Entry 8
What is the most important thing I have learned during my field work observation? Why?
I have been around teaching for all my adult life. I even remember being in 4th grade, and because I was a high achieving students, I was allowed to go to the cottage in the back of the building and work with the special education students. It gave me an opportunity to show them how to finger knit. Something they could do on there own, and would not cause any harm. I remember that it was not teaching them how to do it, but how hard they worked for me to learn. When they were able to make a chain, it was satisfying to see the look on their faces. It was a successful moment for them.
In the 6th grade classroom I worked with different groups in math. We did a variety of projects trying to get the students to understand how to complete the task. I took the time to kneel down next to them and engage in a working conversation. One of the most important things I learned, showing that I cared and taking the time to give them attention they needed. I was able to help them be successful. Me...imagine that, I am going to make a difference in their lives. I will be there to help them become successful and to be life long learners and never give up.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Entry 7
At VHMS, the bell rings for class to dismiss. There is 5 min to go from one class to another. At 4 min a warning bell rings, letting students know they have 1 min to get to class or they are tardy. Mrs. McBride requires that all students be in there seats when the final bell rings. She has what is called a, "Starter," on the board. This is usually 3 problems that are from the homework or quiz, or just extra problems to practice on. Students are to be in there seats working on the starter when the bell rings. This gives Mrs. McBride about 10 min to complete the attendance. Students have assigned seats, so they don't have to scramble where to sit each day. Once it is time to begin correcting the starter, Mrs. McBride has a bell she uses to let everyone know, "put down your pencils." The starters are kept for the week and turned in at the end of the week for a grade. It is the students responsibility to keep them in their math binders.
There is a list on the board that outlines what will be happening in the class today. Mrs. McBride will usually have: 1. Starter, 2. Answer questions on homework, 3. Correct homework, 4. Lesson, quiz, test for the day, 4. New homework handed out. This allows students to know what is going to happen during class and avoids the old question of, "What are we doing today?" That can get annoying from 30 students. Sometimes the class will work in groups. If the groups are too loud or are not staying on task, Mrs. McBride will ring the bell to quiet everyone down and get them to refocus on what they are doing. This is a great way to talk to the students without having to raise your voice.
Rules in the building and classroom are really the same. It is about respecting yourself, your classmates, and your building. Adminstration and cousnelors are in the hallways during passing period to help with any bad behavior. There are also cameras in the hallways, if something happens and they are unable to identify who did it. For example: someone lets off a stink bomb and thinks its funny until he realizes the cameras caught the whole thing. In the classroom it is more about being on time, staying on task, and being respectful. If a student is late they have to do get a late pass. After so many tardies, they get to spend their lunch time in detention, read an article and do a write up on it. In the class, if a student does not complete their homework they are stamped with a ZAP, and get to spend their lunch time completing it. If a student is misbehaving, they are usually warned, then name on the board, and then the check marks begin. If they need to be moved they are. If the behavior continues, it is reported to their parents, administration, and they lose certain privileges. In one of the classes I help in, we work on IPads. Each student signed an agreement to use them only for the program we are working on. If a student is caught taking pictures or being on sites they should not be, they lose the privilege of working on the IPad and a call is made home to the parents.
High expectations are a great way to help students follow the rules. I notice that when the teacher has their expectations lined out and they hold students to high standard, there are less problems. I have been in classrooms where the students thought they could walk all over the teacher and do what they wish. This is not a successful classroom for either the students or the teacher.
At VHMS, the bell rings for class to dismiss. There is 5 min to go from one class to another. At 4 min a warning bell rings, letting students know they have 1 min to get to class or they are tardy. Mrs. McBride requires that all students be in there seats when the final bell rings. She has what is called a, "Starter," on the board. This is usually 3 problems that are from the homework or quiz, or just extra problems to practice on. Students are to be in there seats working on the starter when the bell rings. This gives Mrs. McBride about 10 min to complete the attendance. Students have assigned seats, so they don't have to scramble where to sit each day. Once it is time to begin correcting the starter, Mrs. McBride has a bell she uses to let everyone know, "put down your pencils." The starters are kept for the week and turned in at the end of the week for a grade. It is the students responsibility to keep them in their math binders.
