Domain 5 Methodology
Elaboration:
Spring break is approaching. This means that the students are restless and the teachers are nearing their breaking points. I myself am very ready for a break. One of the temptations during these times is to let go of the things that are needed to make good teaching. It seems as if movies are popping out everywhere and there are worksheets galore all over the building. Today during Social Studies my students were being restless and complaining that they would rather do a different activity then the one I was doing with them. I informed them that I didn't want to hear any complaining. I was trying my best to come up with fun ways to learn things. While this may not be playing computer games like they might like to, this is much better than copying worksheets out of the textbook. I said it would be easier for me to give them worksheets, but I wanted to do something more interactive.
Analysis:
I think there are two different things I realized today in thinking about Methodology. First of all there is a balance when it comes to times like these (right before breaks). The children are also tired and need a break. It is ok to plan a movie as a reward or allow for activities that are a bit more relaxed. However, this isn't an excuse to stop learning all together. Second, I've realized that kids really do appreciate the extra things that meet their needs. Even though they complained at first, after I talked to the children, they were all very grateful that we weren't doing worksheets. Some of them even asked for the website we had used so that they could look at more things about the government at home. Worksheets aren't all bad. But they definitely don't need to be the main thing that is associated with Social Studies. So many of my children hate Social Studies, I think this is the main reason why. I hope with a little change in methodology, I might change some of their minds.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Domain 4: Rights and Responsibilities
7:35- 8:10
Elaboration:
Every morning, my teacher is always extremely willing to help me get things ready for the day. Because of carpooling, I often don't have quite as much time as I would like in the mornings and afternoons. I get as much done as I can while I am at school, but often I need some help. Teachers have a lot of paperwork to keep up with during their teaching and these tasks can quickly take over. I am so grateful that I have been able to utilize the help that I have in my classroom.
Analysis:
I very much appreciate the fact that my teacher is willing to share responsibilities in these areas with me. By helping me copy things or even grading papers sometimes, I am able to concentrate more on my lesson planning. While I know that I may not always have an adult in the classroom, I think that it is important that I learn to do things with help and independently. Too often we make things harder for ourselves because we do not allow others to help us. I always want share my ideas with others and to collaborate in order to share responsibility, even if it isn't in the same way I have been able to this semester.
7:35- 8:10
Elaboration:
Every morning, my teacher is always extremely willing to help me get things ready for the day. Because of carpooling, I often don't have quite as much time as I would like in the mornings and afternoons. I get as much done as I can while I am at school, but often I need some help. Teachers have a lot of paperwork to keep up with during their teaching and these tasks can quickly take over. I am so grateful that I have been able to utilize the help that I have in my classroom.
Analysis:
I very much appreciate the fact that my teacher is willing to share responsibilities in these areas with me. By helping me copy things or even grading papers sometimes, I am able to concentrate more on my lesson planning. While I know that I may not always have an adult in the classroom, I think that it is important that I learn to do things with help and independently. Too often we make things harder for ourselves because we do not allow others to help us. I always want share my ideas with others and to collaborate in order to share responsibility, even if it isn't in the same way I have been able to this semester.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Domain 1 Content Subject Matter Expertise
3:00 p.m.
Elaboration:
I am getting ready to begin a new unit for Social studies on government. This is my first time teaching social studies for student teaching. After school today I was working on my lesson for next week and I was looking things up online. Not only does this provide me with the information so that I can accurately teach the children, but it also gives me great new ideas for ways to engage the students.
Analysis:
I have learned that there are a lot of details about many subject areas that are important to teach. I have found that textbooks and the internet can provide great resources for these lessons. Also, many times I might not know an answer right away for a question that the children ask. I have found in these situations, I can't know everything, I have to look it up. I think it has been beneficial for me and my students to be able to admit when I don't know an answer.
3:00 p.m.
Elaboration:
I am getting ready to begin a new unit for Social studies on government. This is my first time teaching social studies for student teaching. After school today I was working on my lesson for next week and I was looking things up online. Not only does this provide me with the information so that I can accurately teach the children, but it also gives me great new ideas for ways to engage the students.
Analysis:
I have learned that there are a lot of details about many subject areas that are important to teach. I have found that textbooks and the internet can provide great resources for these lessons. Also, many times I might not know an answer right away for a question that the children ask. I have found in these situations, I can't know everything, I have to look it up. I think it has been beneficial for me and my students to be able to admit when I don't know an answer.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Domain 1 Content Subject Matter Expertise
8:50-11:15
Elaboration:
Today we went on a field trip in the morning. We went to the Sieberling Mansion in Kokomo. It is a museum that has been maintained by the Kokomo historical society. Since third graders learn about communities, this was a great way for the students to be involved in their own community and learn more about it. Also, it was neat to see the children being so interested in the history of the mansion and Howard county. If we had just talked about this content in the classroom, they would not have been nearly as interested.
Analysis:
Students love field trips. While they involve organization and cost, they are memorable for the students. Experiencing something, especially in relation to Social Studies or Science, is such an effective way for students to learn. These subjects are often thought of as "boring" and any experience students can have with them is great. Sometimes field trips won't be available, but special guests, realia, and hands on activities are extremely engaging.
8:50-11:15
Elaboration:
Today we went on a field trip in the morning. We went to the Sieberling Mansion in Kokomo. It is a museum that has been maintained by the Kokomo historical society. Since third graders learn about communities, this was a great way for the students to be involved in their own community and learn more about it. Also, it was neat to see the children being so interested in the history of the mansion and Howard county. If we had just talked about this content in the classroom, they would not have been nearly as interested.
