Domain 7 Communication
8:00 a.m.
Elaboration:
Yesterday, in effort to help a student who has really been struggling with getting his homework in, I made a take home folder for language arts. I put papers on one side that needed to be done and marked the other side as finished. His mother sent back his folder with all papers done except two. She said he worked yesterday till it was nearly bedtime on homework. She wrote me a note in the folder telling me this. She also said she like the folder idea and thought it would help. She thanked me for my work. I sent her back a note in the folder thanking her for what she was doing and detailing what was still needed.
Analysis:
All of this time, I, and a few other teachers, had been struggling to get this child's work in. I tried calling the parent several times and never reached anyone. I tried writing a note in his planner and he never took the right papers home. Although it may be a little extra work, it will help in the long run to have a system with a folder for him to take his Language Arts homework home in. I also really appreciated the positive interaction with the parent. I hope that after helping him catch up, he will also feel more positive about his work.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Domain 1: Content/ Subject Matter Expertise
10:30-11:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
ISTEP is swiftly approaching and this week we are doing ISTEP review. Each of the teachers is teaching a mini lesson on a skill that is needed for the test. I taught a mini lesson on main idea and detail. The lesson seemed to go fairly well, but I realized when I was teaching it that it was more difficult than I first anticipated. Main idea is a concept that I don’t remember learning. It is something that some people just seem to understand without specific instructions.
Analysis:
Although some of my students may also have a natural understanding of main idea, many of them need to be taught the thought process for identifying the main idea. Content knowledge in this area means not just knowing what the main idea is myself, but also being able to explain to the students how to think about it. I am sure I have had trouble with certain subjects; however, being a student has always come naturally to me. I think this is one of the things that I will have to overcome as a teacher. I have to make sure I explain my thought processes and the skills that go behind the content knowledge in my head. Hopefully, by putting myself in the mind of the students, I will be able to know how to better explain things so they understand.
10:30-11:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
ISTEP is swiftly approaching and this week we are doing ISTEP review. Each of the teachers is teaching a mini lesson on a skill that is needed for the test. I taught a mini lesson on main idea and detail. The lesson seemed to go fairly well, but I realized when I was teaching it that it was more difficult than I first anticipated. Main idea is a concept that I don’t remember learning. It is something that some people just seem to understand without specific instructions.
Analysis:
Although some of my students may also have a natural understanding of main idea, many of them need to be taught the thought process for identifying the main idea. Content knowledge in this area means not just knowing what the main idea is myself, but also being able to explain to the students how to think about it. I am sure I have had trouble with certain subjects; however, being a student has always come naturally to me. I think this is one of the things that I will have to overcome as a teacher. I have to make sure I explain my thought processes and the skills that go behind the content knowledge in my head. Hopefully, by putting myself in the mind of the students, I will be able to know how to better explain things so they understand.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Domain 8: Global and Multicultural Perspectives
12:50 p.m.
Elaboration:
All day today two of my students have been fighting. The two students are different races and come from different family backgrounds. Generally, I see one student pushing the other one. When questioned, he always admits that he has done something. The other student is always extremely defensive and never owns up to anything. When talking with them, it is difficult to discern what to do, since it is usually one students word against the others. I have a fairly strong feeling that the defensive students is lying to me in saying he hasn't done anything to the other student.
Analysis:
It is difficult to figure out how to be fair in some of these situations since there is no clear answer. However, I have approached it as fairly is possible, making sure that one student doesn't escape when both are involved. I also have encouraged both of the boys to walk away when something happens. The first student who usually admits he has done wrong, usually does not get on others unless he is provoked. I asked him what had been said or done that was upsetting him, because I knew something had been going on. Finally, he said that the other student had been making fun of his family and his mother. I know that this student values his family a lot. He comes from a close knit family, with brothers and sisters and uncles and cousins who go through everything together. The student looked genuinely hurt. Because the other student won't admit to anything, I told this student that although I believed him, I needed to find proof. I have also been trying to make sure that I don't take what the defensive student says without another person's opinion. I am hoping that after talking to them both individually today we will have less problems next week.
12:50 p.m.
