I will start by saying what a great semester. To me, it flew by so fast. I am glad it is now coming to an end. We have all worked so very hard this semester and I wish everyone the best of luck with their teaching careers. I have learned so much from the book as well as you guys. I feel that everyone learns from everyone. So people have great ideas, so don't feel bad to use them. They may be the key to helping a child learn. I am still going to pursue teaching because I feel that it is my calling. I feel that I am a strong enough person to keep up with the high demands of teaching as well. I feel that one of the demands is changing with the students. Over time children change. Also, if a teaching method is not working, I will change it. Some methods of teaching may have worked one year, but may not work the next. I feel that I am capable for change and am not afraid of it. I feel that a good teacher would meet those demands as well as love and care for their students. If this job ever becomes a paycheck to someone, then they are not really a good teacher. Those are the teachers that need to get of the the education field.
Teachers have a lot of responsibilities. They have to number one make sure the curriculum is being taught. They have to pay attention to see if everyone of their students is ok. They may be in a child abuse home. If so a teacher has to report it. A teacher also has to meet every students learning style and make sure that they are learning they way they do and not how us as teachers learn. I can go on, but to me these are the important ones. You may think differently, but this is how I feel. Not to mention that all the students need some sort of positive attention. I think that being a good student falls into play with being a good teacher because they are both positive role models for others. If the teacher is doing what he or she needs to be doing and same with the students, then others who want to act up in class may look at them as a good person and follow their lead. I also think that a good student turns their work in on time, asks questions, participates and helps others. This is similar to the teacher. I know deep down that I will be a great teacher and I am so excited about it! I wish all of you the best! Have a wonderful summer!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Module 11
The first question that I chose to do was #9, “how can teachers use technology to support effective instruction?”
I think that if a teacher has the capability to get his or her hands on new equipment to teach with, why not use it. It is something different than the blackboard or overhead. The children would be a little more interested in the new teaching method because it is not the same ol’ thing. I think that the smart boards are good because you can hook it up to your computer and are able to do so much during instruction with it. Also, there are so many different types of technology out there that teachers can use. The alpha smart keyboards are great too. The students would get to enjoy it because they get to use the technology themselves. It is a good “to-go” computer lab if the school is short on classrooms.
The second question I chose to do was, #6, “what questioning strategies increase student achievement?”
I think that if you keep the students on their tip-toes at all times then they are bound to learn something. I think that after you give notes, read what you have to read, and then want to see what they did learn, put names on pop-sickle sticks and that way you have no idea who is going to be drawn out. That means that if you call a student who was not paying attention it would make them feel embarrassed that they do not know when everyone else knows. It would make him or her learn a lesson to pay attention. Not only that, it’s just an encouraging thing to them that they do not know, but they are learning because they are focusing. I also think that after a lesson if the students came up with their own questions and turned them in to the teacher to read, they would like to answer each other’s questions because they want to see what their peers did. Since they have to write their own questions, they need to know the answer to it if someone answers it. I feel that this is a great way to get everyone in the class involved.
All of the ideas I mentioned is what I experienced in the schools that I participated in. I had a great time doing the field experiences because I learned quite a bit. I got great ideas to use in the classroom as well. The teachers that I worked with loved their job and wanted to make sure everyone learned. That is their job, right!?!?! That is the whole purpose of school, to learn. I am glad that I got GREAT ideas to use in my classroom.
I think that if a teacher has the capability to get his or her hands on new equipment to teach with, why not use it. It is something different than the blackboard or overhead. The children would be a little more interested in the new teaching method because it is not the same ol’ thing. I think that the smart boards are good because you can hook it up to your computer and are able to do so much during instruction with it. Also, there are so many different types of technology out there that teachers can use. The alpha smart keyboards are great too. The students would get to enjoy it because they get to use the technology themselves. It is a good “to-go” computer lab if the school is short on classrooms.
The second question I chose to do was, #6, “what questioning strategies increase student achievement?”
I think that if you keep the students on their tip-toes at all times then they are bound to learn something. I think that after you give notes, read what you have to read, and then want to see what they did learn, put names on pop-sickle sticks and that way you have no idea who is going to be drawn out. That means that if you call a student who was not paying attention it would make them feel embarrassed that they do not know when everyone else knows. It would make him or her learn a lesson to pay attention. Not only that, it’s just an encouraging thing to them that they do not know, but they are learning because they are focusing. I also think that after a lesson if the students came up with their own questions and turned them in to the teacher to read, they would like to answer each other’s questions because they want to see what their peers did. Since they have to write their own questions, they need to know the answer to it if someone answers it. I feel that this is a great way to get everyone in the class involved.
