Domain 2 Personal Development
Elaboration:
Today after school I received an email from a school that I had applied to offering me a job as a fifth grade teacher! It is for an international school in Honduras! I feel very excited. I feel scared because I am not sure if I know what to do to teach fifth graders. However, looking back today, I realized how much I have already learned and grown this semester. I am excited to see how I will continue to learn and grow.
Analysis:
I think that teaching is a great job because it provides so many opportunities for growth. I can see the many ways that I have been prepared for this moment. I think the challenge now will be to continue to focus on my current students, teaching them and loving them for all the time I have left with them.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Domain 5 Methodology
8:30=9:30
Elaboration:
Challenging your students yet not skipping the lines of developmentally appropriate practice is sometimes difficult. In teaching the advanced Language Arts group, I have been given a lot of freedom to try things with the students. These students have great capabilities. However, I have realized that they raise to the expectations that you give them. On occasion, I have given them something that was very challenging for them. For example, I may use one station to provide a little extra challenge. I encourage them to try their best, just because they may not be able to get everything right, doesn't mean they shouldn't try. Today when I gave them an assignment, most of them tried to do as little as possible to get it done, even the good students. I believe this typical of this group in many circumstances.
Analysis:
The first thing that I've been working on is simply planning activities that engage my students. Most of the time, if they are truly interested in the assignment they will work really hard for me. I also must remember that I have been a student and I was definitely a student who did what I had to and then stopped in most circumstances. It is vital that I continue to challenge them. I have found that by saying I want 5 sentences instead of I want 3-5 sentences, will produce more work. It's not always about the quantity but some of them simply stop at good enough.
8:30=9:30
Elaboration:
Challenging your students yet not skipping the lines of developmentally appropriate practice is sometimes difficult. In teaching the advanced Language Arts group, I have been given a lot of freedom to try things with the students. These students have great capabilities. However, I have realized that they raise to the expectations that you give them. On occasion, I have given them something that was very challenging for them. For example, I may use one station to provide a little extra challenge. I encourage them to try their best, just because they may not be able to get everything right, doesn't mean they shouldn't try. Today when I gave them an assignment, most of them tried to do as little as possible to get it done, even the good students. I believe this typical of this group in many circumstances.
Analysis:
The first thing that I've been working on is simply planning activities that engage my students. Most of the time, if they are truly interested in the assignment they will work really hard for me. I also must remember that I have been a student and I was definitely a student who did what I had to and then stopped in most circumstances. It is vital that I continue to challenge them. I have found that by saying I want 5 sentences instead of I want 3-5 sentences, will produce more work. It's not always about the quantity but some of them simply stop at good enough.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Domain 2: Personal Development (Morals and Ethics)
8:30- 10:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
In Language Arts, I had a word work day with a variety of spelling and vocabulary stations. It was a lot of fun to see the kids enjoy themselves in a variety of games and activities. Mrs. Brown and I walked around and joined in different games when it was possible. Participating in games and activities like this help build a classroom community and lets the kids know that I enjoy being with them. Also, while playing games I had several instances where students were being cruel to another student or doing something inappropriate. In these times, I corrected the behavior and talked to them about how they should treat others, even if they are not present in the classroom. Since my class has a lot of boys, I also talked with them about how important it is to respect females.
Analysis:
One of the things I love about this job is that there is an opportunity to really get to know kids, be involved in their lives, and teach them how they should live. I am able to teach them how to be moral and how to treat other people with respect, by what I say and what I do. As this week has gone on, I have realized how much I enjoy being around them, especially at moments when they are really engaged and don't even realize they're learning.
8:30- 10:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
In Language Arts, I had a word work day with a variety of spelling and vocabulary stations. It was a lot of fun to see the kids enjoy themselves in a variety of games and activities. Mrs. Brown and I walked around and joined in different games when it was possible. Participating in games and activities like this help build a classroom community and lets the kids know that I enjoy being with them. Also, while playing games I had several instances where students were being cruel to another student or doing something inappropriate. In these times, I corrected the behavior and talked to them about how they should treat others, even if they are not present in the classroom. Since my class has a lot of boys, I also talked with them about how important it is to respect females.
