I checked out Brittiney Gardner's blog about what presentation she liked the best. She really liked think tac toe and learning menus and gave some fabulous ideas. I especially liked the one on the think tac toe of working with character, setting, and theme. I would like keep in touch with Britt after school but she is a brain I'd like to pick!
I then read Kj's blog from the other cohort. I read her blog #4. I can tell she is going to be a great teacher I really like how she says she wants to take the time to call student's parents to let them know how well their child is doing. Sometimes it is not enough to just work on the students weaknesses, we need to acknowledge their strengths too. Think of how much that would mean to a student and their parents if you called them up just to praise them on being such a great student.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Blog #7
Part 1: This is a hard question because I really liked all of the strategies especially mine which was the RAFT but for this purpose I would say cubing and think dots.
Part 2: Since I am going to be teaching a second grade class I think they would really like the idea of rolling dice to pick their assignment. I think I could use it in many applications. I really like the idea of using it in the writing center. You could use it as a way to find out what topic you should write about and in what format. Or I really liked Kim's idea in class where you could have domino's in a jar and they can pick one out and the two numbers could lead to an assignment. This a fun way for students to pick their assignments and I think they will really enjoy it.
Part 2: Since I am going to be teaching a second grade class I think they would really like the idea of rolling dice to pick their assignment. I think I could use it in many applications. I really like the idea of using it in the writing center. You could use it as a way to find out what topic you should write about and in what format. Or I really liked Kim's idea in class where you could have domino's in a jar and they can pick one out and the two numbers could lead to an assignment. This a fun way for students to pick their assignments and I think they will really enjoy it.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Blog #6
When I see a student struggling and to the point of giving up that's when I know that I have to differentiate for this student. They need something that will mean something to them. I know from personal experience that when something holds interest for me I am willing to work twice as hard and accept being challenged. I personally feel like you can always use some form of differentiate in your classroom because you have so many students and get one is so different. I loved what you quoted in class one day and I want to remember it as a teacher. "Every student deserves a full year's growth." I think that this won't be an easy task but with differentiation I can achieve this goal.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Blog #5 Classroom Routines
- Flexibility from routine so that you can adjust to different learning needs.
- Facilitate individual learning and shared community
- Develop an autonomy should be the primary goal for students so that they can become more independent.
- Teach your students flexible room arrangements so that when necessary they can quickly and quietly change the room around if necessary.
- Have predictability at the start of the day so that student can come in know what they need to do quickly so that you can start your class.
- Have certain routines so that students have access to help when they need it. For example a cue for when they need to listen because the time for questions will soon be off limits. Have one or more student who can where a hat or clipboard that can be there to answer questions about directions or work. Students can have stop go card to let the teacher know who he/she is doing. Green means the student is fine, while red means they need some assistance. Another option is using a Red Cross Emergency can. Each student is given a stick with their name on it in a white can. When they need emergency assistance they put their stick in the Red Cross can and they teacher will check there first when circulating the room.
- Use visual cues such as signs posted around the room to remind students where to turn in their work, steps to follow at a given work station, class schedule, etc.
- Pre-establish groups by planning a head with several group arrangements for the weeks ahead.
- Use goal cards regularly. This means when a student is working with small groups or independently have them write a goal for the following activity.
- Teach for smooth transitions. Be aware of how you would like the room to look when students leave for recess, lunch, or to go home. Then teach a process of how you would like things put away and the room cleaned up and how they should wait to be dismissed.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Blog #4
A1- It sounds like morning meetings are a great way to create a community in your classroom. Students are free to express themselves and have people listen to what they have to say. Students learn to bond with their fellow classmates. They can learn that everyone has great ideas to contribute. When everyone trusts each other there are hardly any behavior issues in the classroom. I would like to try morning meetings in my classroom someday. I would like try and get my class to have synergy in the classroom. I want to try her method of vegetables and medicine, etc. That way the students can understand what we are trying to accomplish through morning meetings. I also want to give my students a lot of responsibility during morning meetings. I think that the students will want to do their best in the things that they do when they know the whole class in counting on them.
