Chapter 7b
Standardized test are the topic of debate these days. Currently, my experience in the classroom is that teachers are "teaching to the test." I do not believe that the state standardized test should be weighted heavily. I know from first hand that when my 4th grade class took the NWEA last year, one student in particular was very smart and could have scored better than he did. The day he took NWEA he was having a rough morning and was not focused. Truth be told he did not do so well on it because he could not focus and his score dropped. Now if an outsider had determined his reading and math placement by his score, he would be in one of the low reading groups. All in all I don't think students should be placed in groups based on standardized test score. I do believe that assessments should be given in order to have a clear picture of where a student falls in their learning.
Chapter 7c
I believe a teacher should get to know her students in order to tell what kinds of test works best for them to achieve. We all know that True/False questions are nothing more than a guessing game if you don't know the information. I personally love short answers because a teacher can understand what and how the student is thinking. I like Fill in the blanks and matching because it helps students out if they know what the question is asking but maybe are stuck on verbiage.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Chapter 6c & 7a
Chapter 6c
I agree with the author that lesson plans are essential especially if you are a first year teacher. It is necessary for all plans to be printed out so that whomever is reading it can understand what is being said without any problems. Just the other day the teacher of the classroom I work in was absent and she did not have any sub plans. Even though I was able to put stuff together for the sub, it would have been made for a stress free day if the lesson plans were done ahead of time. The lesson plans that I observe at my current job, I can't say that I have observed any that has had a rationale attached to them. Don't get me wrong if I were to ask a teacher what it was they could recite it, but it would be nice if they would consistently put it on paper.
Chapter 7a
When assessing students and their work, it is important to assess what students say, do and write. I agree with the author about being careful about comments that are being made on student's work. I remember a time when my teacher wrote a innocent comment in a student's planner (or so she thought). The parent was upset because she misunderstood the comment. I think it is very important when talking to parents at conferences to say positive things about their students first, and then talk about any problems that they are having in the classroom in regards to behavior and assignments. It is a teachers responsibility to help all students succeed. As Dr. Wong states, policies, routines, and procedures should be in place the very first day of school. If it is the students and the teacher will be on the same page and the school year will be a successful one.
I agree with the author that lesson plans are essential especially if you are a first year teacher. It is necessary for all plans to be printed out so that whomever is reading it can understand what is being said without any problems. Just the other day the teacher of the classroom I work in was absent and she did not have any sub plans. Even though I was able to put stuff together for the sub, it would have been made for a stress free day if the lesson plans were done ahead of time. The lesson plans that I observe at my current job, I can't say that I have observed any that has had a rationale attached to them. Don't get me wrong if I were to ask a teacher what it was they could recite it, but it would be nice if they would consistently put it on paper.
Chapter 7a
When assessing students and their work, it is important to assess what students say, do and write. I agree with the author about being careful about comments that are being made on student's work. I remember a time when my teacher wrote a innocent comment in a student's planner (or so she thought). The parent was upset because she misunderstood the comment. I think it is very important when talking to parents at conferences to say positive things about their students first, and then talk about any problems that they are having in the classroom in regards to behavior and assignments. It is a teachers responsibility to help all students succeed. As Dr. Wong states, policies, routines, and procedures should be in place the very first day of school. If it is the students and the teacher will be on the same page and the school year will be a successful one.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Chapter 6a & 6b
Chapter 6a
Thematic Units are a great way to plan a motivated lesson. This section reminded me of when I had to put the ETPA together during Novice teaching. It was very detailed and structured and a unit will help teachers have a structured detailed lesson. It is important for future teachers to learn the learning style of each individual student. Learning your students learning style can help a teacher plan a great and interesting thematic unit. The Integrated thematic unit is a great way for students and teachers to make connections in other academic areas.
Chapter 6b
Lesson Plans are needed especially for first year teachers. When teachers follow lesson plans it does suggest to the students that the teacher has everything planned out and they are prepared for the school day. I have experienced times when teachers were flexible and had do an activity or subject that was not planned because of unforeseen circumstances that just popped up. When you know how to be flexible and try not to control every situation in the class one can adapt quickly. I think apart of being an effective teacher is knowing when something or a lesson is not working and to be able to quickly change and move on to another lesson and or an activity.
Thematic Units are a great way to plan a motivated lesson. This section reminded me of when I had to put the ETPA together during Novice teaching. It was very detailed and structured and a unit will help teachers have a structured detailed lesson. It is important for future teachers to learn the learning style of each individual student. Learning your students learning style can help a teacher plan a great and interesting thematic unit. The Integrated thematic unit is a great way for students and teachers to make connections in other academic areas.