All of the ideas I mentioned is what I experienced in the schools that I participated in. I had a great time doing the field experiences because I learned quite a bit. I got great ideas to use in the classroom as well. The teachers that I worked with loved their job and wanted to make sure everyone learned. That is their job, right!?!?! That is the whole purpose of school, to learn. I am glad that I got GREAT ideas to use in my classroom.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Module 10
The teachers rights and responsibility I chose was on page 385, I chose to talk about situation #3. Wow, is what I first have to say about what happened to this teacher. I feel that what goes on in a teacher's personal life is up to him/her; especially if it is not causing problems in the classroom. One, the students do not have to know her living arrangements. There is nothing in the law that says as teacher you cannot live with your significant other. I think that the school that she was working in was very judgemental about what she had decided to do in her life. In that particular case, that teacher did break the norm of getting married and then living together. But who cares, if you do not want to get married, people have their reasons. You as a teacher are not subject o be married to live with someone.
The student's rights and responsibility I chose was on page 397, I chose to talk about situation #13. I feel that it was wrong for the children to get suspended for wearing t-shirts with www marked over with red ink. I think that it is free speech ad anyone has the right to protest and say what they want to say. I am glad that the school system did not win in this case because it breaks one of the amendments. Just because the student it not an adult does not mean that you can take their right away or make them not aware of their rights.
The student's rights and responsibility I chose was on page 397, I chose to talk about situation #13. I feel that it was wrong for the children to get suspended for wearing t-shirts with www marked over with red ink. I think that it is free speech ad anyone has the right to protest and say what they want to say. I am glad that the school system did not win in this case because it breaks one of the amendments. Just because the student it not an adult does not mean that you can take their right away or make them not aware of their rights.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Module 9
I am so glad that there was such a case like this. I believe it did make schools come closer to having more equal education throughout North Carolina. I still feel that there are more tweaks to work out, but for the most part I feel that everything is great. I think that the original purpose for this lawsuit was what needs still to be done. "Was the fairness in school funding." I feel that the schools are still not properly funded. When schools are properly funded they are able to build on to their school to accommodate the growth of the population, offer competitive salaries to attract good teachers, provide books for all students, and science labs. I think that not all schools are properly funded because the county that I did my observations in was Columbus county and at Acme Delco Middle School, it is very run down. The outside appearance was atrocious, and the classrooms desperately needed TLC. It looked like the classrooms had not been painted in years. My mood changed dramatically when I was there. I was so excited to observe and once I had been there for an hour, I was basically depressed. The classroom I observed in still had green chalkboards, and no overhead projection screen. The teacher had to write everything out on the board which takes more time and takes away from the teaching time. It is not a very proficient way for the teachers to teach. They had a new computer lab which was probably the best thing in the school. Anyway, if this school was properly funded I feel that the outside appearance would be better and the teachers would have better equipment to work with to be proficient.
Another argument would be that low wealth schools are unable to provide all of their students with a minimally adequate education. I feel this is true because just like at Acme Delco, their supplies are not enough to teach with things that would help them teach in a more adequate classroom. In some counties they are teaching with new computers and smart boards. Why should these wealthy counties not give to the low wealth schools to make them at least get what they need. I mean its not fair that some schools have luxury items when other schools have not enough to make their students make a level 3 on EOG.
Was the NC Supreme Court State fulfilling their constitutional duties? I think they were by passing this law and being in favor with the at risk children. I think that some people know the best of the people and others don't. I feel that it is great that it is mandatory that the state must provide additional services and funds to help all NC children and youth meet the Leandro standard. I also agree that Pre-k be required for all at risk children because it gets them in the game and lets them at least have a chance in the education world.
I feel that when I looked at one of the articles we had to look at, I feel that it is not fair that black students are more likely to have a newer teacher than white students. I feel that it should not be a problem if the teacher is highly qualified. That is what you have to be to teach in North Carolina. I also feel like if that is the case it might be due to the administrators who place students in classes. If that is true then they need to get a new job. The students need to be placed in random order. In general, I'm glad that this case came about because things in the school system would probably be a lot worse than they are now.
Another argument would be that low wealth schools are unable to provide all of their students with a minimally adequate education. I feel this is true because just like at Acme Delco, their supplies are not enough to teach with things that would help them teach in a more adequate classroom. In some counties they are teaching with new computers and smart boards. Why should these wealthy counties not give to the low wealth schools to make them at least get what they need. I mean its not fair that some schools have luxury items when other schools have not enough to make their students make a level 3 on EOG.