B1- How a teacher can response to a student's needs...
B1- How a teacher can response to a student's needs...
- Invitation: wanting to get to know the student, have time for them personally, respecting them, seeing their value, etc.
- Opportunity: having important, worthy, challenging things for them to do to open new possibilities.
- Investment: making an enjoyable place for them, to reflect them, to help them grow and succeed.
- Persistence: they are always growing, learning. There are many different ways for them to learn.
- Reflection: After watching and observing you I know what to do to help you learn better. I try to see things through your eyes. Asking yourself what you can do to make things better.
I think that investment sort of encompasses all of them in a way. When you make an investment in something you want it to win so you can win. You will take the time to get to know what you are investing. You are always thinking of way to get the most out of your investment. As a teacher I am going to invest in all of my students and I want for us all to win. When I was in elementary school I didn't really feel like a lot of my teachers were really there for me. I want all my students to know that I know who they are and that I have a plan to help them succeed.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Blog #3
1- I like Thinking About My Reading, where they make a smiley, frowny, or average face as answers to what they do while reading. I want to teach a younger grade so I think it will pretty easy for them to understand. It will also give me insight to how they read and how they feel about reading. I think I would add more questions like what type of books do you like to read. I think I would use this at the beginning of the year. I think I could use this test to put students into different kinds of groups based on the type of books they like to read and maybe the could start a book club. I can also use this test to create student profile. Based on their responses you could easily make different kinds of groups to fit their readiness or interest. It will definitely tell me the student's affect and how they feel about reading.
2- I also liked Group Observation Reading. This one is like a chart where I can make a record of how they are reading and what they need to work on. I think I would also add a category of how they like to read. I think that I could use the chart to create a learning profile into groups based on their readiness. If I add a category about how they feel about reading and what types of books they like to read, I think it would prove this chart quite a bit. I personally love reading and I know my teachers like to enrich my reading experience by offering more insightful, challenging books. I think a student should have some input about they type of books they have to read that way they will enjoy it more.
3. I also like Getting a Writing Sample, because I think that it is a good way to find out the student's readiness for writing. I would probably simplify it for my class. I really liked the task it wants the students to do. Step one what motivates you to write, step 2 write a sentence. This will give you a clear picture step by step what they students can do. Based on this information you could create writing groups where they student on the same level or interest can help each other out.
2- I also liked Group Observation Reading. This one is like a chart where I can make a record of how they are reading and what they need to work on. I think I would also add a category of how they like to read. I think that I could use the chart to create a learning profile into groups based on their readiness. If I add a category about how they feel about reading and what types of books they like to read, I think it would prove this chart quite a bit. I personally love reading and I know my teachers like to enrich my reading experience by offering more insightful, challenging books. I think a student should have some input about they type of books they have to read that way they will enjoy it more.
3. I also like Getting a Writing Sample, because I think that it is a good way to find out the student's readiness for writing. I would probably simplify it for my class. I really liked the task it wants the students to do. Step one what motivates you to write, step 2 write a sentence. This will give you a clear picture step by step what they students can do. Based on this information you could create writing groups where they student on the same level or interest can help each other out.
Monday, January 17, 2011
#2 Favorite Quote
Here is my favorite "quoted section" from Chapter 1 of Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom (it's begins on the top right side of page 10):
"Such teachers are willing to be vulnerable learners. The puzzle pieces of knowledge and ideas the"own" make sense more fully to- teachers as well as student- when combined with the mysteries of each of their lives in the classroom."
I think I liked this statement so much because I believe that teachers should put more effort into their learning how to be a better teacher as they expect their students to learn from them. When teachers understand their students better they can teach them better, it's as simple as that. This requires a constant effort from the teacher.
"Such teachers are willing to be vulnerable learners. The puzzle pieces of knowledge and ideas the"own" make sense more fully to- teachers as well as student- when combined with the mysteries of each of their lives in the classroom."
