Thursday, April 28, 2016
#9
I absolutely loved this class. I can't wait to start teaching. I look forward to learning more about how to teach. I though the class was presented very well and the lessons had a lot of information in them. They made me think outside of the box and challenged my technology challenged mind. I feel like I am so far behind in technology, I can barely answer my phone. So I know I will be taking some computer classes that will hopefully help me catch up.
I have listened to stories from my neighbor who is a teacher and I was kind of worried at first. I think this class has been a real eye opener. Some of the teachers during the service learning made it look so easy but there is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes on to make a class run smooth. I look forward to learning the new techniques and ideas on how to make all the behind the scene stuff happen.
Doing daycare/ preschool I know I love teaching kids and watching them learn. I like watching the light bulb turn on. Some of the things I don't enjoy are dealing with parents and money issues so it will be nice to not have to worry about that anymore.
I have a goal in mind. I am working really hard and taking classes through the summer so I can be done with school and earn my Bachelor degree in 4 years. I am making this change so I can spend more time with my own kids and enjoy them while they are still with me.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
# 8
I see teachers use the same techniques that I have been learning in this class. It has been interesting making a connection and understanding something I actually see happen in a classroom for example I have 4 kids of my own and they all have a different learning style I didn't understand that at first and homework has been a huge battle. After the diversity lesson I changed my homework style. My daughter like to write and memorize. My youngest son like to sort and organize so he does sorts with the same phonics.
I have learned a lot about the testing and taking accountability for what you are teaching and helping each child. I see my neighbor/3rd grade trying new techniques so that every child makes the connections.
I think I articulate my learning and understanding fairly well. I am not much of a writer but that is changing with the more schooling I am doing.
Blogging is still very foreign to me. I have a sister in law that blogs all the time and I don't get it. However it is a good journaling technique which I should be doing but seem to not have time or make time for. It was nice to be able to look back and see what I have done. This could be helpful for note taking on curriculum and what worked and what needs improvement. A great way to share ideas with other co workers.
I noticed that I took notes when I saw a teacher do something I was learning about in class so I could share my find. I became more aware and watched for new things going on in the classroom.
I took your advise and tried to make connections and write about. I have tried to include examples and express my ideas.
I see teachers use the same techniques that I have been learning in this class. It has been interesting making a connection and understanding something I actually see happen in a classroom for example I have 4 kids of my own and they all have a different learning style I didn't understand that at first and homework has been a huge battle. After the diversity lesson I changed my homework style. My daughter like to write and memorize. My youngest son like to sort and organize so he does sorts with the same phonics.
I have learned a lot about the testing and taking accountability for what you are teaching and helping each child. I see my neighbor/3rd grade trying new techniques so that every child makes the connections.
I think I articulate my learning and understanding fairly well. I am not much of a writer but that is changing with the more schooling I am doing.
Blogging is still very foreign to me. I have a sister in law that blogs all the time and I don't get it. However it is a good journaling technique which I should be doing but seem to not have time or make time for. It was nice to be able to look back and see what I have done. This could be helpful for note taking on curriculum and what worked and what needs improvement. A great way to share ideas with other co workers.
I noticed that I took notes when I saw a teacher do something I was learning about in class so I could share my find. I became more aware and watched for new things going on in the classroom.
I took your advise and tried to make connections and write about. I have tried to include examples and express my ideas.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
#7
Blog #7 Standards
Testing- I have such mixed feelings on. A test on a subject after they have spent some time on it I feel is very useful. It tells you if the kids understand what they just learned. It gives the teacher the opportunity to spend more time on the subject.
However when I was helping out in 3rd grade it was stressful for the teachers because they have to teach the children topics that most of the children weren't ready for. In which case it became stressful for the teacher and frustrating for the students. Which doesn't help anyone learn
My neighbor and good friend teaches 3rd grade and she hates all the testing. It isn't fun and she feels frustrated because she would like class to be a relaxed fun learning environment so she can teach and kids can be creative in learning. 3rd grade is such a hard year for children. They either make it through or they have to go to "special" classes because they didn't understand. Because of the No Child Left Behind kids get labels and are sent to the "special" class. Kids can be cruel to each other. Along with the No Child Left Behind program schools are now having to hire more Special ED teachers or Reading teachers to help the kids who don't understand. If teachers weren't so focused on all the testing they have to do at the end of the year they could use that time to help the students who need it, instead of sending them to a "special" class.