Elaboration:
All day today two of my students have been fighting. The two students are different races and come from different family backgrounds. Generally, I see one student pushing the other one. When questioned, he always admits that he has done something. The other student is always extremely defensive and never owns up to anything. When talking with them, it is difficult to discern what to do, since it is usually one students word against the others. I have a fairly strong feeling that the defensive students is lying to me in saying he hasn't done anything to the other student.
Analysis:
It is difficult to figure out how to be fair in some of these situations since there is no clear answer. However, I have approached it as fairly is possible, making sure that one student doesn't escape when both are involved. I also have encouraged both of the boys to walk away when something happens. The first student who usually admits he has done wrong, usually does not get on others unless he is provoked. I asked him what had been said or done that was upsetting him, because I knew something had been going on. Finally, he said that the other student had been making fun of his family and his mother. I know that this student values his family a lot. He comes from a close knit family, with brothers and sisters and uncles and cousins who go through everything together. The student looked genuinely hurt. Because the other student won't admit to anything, I told this student that although I believed him, I needed to find proof. I have also been trying to make sure that I don't take what the defensive student says without another person's opinion. I am hoping that after talking to them both individually today we will have less problems next week.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Domain 7 Communication
2:30 p.m.
Elaboration:
This week has certainly been interesting. Mrs. Brown has been gone for two and a half days and will be gone again tomorrow. One third of my class (7 children) have been absent this week due till illness. Also, it's a full moon. However, because Mrs. Brown has been gone, I have been given more opportunities to talk with parents. Most of these interactions have gone very well. Many of them have simply been giving them homework for days that students have missed. However, I feel like I am finally getting to know the parents.
Analysis:
Parents are often much more difficult to deal with than students. Fortunately, most of my interactions with parents have been pleasant. It has been great to introduce myself to parents as they come in for various reasons. Even parents who are less involved in the lives of their students still care about their children. I have realized that one of the most important resources you can have as a teacher is the parents. In some cases I have had trouble because I have not been able to contact parents when I needed to. When parents are there to mutually help their child succeed, it is much easier to keep up with things and help students feel supported.
2:30 p.m.
Elaboration:
This week has certainly been interesting. Mrs. Brown has been gone for two and a half days and will be gone again tomorrow. One third of my class (7 children) have been absent this week due till illness. Also, it's a full moon. However, because Mrs. Brown has been gone, I have been given more opportunities to talk with parents. Most of these interactions have gone very well. Many of them have simply been giving them homework for days that students have missed. However, I feel like I am finally getting to know the parents.
Analysis:
Parents are often much more difficult to deal with than students. Fortunately, most of my interactions with parents have been pleasant. It has been great to introduce myself to parents as they come in for various reasons. Even parents who are less involved in the lives of their students still care about their children. I have realized that one of the most important resources you can have as a teacher is the parents. In some cases I have had trouble because I have not been able to contact parents when I needed to. When parents are there to mutually help their child succeed, it is much easier to keep up with things and help students feel supported.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Domain 8 Global and Multicultural Perspectives
Elaboration:
Today I had one of my students that is usually in special ed. for most of the day in my class for the majority of the day. The students were writing fairy tales today. He wrote his own very interesting story. His story was about his future. In this story, he goes to Hell and proceeds to kill the devil with a sword. He wanted me to hear his story and he told me all about it. Also, today he was having a major problem with tattling, which is normal. I told him that he needed to write it down if he wanted to tattle. This greatly lessened the amount of tattling. I may make this a policy for the whole class, because it seems to be a huge distraction for many of them.
Analysis:
This student, in general, has very few ideas about what is right and wrong or what is reality and what is fantasy. Many of the stories he tells are "real". I think that a large part of this comes from what he is taught at home. Often times, he will tell me that his mom told him something. This is a difficult spot to be in because I want to help him understand the truth and respect his parent at the same time. I sometimes will tell him that some things that are appropriate at home may not be ok at school. I also explained to him that people believe a lot of different things and we have to be willing to accept them as people. I am still learning about how I can best show God's love and truth without overstepping my boundaries.