I think I liked this statement so much because I believe that teachers should put more effort into their learning how to be a better teacher as they expect their students to learn from them. When teachers understand their students better they can teach them better, it's as simple as that. This requires a constant effort from the teacher.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
#1 About Me
1-What are your favorite things to do when you are not at school or doing homework?
I enjoy watching movies. For Christmas I got Netflix which is brought new meaning to my life. Nah, I am just kidding but it is fun because they have every movie you can think of to watch, even the really good old ones. My movie buying days are over! I also love to read and I could be content reading all day. I especially love historical fiction. I wish I could live in England back in the 1800s.
2-When have you been really proud of yourself?
I am not sure I can pinpoint one exact moment because I find pride in most things I do because I do not do anything without putting 110% effort into it. One example and this may seem artificial of me but I do enjoy making cakes and every time a new cake is created that sense of pride is what keeps me going to make a new cake.
3-What are you really good at in school? How do you know?
Well I would like to think I was good at it but I have always enjoyed English. I, not like most of my fellow classmates growing up, loved to write papers. I couldn't just write boring papers about some book I had read. I had to breathe life into my paper and try as I might to bring a laugh to my teacher reading it. Whether my teacher thought it was funny or not, I always had an A in my English classes.
4.What background, talent, skill and interest do you have in each of these:
a) music
I love to sing but that doesn't mean I can do it well. My sisters teased me relentlessly growing up that I was the worst singer on the planet. Well that probably prevented me from going on American Idol but it doesn't stop me from singing everywhere I go. My other musical outlet was playing the piano. I actually don't mind playing for pleasure but being force to practiced kept me from doing so. I begged my mom to let me quit but I still like to sit down every once in a while and teach myself a new song.
b) visual arts
I have always thought of myself as creative. When I was little I wanted to be an artist for the longest time. I still have my notebook full of drawings. I remember holding a flashlight under the sheets while drawing what I thought I might look like when I grew up. When I got older for whatever reason I didn't really pursue the arts in school until my senior year. I took Photography and Calligraphy. Both were fun but as of now most my visual arts goes into making cakes.
c) dance
I took ballet, jazz, and tap when I was younger. I loved all three, especially jazz because it made me feel grown up. My best friend was in my dance class until she moved away. Then being the dramatic little girl I was, I just couldn't dance without her so I moved onto sports. Now I wish my mom would have made me stay because I really admire dancers my age. When I was in my senior year I took ballroom dance. It was a blast learning all the different dancing styles. Unfortunately we did not have enough boys in our class so for a few of the styles, like country swing I only learned the guy steps. That was put into good use when in college I took Western Swing. I was able to learn the girl steps and teach guys who were struggling what they needed to fix.
d) theater
Growing up with only sisters certainly gave me enough drama in my life but I loved doing plays in school. I remember playing a fairy in a Midsummer Night's Dream in six grade. In middle school I was the evil villain in our school's spoof of The Lord of the Rings. I was also the star in our play Sleepover, where I was hosting a sleepover and we watched TV and other actors got play different live shows or commercials. I still loved to act but when I hit high school I stopped taking theater. I still went to every musical our school and surrounding schools put on. I absolutely love musicals and would have loved to be in one but as I have told you I can not carry a tune and beside I think I enjoy watching them more.
5. What is hard for you? What makes it hard?
Well Math has always been the bane of my existence. It does not come naturally to me at all but with a LOT of studying and a LOT of frustration I can pull through and get it, whether or not I will remember it is another matter entirely. Math is hard but learning Spanish has truly been my struggle. I loved learning the language. I have taken six years of it and really not much to show for it. I have a really good vocabulary but without going somewhere and being truly immersed in the language I don't know that I will ever be fluent. So that is a goal of mine someday.
