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!
No comments:
Post a Comment