Analysis:
One of the things I love about this job is that there is an opportunity to really get to know kids, be involved in their lives, and teach them how they should live. I am able to teach them how to be moral and how to treat other people with respect, by what I say and what I do. As this week has gone on, I have realized how much I enjoy being around them, especially at moments when they are really engaged and don't even realize they're learning.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Domain 8: Global and Multicultural Perspectives
10:30-11:10
Elaboration:
For health, I invited a friend of mine who is a nursing student to come in and talk with my children about how to wash their hands. We also talked about germs. I taught part of the lesson and she taught part of it. This was a great way to involve someone from the community, even if it is my own community. The students listened well and were intrigued by our visitor.
Analysis:
By allowing students to meet and hear from people who have different jobs in the community, students can gain a better understanding of how they can take their place in the community. They can also understand what community members can help them with certain things. School is only one of the places that we learn. Students can gain a broader perspective of their community and the world through learning experiences such as this one.
10:30-11:10
Elaboration:
For health, I invited a friend of mine who is a nursing student to come in and talk with my children about how to wash their hands. We also talked about germs. I taught part of the lesson and she taught part of it. This was a great way to involve someone from the community, even if it is my own community. The students listened well and were intrigued by our visitor.
Analysis:
By allowing students to meet and hear from people who have different jobs in the community, students can gain a better understanding of how they can take their place in the community. They can also understand what community members can help them with certain things. School is only one of the places that we learn. Students can gain a broader perspective of their community and the world through learning experiences such as this one.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Domain 6 Management of Time, Classroom, and Behavior
10:30-11:10 a.m.
Elaboration:
Today during math I tried a few new things. I tried to walk around more during the lesson and also had the children work back on the carpet for a part of the lesson. I think having them move around and utilizing the full classroom helped them stay on task and more engaged. I also had students help pass things out and kept moving. The kids were learning a new concept that was a bit tricky, but I think because we did a little less during the lesson helped as well. I also walked around throughout the lesson more than usual to monitor.
Analysis:
Seeing the difference these things made, I will continue to implement these things into my math lessons so that I can more carefully monitor what my students are learning. By planning a little less, I have more time to monitor. Students who are struggling get help and if I checked the more advanced students' work they were allowed to move on instead of wait. Although some students finished almost everything, I think it still worked better. I may have some tools for practicing multiplication facts of another form of enrichment available for those kids.
10:30-11:10 a.m.
Elaboration:
Today during math I tried a few new things. I tried to walk around more during the lesson and also had the children work back on the carpet for a part of the lesson. I think having them move around and utilizing the full classroom helped them stay on task and more engaged. I also had students help pass things out and kept moving. The kids were learning a new concept that was a bit tricky, but I think because we did a little less during the lesson helped as well. I also walked around throughout the lesson more than usual to monitor.
Analysis:
Seeing the difference these things made, I will continue to implement these things into my math lessons so that I can more carefully monitor what my students are learning. By planning a little less, I have more time to monitor. Students who are struggling get help and if I checked the more advanced students' work they were allowed to move on instead of wait. Although some students finished almost everything, I think it still worked better. I may have some tools for practicing multiplication facts of another form of enrichment available for those kids.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Domain 7: Communication
9:30 a.m.- 10:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
Today in Language Arts we watched videos that we had made last week. I told the kids that we were going to be respectful of each other while watching the movies. I explained that we don't make fun of people and after the video we all clap for everyone else. The kids responded very positively and were very respectful. They really enjoyed watching it.
Analysis:
Setting a good example and standard of positive communication is really important with students. Some of them may not have the common sense or the tact to come up with certain conclusions on their own. I think that setting these expectations communicated a positive and supportive environment to the children. This helps them feel comfortable in the classroom and allows them to build confidence in sharing.
9:30 a.m.- 10:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
Today in Language Arts we watched videos that we had made last week. I told the kids that we were going to be respectful of each other while watching the movies. I explained that we don't make fun of people and after the video we all clap for everyone else. The kids responded very positively and were very respectful. They really enjoyed watching it.
