Read Alouds:
Today I Feel Silly: and Other Moods that Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis ISBN:0060245603
This book was very cute and relatable for young kids. It talks about different emotions they have and their actions in result of them which is why it would be best suitable for a younger age. This could be used in an art class to draw/paint different faces of what they look like at each emotion or even in a psychology class in high school when studying behavior.
Tina's Diner by JoAnn Adinolfi ISBN:0689806345
I liked this book and I think it would be good to teach problem solving. This could really be used in a classroom of any age because it is just as applicable in a probability and statistics class as it is in a 2nd grade class. It could also be used in a writing class with the prompt asking what the students would have done to solve the problem.
Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra ISBN:0375835326
I've read this book before and love it; I think twists on classic fairy tales are clever because the audience is interested from the start because they already know who the characters are. This story is about B.B. Wolf wanting to improve his manners before he went to a tea that incorporates a lot of rhyming and opportunities for interaction. B.B. Wolf learns a song that he sings to himself that reminds him of all of the etiquette rules which is repeated many times throughout the story. This could be a chance for interaction with having elementary students learn the song and sing it too or the book could be used by librarians to teach kids how to look up books like B.B. Wolf did when he couldn't remember a rule.
Mice and Beans by Pam Munoz ISBN:0439701368
Spanish heritage is very evident in this book and would be perfect in any age of a Spanish class. While it seems like mice are ruining this birthday party that is trying to be planned, they end up saving the day by putting the candy in the pinata. The mice steal several things which could be used in a math class to take a poll of which of those items stolen were the most important to the party or it could be used on an elementary level to see who could remember the most things that the mice stole. This book also has a Mexican recipe on the back which would be fun to make as a class.
Tiny Dinos Big and Small by Guy Gilchrist ISBN:1557821062
The dinosaurs in this book all have characteristics about them that others wish they had--some can fly while others are on land and some are bigger than others. This book ties in with self esteem because it is a reminder that everyone is special the way they are and should be proud of it. Even though it would be cool to fly, whenever it rains those dinos could not be in the air anymore and all of a sudden the land dinos appreciated the way they were made.
Learning Experiences:
We have been learning a lot about self esteem and different types of self esteem in TC. I actually learned the most from making our own puppet show about self esteem because we had to think of situations in which someone would have low self esteem and then how they could build it up. I have learned that self esteem starts from a really young age and it is extremely important for parents to build up their child's self esteem. Also, that even the way parents say things to their children can give them low-pot. If you think about it, teachers are the people that kids see the second most often (first being their parents) when they are little. It is important that teachers also promote self esteem but know the difference between earned self esteem and global because global can be damaging.
Current Event:
http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-09-12-Chicago%20Schools-Strike/id-d37646a20edf46d1b6e5aee4a24fbb0e?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
In Chicago, teachers are going on strike because of a new evaluation system the school board wants to implement and the lack of a raise. This article is about the union's leader, Karen Lewis and what she is doing as this leader. There is not a consensus on how she is doing, many parents and teachers admire her and are very supportive while she has many critics, including the mayor, saying that she is sarcastic and inappropriate. Overall, the article reflects that Lewis has a plan and knows exactly what she is doing. She is aggressive for the cause and no one is sure when the strike will end.
Quote of the Week:
“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” -Malcom X
I completely agree with the thought that our education now will prepare us for the rest of our lives. I think that if we work hard now and "prepare today" as Malcom X says, then we will be set for our future. Those who do not take school and education seriously get out of school and have no idea what to do with their lives. High school is our time to prepare for what we want to learn about in college, and college is a time to prepare for our careers. These things will completely decide our futures for us and if we do not take them seriously and prepare, then those who do will take our spots in success.
Observations:
I have been to guidance several times recently trying to get my college applications in order and I have noticed how rude some people who work at our school act when others have questions. The other day my friend went to turn in her transcript and the lady working in guidance spoke to her like she was so stupid because she didn't know she had to fill out a form first. It reminded me of our self esteem lesson that week and even the way you say things to people can give them low-pot. In that same day, a guidance counselor stayed after hours to help with a schedule change and was extremely helpful and nice. I saw how much she was willing to help and it made such a difference. That is the kind of attitude I would want to have as a teacher.