There is a list on the board that outlines what will be happening in the class today. Mrs. McBride will usually have: 1. Starter, 2. Answer questions on homework, 3. Correct homework, 4. Lesson, quiz, test for the day, 4. New homework handed out. This allows students to know what is going to happen during class and avoids the old question of, "What are we doing today?" That can get annoying from 30 students. Sometimes the class will work in groups. If the groups are too loud or are not staying on task, Mrs. McBride will ring the bell to quiet everyone down and get them to refocus on what they are doing. This is a great way to talk to the students without having to raise your voice.
Rules in the building and classroom are really the same. It is about respecting yourself, your classmates, and your building. Adminstration and cousnelors are in the hallways during passing period to help with any bad behavior. There are also cameras in the hallways, if something happens and they are unable to identify who did it. For example: someone lets off a stink bomb and thinks its funny until he realizes the cameras caught the whole thing. In the classroom it is more about being on time, staying on task, and being respectful. If a student is late they have to do get a late pass. After so many tardies, they get to spend their lunch time in detention, read an article and do a write up on it. In the class, if a student does not complete their homework they are stamped with a ZAP, and get to spend their lunch time completing it. If a student is misbehaving, they are usually warned, then name on the board, and then the check marks begin. If they need to be moved they are. If the behavior continues, it is reported to their parents, administration, and they lose certain privileges. In one of the classes I help in, we work on IPads. Each student signed an agreement to use them only for the program we are working on. If a student is caught taking pictures or being on sites they should not be, they lose the privilege of working on the IPad and a call is made home to the parents.
High expectations are a great way to help students follow the rules. I notice that when the teacher has their expectations lined out and they hold students to high standard, there are less problems. I have been in classrooms where the students thought they could walk all over the teacher and do what they wish. This is not a successful classroom for either the students or the teacher.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Entry 6
Entry 6
Teachers do a lot to engage the students in their class. If they did not, they would lose the students interest. In the elementary, students seem to want to please the teacher. There are a couple of different ways that the teacher engaged the student. She would have the students come up to the white board and answer questions. She would use the overhead projector to show a students example of the project they were working on. The students worked in small groups on different projects. It was up to the group to make sure everyone understood the final result. Another thing I observed that I found helpful, was how she brought the students attention back to her. She would say, "Class, class, class." They would answer back, "Yes, yes, yes." She changed her rhythm each time and students knew when to quiet down and listen for the next instruction. I also observed in the 2nd grade class that the teacher pre-set a program on his computer, when it was time to change task, music would come on and students would know to put away what they are working on, return to their seats and get out the next subject materials.
Teachers do a lot to engage the students in their class. If they did not, they would lose the students interest. In the elementary, students seem to want to please the teacher. There are a couple of different ways that the teacher engaged the student. She would have the students come up to the white board and answer questions. She would use the overhead projector to show a students example of the project they were working on. The students worked in small groups on different projects. It was up to the group to make sure everyone understood the final result. Another thing I observed that I found helpful, was how she brought the students attention back to her. She would say, "Class, class, class." They would answer back, "Yes, yes, yes." She changed her rhythm each time and students knew when to quiet down and listen for the next instruction. I also observed in the 2nd grade class that the teacher pre-set a program on his computer, when it was time to change task, music would come on and students would know to put away what they are working on, return to their seats and get out the next subject materials.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Entry 5
The most important role a teacher plays is teaching. But, it is not that simple. Teaching is not just standing in front of a classroom, lecturing, and then testing the students. Teachers spend time learning themselves. They learn new ideas on the subject matter, they spend hours planning lessons, they analyze test results, and design lesson to fit the students needs. Teachers get to know each students interest to plan their instruction of the lesson. Teachers are facilitators and tutors in their own classroom. They look for tools to spark the interest of students to challenge their brains and learn to solve problems. Teaching is the most important role for a teacher, but it is also the most challenging.
Teachers are not given a blue print of lessons and the students they are teaching. Teachers are learning everyday of how to spark the interest of each of their students. Sometimes they are not given the tools they need to help their students, due to funding of districts, and they have to learn to improvise. Also, with some curriculum teachers are held to a specific learning plan. This sometimes can limit their creativity to lessons, because students need to learn certain things for the national test they take. Teachers want every student to be successful and sometimes trying to figure out how to help a student learn can be challenging.
