Challenging
I have learned how to manage challenging learners. By challenging I mean two categories: 1. the school year is coming to an end, the weather is getting better and summer fever is in the air. Challenging in this capacity is across the board in every classroom. With this said, students are still productive but a bit more susceptible to distraction. 2. In every class there seems to be one student who thrives on building an audience for themselves. These learners may speak out at inappropriate times, are non-compliant, and can be disruptive in many ways.
In handling both scenarios I let students know the consequences of their actions. In some cases I used the 3 strikes = a detention method. In others I reminded the class that productivity was a part of their grade and wasted time in class = poor productivity. In one cases I spoke with the school counselor about repeated behavior from the same student. This student was exhibiting some very dark characteristics which suggested violence towards other classmates as well as himself. Out of all these cases it is encouraging to know that I have been successful in continuing class productivity. At the same time, I also know that having my own classroom will be a tremendous advantage to issues such as these. Ever teacher has their own management plan which syncs with their personalities. These idiosyncrasies paired with a personal philosophy that go into a teachers behavior plan are intrinsic to a teachers success. When following another teachers foundation, as a student teacher, trying to adapt the participating teachers culture of that classroom can seem unnatural. This has been the case for me. I am however better off having experienced this differentiation.
I will miss my students which I am working with. I feel a strong bond with these classes and look forward to seeing them succeed in the future.
Some final things I need to finish to complete student teaching are: turn in student observation hours, turn in TPA project, complete a summer class, and begin weaning myself from the classroom as a primary instructor.
At this time there is nothing that I need nor any surprises to be expected for my college supervisor.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Blog Post 7
For making a successful transition out of the class it is important to have my junior high students begin to get exposure with my cooperating teacher. Two things to help with this transition which I'd like to accomplish regard the involvement of Mrs. Wines as a partnering teacher. To begin this process, introducing Mrs. Wines to the atmosphere of the class and giving her the task of taking attendance will help students see her as a leader. As we begin to co-teach a new unit, I'd like to offer her distinct areas of corresponding lessons which are foundational to its pedagogy. While co-teaching these lessons, deferring to her judgment and letting her answer questions will give her a place of leadership.
I think the biggest growth experience associated with my student teaching has been learning how to address a crowd confidently. I've learned how to multi-task the responsibility of communicating important task information while being engaging and not loosing anyone along the way.
I need to finish task 3 and 4 of TPA
No help needed, no surprises.
I think the biggest growth experience associated with my student teaching has been learning how to address a crowd confidently. I've learned how to multi-task the responsibility of communicating important task information while being engaging and not loosing anyone along the way.
I need to finish task 3 and 4 of TPA
No help needed, no surprises.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Blog Post 6
I have found the overhead media projector to be a fantastic tool when giving presentations to students on art movements, history, artists, their works, and examples of classroom projects. Using google docs it is very easy to put together a slide show of art movements which characterize a unit's preemptive ideologies and help shape student expectations. "Prezi.com" is another free website slide show generator presents media in a hip and captivating way.
Another tool which helps keep order in the classroom is the live web cam at my desk. While students remain at their desks, I can do demonstrations of techniques for the whole classroom and have them projected. In classes of 25-30 students this tool is most beneficial. Now students are not crowding around my desk trying to get consistent glimpses of imperative techniques which they must use for their work.
Two takeaways from the recent alumni panel are; one, when filing digital applications I will save much time and energy by saving answers to questions given in the digital portion of the applications. They shared that many of the questions are repeated among many of the districts applications. Storing them in a digital cache will be very helpful for copy paste at my convenience. Two, when interviewing, it is important to research schools background mission philosophy, AYP, demographics, etc… in order to taylor my questions most proficiently to the interviewers interests.
Something I want to accomplish which I will have a chance to do is develop my personal classroom behavior management plan.
The next steps which relate to my TPA project are putting it in order and answering the post-observation questions.
College supervisor
no surprises and no help needed at this time
Another tool which helps keep order in the classroom is the live web cam at my desk. While students remain at their desks, I can do demonstrations of techniques for the whole classroom and have them projected. In classes of 25-30 students this tool is most beneficial. Now students are not crowding around my desk trying to get consistent glimpses of imperative techniques which they must use for their work.