Reflections:
I feel like I have had to do a lot of growing up lately and it is a little scary. I have turned in my first choice college application and been thinking about where I will be in a year from now. I think our school gives seniors a lot of freedoms to prepare us for this huge change in our life and I am finally feeling like a senior! Teacher Cadets has definitely been my happy place these past couple of weeks and every b-day I find myself excited to go to school. I feel like I have already learned so much that applies in school but also outside of school. I also love how our class is already a big family!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
First Blog!
Read Alouds:
Mrs. Spitzer's Garden by Edith Pattou ISBN:0152019782
This is a perfect children's book to read for a first day of school. It talks about how the teacher, Mrs. Spitzer, is in charge of all of her seeds that will soon grow into flowers. This book shows the importance of teachers when it comes to the success of students. I love seeing how much my teachers have made an impact on me by the end of the year like Mrs. Spitzer did for her students.
My Losing Season by Pat Conroy ISBN:0553381903
I liked this book because it is a good portrayal of how teachers should challenge their students. As a student I should strive to know more and want teachers who give me the extra knowledge that they aren't required to. This book could be used in a middle school English class to show the importance of reading or in a college class to show the outcome of a little extra studying/research.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn ISBN:1933718102
This was my favorite read aloud so far because it is exactly what I am going through as a senior. Chester did not want to leave his mom when he went to school which is what we will all have to do for college pretty soon. This book is perfect for seniors about to leave for college but it is also good for kindergartners leaving their parents for the first time. Many activities can be done with this for all ages in between, though. Mother's Day activities fit great with this book.
I Knew You Could by Craig Dorfman ISBN: 0448431483
I thought this book was really cute and good for a younger crowd. This is an inspiring book so it could be used in a guidance counselor's office when talking about self-esteem. It could also be worked into an activity with trains for elementary school students. It is all about moving from one phase of life to the next so this one could also be used for graduating seniors or even students starting high school.
Learning Experiences:
So far I have learned a lot about my fellow teacher cadets and what attributes teachers should have. For some of us, we learned more about each other this past week than we have in all of the years we went to school together. I can't wait for the rest of the year with everyone! We have been learning a lot about teachers as a whole and what it takes to become a good teacher. The topic that hit me the most is how much we can learn from a teacher that isn't in the curriculum. The ones that invest their time in us and want us to succeed as people are the ones that leave the biggest impact on our lives, and that is the kind of teacher I would want to be.
Current Event:
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/08/best-practices-for-deploying-ipads-in-schools/
This article just talks about how to make iPads most effective. It focuses in on teaching the students and teachers how to use the iPad by having tutorials and pictures all over the school as reminders on how to hold them. A positive about moving to iPads is hopefully making the classroom completely paperless which would help the environment. I think the way DF is introducing iPads is smarter compared to the one featured in this article. Having to teach the teachers and students how to use new technology all at the same time is going to be difficult, transitioning from just teachers to everyone would have been a smarter move.
Quote of the Week:
"Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” -Albert Einstein
This goes right along with being an effective teacher. Any math teacher can give out formulas, but to help the students understand why the formula works and how to get there is to teach them. I like this quote a lot because people seem to get the two mixed up when in fact there is a huge difference. There is no gain by simply memorizing and cramming through life; one will only gain more knowledge by understanding what they are learning.
Observations:
In one of my classes all my teacher does is talk for an hour and a half. I look around and watch as people pull out other homework or fall asleep. This is something that I will not be doing when I get to work with students because it makes learning not fun anymore. Getting students involved makes them want to learn and keeps them awake at the very least.