Schools are forcing the kids to learn at a faster rate. Going to kindergarten already knowing the alphabet and counting to 100. Why? I think grown ups have turned out just fine. Maybe I don't understand why they are forcing so much on kids and at a faster rate. I definitely think there should be a core curriculum that is age appropriate. But I see it all the time on social media, how come kids aren't outside playing like we did as kids? Think about it. I don't remember all the homework when I was in 3rd grade, because we didn't have it. We were outside playing and exploring. Now our kids are inside when they get home from school doing homework and practicing for tests, and by the time they are done its dark outside so what can they do...play video games or watch TV. I want my kids to be challenged but I also think they need a childhood. Happy children make better learners.
Testing- I have such mixed feelings on. A test on a subject after they have spent some time on it I feel is very useful. It tells you if the kids understand what they just learned. It gives the teacher the opportunity to spend more time on the subject.
However when I was helping out in 3rd grade it was stressful for the teachers because they have to teach the children topics that most of the children weren't ready for. In which case it became stressful for the teacher and frustrating for the students. Which doesn't help anyone learn
My neighbor and good friend teaches 3rd grade and she hates all the testing. It isn't fun and she feels frustrated because she would like class to be a relaxed fun learning environment so she can teach and kids can be creative in learning. 3rd grade is such a hard year for children. They either make it through or they have to go to "special" classes because they didn't understand. Because of the No Child Left Behind kids get labels and are sent to the "special" class. Kids can be cruel to each other. Along with the No Child Left Behind program schools are now having to hire more Special ED teachers or Reading teachers to help the kids who don't understand. If teachers weren't so focused on all the testing they have to do at the end of the year they could use that time to help the students who need it, instead of sending them to a "special" class.
Schools are forcing the kids to learn at a faster rate. Going to kindergarten already knowing the alphabet and counting to 100. Why? I think grown ups have turned out just fine. Maybe I don't understand why they are forcing so much on kids and at a faster rate. I definitely think there should be a core curriculum that is age appropriate. But I see it all the time on social media, how come kids aren't outside playing like we did as kids? Think about it. I don't remember all the homework when I was in 3rd grade, because we didn't have it. We were outside playing and exploring. Now our kids are inside when they get home from school doing homework and practicing for tests, and by the time they are done its dark outside so what can they do...play video games or watch TV. I want my kids to be challenged but I also think they need a childhood. Happy children make better learners.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Entry #6
Diverse Learners
Schools are trying really hard to help the children learn. They give them every opportunity to ask for help if they don't understand something. They make accommodations for the slow readers or the readers that need help. I can talk freely about this because my kids need the extra help and go to some of these classes. I know my kids get every opportunity to make up homework, have a test read to them, have a scribe if they need it. The schools do not want the children to fall behind. My son doesn't write very well so the school got him a chrome book to type all his stories and assignments on.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Blog Entry #5
Blog Entry #5
When I was helping out in Kindergarten I noticed that one little Spanish speaking boy was taken out of class to go to a special class that helped him learn English. It was hard to explain things to him when he doesn't understand English. One of the first things the teacher asked me was if I spoke Spanish. I don't but wish I did. It would be very helpful in speaking to some students. I also noticed that the children that can't speak the language are easily frustrated and it makes it hard for them to learn anything else.
I have one little girl in my daycare that speaks Spanish to her Grandma and Mom and English to everyone else. I asked her for a few words in Spanish and she refused me.
I know the school has classes for the kids that need help learning English. This is from the law suit Lau v Nichols when 1,800 Chinese students did not receive help in speaking English. They declared they did not receive equal education opportunities.
When I was helping out in Kindergarten I noticed that one little Spanish speaking boy was taken out of class to go to a special class that helped him learn English. It was hard to explain things to him when he doesn't understand English. One of the first things the teacher asked me was if I spoke Spanish. I don't but wish I did. It would be very helpful in speaking to some students. I also noticed that the children that can't speak the language are easily frustrated and it makes it hard for them to learn anything else.
I have one little girl in my daycare that speaks Spanish to her Grandma and Mom and English to everyone else. I asked her for a few words in Spanish and she refused me.