Analysis:
Students love field trips. While they involve organization and cost, they are memorable for the students. Experiencing something, especially in relation to Social Studies or Science, is such an effective way for students to learn. These subjects are often thought of as "boring" and any experience students can have with them is great. Sometimes field trips won't be available, but special guests, realia, and hands on activities are extremely engaging.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Domain 5: Methodology
8:30-10:15
Elaboration:
Stations can be a great way to provide a different type of instruction for language arts. The kids are always excited when they see a chart is up on the board for stations. While the movement of the stations went well today the students were not doing a very good job at being on task. I've been trying to find ways to have the students be self motivated. I have been trying to encourage them to use their time wisely so that they don't end up with homework.
Analysis:
I think that one of the things that will help my students is to continue to provide a balance between new activities and using old ones with new concepts. I have recognized that they frequently do better if they have something that does not transfer into homework. They like to be able to see the end result while they are still in class. Games usually go well, however, writing is often hard for them to accomplish. I have been trying to figure out when this is because the children are not doing what they are supposed to do and when it is too much for the time.
8:30-10:15
Elaboration:
Stations can be a great way to provide a different type of instruction for language arts. The kids are always excited when they see a chart is up on the board for stations. While the movement of the stations went well today the students were not doing a very good job at being on task. I've been trying to find ways to have the students be self motivated. I have been trying to encourage them to use their time wisely so that they don't end up with homework.
Analysis:
I think that one of the things that will help my students is to continue to provide a balance between new activities and using old ones with new concepts. I have recognized that they frequently do better if they have something that does not transfer into homework. They like to be able to see the end result while they are still in class. Games usually go well, however, writing is often hard for them to accomplish. I have been trying to figure out when this is because the children are not doing what they are supposed to do and when it is too much for the time.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Domain 8: Global and Multicultural Perspectives
8:30-10:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
In Language Arts class this morning, one of my students was continually falling asleep during reading time. Some students were reading aloud, others were reading independently. When I asked him why he was so tired, he said he didn't know. He said he just wasn't sleeping. I had him sit up and join me and him and I took turns reading together. Finally he sat up and paid attention for the rest of the classtime. I also gave my students a challenge today to go one hour without watching TV or playing video games. I told them that tomorrow they would write about it. They all complained wildly saying that they would not have anything to do. The children said that they range between 2 and 7 hours of video games and television a night.
Analysis:
Many of the parents of my students have different ideals and guidelines for their children than I would, or than I did. The children in my class are much more plugged into technology than I ever was. I think it is important that I incorporate some of their world into my teaching, but it is also crucial that I show them other ways to do things. I encouraged them to play a game or go outside. It is hard to know what the line is in some of these areas. Where is the line for me as a teacher in teaching them how to live? Where is the line between learning to engage them with what they know and teaching them how to be engaged in other things?
8:30-10:15 a.m.
Elaboration:
In Language Arts class this morning, one of my students was continually falling asleep during reading time. Some students were reading aloud, others were reading independently. When I asked him why he was so tired, he said he didn't know. He said he just wasn't sleeping. I had him sit up and join me and him and I took turns reading together. Finally he sat up and paid attention for the rest of the classtime. I also gave my students a challenge today to go one hour without watching TV or playing video games. I told them that tomorrow they would write about it. They all complained wildly saying that they would not have anything to do. The children said that they range between 2 and 7 hours of video games and television a night.
Analysis:
Many of the parents of my students have different ideals and guidelines for their children than I would, or than I did. The children in my class are much more plugged into technology than I ever was. I think it is important that I incorporate some of their world into my teaching, but it is also crucial that I show them other ways to do things. I encouraged them to play a game or go outside. It is hard to know what the line is in some of these areas. Where is the line for me as a teacher in teaching them how to live? Where is the line between learning to engage them with what they know and teaching them how to be engaged in other things?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Domain 4 Rights and Responsibilities
Elaboration:
Today we had parent teacher conferences. These conferences were students led and lasted for most of the day. For the most part it was a positive experience. Not quite all of the students in our class had their parents come, but a large majority did. I got to speak with some of the parents about things that had been going on and problems they had been having. Most all of the parents seemed very supportive and wanted to fix any of the problems we had. I got to speak with some of the parents, however, a majority of them wanted to speak to the regular classroom teachers.
Analysis:
It was difficult for me to realize that most of the parents do not view me as their child's teacher. Although this makes sense, I feel like the teacher because I am the one who is interacting with them. I think the responsibility teachers have to parents is a huge one. It becomes much scarier when you have to back up the things you're doing to the parents. However, I think that I was able to communicate well with the parents, letting them know that I was also looking out for their child's best interest.
Elaboration:
Today we had parent teacher conferences. These conferences were students led and lasted for most of the day. For the most part it was a positive experience. Not quite all of the students in our class had their parents come, but a large majority did. I got to speak with some of the parents about things that had been going on and problems they had been having. Most all of the parents seemed very supportive and wanted to fix any of the problems we had. I got to speak with some of the parents, however, a majority of them wanted to speak to the regular classroom teachers.
Analysis:
It was difficult for me to realize that most of the parents do not view me as their child's teacher. Although this makes sense, I feel like the teacher because I am the one who is interacting with them. I think the responsibility teachers have to parents is a huge one. It becomes much scarier when you have to back up the things you're doing to the parents. However, I think that I was able to communicate well with the parents, letting them know that I was also looking out for their child's best interest.
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