Two takeaways from the recent alumni panel are; one, when filing digital applications I will save much time and energy by saving answers to questions given in the digital portion of the applications. They shared that many of the questions are repeated among many of the districts applications. Storing them in a digital cache will be very helpful for copy paste at my convenience. Two, when interviewing, it is important to research schools background mission philosophy, AYP, demographics, etc… in order to taylor my questions most proficiently to the interviewers interests.
Something I want to accomplish which I will have a chance to do is develop my personal classroom behavior management plan.
The next steps which relate to my TPA project are putting it in order and answering the post-observation questions.
College supervisor
no surprises and no help needed at this time
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Blog Post 5
Bitter-Sweet
The number one takeaway to date from my experience as a student teacher which will translate to my own classroom in the fall is pride in curriculum. I feel that if I am always finding new ways to re-invent lessons of Color Harmony, Linear Perspective, Contour Drawing, etc., the classroom will always be a fun environment of scholarly achievement. These units will not change in core philosophy necessarily, but in application to the world and lives of my students. As long as there is an investment which goes out to each individual student according to his/her needs, my classroom will be a success.
I believe tests can be detrimental to a students growth as well as a permanent mark for/against his/her future. Not every student is ready for this responsibility and therefore the philosophy to use tests should look different in every classroom. Not every classroom will have the same dynamics as previous classes. At the same time, without a healthy ability to challenge students, using tests as an accountability measure is a good thing. I believe there is a balance which should be shifted according to student characteristics.
I taped my lesson for TPA! So excited to have this weight off my shoulders and I feel really good about the outcome of that days presentation. Now I just need to finish up the paperwork by answering post-opbservation questions and organize binder.
No surprises or needs at this time, thanks!
The number one takeaway to date from my experience as a student teacher which will translate to my own classroom in the fall is pride in curriculum. I feel that if I am always finding new ways to re-invent lessons of Color Harmony, Linear Perspective, Contour Drawing, etc., the classroom will always be a fun environment of scholarly achievement. These units will not change in core philosophy necessarily, but in application to the world and lives of my students. As long as there is an investment which goes out to each individual student according to his/her needs, my classroom will be a success.
I believe tests can be detrimental to a students growth as well as a permanent mark for/against his/her future. Not every student is ready for this responsibility and therefore the philosophy to use tests should look different in every classroom. Not every classroom will have the same dynamics as previous classes. At the same time, without a healthy ability to challenge students, using tests as an accountability measure is a good thing. I believe there is a balance which should be shifted according to student characteristics.
I taped my lesson for TPA! So excited to have this weight off my shoulders and I feel really good about the outcome of that days presentation. Now I just need to finish up the paperwork by answering post-opbservation questions and organize binder.
No surprises or needs at this time, thanks!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Blog 4
The goals for the past two weeks have been met and now, moving forward this week, I will be giving the lesson to my class wherein I video the classroom for my TPA plans. The previous goals related to TPA assignments and finishing task 1 and 2. These have helped in preparation for this weeks recording. I am also working on transforming my lesson plans into the abbreviated manifest which Trinity is requiring. This project is coming to a close as well.
Busy
A lesson which I recently taught that was effective was a review for midterms. In it, I prepared a Jeopardy style review where classroom teams were made and extra credit was given to the winning team. It was a lesson in which all students participated and made for a projection on which concepts from the test students would have the most trouble with. At the end of the day we went over these trouble area concepts and students now are better prepared for the test which is tomorrow.
I like the note card idea for a visual reminder of the points which a person does not want to miss in an interview. I also liked how in spite of the bias of an interview favoring the charismatic and well spoken person, the overall atmosphere or vibe a interviewee fosters is most important.
The TPA has helped me formulate and concentrate on more linear methods of instruction. When A is met, B follows. When B is met, move to C. If there are any learners left behind in any of these steps, differentiated instruction needs to take place.
no help needed and no surprises need be expected
Busy
A lesson which I recently taught that was effective was a review for midterms. In it, I prepared a Jeopardy style review where classroom teams were made and extra credit was given to the winning team. It was a lesson in which all students participated and made for a projection on which concepts from the test students would have the most trouble with. At the end of the day we went over these trouble area concepts and students now are better prepared for the test which is tomorrow.
I like the note card idea for a visual reminder of the points which a person does not want to miss in an interview. I also liked how in spite of the bias of an interview favoring the charismatic and well spoken person, the overall atmosphere or vibe a interviewee fosters is most important.
