Fulfilling the Promise
With this information I would use this in my differentiating classroom to see what the students intrests are. I would also see what the students think their strenghths and weeknesses are and try to develop their weeknesses are and turn them into strengths. Everyone has favorite things, and this would help me see what those are, to be a teacher that cares for my students. This would really help to get to know your students, where most of the time if this is not done I think you would be missing out on getting to know star students. I wish that a teacher took the time to do this for me in Elementary, I think it would have built a strong relationship with the teacher and me.
I personally think these inventories are really good, and I would use them. However, what I would do is give the "About You" invenetory and keep on file for me. And then I would make another "About You" inventory with quesitons such as, where were you born? What's your favorite vacation? etc... Then have the students find people in the class that have the same interest so they get to know other students and I get to know them more, and see what students relate to them. Which this will be good for me to create that safe environment and also if they are having a hard time, I know who can help me with the students and make them feel welcome, or let the student know they have a friend. These give me a great way to see what is a good seating chart and who is intersested in activities.
"File of Inventories/Pre-Assessments"
In my Student Teaching classroom I would use the smiley face one. Also I would use the writing sample because it lets the students has fun and are able to use their imaginagtion. This also lets me see their personality, which I feel is important to see that for each student. It lets me see their own personal writing style and what they need to work on in writing. I liked the Problem Solving Rubric because it gives me a chance to see what they need to work on and what concepts they are getting. I wish that was done for me as a student, because I have a really hard time with story problems and if a teacher did this I feel that I would have been better at them. So this a great way to help my students.
I think that for pre-assessment I would use the smiley face one. I would use this because I have used this before in field and the students reallly liked it. It does not look like an assessment so they have fun with it, and they don't really give you the answer they think the teacher is looking for. Even the upper grades think it is fun and easy so they are more willing to do it for you. Its a good way to see how they feel about subjects.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Fulfilling The Promise: Chapters 1 & 2
Chapter 1
In the beginning of this chapter I like the quote " The one-sized fits-all teacher may very well discover that the "size" of instruction he or she has selected fits almost no one" (pg 2). Growing up I felt that some of my own teachers felt that one-size should fit all, or there was something wrong with you. I had a hard time reading and some of my teachers thought that there was something wrong with me. I was just a slow reader and they couldn't understand why I could not read like the other students. When I was in third grade a teacher took time to see that my phonics needed improvement and took each letter and made flashcards for me and helped me visually see the words. She took time to see that "one size" does not fit all, and you must see how each child learns. Like it talks about in the chapter she saw my readiness and interest. Therefore, she was able to see the product that came about. While reading this chapter I could not stop thinking of that 3rd grade teacher who helped me to read and see that I was worth it.
At the end of the chapter I loves the story of the Little Prince and how fox needed to be tamed. With my third grade teacher, she showed that she believed in me, in order for me to believe in her that she could teach me. I see that how the three cogs work together to help in the classroom. I understand that what the students seek, the teacher needs to respond. My favorite quote from the cogs is, " The most effective teaching does not seek transmission of knowledge isolated from human need, but rather attempts to help young learners discover the power of knowledge to reveal, amplify, and develop the best that is in them" (pg 12). To me this shows that we as teachers really need to help our students to discover the power they have. We must believe in them to know that they will believe in us. In my classroom I hope to be able to help my students see that I believe in them, and will always remember my third grade teacher, and her example to me as how a differentiated classroom should work, and how to help my students.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 at first taught me that we must have the connection with our students , it is so important to get that connection. "If a teacher connects learning to a child's emotions, she is more likely to learn than if what is being taught remains remote from her emotions" (pg 15). This shows me that if we connect to children's emotions and help them learn, anything is possible for their continuing learning. Also that "Connecting with each child is at the heart of differentiated teaching..." (pg 22) I liked this chapter, cause it breaks down what the student seeks from the "3 Cogs" with affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. The one that I liked the most was Contribution, I think that is important for students that they are important, and their contribution is so important for the classroom. When I was in 6th grade I had a teacher that showed me I have a place in my classroom and I could contribute just as much as anyone else. She showed us that all of us have strengths that help with others weaknesses. She showed me my abilities that I can help others and they can help me. I think that it is critical that we so are students that they are the best contributors to the classroom, and their abilities can help everyone. My favorite quote from this chapter is "Teaching asks us to do the impossible, It asks us to establish ties with each child- not to establish ties with all the children as though they were one student. They are not." (pg 22) Throughout these chapters I have learned that all students are different and have different needs. I am starting to recognize what I want to start in my classroom, such as have a great environment in my classroom that helps students see their strengths, abilities, and uniqueness in order to obtain that student-teacher connection. This is what I hope to obtain in my teaching.