Was the NC Supreme Court State fulfilling their constitutional duties? I think they were by passing this law and being in favor with the at risk children. I think that some people know the best of the people and others don't. I feel that it is great that it is mandatory that the state must provide additional services and funds to help all NC children and youth meet the Leandro standard. I also agree that Pre-k be required for all at risk children because it gets them in the game and lets them at least have a chance in the education world.
I feel that when I looked at one of the articles we had to look at, I feel that it is not fair that black students are more likely to have a newer teacher than white students. I feel that it should not be a problem if the teacher is highly qualified. That is what you have to be to teach in North Carolina. I also feel like if that is the case it might be due to the administrators who place students in classes. If that is true then they need to get a new job. The students need to be placed in random order. In general, I'm glad that this case came about because things in the school system would probably be a lot worse than they are now.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Field Experience
Wow! I had a great time doing my field experience. I went on the 13 of this month as well as the 20. I also plan to go back on the 27 as well. I went to Acme Delco middle school and the school was really rather run down and had a sad atmosphere because of the TLC that it needed. I feel that hopefully one day soon that the school will get some improvement. The kids were really friendly as well as had great manners when it came to visitors in the room. I was very impressed. The staff was very well rounded and helped me quite a bit. The teacher that I worker with was telling me very positive things about education and that he thought I would make a great math teacher as well as enjoy teaching. He said with my personality and energy, the kids would love me and have a good time in my class. I really hope that what he said is true because that would be awesome to have a positive experience in teaching. I do not want to exit the school system unless I have to.
The other school that I worked with was Acme Delco Elementary School. I went to this school last. I think that I was expecting the same run down, negative energy when I got there, so I prepared myself. When I got there I was totally surprised. It was a very small school just like the middle school, but beautiful when I went inside. I worked in an kindergarten class and it was very nice. I loved seeing children so in tune with learning. They wanted to learn and enjoyed it as well. I also will admit that I loved centers time. I got to color, play airplanes, tigers, house and blocks. Not only was it fun I got to experience children with special needs. There were 9 kids in that room with special needs. One had to walk with crutches and had braces on his legs and another had autism. I played airplanes with him. He did not have anything to say to me but he did make airplane noises. After leaving this school, it made me want to be a teacher this much more because I can not wait to shape students into great beings in our society. I feel that as a teacher we are really important to them because they see us for the majority of their day and we are a really big role model in their eyes. The teacher of this class had two helpers because of the many different special needs. Ms. Williams knew how to work with all of them so well and it made me inspire more to be like her and be so well rounded as a teacher.
The other school that I worked with was Acme Delco Elementary School. I went to this school last. I think that I was expecting the same run down, negative energy when I got there, so I prepared myself. When I got there I was totally surprised. It was a very small school just like the middle school, but beautiful when I went inside. I worked in an kindergarten class and it was very nice. I loved seeing children so in tune with learning. They wanted to learn and enjoyed it as well. I also will admit that I loved centers time. I got to color, play airplanes, tigers, house and blocks. Not only was it fun I got to experience children with special needs. There were 9 kids in that room with special needs. One had to walk with crutches and had braces on his legs and another had autism. I played airplanes with him. He did not have anything to say to me but he did make airplane noises. After leaving this school, it made me want to be a teacher this much more because I can not wait to shape students into great beings in our society. I feel that as a teacher we are really important to them because they see us for the majority of their day and we are a really big role model in their eyes. The teacher of this class had two helpers because of the many different special needs. Ms. Williams knew how to work with all of them so well and it made me inspire more to be like her and be so well rounded as a teacher.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Module 8
Video:
After watching the video I still have my pros and cons about it. I liked and agreed with some of the things he said. I liked that he said we should know our commitments. he stated, " your number one commitment should be the unity of humanity; we should respect everyone." Commitment number 2 to admit that you don't know everything. Teachers who question are great, and they should be on a journey with the students of learning. Commitment number 3 tell the truth. Admit that everything you see is not right." I think that these are great commitments but I feel that everyone will have their own of which they feel strongly about. No matter what, we are teaching morals in the classroom if we mean to or not. I think that morals are good to have and especially if there are not any at home. However, I agreed and disagreed with this statement and I will tell you why. When he said, "we need to teach moral behavior by not treating them like objects, authoritarian, beat them down and we should bend their wills to ours." I agreed with it because I think we should not treat them like objects because simply their not, their human beings. I also liked that we do not need to beat them down. As a teacher we need to give respectful criticism at the same time not be harsh about it. I did not agree with this statement in a sense because not being authoritarian is almost like giving them the privilege of not respecting us as a teacher. I feel that we need to be authoritative because some just do not give respect. I feel in order to give respect they need to respect me.