Chapter 6b
Lesson Plans are needed especially for first year teachers. When teachers follow lesson plans it does suggest to the students that the teacher has everything planned out and they are prepared for the school day. I have experienced times when teachers were flexible and had do an activity or subject that was not planned because of unforeseen circumstances that just popped up. When you know how to be flexible and try not to control every situation in the class one can adapt quickly. I think apart of being an effective teacher is knowing when something or a lesson is not working and to be able to quickly change and move on to another lesson and or an activity.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Chapter 5b and 5c
Chapter 5b
This section of chapter 5 talks about curriculum and goal setting for students and teachers. When reading this I thought about Dr. Kuester reminding future teachers that objectives have to be measurable. How will we help a student achieve their goals? One of the special education teachers at my school, asked me to take a look at a goal she had written on a student that I work with. It was funny because before I knew it I asked her how was she going to help him reach his goal. I want to keep this saying or thought in my mind when and while I am writing Goals and Objectives. If I can answer how I am going to help achieve a students goal, then I will be on the right track in helping my students succeed. The section that talks about censorships of textbooks is also a reminder that if in doubt about a book crossing a line, then don't have it as a choice to read for students. There are a lot of good reads that you don't think of as being biased toward a person's religion, sex, cultural etc. As the saying goes be careful for nothing.
Chapter 5c
This section mentioned about taxonomy and how a good way to look for connected learning is to keep a daily log or journal. I think this is a great idea. Most of the teachers I work with do not keep journals or daily logs on students day to day learning. The do however kept standardized test scores and daily grades, but they do not kept in depth journals. When I receive my classroom I think it would be beneficial to keep a log on various notes, brainstorming records/techniques, visual maps etc. on my students. Most teachers do it mentally, but to actually have some type of system in keeping this kind of material would be awesome. Character development should be a required subject or lesson taught at all levels of education. This topic is so important and needed in the times we are living in today. A lot of the times teachers only teach Character development when students are not showing each other respect, or bullying one another. Morning meetings would be a great time to discuss this topic with students of all ages.
This section of chapter 5 talks about curriculum and goal setting for students and teachers. When reading this I thought about Dr. Kuester reminding future teachers that objectives have to be measurable. How will we help a student achieve their goals? One of the special education teachers at my school, asked me to take a look at a goal she had written on a student that I work with. It was funny because before I knew it I asked her how was she going to help him reach his goal. I want to keep this saying or thought in my mind when and while I am writing Goals and Objectives. If I can answer how I am going to help achieve a students goal, then I will be on the right track in helping my students succeed. The section that talks about censorships of textbooks is also a reminder that if in doubt about a book crossing a line, then don't have it as a choice to read for students. There are a lot of good reads that you don't think of as being biased toward a person's religion, sex, cultural etc. As the saying goes be careful for nothing.
Chapter 5c
This section mentioned about taxonomy and how a good way to look for connected learning is to keep a daily log or journal. I think this is a great idea. Most of the teachers I work with do not keep journals or daily logs on students day to day learning. The do however kept standardized test scores and daily grades, but they do not kept in depth journals. When I receive my classroom I think it would be beneficial to keep a log on various notes, brainstorming records/techniques, visual maps etc. on my students. Most teachers do it mentally, but to actually have some type of system in keeping this kind of material would be awesome. Character development should be a required subject or lesson taught at all levels of education. This topic is so important and needed in the times we are living in today. A lot of the times teachers only teach Character development when students are not showing each other respect, or bullying one another. Morning meetings would be a great time to discuss this topic with students of all ages.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Chapter 4c & 5a
Chapter 4c
I found this section of the chapter really interesting. I have experienced all of the mistakes to avoid in one classroom or another. I find that if teachers do not care for a student and know that the student is always behaving inappropriately, they will nag, overreact, and threat the entire time while trying to teacher the other 20 something students. I will work hard not to cause students to misbehave. While I am teaching my reading groups I find myself at times embarrassing students to make a point. I did not think of it as embarrassment. I am now aware that this is not the way to go. I am now aware of what actions will trigger misbehavior and what mistakes to avoid if I want a positive teaching environment.
Chapter 5a
It is important to collaborate with other teachers and staff to help ensure that the curriculum is followed and that all students are grabbing a hold of a meaningful understanding of the learning process. The EDTPA has helped me to see how effective planning for instruction is vital to help ensure that teachers are giving students what they need to help them succeed. I work with a great team at work that collaborates every week to help meet the requirements of the curriculum and align the lesson plans with that of the state standards/ common core. Witnessing this helps me realize that when I receive my own classroom it will be so much easier to collaborate with other team members to help me accomplish the goals and expectations of the school . I agree with this section that textbooks will become more digitized.