In the beginning of this chapter I like the quote " The one-sized fits-all teacher may very well discover that the "size" of instruction he or she has selected fits almost no one" (pg 2). Growing up I felt that some of my own teachers felt that one-size should fit all, or there was something wrong with you. I had a hard time reading and some of my teachers thought that there was something wrong with me. I was just a slow reader and they couldn't understand why I could not read like the other students. When I was in third grade a teacher took time to see that my phonics needed improvement and took each letter and made flashcards for me and helped me visually see the words. She took time to see that "one size" does not fit all, and you must see how each child learns. Like it talks about in the chapter she saw my readiness and interest. Therefore, she was able to see the product that came about. While reading this chapter I could not stop thinking of that 3rd grade teacher who helped me to read and see that I was worth it.
At the end of the chapter I loves the story of the Little Prince and how fox needed to be tamed. With my third grade teacher, she showed that she believed in me, in order for me to believe in her that she could teach me. I see that how the three cogs work together to help in the classroom. I understand that what the students seek, the teacher needs to respond. My favorite quote from the cogs is, " The most effective teaching does not seek transmission of knowledge isolated from human need, but rather attempts to help young learners discover the power of knowledge to reveal, amplify, and develop the best that is in them" (pg 12). To me this shows that we as teachers really need to help our students to discover the power they have. We must believe in them to know that they will believe in us. In my classroom I hope to be able to help my students see that I believe in them, and will always remember my third grade teacher, and her example to me as how a differentiated classroom should work, and how to help my students.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 at first taught me that we must have the connection with our students , it is so important to get that connection. "If a teacher connects learning to a child's emotions, she is more likely to learn than if what is being taught remains remote from her emotions" (pg 15). This shows me that if we connect to children's emotions and help them learn, anything is possible for their continuing learning. Also that "Connecting with each child is at the heart of differentiated teaching..." (pg 22) I liked this chapter, cause it breaks down what the student seeks from the "3 Cogs" with affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. The one that I liked the most was Contribution, I think that is important for students that they are important, and their contribution is so important for the classroom. When I was in 6th grade I had a teacher that showed me I have a place in my classroom and I could contribute just as much as anyone else. She showed us that all of us have strengths that help with others weaknesses. She showed me my abilities that I can help others and they can help me. I think that it is critical that we so are students that they are the best contributors to the classroom, and their abilities can help everyone. My favorite quote from this chapter is "Teaching asks us to do the impossible, It asks us to establish ties with each child- not to establish ties with all the children as though they were one student. They are not." (pg 22) Throughout these chapters I have learned that all students are different and have different needs. I am starting to recognize what I want to start in my classroom, such as have a great environment in my classroom that helps students see their strengths, abilities, and uniqueness in order to obtain that student-teacher connection. This is what I hope to obtain in my teaching.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Morning Meeting Packet and Differentiation in Practice Part 1
Morning Meeting Packet
By reading the Morning Meeting Packet I have seen what creating a sense of community in the classroom is like. I see that it provides structure in the classroom, and promotes great learning and a safe environment for students. This is one of my goals as a teacher is to create this for my own classroom, and what better way than to do morning meetings for 15 a day to establish it. It will make us more of a family, and that is what some of these students are looking for.
The Components of Morning Meeting are:
* Greeting- I like how this brings a sense of belonging to the students, and helps them to practice verbal skills.
* Sharing- I like how sharing can be anything the student wants to share, and that it is not a "show-in-tell." I like how they can just share that they lost a tooth and students can ask questions about that or make a comment. I feel that this helps students to get to know one another very well, and it shows that other students have interest.
* Group Activity- I think this is a way to have fun before you go into the rest of the work day. For me as a teacher I would use this as a time to help bridge the gap between the students and make them more unified, just like the activity suggests on the Building Bridges. I think is is the time the students get to know me and I get to know them in return.
My overall feelings about Morning Meeting is that they are wonderful. I would like to learn more about them, I have seen them, but I would like to know more activities to do to help my class.
Differentiation in Practice Part 1
In this reading I got so much out of it. I would like to first start at the end of the chapter when it talks about Coach Mac, he I think is an amazing teacher. I think through this story it shows me that I must be a teacher that values the different styles of learning, skills, and students in my classroom. He to me shows what Differentiation in Practice is all about. My favorite quote that he has is, "Talent is what you bring. Effort is what you give"(pg 11). All of my students are going to have many talents, but I just need them to give their best effort to achieve success.
There is honestly so much in this chapter that I love and appeals to me.