Reflections:
When I was doing Direction Connection I met this freshman boy after the tardy bell had rang for second block. He came up to me crying and said he needed help finding the band room. At the time I was standing by the French room so we were at the complete opposite side of the school but I could tell he was terrified and very upset he was already tardy for the first day of school. I walked him to the band room and we talked the whole time. By the time he got there he had stopped crying and I had convinced him that everyone was late on the first day. It felt good being that senior that was helpful instead of scary. I think a lot of people think that being a senior is some sort of entitlement to just be mean to everyone else, especially the freshman, but there is a much better alternative in using our "power". I definitely developed my Teacher Heart on the first day.
Mrs. Spitzer's Garden by Edith Pattou ISBN:0152019782
This is a perfect children's book to read for a first day of school. It talks about how the teacher, Mrs. Spitzer, is in charge of all of her seeds that will soon grow into flowers. This book shows the importance of teachers when it comes to the success of students. I love seeing how much my teachers have made an impact on me by the end of the year like Mrs. Spitzer did for her students.
My Losing Season by Pat Conroy ISBN:0553381903
I liked this book because it is a good portrayal of how teachers should challenge their students. As a student I should strive to know more and want teachers who give me the extra knowledge that they aren't required to. This book could be used in a middle school English class to show the importance of reading or in a college class to show the outcome of a little extra studying/research.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn ISBN:1933718102
This was my favorite read aloud so far because it is exactly what I am going through as a senior. Chester did not want to leave his mom when he went to school which is what we will all have to do for college pretty soon. This book is perfect for seniors about to leave for college but it is also good for kindergartners leaving their parents for the first time. Many activities can be done with this for all ages in between, though. Mother's Day activities fit great with this book.
I Knew You Could by Craig Dorfman ISBN: 0448431483
I thought this book was really cute and good for a younger crowd. This is an inspiring book so it could be used in a guidance counselor's office when talking about self-esteem. It could also be worked into an activity with trains for elementary school students. It is all about moving from one phase of life to the next so this one could also be used for graduating seniors or even students starting high school.
Learning Experiences:
So far I have learned a lot about my fellow teacher cadets and what attributes teachers should have. For some of us, we learned more about each other this past week than we have in all of the years we went to school together. I can't wait for the rest of the year with everyone! We have been learning a lot about teachers as a whole and what it takes to become a good teacher. The topic that hit me the most is how much we can learn from a teacher that isn't in the curriculum. The ones that invest their time in us and want us to succeed as people are the ones that leave the biggest impact on our lives, and that is the kind of teacher I would want to be.
Current Event:
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/08/best-practices-for-deploying-ipads-in-schools/
This article just talks about how to make iPads most effective. It focuses in on teaching the students and teachers how to use the iPad by having tutorials and pictures all over the school as reminders on how to hold them. A positive about moving to iPads is hopefully making the classroom completely paperless which would help the environment. I think the way DF is introducing iPads is smarter compared to the one featured in this article. Having to teach the teachers and students how to use new technology all at the same time is going to be difficult, transitioning from just teachers to everyone would have been a smarter move.
Quote of the Week:
"Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” -Albert Einstein
This goes right along with being an effective teacher. Any math teacher can give out formulas, but to help the students understand why the formula works and how to get there is to teach them. I like this quote a lot because people seem to get the two mixed up when in fact there is a huge difference. There is no gain by simply memorizing and cramming through life; one will only gain more knowledge by understanding what they are learning.
Observations:
In one of my classes all my teacher does is talk for an hour and a half. I look around and watch as people pull out other homework or fall asleep. This is something that I will not be doing when I get to work with students because it makes learning not fun anymore. Getting students involved makes them want to learn and keeps them awake at the very least.
Reflections:
When I was doing Direction Connection I met this freshman boy after the tardy bell had rang for second block. He came up to me crying and said he needed help finding the band room. At the time I was standing by the French room so we were at the complete opposite side of the school but I could tell he was terrified and very upset he was already tardy for the first day of school. I walked him to the band room and we talked the whole time. By the time he got there he had stopped crying and I had convinced him that everyone was late on the first day. It felt good being that senior that was helpful instead of scary. I think a lot of people think that being a senior is some sort of entitlement to just be mean to everyone else, especially the freshman, but there is a much better alternative in using our "power". I definitely developed my Teacher Heart on the first day.
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