Philosophy of Education:
When I took the inventory for this chapter I had a few that were close to each other. I feel that I do not have one exact philosophy. I am a little of a few. I scored a 21 on essentialism, a 22 for perennialism, a 19 for progressivism, a 22 for social reconstructionism and a 7 for existentialism. I think my favorite would be the great essentialism. I love having a curriculum because I love having an idea of "a list" to follow. I love guidelines to follow. If it were any other way I would feel lost. I think perennialism is my next favorite because they are big on reading and I feel that is the key to life. You need to know how to read. A lot of people do not know how to read in high school but yet they made it that far. It is a shame that they let those students go to the next grade to fall further behind in their poor language skills. The video really did not back up anything I felt in the inventory. I have a total different outlook on the video than I do the inventory. To me I feel that man in the video taught or felt that existentialism was the best route for students and for me that is not good at all. Some may disagree but that is really what I felt he was aiming towards. As a future teacher I think that the two inventories will develop me over time to see what teacher I will EXACTLY be. Right now, I am still developing. I have lots of things in front of me to sculpt and mold me and influence me. I think the first inventory did nothing for me because I felt that everyone of those were of importance. I feel that the first inventory and the second are similar in the way that it included students and facilitators to what was right for both of them. The only contradiction I see is that the first one is concerned about racism, and sexism and the other does not even mention it. I feel that the classroom that I will have will be a mixture of a few philosophies: essentialism, perennialism, and social reconstructionism. The only thing that Dr. Ayers said that would be included in my vision would be that we do not need to shape them for today's world but to unleash them for a world they will experience and shape. I feel that statement was very relevant and very true. Like I said above, I feel that the video was almost hinting around the fact that he wanted the classroom to be existentialism. I totally disagree with it so that is my only contradiction that I feel strongly about.
After watching the video I still have my pros and cons about it. I liked and agreed with some of the things he said. I liked that he said we should know our commitments. he stated, " your number one commitment should be the unity of humanity; we should respect everyone." Commitment number 2 to admit that you don't know everything. Teachers who question are great, and they should be on a journey with the students of learning. Commitment number 3 tell the truth. Admit that everything you see is not right." I think that these are great commitments but I feel that everyone will have their own of which they feel strongly about. No matter what, we are teaching morals in the classroom if we mean to or not. I think that morals are good to have and especially if there are not any at home. However, I agreed and disagreed with this statement and I will tell you why. When he said, "we need to teach moral behavior by not treating them like objects, authoritarian, beat them down and we should bend their wills to ours." I agreed with it because I think we should not treat them like objects because simply their not, their human beings. I also liked that we do not need to beat them down. As a teacher we need to give respectful criticism at the same time not be harsh about it. I did not agree with this statement in a sense because not being authoritarian is almost like giving them the privilege of not respecting us as a teacher. I feel that we need to be authoritative because some just do not give respect. I feel in order to give respect they need to respect me.
Philosophy of Education:
When I took the inventory for this chapter I had a few that were close to each other. I feel that I do not have one exact philosophy. I am a little of a few. I scored a 21 on essentialism, a 22 for perennialism, a 19 for progressivism, a 22 for social reconstructionism and a 7 for existentialism. I think my favorite would be the great essentialism. I love having a curriculum because I love having an idea of "a list" to follow. I love guidelines to follow. If it were any other way I would feel lost. I think perennialism is my next favorite because they are big on reading and I feel that is the key to life. You need to know how to read. A lot of people do not know how to read in high school but yet they made it that far. It is a shame that they let those students go to the next grade to fall further behind in their poor language skills. The video really did not back up anything I felt in the inventory. I have a total different outlook on the video than I do the inventory. To me I feel that man in the video taught or felt that existentialism was the best route for students and for me that is not good at all. Some may disagree but that is really what I felt he was aiming towards. As a future teacher I think that the two inventories will develop me over time to see what teacher I will EXACTLY be. Right now, I am still developing. I have lots of things in front of me to sculpt and mold me and influence me. I think the first inventory did nothing for me because I felt that everyone of those were of importance. I feel that the first inventory and the second are similar in the way that it included students and facilitators to what was right for both of them. The only contradiction I see is that the first one is concerned about racism, and sexism and the other does not even mention it. I feel that the classroom that I will have will be a mixture of a few philosophies: essentialism, perennialism, and social reconstructionism. The only thing that Dr. Ayers said that would be included in my vision would be that we do not need to shape them for today's world but to unleash them for a world they will experience and shape. I feel that statement was very relevant and very true. Like I said above, I feel that the video was almost hinting around the fact that he wanted the classroom to be existentialism. I totally disagree with it so that is my only contradiction that I feel strongly about.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Module 7
One topic that stood out to me was Mexican Americans in the schools. It seems like many Americans are prejudice towards them and they get the short hand of the stick. I decided that I would do a little research to see why they have been discriminated against for so many years. The first piece of research was an article. http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/65841/. On this website it talked about how there was separate facilities for them. They were always under funded, the text books were past down and out dated from other schools; the teachers were not highly qualified and never enough material. By the time schools were segregated in the late 1960s, many of the Mexican Americans started school two years late to help the family around the home. By the time they started school the other children were always ahead of them and they were never able to catch up. Because of this many of them dropped out because there was not hope for them.