I know the school has classes for the kids that need help learning English. This is from the law suit Lau v Nichols when 1,800 Chinese students did not receive help in speaking English. They declared they did not receive equal education opportunities.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Intro to Education Blog #4
Intro to Education Blog #4
I joined kindergarten these last two weeks. It has been a real eye opener. It has made see that the teacher really does set the tone for the classroom. She is a new teacher but older (like myself) she know how to handle kids and keep them engaged. Our kindergarten is only half day so she really keeps it moving to get everything she needs to teach them into two and a half hours. So she had rotations set up which she was very organized about and a very smooth transition. She sat all the kids on the carpet and explained to the kids what each table would be doing. Listen station which I loved. It had a book and head phones so they can listen quietly. After the story they played a game about the book they just listened to. The next table had art project to work on about the presidents because of Presidents day. Which was all age appropriate activities that the kids could do on there own. Then a table that got to play learning games on an ipad. And then she took the last table with her so she could do a smaller group of letters, writing and reading. All I had to do was help with at that time was few little things, like cutting or tracing.
Some other things I liked about how she kept the kids engaged was she sang a lot. Singing helps you learn she told me. She let a helper be the pointer when they went over calendar but then still picked other kids to help the helper. She had learning songs with actions for the months weeks, days it was so fun to watch. She had a song for coming in from recess, a song for lining up to go home, a song for go to the carpet.
She had fun computer programs that did songs and actions that would introduce new words like flee, and texture. The kids had to do dance to describe what the word was.
Another thing she did was a word of the day. The word was "up" because they are getting ready for Dr. Seuss's birthday ,so they read a story about "up" and then that was the magic word for the day. She would tease them and say lets sit up...the class would say no it's up.
For story time she invites a mom into read a story to the kids and they are the special person. That was fun for a child to see their mom or dad come in.
She has a couple kids that refuse to do anything. They wouldn't do the project or go play outside. Very stubborn. He eventually went to the office. This has always been hard for me. Kids in general want to be pleasers so when you get one that is so defiant it makes it hard on the other class. I think the teacher did an amazing job of not making a scene or showing him to much attention for being defiant. She gave him options or choices. Both which were fine for her but when he refused both he eventual went home with DAD. He was not excited about that.
I think boundaries need to be set starting day one. So they know what they can and can't get away with and know the consequences right away. But sometimes that doesn't even work and all they need is food and sleep.
She really was so well prepared that there wasn't any down time or times when they got bored or started acting out.
I joined kindergarten these last two weeks. It has been a real eye opener. It has made see that the teacher really does set the tone for the classroom. She is a new teacher but older (like myself) she know how to handle kids and keep them engaged. Our kindergarten is only half day so she really keeps it moving to get everything she needs to teach them into two and a half hours. So she had rotations set up which she was very organized about and a very smooth transition. She sat all the kids on the carpet and explained to the kids what each table would be doing. Listen station which I loved. It had a book and head phones so they can listen quietly. After the story they played a game about the book they just listened to. The next table had art project to work on about the presidents because of Presidents day. Which was all age appropriate activities that the kids could do on there own. Then a table that got to play learning games on an ipad. And then she took the last table with her so she could do a smaller group of letters, writing and reading. All I had to do was help with at that time was few little things, like cutting or tracing.
Some other things I liked about how she kept the kids engaged was she sang a lot. Singing helps you learn she told me. She let a helper be the pointer when they went over calendar but then still picked other kids to help the helper. She had learning songs with actions for the months weeks, days it was so fun to watch. She had a song for coming in from recess, a song for lining up to go home, a song for go to the carpet.
She had fun computer programs that did songs and actions that would introduce new words like flee, and texture. The kids had to do dance to describe what the word was.
Another thing she did was a word of the day. The word was "up" because they are getting ready for Dr. Seuss's birthday ,so they read a story about "up" and then that was the magic word for the day. She would tease them and say lets sit up...the class would say no it's up.
For story time she invites a mom into read a story to the kids and they are the special person. That was fun for a child to see their mom or dad come in.