Elaboration:
Today I had one of my students that is usually in special ed. for most of the day in my class for the majority of the day. The students were writing fairy tales today. He wrote his own very interesting story. His story was about his future. In this story, he goes to Hell and proceeds to kill the devil with a sword. He wanted me to hear his story and he told me all about it. Also, today he was having a major problem with tattling, which is normal. I told him that he needed to write it down if he wanted to tattle. This greatly lessened the amount of tattling. I may make this a policy for the whole class, because it seems to be a huge distraction for many of them.
Analysis:
This student, in general, has very few ideas about what is right and wrong or what is reality and what is fantasy. Many of the stories he tells are "real". I think that a large part of this comes from what he is taught at home. Often times, he will tell me that his mom told him something. This is a difficult spot to be in because I want to help him understand the truth and respect his parent at the same time. I sometimes will tell him that some things that are appropriate at home may not be ok at school. I also explained to him that people believe a lot of different things and we have to be willing to accept them as people. I am still learning about how I can best show God's love and truth without overstepping my boundaries.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Domain 3 Professional Development
3:15-3:45 p.m.
Elaboration:
Today I had a substitute. Needless to say it was a little bit of a hectic day. This afternoon I met with two of the teachers after school. We talked a little bit about the day. We also talked about the coming ISTEP test. The teachers would like to do some sort of ISTEP prep. Although I realize that this is necessary, I hate it. However, I talked with the other teachers and helped come up with an idea of switching rooms and having different ISTEP prep sessions in each room. Over the course of several days, the students would get many different practices and the teachers would only plan one or two lessons to teach four times.
Analysis:
I am very grateful for the collaboration in this even because it can be such a huge task to do on your own. I think it is crucial for teachers to use opportunities like this to collaborate. Even in other situations, such as the general set up of our classrooms, it is helpful to all the teachers and enables the teacher to group their students more specifically, which is also helpful for them. These teachers are not islands. Although, they all have very different teaching styles they still learn from each other. I hope that some day I teach in an atmosphere that is this positive.
3:15-3:45 p.m.
Elaboration:
Today I had a substitute. Needless to say it was a little bit of a hectic day. This afternoon I met with two of the teachers after school. We talked a little bit about the day. We also talked about the coming ISTEP test. The teachers would like to do some sort of ISTEP prep. Although I realize that this is necessary, I hate it. However, I talked with the other teachers and helped come up with an idea of switching rooms and having different ISTEP prep sessions in each room. Over the course of several days, the students would get many different practices and the teachers would only plan one or two lessons to teach four times.
Analysis:
I am very grateful for the collaboration in this even because it can be such a huge task to do on your own. I think it is crucial for teachers to use opportunities like this to collaborate. Even in other situations, such as the general set up of our classrooms, it is helpful to all the teachers and enables the teacher to group their students more specifically, which is also helpful for them. These teachers are not islands. Although, they all have very different teaching styles they still learn from each other. I hope that some day I teach in an atmosphere that is this positive.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Domain 5: Methodology
Elaboration:
Today was Acuity testing. This always messes up the day a bit. Many of the children dread it because they sit at the computer taking tests. I am not sure that it is a very accurate depiction of how the children are actually doing. However, in some cases it shows the aptitude that is possible. For example one student frequently performs at an average level in class, partially because of his behavior. However, when tested he performs higher than almost anyone else in the class.
Analysis:
There may be other children who also perform in similar ways. It is my goal to try and motivate these students and pull out their best abilities. For example, with this particular student I have noticed that creative writing really seems to bring out his best work. I will continue to challenge him and provide opportunities for him to showcase his abilities.
Elaboration:
Today was Acuity testing. This always messes up the day a bit. Many of the children dread it because they sit at the computer taking tests. I am not sure that it is a very accurate depiction of how the children are actually doing. However, in some cases it shows the aptitude that is possible. For example one student frequently performs at an average level in class, partially because of his behavior. However, when tested he performs higher than almost anyone else in the class.
Analysis:
There may be other children who also perform in similar ways. It is my goal to try and motivate these students and pull out their best abilities. For example, with this particular student I have noticed that creative writing really seems to bring out his best work. I will continue to challenge him and provide opportunities for him to showcase his abilities.
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