The most important role a teacher plays is teaching. But, it is not that simple. Teaching is not just standing in front of a classroom, lecturing, and then testing the students. Teachers spend time learning themselves. They learn new ideas on the subject matter, they spend hours planning lessons, they analyze test results, and design lesson to fit the students needs. Teachers get to know each students interest to plan their instruction of the lesson. Teachers are facilitators and tutors in their own classroom. They look for tools to spark the interest of students to challenge their brains and learn to solve problems. Teaching is the most important role for a teacher, but it is also the most challenging.
Teachers are not given a blue print of lessons and the students they are teaching. Teachers are learning everyday of how to spark the interest of each of their students. Sometimes they are not given the tools they need to help their students, due to funding of districts, and they have to learn to improvise. Also, with some curriculum teachers are held to a specific learning plan. This sometimes can limit their creativity to lessons, because students need to learn certain things for the national test they take. Teachers want every student to be successful and sometimes trying to figure out how to help a student learn can be challenging.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Entry 4
There is a lot of clerical work that goes into teaching. I have assisted in putting together assignments on the computer. Some of the assignments do not come right out of a book. So, the teacher has to take the time to put together certain homework assignment or test. I have assisted in putting together some of these assignments. They use a program that allows you to input graphs, equations, and type up text. The teacher had already everything laid out the way she wanted, I just put it all into the program to create an assignment. I have also been involved in printing up materials for the class and cutting out card stock to be a certain size for a lesson that was being taught. The teacher also keeps track of grade on a program called 'Skyward.' Students are able to see what grades they have on different assignments, missing assignments, and what there grade is for each class. I have helped the teacher enter grades from a test. I also helped correct assignments so the teacher could complete grades in the program. (end of 3rd term is coming up)
The process that I have noticed in different subject is; the teacher teaches a lesson, then she gives an assignment that relates to the lesson for the students to work through. The desk are set up in groups of 4 or 5. She encourages that students to help each other and make sure everyone in their section is completing the task correctly. These are all parting of assessing the students. But, to be sure the students understand and comprehend the material, the teacher gives a quiz or a class starter that has the same material on it for them to complete. This is a way for the teacher to see who is understanding the material, processing, and comprehending what is being taught. If the majority of students are not understanding, she will do a whole class re-teach, otherwise she tries to individualize the students who need a bit more instruction.
There is a lot of clerical work that goes into teaching. I have assisted in putting together assignments on the computer. Some of the assignments do not come right out of a book. So, the teacher has to take the time to put together certain homework assignment or test. I have assisted in putting together some of these assignments. They use a program that allows you to input graphs, equations, and type up text. The teacher had already everything laid out the way she wanted, I just put it all into the program to create an assignment. I have also been involved in printing up materials for the class and cutting out card stock to be a certain size for a lesson that was being taught. The teacher also keeps track of grade on a program called 'Skyward.' Students are able to see what grades they have on different assignments, missing assignments, and what there grade is for each class. I have helped the teacher enter grades from a test. I also helped correct assignments so the teacher could complete grades in the program. (end of 3rd term is coming up)
The process that I have noticed in different subject is; the teacher teaches a lesson, then she gives an assignment that relates to the lesson for the students to work through. The desk are set up in groups of 4 or 5. She encourages that students to help each other and make sure everyone in their section is completing the task correctly. These are all parting of assessing the students. But, to be sure the students understand and comprehend the material, the teacher gives a quiz or a class starter that has the same material on it for them to complete. This is a way for the teacher to see who is understanding the material, processing, and comprehending what is being taught. If the majority of students are not understanding, she will do a whole class re-teach, otherwise she tries to individualize the students who need a bit more instruction.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Blog 3
Modification - When a student is not able to learn the same as a non-special ed student, the teacher needs to make modifications to the lesson being taught.
While observing the classroom, a couple of the students have ADHD. I watched the student sitting in their seat while the teacher was trying to teach a math lesson. The student was very wiggly and was unable to just sit still, but at the same time, they would blurt out the answer without raising their hand. The teacher was very patient in reminding the student to raise their hand and wait to be called on. The one thing I was impressed with was how the teacher would let the student raise his hand and then she would call on him and say, "Thank you for raising your hand, what is the answer."
While doing the lesson, the teacher got out some manipulatives for the students to work with. She handed the ADHD student a set so that he could work with. This actually kept him focusing on the task at hand and he was able to complete the assignment. Some of the other students who do not have ADHD were able to move forward and finish the task without having any modifications.
