http://k6educators.about.com/b/
The author of this blog definitely has some interesting things to say about a lot of educational issues and issues related directly to the job.
I like her list of hints for being a successful substitute teacher, since I, like Beth, will be graduating mid year and will likely have to resort to substitute teaching that. And, fingers crossed, I'm hoping that will lead into a job. I like Beth's idea of having business cards or letterhead made to leave in each classroom. I also thing her tip about starting off the day by laying out your expectations and discipline plan is helpful, because some students take advantage of substitute teachers who do not appear, at first glance, as authority figures. Many students expect to have a "just-for-fun" day when their teacher is gone.
I also support Beth's idea of banning certain words from her student's writing. At times I find myself reusing the same boring cliched words in my own writing and search for more creative and interesting synonyms. I like her idea of working with the students to create lists of synonyms for banned words and posting them around the room. I think this will encourage students to think outside of their restrictive writing boxes and expand their vocabulary. And hopefully this is a trend that will be extended into students' speech as well.
I really enjoy the link Beth gives to the article about the benefits of having recess before lunch. It appears that this practice results in less food waste and less visits to the nurse later in the day. Plus, it gives teachers ten-fifteen extra minutes of valuable teaching time in their day. This has been implemented in Montana and Arizona and although there are logistical issues that need to be mulled over, the switch has seemed to go pretty smoothly in most places.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
#3
This is my article.
Technology is taking over our world, there's no question about that. Virtually every task previously left to pen and paper can now be accomplished by machine. So it may seem that the answer is obvious; integrate as much technology into our classrooms as humanly possible so we can take every precaution in preparing this generation for the real world. But this theory raises some questions for me.
How soon is too soon to inundate our youngsters with all of this technological knowledge? Many of them will come to school already knowing how to do quite a bit on a computer, but there will definitely be gaps among the masses. And for those who are friendlier with technology for five hours a night at home, do we really want to sit them down on a computer for another couple hours at school? What of the basic skills that I learned in school, like writing in cursive and long division--will these things be pushed by the wayside in favor of technology? Perhaps it would be better to leave these kinds of things for middle school and above, so as not to distract younger students.
If we are to use technology for the purpose of teaching, who will teach us? If a student has a question, who will thy turn to for answers? With all of the lesson planning we are required to do, not to mention keeping up with the curriculum, when are we supposed to find the time to learn how to use the million different types of technology available to us? For older teachers who are stubborn and refuse to learn these "new tricks", are they putting their students at a disadvantage? The educational opportunities we offer should be consistent for all students.
Of course there are definite advantages to integrating technology in the classroom. Chalkboards are on their way out, and white boards can get messy--so it may be beneficial to employ a Powerpoint. This can also serve as a plus to students with visual impairments. The Internet can be a valuable resource to both students and educators, if they know where to look. It is a place full of information on every subject imaginable--how great would it be to have the means to write a research paper right at each child's finger tips?
Aside from these uses, and the occasional educational dvd, I don't see an elementary classroom as much of a place for technology to live, however. I think teacher's at this level need to challenge themselves to get more creative and find ways to reach their students without the use of technology.
Technology is taking over our world, there's no question about that. Virtually every task previously left to pen and paper can now be accomplished by machine. So it may seem that the answer is obvious; integrate as much technology into our classrooms as humanly possible so we can take every precaution in preparing this generation for the real world. But this theory raises some questions for me.
How soon is too soon to inundate our youngsters with all of this technological knowledge? Many of them will come to school already knowing how to do quite a bit on a computer, but there will definitely be gaps among the masses. And for those who are friendlier with technology for five hours a night at home, do we really want to sit them down on a computer for another couple hours at school? What of the basic skills that I learned in school, like writing in cursive and long division--will these things be pushed by the wayside in favor of technology? Perhaps it would be better to leave these kinds of things for middle school and above, so as not to distract younger students.
