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!

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