6. What is your favorite children's book, and why is it your favorite?
Truly, my favorite book is Purple Pickle Juice. I got it when I was little going on a trip with my dad and we were at the airport book store waiting for our flight. I loved to read even then and I saw the book and had to have it. I read that book every time I was mad or sad to get my mind off things and it always made me feel better. This book is about a little girl who is the smallest/youngest in her family (just like me) and she just wants to grow up. So she drinks a glass of purple pickle juice every morning because she thinks that will help. Then in a fit of angry because it is not working her aunt, who is a witch, comes and tries to help her. Her aunt is hard of hearing and when she says she wants to grow, her aunt think she said she wants to it to snow, then she wants to row, etc. Through all her aunt's spells she realizes she likes herself just the way she is and she drinks the juice because she likes it.
7. What is your favorite TV show, when can you spare time to watch it?
I love TV but my absolute favorite show is called Psych. It is about a psychic detective who solves murders but isn't actually psychic, just very observant. It is hilarious! I don't have cable and it plays on a network I don't get so I used to rent them from the library until we got netflix. My whole family loves the show and we watch it together as a family whenever we can. It's our bonding moment.
8. What movie could you watch again and again?
I could watch the Italian Job over and over and I do watch it over and over. I have it on my Ipod and watch it whenever, wherever.
9. What are some things you really care about?
On the top of my list is my family. I am very close with them and they are everything to me. We all get along very well and I consider them my closest friends. I care for my religion, it the light at the end of my tunnel in all things. It always there for me when life seems impossible and it keeps me going. It guides me in my life to do good. I care about mercy and that everyone should get a fair trial and treatment. I care about education and that is the best way for everyone succeed in life and become equals. If you have nothing else at least you have your education.
10. What will set you apart as a teacher?
I am energetic person with a sense of childlike excitement. I am not afraid to get on the floor and learn with my students. As a student I felt like a lot of my teachers didn't care whether I learned something or not. So as a teacher I want my students to know that I care. I want to bring synergy into the classroom and make us a family. I am creative and will come with lots of ideas to teach things many different ways. I won't give assessments just to give assessments. I will take those assessments and analysis where the student is at and what they need to work on to improve.
11. What else should I know about you as a person and as a student that could help me be a better teacher? What would you like me to know about you that I haven't asked about?
I like clear instructions and some leeway for creativity.
I enjoy watching movies. For Christmas I got Netflix which is brought new meaning to my life. Nah, I am just kidding but it is fun because they have every movie you can think of to watch, even the really good old ones. My movie buying days are over! I also love to read and I could be content reading all day. I especially love historical fiction. I wish I could live in England back in the 1800s.
2-When have you been really proud of yourself?
I am not sure I can pinpoint one exact moment because I find pride in most things I do because I do not do anything without putting 110% effort into it. One example and this may seem artificial of me but I do enjoy making cakes and every time a new cake is created that sense of pride is what keeps me going to make a new cake.
3-What are you really good at in school? How do you know?
Well I would like to think I was good at it but I have always enjoyed English. I, not like most of my fellow classmates growing up, loved to write papers. I couldn't just write boring papers about some book I had read. I had to breathe life into my paper and try as I might to bring a laugh to my teacher reading it. Whether my teacher thought it was funny or not, I always had an A in my English classes.
4.What background, talent, skill and interest do you have in each of these:
a) music
I love to sing but that doesn't mean I can do it well. My sisters teased me relentlessly growing up that I was the worst singer on the planet. Well that probably prevented me from going on American Idol but it doesn't stop me from singing everywhere I go. My other musical outlet was playing the piano. I actually don't mind playing for pleasure but being force to practiced kept me from doing so. I begged my mom to let me quit but I still like to sit down every once in a while and teach myself a new song.
b) visual arts
I have always thought of myself as creative. When I was little I wanted to be an artist for the longest time. I still have my notebook full of drawings. I remember holding a flashlight under the sheets while drawing what I thought I might look like when I grew up. When I got older for whatever reason I didn't really pursue the arts in school until my senior year. I took Photography and Calligraphy. Both were fun but as of now most my visual arts goes into making cakes.