Analysis:
Setting a good example and standard of positive communication is really important with students. Some of them may not have the common sense or the tact to come up with certain conclusions on their own. I think that setting these expectations communicated a positive and supportive environment to the children. This helps them feel comfortable in the classroom and allows them to build confidence in sharing.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Domain 4: Rights and Responsibilities
2:30 p.m.
Elaboration:
Today at the end of the day, the students were watching a movie for thrilling Thursday. Students who still had homework to make up had to come to the work room. I was in the work room with several students. One of my math students came in with another teacher who called his dad because he was up to a detention. This "tough" boy who is often disrespectful started to cry. He was very angry and crying really hard. He picked up his math papers and sat down at his desk. He sat there refusing to make eye contact with anyone and crying. The other teachers left to supervise the movie room. I pulled up a chair beside his desk and told him if he needed any help with his homework he should let me know.
After sitting there and watching him cry for about a minute, I said, "I'm not sure what's going on. I don't know if you're just upset because you're in trouble or if something else is bothering you. I want you to know that even though I want you to get your math homework done, I care about you more. So, if you want to talk about what's going on we can talk about that and worry about your math homework later." After sitting in silence for about five minutes, I asked him to nod his head if he wanted to do his math. He shook his head. He finally told me that the reason he was crying is because he was scared to go home. He told me that when he gets in trouble at school his dad hurts him. I stayed calm and listened to him a bit longer. When he became silent again I went and talked to my teacher who was in the hallway. She ended up talking to the Vice Principal and tried to find the school social worker. After talking to the homeroom teacher, they said there has been some suspicion before. They did not send him home after school.
Analysis:
This is one of the more sobering things I have encountered. This child struggles a lot with anger issues, is often disrespectful, and almost never gets things done at home. However, it seems that he has a lot going on underneath the surface. It breaks my heart to know that this child is going through so much. I feel glad that he trusted me enough to tell me. I am a little concerned about whether or not he will actually get any help. This is one of those areas in teaching where teachers are held to a high responsibility. There is a possibility they may ask me more questions. I'm not exactly sure how to cope with all of this, but I know that I must trust it will be taken care of and so will the student.
2:30 p.m.
Elaboration:
Today at the end of the day, the students were watching a movie for thrilling Thursday. Students who still had homework to make up had to come to the work room. I was in the work room with several students. One of my math students came in with another teacher who called his dad because he was up to a detention. This "tough" boy who is often disrespectful started to cry. He was very angry and crying really hard. He picked up his math papers and sat down at his desk. He sat there refusing to make eye contact with anyone and crying. The other teachers left to supervise the movie room. I pulled up a chair beside his desk and told him if he needed any help with his homework he should let me know.
After sitting there and watching him cry for about a minute, I said, "I'm not sure what's going on. I don't know if you're just upset because you're in trouble or if something else is bothering you. I want you to know that even though I want you to get your math homework done, I care about you more. So, if you want to talk about what's going on we can talk about that and worry about your math homework later." After sitting in silence for about five minutes, I asked him to nod his head if he wanted to do his math. He shook his head. He finally told me that the reason he was crying is because he was scared to go home. He told me that when he gets in trouble at school his dad hurts him. I stayed calm and listened to him a bit longer. When he became silent again I went and talked to my teacher who was in the hallway. She ended up talking to the Vice Principal and tried to find the school social worker. After talking to the homeroom teacher, they said there has been some suspicion before. They did not send him home after school.
Analysis:
This is one of the more sobering things I have encountered. This child struggles a lot with anger issues, is often disrespectful, and almost never gets things done at home. However, it seems that he has a lot going on underneath the surface. It breaks my heart to know that this child is going through so much. I feel glad that he trusted me enough to tell me. I am a little concerned about whether or not he will actually get any help. This is one of those areas in teaching where teachers are held to a high responsibility. There is a possibility they may ask me more questions. I'm not exactly sure how to cope with all of this, but I know that I must trust it will be taken care of and so will the student.
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