* "The more fully she understands who she teaches, the more aware she is that she must adapt what she teaches to serve individual learners well" (pg 5). I feel that this is saying we need to as teachers really understand our students and how they learn, then we will understand the "who". Then we can adapt to what we need to help our students along the way and get what we need out of them.
* One of the most important things that I thought while reading this is that the learning environment makes or breaks a classroom. I feel that is so true. This is where the kids are most of their day and if they feel that someone is going to make fun of them for their differences then we as teachers have failed. I think it is important to let students know how the class will be and make sure they understand that everyone has something to contribute to the classroom.
* Find time in the Curriculum to show the students interest. If we do this then students will start to pick up what their similarities are with other students. Also it make the learning fun for the student who enjoys the certain topic.
* I also loved how it listed points of how to be an effective differentiation teacher and how to make you classroom a differentiated classroom. By assessing the students, learning their goals, grouping students flexibly, use time and space flexibly, and making the classroom work for everyone. These are great ways to look at what I want to do in my own teaching and classroom. By accomplishing these I feel that I can achieve the goals I set for me as a teacher and for my students as well.
To sum up all of what I learned is to helps students with their differences and make a classroom that works for everyone. Also one of my favorite quotes is "The best teachers also help students develop new interest and passions-breathing life and joy into otherwise"flat" curriculum" (pg 10). I believe that this is what being a teacher is all about, making learning fun and enjoyable. I think with the things I have listed above and my love and continuation for learning, these can be achieved in my career as a teacher.
By reading the Morning Meeting Packet I have seen what creating a sense of community in the classroom is like. I see that it provides structure in the classroom, and promotes great learning and a safe environment for students. This is one of my goals as a teacher is to create this for my own classroom, and what better way than to do morning meetings for 15 a day to establish it. It will make us more of a family, and that is what some of these students are looking for.
The Components of Morning Meeting are:
* Greeting- I like how this brings a sense of belonging to the students, and helps them to practice verbal skills.
* Sharing- I like how sharing can be anything the student wants to share, and that it is not a "show-in-tell." I like how they can just share that they lost a tooth and students can ask questions about that or make a comment. I feel that this helps students to get to know one another very well, and it shows that other students have interest.
* Group Activity- I think this is a way to have fun before you go into the rest of the work day. For me as a teacher I would use this as a time to help bridge the gap between the students and make them more unified, just like the activity suggests on the Building Bridges. I think is is the time the students get to know me and I get to know them in return.
My overall feelings about Morning Meeting is that they are wonderful. I would like to learn more about them, I have seen them, but I would like to know more activities to do to help my class.
Differentiation in Practice Part 1
In this reading I got so much out of it. I would like to first start at the end of the chapter when it talks about Coach Mac, he I think is an amazing teacher. I think through this story it shows me that I must be a teacher that values the different styles of learning, skills, and students in my classroom. He to me shows what Differentiation in Practice is all about. My favorite quote that he has is, "Talent is what you bring. Effort is what you give"(pg 11). All of my students are going to have many talents, but I just need them to give their best effort to achieve success.
There is honestly so much in this chapter that I love and appeals to me.
* "The more fully she understands who she teaches, the more aware she is that she must adapt what she teaches to serve individual learners well" (pg 5). I feel that this is saying we need to as teachers really understand our students and how they learn, then we will understand the "who". Then we can adapt to what we need to help our students along the way and get what we need out of them.
* One of the most important things that I thought while reading this is that the learning environment makes or breaks a classroom. I feel that is so true. This is where the kids are most of their day and if they feel that someone is going to make fun of them for their differences then we as teachers have failed. I think it is important to let students know how the class will be and make sure they understand that everyone has something to contribute to the classroom.
* Find time in the Curriculum to show the students interest. If we do this then students will start to pick up what their similarities are with other students. Also it make the learning fun for the student who enjoys the certain topic.
* I also loved how it listed points of how to be an effective differentiation teacher and how to make you classroom a differentiated classroom. By assessing the students, learning their goals, grouping students flexibly, use time and space flexibly, and making the classroom work for everyone. These are great ways to look at what I want to do in my own teaching and classroom. By accomplishing these I feel that I can achieve the goals I set for me as a teacher and for my students as well.
To sum up all of what I learned is to helps students with their differences and make a classroom that works for everyone. Also one of my favorite quotes is "The best teachers also help students develop new interest and passions-breathing life and joy into otherwise"flat" curriculum" (pg 10). I believe that this is what being a teacher is all about, making learning fun and enjoyable. I think with the things I have listed above and my love and continuation for learning, these can be achieved in my career as a teacher.
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