Sunday, October 25, 2009
Fulfilling the Promise pp. 120-162
I really enjoyed this assignment to look at all the tools you can use. Looking through these ideas I can see which ones I would use in my class, and will help me be a differentiated teacher. I loved how you could use them with all grades or adapt them to the grade level you would teach. Teaching 6th grade this year, I see what I would like to use in my classroom to make subjects more fun. I really liked the "Learning Menus" pg 127, I think this is a great way to help students know what is expected of them on all different learning levels. That way early finishers can choose a dessert, and if students don't get to the dessert its okay. I also really liked the "Novel Think-Tac-Toe" pg 131. I think this is a great for 6th graders, because it is fun activities they get to choose with the novel they read. I like this so much better than just a regular book report. I also think that because they can choose what they want to do it makes them so they want to do the activities. Another idea I liked is the Learning Contracts pg. 149. I think this will help get the students to stay on task as well to create an organized environment for the class. I am a very organized person, so I think this will help me as a teacher. Overall, I have enjoyed looking at all of these ideas and I have tried to put them with lesson plans I am creating. I LOVE THIS BOOK. I can't wait to use what I have learned and use it in my class.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Chapter 7
I love this Chapter. This is my favorite chapter of this book, because it really sums up what a great teacher should be doing. I like how it brings in the taming of the fox and prince. In this chapter I really liked some of the points that it made.
* Effective teachers spend a great deal of time working and interacting directly with the students.
* Teachers' enthusiasm for learning and for their subject matter is an important factor in student motivation that, in turn, is closely linked with student achievement.
* Effective teachers set high expectations for themselves and their students with an orientation toward growth and improvement evident in the classroom.
* Effective teachers know and understand their students in terms of abilities, achievement, learning preferences, and needs.
These to me were amazing words about how to be an effective teacher. I really feel that I need to get to know my students real well, and let them get to know me. I know that if I take time to understand my students and their needs, as well as help them build skills my class will be amazing. I also feel that it is important to set the expectations high for all students, because each one gives something to the class, and no one should have low expectations for anyone. I know I am going to have enthusiasm about everything, even if it is something that is not my favorite. This helps students to be engaged as well as makes them excited. There are so many ideas I have for my classroom and what kind of a teacher I want to be, I just want to get out and teach now and use the tools I have. I really loved this chapter and I will refer to it as a motivator to get me through the hard times of teaching.
* Effective teachers spend a great deal of time working and interacting directly with the students.
* Teachers' enthusiasm for learning and for their subject matter is an important factor in student motivation that, in turn, is closely linked with student achievement.
* Effective teachers set high expectations for themselves and their students with an orientation toward growth and improvement evident in the classroom.
* Effective teachers know and understand their students in terms of abilities, achievement, learning preferences, and needs.
These to me were amazing words about how to be an effective teacher. I really feel that I need to get to know my students real well, and let them get to know me. I know that if I take time to understand my students and their needs, as well as help them build skills my class will be amazing. I also feel that it is important to set the expectations high for all students, because each one gives something to the class, and no one should have low expectations for anyone. I know I am going to have enthusiasm about everything, even if it is something that is not my favorite. This helps students to be engaged as well as makes them excited. There are so many ideas I have for my classroom and what kind of a teacher I want to be, I just want to get out and teach now and use the tools I have. I really loved this chapter and I will refer to it as a motivator to get me through the hard times of teaching.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Fulfilling the Promise Chapters 5 and 6
These chapters were really good! It is amazing how much I am learning and want to learn from this book. The chapters taught me how to relate the curriculum to everyday life. It is important to understand that if we apply the things we are teaching our students to their life, they will want to learn more. I also think that as teachers we should get to know every student on a individual basis, know their strenghths and weaknesses and help them grow and develope their skills. I understand that there is just going to be more and more to teach, "We teach in our classrooms like hamsters in a wheel." I think we feel that we need to go so fast to get everything in, that we don't take time to look around and see that our students are individuals. We must make the curriculem and instructioon engaging for students to want to learn. I am so scared that teachers are not going to go about this the right way, that I am going to make sure I am not that "hamster on a wheel" Children want to learn, but I think that teaching so fast is too much for them to handle, so they start to hate learning all together. In my classroom I am going to find the balence of getting all the material in and really getting to know my students. To me knowing my students and them knowing me is the most important thing.
"Because you matter, the teacher says to the student, and because learning matters to you, I will do my best." I love this quote, I think that students think that they must get A's on everything for a teacher to think that they matter, this is why I think that some students hate school, becuase they don't think they matter to anyone. It is important to make sure that my students know they don't have to get A's on everything or 100 percent to matter to me, because each one matters and is a special part of the class. Learning is a big important part of school, so if I have a good attitude and create a community in my class the students will know that I will teach them things that will be valuable to them. "Because I see your value, I will conect with you." These chapters along with this whole book have showed me what it means to be an amazing teacher. I want to connect with my students, I want to engage their minds, I want to teach them inportant lessons and I hope they teach me. I want to students to know I have a passion for teaching and for them. This book makes me feel like I can do this!