If we are to use technology for the purpose of teaching, who will teach us? If a student has a question, who will thy turn to for answers? With all of the lesson planning we are required to do, not to mention keeping up with the curriculum, when are we supposed to find the time to learn how to use the million different types of technology available to us? For older teachers who are stubborn and refuse to learn these "new tricks", are they putting their students at a disadvantage? The educational opportunities we offer should be consistent for all students.
Of course there are definite advantages to integrating technology in the classroom. Chalkboards are on their way out, and white boards can get messy--so it may be beneficial to employ a Powerpoint. This can also serve as a plus to students with visual impairments. The Internet can be a valuable resource to both students and educators, if they know where to look. It is a place full of information on every subject imaginable--how great would it be to have the means to write a research paper right at each child's finger tips?
Aside from these uses, and the occasional educational dvd, I don't see an elementary classroom as much of a place for technology to live, however. I think teacher's at this level need to challenge themselves to get more creative and find ways to reach their students without the use of technology.
#2
It is my belief that every child deserves a fair chance to learn and it is up to me as a teacher to cultivate that and maximize the child's potential. It is important to spend one-on-one time with each child so we can individualize their learning (to an extent.) Granted it is hard with class sizes continually growing, but even if the time is limited, five minutes can make a difference. I believe that children who know that I care about them will want to learn more and do better. They will feel a greater responsibility to me but also to themselves. They will want to succeed to feel accomplished within themselves.
I believe that teaching needs to occur in several methods, since children learn in such varied ways. As a teacher it is my duty to appeal to the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners all at once, whenever possible. I need to make my lessons as engaging and interactive as possible in order to hold students' attention and make them excited about learning. I hope to create assessments that measure students' understanding of a subject rather than whether or not they can spit out facts.
I believe that it is important to create in an inclusive classroom, one that does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Students will learn better and have a greater chance to maximize their potential if they feel safe and comfortable in their classroom environment. I believe it is important to teach children acceptance of differences and the importance of respect. On the first day of every school year, I will use input from the class, along with my own, to create a set of rules that everyone will hold each other accountable for following. This will create an environment where children will know that they can have fun and will feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas with the class, but will also encourage order and a drive to succeed.
I believe that teaching needs to occur in several methods, since children learn in such varied ways. As a teacher it is my duty to appeal to the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners all at once, whenever possible. I need to make my lessons as engaging and interactive as possible in order to hold students' attention and make them excited about learning. I hope to create assessments that measure students' understanding of a subject rather than whether or not they can spit out facts.
I believe that it is important to create in an inclusive classroom, one that does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Students will learn better and have a greater chance to maximize their potential if they feel safe and comfortable in their classroom environment. I believe it is important to teach children acceptance of differences and the importance of respect. On the first day of every school year, I will use input from the class, along with my own, to create a set of rules that everyone will hold each other accountable for following. This will create an environment where children will know that they can have fun and will feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas with the class, but will also encourage order and a drive to succeed.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
#1
My name is Sarah Wilke and I am an Elementary Education (PK-6) major. I am loving my senior year so much that I will be doing it again next year before my semester of student teaching. When I started at UWO I was a double major in Nursing and Biology. I planned to become an RN and advance on to med school. I was doing this for two years before I realized my true calling: becoming a teacher.
I am a Sr.CA in Taylor Hall so I live where I work. My job allows me to plan activities in and outside of the hall and design and create bulletin boards and door tags. I have also been giving campus tours for four years. When I am at home in Cudahy (a city just south of Milwaukee) I bus tables at The Packing House, a job I have worked at for 5 years, and I am also a nursing assistant at Aurora West Allis Medical Center, I job I have worked at for almost three years. I have an eighteen year old brother who goes to UW Parkside and is majoring in graphic design and twin eight year old brothers who rock my world. I miss them a lot when I am away at school. They are smart, funny boys who really light up my life. I love to read and cook in my spare time. I played soccer for eleven years and then tore my ACL/MCL, so I haven't really played since, but I like to stay active by running, biking, or playing volleyball.
I have had a computer almost my whole life. I am able to operate Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint and can navigate my way around the internet. I know how to install and uninstall programs. I use my computer to transfer pictures off of my digital camera and send them in to be printed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