c) dance
I took ballet, jazz, and tap when I was younger. I loved all three, especially jazz because it made me feel grown up. My best friend was in my dance class until she moved away. Then being the dramatic little girl I was, I just couldn't dance without her so I moved onto sports. Now I wish my mom would have made me stay because I really admire dancers my age. When I was in my senior year I took ballroom dance. It was a blast learning all the different dancing styles. Unfortunately we did not have enough boys in our class so for a few of the styles, like country swing I only learned the guy steps. That was put into good use when in college I took Western Swing. I was able to learn the girl steps and teach guys who were struggling what they needed to fix.
d) theater
Growing up with only sisters certainly gave me enough drama in my life but I loved doing plays in school. I remember playing a fairy in a Midsummer Night's Dream in six grade. In middle school I was the evil villain in our school's spoof of The Lord of the Rings. I was also the star in our play Sleepover, where I was hosting a sleepover and we watched TV and other actors got play different live shows or commercials. I still loved to act but when I hit high school I stopped taking theater. I still went to every musical our school and surrounding schools put on. I absolutely love musicals and would have loved to be in one but as I have told you I can not carry a tune and beside I think I enjoy watching them more.
5. What is hard for you? What makes it hard?
Well Math has always been the bane of my existence. It does not come naturally to me at all but with a LOT of studying and a LOT of frustration I can pull through and get it, whether or not I will remember it is another matter entirely. Math is hard but learning Spanish has truly been my struggle. I loved learning the language. I have taken six years of it and really not much to show for it. I have a really good vocabulary but without going somewhere and being truly immersed in the language I don't know that I will ever be fluent. So that is a goal of mine someday.
6. What is your favorite children's book, and why is it your favorite?
Truly, my favorite book is Purple Pickle Juice. I got it when I was little going on a trip with my dad and we were at the airport book store waiting for our flight. I loved to read even then and I saw the book and had to have it. I read that book every time I was mad or sad to get my mind off things and it always made me feel better. This book is about a little girl who is the smallest/youngest in her family (just like me) and she just wants to grow up. So she drinks a glass of purple pickle juice every morning because she thinks that will help. Then in a fit of angry because it is not working her aunt, who is a witch, comes and tries to help her. Her aunt is hard of hearing and when she says she wants to grow, her aunt think she said she wants to it to snow, then she wants to row, etc. Through all her aunt's spells she realizes she likes herself just the way she is and she drinks the juice because she likes it.
7. What is your favorite TV show, when can you spare time to watch it?
I love TV but my absolute favorite show is called Psych. It is about a psychic detective who solves murders but isn't actually psychic, just very observant. It is hilarious! I don't have cable and it plays on a network I don't get so I used to rent them from the library until we got netflix. My whole family loves the show and we watch it together as a family whenever we can. It's our bonding moment.
8. What movie could you watch again and again?
I could watch the Italian Job over and over and I do watch it over and over. I have it on my Ipod and watch it whenever, wherever.
9. What are some things you really care about?
On the top of my list is my family. I am very close with them and they are everything to me. We all get along very well and I consider them my closest friends. I care for my religion, it the light at the end of my tunnel in all things. It always there for me when life seems impossible and it keeps me going. It guides me in my life to do good. I care about mercy and that everyone should get a fair trial and treatment. I care about education and that is the best way for everyone succeed in life and become equals. If you have nothing else at least you have your education.
10. What will set you apart as a teacher?
I am energetic person with a sense of childlike excitement. I am not afraid to get on the floor and learn with my students. As a student I felt like a lot of my teachers didn't care whether I learned something or not. So as a teacher I want my students to know that I care. I want to bring synergy into the classroom and make us a family. I am creative and will come with lots of ideas to teach things many different ways. I won't give assessments just to give assessments. I will take those assessments and analysis where the student is at and what they need to work on to improve.
11. What else should I know about you as a person and as a student that could help me be a better teacher? What would you like me to know about you that I haven't asked about?
I like clear instructions and some leeway for creativity.
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