The TPA has helped me formulate and concentrate on more linear methods of instruction. When A is met, B follows. When B is met, move to C. If there are any learners left behind in any of these steps, differentiated instruction needs to take place.
no help needed and no surprises need be expected
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Blog Post 3
The goals from my past two weeks have been about falling into place and being free to educate my students while learning dynamics of classroom management. As I have learned that my voice is heard and respected by these students I have been able to offer a classroom conducive for education. This is regarding an atmosphere of mutual respect which students have for one another as well as the educator, me, to place priority on the mission of growing in intellectual demeanor.
The next goals I need to set for myself are to get caught up with my TPA project while completing the lesson planning from previous weeks which has been very abbreviated on paper, but not in action.
"Progressive" is one word to describe the previous week.
The developing of my classroom management plan has been to follow the plan which has already been initiated by my participating teacher. This is one where I control sound level of class in a variety of ways. Some of them involve playing music on the condition that if class volume gets to a level where music cannot be heard, it is turned off. Also, I have instated a value that students are only allowed to socialize with other students at their desk. This elevates "across room conversations" which otherwise manifest a atmosphere of yelling.
I am beginning my TPA project now, beginning with task 1- A,B, and C
Do not need help, and no surprises.
The next goals I need to set for myself are to get caught up with my TPA project while completing the lesson planning from previous weeks which has been very abbreviated on paper, but not in action.
"Progressive" is one word to describe the previous week.
The developing of my classroom management plan has been to follow the plan which has already been initiated by my participating teacher. This is one where I control sound level of class in a variety of ways. Some of them involve playing music on the condition that if class volume gets to a level where music cannot be heard, it is turned off. Also, I have instated a value that students are only allowed to socialize with other students at their desk. This elevates "across room conversations" which otherwise manifest a atmosphere of yelling.
I am beginning my TPA project now, beginning with task 1- A,B, and C
Do not need help, and no surprises.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Blog 2
My goals from the last two weeks have actually been met. I cant say that it was out of determination or pursuit. I think it had more to do with just spending time in this new environment and getting acclimated.
For a new set of goals, #1 rather than subtly being a friend figure, I think there is more of a line I could be walking which doesn't aim to please the students as much as it exists to guide into their unknown and even at times, unwanted or unpleasant arenas, whether it be in concept, technique, or elsewhere. I think I may have a subtle place of compromise where too much of this leads to a student and teacher relationship which is equal. While there are places this can exist, equality does not belong in the assessment process of teaching. I found grading to be particularly challenging as I have grown to know the students and appreciate each one.
leader
In launching new units, one being learning 1 and 2 point perspective, clustering desks in groups of four has helped social interaction, especially when a student has needed help in grasping a concept. Students having an active engagement in learning has been one of the easier tasks in Art class as students participate in hands on application everyday. In self-motivation I have let students begin thumbnail ideas of future projects and while letting them brainstorm original ideas, they become innovators. Encouraging their ideas personally before showing finished works of previous students has enforced personal creativity while giving ideas to branch out.
One positive expectation that my cooperating teacher has of her students is regarding respect. She expects them to respect each other as well as her at all times which has many implications.
"The First Days of School" is still unopened due to my lack of time.
Task 1, A, B, and C have been accomplished.
Do not need help or feedback at this time.
No surprises at this time.
For a new set of goals, #1 rather than subtly being a friend figure, I think there is more of a line I could be walking which doesn't aim to please the students as much as it exists to guide into their unknown and even at times, unwanted or unpleasant arenas, whether it be in concept, technique, or elsewhere. I think I may have a subtle place of compromise where too much of this leads to a student and teacher relationship which is equal. While there are places this can exist, equality does not belong in the assessment process of teaching. I found grading to be particularly challenging as I have grown to know the students and appreciate each one.
leader
In launching new units, one being learning 1 and 2 point perspective, clustering desks in groups of four has helped social interaction, especially when a student has needed help in grasping a concept. Students having an active engagement in learning has been one of the easier tasks in Art class as students participate in hands on application everyday. In self-motivation I have let students begin thumbnail ideas of future projects and while letting them brainstorm original ideas, they become innovators. Encouraging their ideas personally before showing finished works of previous students has enforced personal creativity while giving ideas to branch out.
One positive expectation that my cooperating teacher has of her students is regarding respect. She expects them to respect each other as well as her at all times which has many implications.
"The First Days of School" is still unopened due to my lack of time.
Task 1, A, B, and C have been accomplished.
Do not need help or feedback at this time.
No surprises at this time.
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