I liked how patient the teacher was with the student and didn't seem to be nagging at the student constantly for wiggling and not sitting still. She modified the lesson plan so that the ADHD student was able to focus and complete the task at hand. The teacher was able to assist other students and keep everyone on task.
ADHD is not a mental illness, it is a medical condition that if the teacher knows about it, can be dealt with as things come up. The student still struggled to stand still in line to go to lunch, ADHD still has an impulsive behavior that the child needs to continue to be aware of and work with throughout his life.
Modification - When a student is not able to learn the same as a non-special ed student, the teacher needs to make modifications to the lesson being taught.
While observing the classroom, a couple of the students have ADHD. I watched the student sitting in their seat while the teacher was trying to teach a math lesson. The student was very wiggly and was unable to just sit still, but at the same time, they would blurt out the answer without raising their hand. The teacher was very patient in reminding the student to raise their hand and wait to be called on. The one thing I was impressed with was how the teacher would let the student raise his hand and then she would call on him and say, "Thank you for raising your hand, what is the answer."
While doing the lesson, the teacher got out some manipulatives for the students to work with. She handed the ADHD student a set so that he could work with. This actually kept him focusing on the task at hand and he was able to complete the assignment. Some of the other students who do not have ADHD were able to move forward and finish the task without having any modifications.
I liked how patient the teacher was with the student and didn't seem to be nagging at the student constantly for wiggling and not sitting still. She modified the lesson plan so that the ADHD student was able to focus and complete the task at hand. The teacher was able to assist other students and keep everyone on task.
ADHD is not a mental illness, it is a medical condition that if the teacher knows about it, can be dealt with as things come up. The student still struggled to stand still in line to go to lunch, ADHD still has an impulsive behavior that the child needs to continue to be aware of and work with throughout his life.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Blog Entry 2
I worked with a small group of students that had failed an angles test. We reviewed the difference between degrees and sides. The students were tentative and began to understand better what they had answered wrong on the test. Seven of the eight students were able to pass the test.
This gave me the opportunity to work with the one student that struggle to retain or understand the difference between angles and sides and why they have to have a specific measurement to make a triangle. I was able to use some hands on material to show the student why some measurements do not make a triangle. The hands on seemed to help the student have a better understanding of the test material. The experience to watch a student go from struggling to understanding the material was incredible. We talked about working hard, practicing, and asking questions when he did not understand new material.
A classroom teacher has a bigger responsibility then just teaching. Teaching is probably there easiest part of the job. They are not only responsible for lessons, they have to attend staff meeting, grade level meetings, IEP or special ed meetings, and sometimes help with supervision during lunch or recess. Even when they finish all this work, they still need to take time to get everything graded and reports on the students.
Schools today give equal education opportunities to all. A classroom is filled with children from all ethnic groups and learning levels. In the early 1900's, black students were separated into their own school buildings and children with learning disabilities were in a different location. Teachers today have a bigger job then they have ever had. They get to teach all children, they get to help them work together as a team, they get to help students who may have learning disabilities learn and live in today's world. This is an opportunity to teach students that hatred has no place in their lives and that everyone is equal.
I worked with a small group of students that had failed an angles test. We reviewed the difference between degrees and sides. The students were tentative and began to understand better what they had answered wrong on the test. Seven of the eight students were able to pass the test.
This gave me the opportunity to work with the one student that struggle to retain or understand the difference between angles and sides and why they have to have a specific measurement to make a triangle. I was able to use some hands on material to show the student why some measurements do not make a triangle. The hands on seemed to help the student have a better understanding of the test material. The experience to watch a student go from struggling to understanding the material was incredible. We talked about working hard, practicing, and asking questions when he did not understand new material.
A classroom teacher has a bigger responsibility then just teaching. Teaching is probably there easiest part of the job. They are not only responsible for lessons, they have to attend staff meeting, grade level meetings, IEP or special ed meetings, and sometimes help with supervision during lunch or recess. Even when they finish all this work, they still need to take time to get everything graded and reports on the students.
Schools today give equal education opportunities to all. A classroom is filled with children from all ethnic groups and learning levels. In the early 1900's, black students were separated into their own school buildings and children with learning disabilities were in a different location. Teachers today have a bigger job then they have ever had. They get to teach all children, they get to help them work together as a team, they get to help students who may have learning disabilities learn and live in today's world. This is an opportunity to teach students that hatred has no place in their lives and that everyone is equal.
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