of this activity is to have the teacher display a math problem on the whiteboard, then have the students solve the problems on a mini white board at their desks. As an observer, I noticed that it was the same few students who were quickly solving the problems, holding up their boards, and stealing the teacher's attention by calling out that they were the quickest. I feel like if they would have been split into smaller teams they would have worked together and helped all the students in their group successfully solve the problem.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Blog Entry #3
I was able to be in the classroom during my class' Valentines Day party. The teacher had taken the time to make a little heart shaped crayon and write a personal note to all 32 of her students. It was so great to see the smiles on their faces as they read their personalized notes. This act of love definitely went noticed by the kids and I'm sure it made the teacher feel great too.
One thing I really like is when the teacher recognizes creative thinking, even if the answer isn't completely correct. She gives those students positive encouragement and makes them feel like they didn't fail, and that their creative thinking is much appreciated.
At the beginning of the school day, the teacher went over the schedule, which she had posted on the board, and she followed that schedule very well, and the students knew she would follow it exactly. It helped the students look forward to fun activities during the not so fun spelling test, and it helped prevent some anxiety from a student who gets anxious when he doesn't know what is coming next. It really helped to make and keep order in the classroom.
One thing I really like is when the teacher recognizes creative thinking, even if the answer isn't completely correct. She gives those students positive encouragement and makes them feel like they didn't fail, and that their creative thinking is much appreciated.
At the beginning of the school day, the teacher went over the schedule, which she had posted on the board, and she followed that schedule very well, and the students knew she would follow it exactly. It helped the students look forward to fun activities during the not so fun spelling test, and it helped prevent some anxiety from a student who gets anxious when he doesn't know what is coming next. It really helped to make and keep order in the classroom.
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