"Because you matter, the teacher says to the student, and because learning matters to you, I will do my best." I love this quote, I think that students think that they must get A's on everything for a teacher to think that they matter, this is why I think that some students hate school, becuase they don't think they matter to anyone. It is important to make sure that my students know they don't have to get A's on everything or 100 percent to matter to me, because each one matters and is a special part of the class. Learning is a big important part of school, so if I have a good attitude and create a community in my class the students will know that I will teach them things that will be valuable to them. "Because I see your value, I will conect with you." These chapters along with this whole book have showed me what it means to be an amazing teacher. I want to connect with my students, I want to engage their minds, I want to teach them inportant lessons and I hope they teach me. I want to students to know I have a passion for teaching and for them. This book makes me feel like I can do this!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Letter to Jeramey
Dear Jeramey,
While having your letter read in my Differentiated Class, I was honestly touch by your story. I think that it is amazing that you are teaching High School in Mississippi. I truly think that would be a hard position to teach, but you are Brave! I think that it is important to know that you are the teacher that can leave footprints in the students hearts forever. While I know it is not that easy, I think you can accomplish it. As reflecting upon your letter, I have come across some ideas that will help you hopefully accomplish what you are looking for.
First, you need to let your students know that you "respect them and you also respect who they have become." This is important, especially for high school students they are already in a world that does not respect them, because they have the title "High School Students," but know that they have the respect from you will help them know that they in return can respect you. Also they have already become something, it is your job to know who they have become and help them grow from that. This will help establish a respect in your class to help you move to create a community.
Second, at this point they don't want to learn, because they don't find anything valuable to them. You as a teacher need to help them know that you do have important things to learn today and they are worthy things. When students realize that you are making time with important things and they are worthy they will start to want to learn, if the opportunity is there. However, you must create that opportunity for them. I know there are not many resources for you, but I am sure they have not had many all their lives if you make some resources available the students will understand their value and will want to make more of an effort.
Last, create a community and a support system with in your classroom. You may think that it may be too late, but it is not too late. These children need this support in order for them to learn and grow. By creating this support system you can create a community and allow them to share what they are thinking and well as you can share what you are thinking. In class we have been talking about Morning Meetings, now I know in high school it would be more difficult to have one of these, but you could make adaptions to your class. This I am finding out is creating that safe community and a place where students are sharing their feelings. It lets them know that you will show respect for people, their ideas, and their property. It would help create the opportunity to want to learn and be grow. Something like this may be just what you need.
I hope your class will get better for you, and that you can be the best teacher you would like to be. Just remember you are leaving footprints in those students hearts forever, Don't Give Up!! I know you can do it, because I can tell you are a special teachers because only teachers who care and are very special would be in the position you are. I hope what I have said will help you along your journey. Best of Luck, and hang in there it will come.
Love,
Erin Randolph
While having your letter read in my Differentiated Class, I was honestly touch by your story. I think that it is amazing that you are teaching High School in Mississippi. I truly think that would be a hard position to teach, but you are Brave! I think that it is important to know that you are the teacher that can leave footprints in the students hearts forever. While I know it is not that easy, I think you can accomplish it. As reflecting upon your letter, I have come across some ideas that will help you hopefully accomplish what you are looking for.
First, you need to let your students know that you "respect them and you also respect who they have become." This is important, especially for high school students they are already in a world that does not respect them, because they have the title "High School Students," but know that they have the respect from you will help them know that they in return can respect you. Also they have already become something, it is your job to know who they have become and help them grow from that. This will help establish a respect in your class to help you move to create a community.
Second, at this point they don't want to learn, because they don't find anything valuable to them. You as a teacher need to help them know that you do have important things to learn today and they are worthy things. When students realize that you are making time with important things and they are worthy they will start to want to learn, if the opportunity is there. However, you must create that opportunity for them. I know there are not many resources for you, but I am sure they have not had many all their lives if you make some resources available the students will understand their value and will want to make more of an effort.
Last, create a community and a support system with in your classroom. You may think that it may be too late, but it is not too late. These children need this support in order for them to learn and grow. By creating this support system you can create a community and allow them to share what they are thinking and well as you can share what you are thinking. In class we have been talking about Morning Meetings, now I know in high school it would be more difficult to have one of these, but you could make adaptions to your class. This I am finding out is creating that safe community and a place where students are sharing their feelings. It lets them know that you will show respect for people, their ideas, and their property. It would help create the opportunity to want to learn and be grow. Something like this may be just what you need.
I hope your class will get better for you, and that you can be the best teacher you would like to be. Just remember you are leaving footprints in those students hearts forever, Don't Give Up!! I know you can do it, because I can tell you are a special teachers because only teachers who care and are very special would be in the position you are. I hope what I have said will help you along your journey. Best of Luck, and hang in there it will come.
Love,
Erin Randolph
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