She has a couple kids that refuse to do anything. They wouldn't do the project or go play outside. Very stubborn. He eventually went to the office. This has always been hard for me. Kids in general want to be pleasers so when you get one that is so defiant it makes it hard on the other class. I think the teacher did an amazing job of not making a scene or showing him to much attention for being defiant. She gave him options or choices. Both which were fine for her but when he refused both he eventual went home with DAD. He was not excited about that.
I think boundaries need to be set starting day one. So they know what they can and can't get away with and know the consequences right away. But sometimes that doesn't even work and all they need is food and sleep.
She really was so well prepared that there wasn't any down time or times when they got bored or started acting out.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Intro to Education Blog #3
I have been working with three different teachers for my service learning hours. They all do things a little different but they all made their kids feel welcome. Some things I noted was they stood by their door in the morning and greeted their students by name as they came into the class room. Sometimes asking how their morning was or how an event went the night before. Something personal to show they know who they are and what they are doing. Another example is during a test the 6th grade teacher knew the kids that got over whelmed with to much reading or all the problems on the math test so she was ready with a paper to cover most of the paper so they would not get anxiety.
In the 6th grade class she made it about their behavior. When they were ready to start they would show her. However if it was taking to long there was a consequence like the time would come out of their recess. Another example was getting ready to go to lunch they could leave when they were quiet. She was very patience with them and didn't get angry or yell she just waited on them to make the choice.
In the 3rd grade I went into they are more structured and had a more set routine. During transitions she would tell them class in 2 minutes we will be moving on to math so lets finish up reading. So the kids were mentally prepared to move on. I know some kids don't do well with change but if you give them warning they can prepare themselves and not have a melt down. In my daycare we have a very structured day. We eat breakfast, go to school, play, do a project, read stories, pick up kids, eat lunch, movie time, play, snack, go home, We do the same thing every day in that order so the kids know what is coming next and when mommy comes.
I do choices all the time with my preschool kids. I took the love and logic classes (twice now) a few years ago and they taught me the importance of choices. I give choices I can live with and I give the kids as many as I can. This should stop the power struggles and when I need something done it should be less of a battle. Some examples in my classroom is do you want to go down to the toy room to play or stay up stairs and play with the babies? Would you like to sit by Susie or Sarah? Would you like the red mat or blue mat? Pick a blanket? Pick the movie? Then when I need them to do something they are much happier about it.
A positive class room idea I noticed were table parties. In third grade she allowed the kids to earn good behavior points but it had to be all four kids behaving to get the point. Then when the points were earned she would send a note home and then the kids could bring a treat to share with their table group. And then you could earn class points and go up against the teacher. The winner got extra recess or something cleaned in the classroom..
In the 6th grade class she made it about their behavior. When they were ready to start they would show her. However if it was taking to long there was a consequence like the time would come out of their recess. Another example was getting ready to go to lunch they could leave when they were quiet. She was very patience with them and didn't get angry or yell she just waited on them to make the choice.
In the 3rd grade I went into they are more structured and had a more set routine. During transitions she would tell them class in 2 minutes we will be moving on to math so lets finish up reading. So the kids were mentally prepared to move on. I know some kids don't do well with change but if you give them warning they can prepare themselves and not have a melt down. In my daycare we have a very structured day. We eat breakfast, go to school, play, do a project, read stories, pick up kids, eat lunch, movie time, play, snack, go home, We do the same thing every day in that order so the kids know what is coming next and when mommy comes.
I do choices all the time with my preschool kids. I took the love and logic classes (twice now) a few years ago and they taught me the importance of choices. I give choices I can live with and I give the kids as many as I can. This should stop the power struggles and when I need something done it should be less of a battle. Some examples in my classroom is do you want to go down to the toy room to play or stay up stairs and play with the babies? Would you like to sit by Susie or Sarah? Would you like the red mat or blue mat? Pick a blanket? Pick the movie? Then when I need them to do something they are much happier about it.
A positive class room idea I noticed were table parties. In third grade she allowed the kids to earn good behavior points but it had to be all four kids behaving to get the point. Then when the points were earned she would send a note home and then the kids could bring a treat to share with their table group. And then you could earn class points and go up against the teacher. The winner got extra recess or something cleaned in the classroom..