The other piece of research I did was a youtube video. I found this interesting because it explained or backed up the previous article that I had looked at. The video was held when all of this was going on and in black and white. Go to youtube and type in “Taking Back the Schools (PT 4).” It is showing high school students protesting due to how Mexican American schools were. They do not have up to date textbooks, desks, chairs, or fully functioning facilities. They were sick of being discriminated against and wanted to do something about it. Believe it or not the cops in the town took it too far and had never experienced a protest which under the constitution is legal. The cops would beat and heat the high school students for not stopping the protest. It was a very sad video to see how this town treated Mexican Americans even though by the constitution everyone is equal.
The other topic I chose to research was women in education. I chose women in education because it was a male job a while back. I feel like women are more powerful now then in the 1800s. I am just amazed to see how far everything has come to what women are allowed to do and that we are actually being treated more equal. I found an article about women working now compared to the 1950s. (http://humanresources.about.com/od/worklifebalance/a/business.women.htm). It was interesting seeing the numbers with today’s numbers. It also talked about how women need to get into higher paying positions to be more powerful. They want us to be educated enough to fulfill those positions in the workforce. I feel that it is possible for more women to get involved into higher paying jobs. It wasn’t too long ago to where women were allowed to work. I feel that we still have a lot of catching up to do towards men but we can do it! Look at how far we have come so far.
The other piece of research I did was another youtube video. When you get on the website type in “American History Revisited: An Original Song by Aaron Cohen. It is actually a funny song but it is so true. It sings about how history of women used to be and how it started to change for them. Then it started singing about the battle of the sexes. It is a must see short video. I loved it even though it was corny. I think that it fits perfectly for what the book was talking about. I loved this part of the research just to let you know!
The other piece of research I did was a youtube video. I found this interesting because it explained or backed up the previous article that I had looked at. The video was held when all of this was going on and in black and white. Go to youtube and type in “Taking Back the Schools (PT 4).” It is showing high school students protesting due to how Mexican American schools were. They do not have up to date textbooks, desks, chairs, or fully functioning facilities. They were sick of being discriminated against and wanted to do something about it. Believe it or not the cops in the town took it too far and had never experienced a protest which under the constitution is legal. The cops would beat and heat the high school students for not stopping the protest. It was a very sad video to see how this town treated Mexican Americans even though by the constitution everyone is equal.
The other topic I chose to research was women in education. I chose women in education because it was a male job a while back. I feel like women are more powerful now then in the 1800s. I am just amazed to see how far everything has come to what women are allowed to do and that we are actually being treated more equal. I found an article about women working now compared to the 1950s. (http://humanresources.about.com/od/worklifebalance/a/business.women.htm). It was interesting seeing the numbers with today’s numbers. It also talked about how women need to get into higher paying positions to be more powerful. They want us to be educated enough to fulfill those positions in the workforce. I feel that it is possible for more women to get involved into higher paying jobs. It wasn’t too long ago to where women were allowed to work. I feel that we still have a lot of catching up to do towards men but we can do it! Look at how far we have come so far.
The other piece of research I did was another youtube video. When you get on the website type in “American History Revisited: An Original Song by Aaron Cohen. It is actually a funny song but it is so true. It sings about how history of women used to be and how it started to change for them. Then it started singing about the battle of the sexes. It is a must see short video. I loved it even though it was corny. I think that it fits perfectly for what the book was talking about. I loved this part of the research just to let you know!
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