I found this section of the chapter really interesting. I have experienced all of the mistakes to avoid in one classroom or another. I find that if teachers do not care for a student and know that the student is always behaving inappropriately, they will nag, overreact, and threat the entire time while trying to teacher the other 20 something students. I will work hard not to cause students to misbehave. While I am teaching my reading groups I find myself at times embarrassing students to make a point. I did not think of it as embarrassment. I am now aware that this is not the way to go. I am now aware of what actions will trigger misbehavior and what mistakes to avoid if I want a positive teaching environment.
Chapter 5a
It is important to collaborate with other teachers and staff to help ensure that the curriculum is followed and that all students are grabbing a hold of a meaningful understanding of the learning process. The EDTPA has helped me to see how effective planning for instruction is vital to help ensure that teachers are giving students what they need to help them succeed. I work with a great team at work that collaborates every week to help meet the requirements of the curriculum and align the lesson plans with that of the state standards/ common core. Witnessing this helps me realize that when I receive my own classroom it will be so much easier to collaborate with other team members to help me accomplish the goals and expectations of the school . I agree with this section that textbooks will become more digitized.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Chapter 4b
This portion of the chapter reminds me of the Dr. Wong videos we watched in one of Dr. Johnson's class. The book and Dr. Wong discusses how important the first day of class is. From experience this is so true, if a teacher does not start hitting procedures, rules, and routines the very first day. The students are out of control. Just like we are told when going on interviews, first impressions are lasting ones---the same can be said for you as a teacher in your classroom on the very first day. Students like structure, for some school is the only dependable thing they have.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Chapter 2-3
Chapter 2 pg. 27-56
The primary expectations of teachers are to facilitate
students learning.
Teachers have to be a reflective decision maker, commit to
young adolescent children and the profession, and be able to offer non
instructional and instructional responsibility.
When teaching a teacher must remember that students have
rights and teachers must remember that a school and classroom must be one of
trust, dignity and respect. I did not
know that if I ever have to transport a student, I need to make sure that I
have written permission and liable insurance coverage. It is good to know that one can possible use
my homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy for my personal items that I may
take with me to school. It is important
that a teacher learns which teaching style (traditional or facilitating) is
most appropriate for his or her class.
Chapter 2 pg. 56-78
Teachers need to have a variety of strategies to help reach
goals and help various groups of students.
Most students learn best when physically and intellectually
active. They also learn when they are
able to talk about and share what they are learning. Teachers create the appropriate environment
and conditions for students to learn. Teachers
structure the learning environment so that all students can act and react
productively (Examples –think- pair- share or think- write- pair- share).
Teachers need to use a variety of activities that help
motivate and challenge students to work to the best of their ability. Teachers
should always model appropriate behavior.
Teachers have all types of opportunities to have engaging classrooms. There are all types of technology ready to be
used to help enhance students learning.
Teachers should take advantage of whiteboards make sure they are clean
and ready to use each day. Bulletin
boards can be attractive enough to draw attention to students. There are all
sorts of computer programs that can help provide students additional help. Document cameras, overhead projectors and the
like are also additional tools that can help enhance students learning while in
school. Field trips and connecting to community
resources can help or assist in the learning of school age students.
Chapter 3
Skills of thinking are taught and learned. Teachers should teach students to use all the
senses while learning. Questioning,
classifying, comparing/contrast, concluding, generalizing, and inferring help
students learn to develop intellectual behavior. There are three levels of questions lowest,
intermediate, and highest. The lowest level is simple recall and gathering
information, intermediate process information, and highest level is applying
and evaluating in new situations. A
teacher must know how to structure questions in a way that will move a student
to think on a higher level. The teacher
facilitates the student’s intellectual development. Teachers need to construct
and implement questions that will help students learn how to solve problems,
make decisions, value judgment, think creatively, critically and feel positive
about their school and its learning environment.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Chapter 1
I learned that upon entering the teaching field.....you should know what type of setting or environment you would like to teach in. When you receive a teaching job, it is important to know all the district's mission statements, policies, procedures, rules, curriculums, staff, and the like. One should be aware of the educational terminology such as looping, teaching teams, what it means to be committed and dedicated. Respecting leadership and following the chain of command is important in the teaching field. One should stay current on major educational issues and guidelines. Be aware of developmental changes in variability ( emotional, physical, intellectual, and moral ethnical development of students. All of the above are important when planning how and what to teach, how and what to assess, how students learn what is being taught, and the types of maturity levels able to handle what is being taught. I also think it is very important to keep students engaged so that they can have fun learning while in a clean safe environment.
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