Friday, January 29, 2016
Intro to Education Blog #2
Intro to education Blog #2
I had the opportunity to do some service in my 3rd graders class this week. It was more of an eye opener than I thought it would be, because I work with preschool and younger children all day. The teacher had 3 different behaviorism theories going all day.
First the kids sit around tables and if the kids follow instructions and listening they would get a good behavior mark under their table. The whole table had to be listening and quiet to get the point. Once they reach so many points they get a table party as their reward.That is where everyone brings a treat to share with their table the next day.
Another behaviorism was if the class was quiet they got a class point but when they acted up teacher got the point. Who ever got to 10 points first got to choose a reward like longer recess, no homework or some party at the end of the day. If teacher wins they get to wipe tables or help her with something. That was my favorite
The third behaviorism was for the child individually. Tickets were handed out for good behavior and then they could buy something at the class store later.
I liked the way the teacher encouraged good behavior at an individual level, and small group level and a whole class level. Showing kids that they have to be able to get along with others at different levels all through life.
I also noticed cognitivism when they were learning about time and they had a project to color, it was all different but they need to be the same so she walked them all through it step by step letting the behaving kids pick the color.
This was a good experience and I can't wait to see other ideas and teaching techniques.
I had the opportunity to do some service in my 3rd graders class this week. It was more of an eye opener than I thought it would be, because I work with preschool and younger children all day. The teacher had 3 different behaviorism theories going all day.
First the kids sit around tables and if the kids follow instructions and listening they would get a good behavior mark under their table. The whole table had to be listening and quiet to get the point. Once they reach so many points they get a table party as their reward.That is where everyone brings a treat to share with their table the next day.
Another behaviorism was if the class was quiet they got a class point but when they acted up teacher got the point. Who ever got to 10 points first got to choose a reward like longer recess, no homework or some party at the end of the day. If teacher wins they get to wipe tables or help her with something. That was my favorite
The third behaviorism was for the child individually. Tickets were handed out for good behavior and then they could buy something at the class store later.
I liked the way the teacher encouraged good behavior at an individual level, and small group level and a whole class level. Showing kids that they have to be able to get along with others at different levels all through life.
I also noticed cognitivism when they were learning about time and they had a project to color, it was all different but they need to be the same so she walked them all through it step by step letting the behaving kids pick the color.
This was a good experience and I can't wait to see other ideas and teaching techniques.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Intro to Education #1 Assignment
I am choosing Parkview Elementary in Payson to do my service learning. Mainly because my kids are going there and I think it would be good for me to see them in action. Parkview is across from the city park. I used to take my kindergartens their for a picnic after school. I believe that is how the school got its name. Your view coming out of the school is the park. Paysons population is 19,154 and we have five elementary schools. Parkview is rated 5 out of 10 for good school rating. Springlake is rated 7. Parkview is the the middle as far as number of students enrolled with 611. Springlake has 821 and Taylor 552.
I plan on helping out in 3rd, 5th and 6th grade. And maybe if I can a first grade since that is the grade I would really like to teach. The students all live within walking distance or they are dropped off because the school does not offer bus services. I know a few families that live outside the boundaries but have requested to attend this school for different reasons. I know the kids come from average income families.
Service learning to me is doing a service for someone so you get the opportunity to learn about what they are doing. I like the idea of helping so I can learn. I have kids come to my business all the time looking for service so they can complete a school assignment. I think it helps us learn what other people are doing so we better understand what goes into their job or our future job.
Course learning is reading a book or getting information from another source about your topic. I couldn't read a book about teaching school and know personalities of the students and all the busy work behind that happens before, after and during school to make teaching successful.
I plan on helping out in 3rd, 5th and 6th grade. And maybe if I can a first grade since that is the grade I would really like to teach. The students all live within walking distance or they are dropped off because the school does not offer bus services. I know a few families that live outside the boundaries but have requested to attend this school for different reasons. I know the kids come from average income families.
Service learning to me is doing a service for someone so you get the opportunity to learn about what they are doing. I like the idea of helping so I can learn. I have kids come to my business all the time looking for service so they can complete a school assignment. I think it helps us learn what other people are doing so we better understand what goes into their job or our future job.
Course learning is reading a book or getting information from another source about your topic. I couldn't read a book about teaching school and know personalities of the students and all the busy work behind that happens before, after and during school to make teaching successful.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)