I have really enjoyed being in the classroom with my mentor teacher this year. This was the first semester where we had to teach a lesson every week and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor teacher to work with. She has always been so helpful and encouraging. She always gives me advice about my teaching and teaching in general. I enjoy watching her with the students because she balances a professional relationship as well as a personal relationship with them, which is something I admire and hope to be able to do when I have my own classroom. I have learned a lot from her and have always shared my reflections and thoughts with her to maintain a good relationship. If I ever have any concerns or questions, she never hesitates to help me out in whatever way she can.
I think respect for each other and flexibility benefits both the mentor teacher and the student. One has to be understanding and willing to work with them if they want to actually learn something and to be able to take something out of the experience.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wiki
This wiki assignment has opened my eyes to a lot about my PDS school and what a PDS actually is. I've never really put much thought into what it is, just that it is the school where I am student teaching at and gaining the experience I need to become the teacher that I am striving to be. Doing this assigment really put things in perspective for me. While learning all the information I did about my school/community and the teaching field in general, I learned it through a technology tool, which is definately something that could be used in the classroom. I think this is a great tool that teachers could use for any content area to present to their students as a study guide form or any lesson at all. Teaching how to use the wiki could be a lesson in itself as well. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. It was surprisingly easy to catch on to. I think it is a tool students would love to play around and work with.
My favorite sections of our wiki would have to be the school pledge because we got a picture of 3rd grade students doing it and they were recorded as they said it and it is just the cutest thing ever! I also really like our meet our mentor page because all participants put up a picture of our teachers with a quote. We all agreed on how much we are really enjoying this year so far in our classrooms with them!
My favorite sections of our wiki would have to be the school pledge because we got a picture of 3rd grade students doing it and they were recorded as they said it and it is just the cutest thing ever! I also really like our meet our mentor page because all participants put up a picture of our teachers with a quote. We all agreed on how much we are really enjoying this year so far in our classrooms with them!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Post 3
Describe at least 3 types of assessment practices that you as a student/learner have experienced throughout your own schooling and explain the benefits or limitations of each type of assessment.
Some types of assessment that I remember in my past experiences are state testing, which started in elementary school. I remember teachers always trying their best to prepare us and give us practice tests so we had an idea of what to expect. Preparing for college, I had to take the ACT's. SAT's are also available. Then in order to apply to enter the Benedum program I had to take the PPST's. There are books and online practice tests for both assessments of the ACT's and PPST. They were great tools for practice and studying. I feel testing can sometimes be unfair though. Being timed puts a lot of pressure on you and also some people, like myself just aren't good at test taking. However, that doesn't neccessarily mean you do not master the information. I think multiple tests should be given every so often and taken into account of ones performance and knowledge. Weekly tests are a good assessment because it shows the progress and understanding of your students in a short period of time. You can keep up easily with their work and progress. I feel constant questioning is a simple way to assess your students to make sure they are understanding the material being taught because it is right there in the moment that the student has to respond to the information. You will see right away if they are really grasping it. I enjoy when I see my mentor teacher ask questions to her classroom because the students get so excited to raise their hand. They never hesitate to express their answers or ask further questioning. I feel that as teacher you must be doing something right then when the students in your class are eager to learn. I also watch my mentor teacher give weekly tests which is very important to keep up with their progress. She lets me grade their papers so I get to see the results and it is very helpful in my learning process in becoming a teacher. What are some benefits you have seen in your classroom?
Some types of assessment that I remember in my past experiences are state testing, which started in elementary school. I remember teachers always trying their best to prepare us and give us practice tests so we had an idea of what to expect. Preparing for college, I had to take the ACT's. SAT's are also available. Then in order to apply to enter the Benedum program I had to take the PPST's. There are books and online practice tests for both assessments of the ACT's and PPST. They were great tools for practice and studying. I feel testing can sometimes be unfair though. Being timed puts a lot of pressure on you and also some people, like myself just aren't good at test taking. However, that doesn't neccessarily mean you do not master the information. I think multiple tests should be given every so often and taken into account of ones performance and knowledge. Weekly tests are a good assessment because it shows the progress and understanding of your students in a short period of time. You can keep up easily with their work and progress. I feel constant questioning is a simple way to assess your students to make sure they are understanding the material being taught because it is right there in the moment that the student has to respond to the information. You will see right away if they are really grasping it. I enjoy when I see my mentor teacher ask questions to her classroom because the students get so excited to raise their hand. They never hesitate to express their answers or ask further questioning. I feel that as teacher you must be doing something right then when the students in your class are eager to learn. I also watch my mentor teacher give weekly tests which is very important to keep up with their progress. She lets me grade their papers so I get to see the results and it is very helpful in my learning process in becoming a teacher. What are some benefits you have seen in your classroom?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Post 2
What do you see as the most difficult tasks in the teacher planning process? Describe some examples of effective assessment practices.
As of right now, the most difficult task in the teacher planning process for me, is being creative and coming up with ideas that are appropriate for all of the students. I'm still a little unfamiliar with what each grade level should be achieving and what they should already know. Therefore, coming up with material that I must master in and be able to teach can be a challenge. Looking into the CSO's is a big help and gives me an idea of where the students should stand. After being in a classroom for a given amount of time and actually seeing where your students stand though, is the only way one can know for sure. Observing is a continuous task that must be performed daily in order to really understand your students. Being prepared and looking further into the material that needs to be taught is very helpful when it comes to planning as well. The internet is a great resource for teachers. Technology plays a big part nowadays. Having different tools for the students to use is also good for effective assessments. I think hands on activities is a great way to enrich a learning environment for all children. They get a chance to see visually and apply what they are learning to their own experiences outside the classroom. Weekly tests are also good assessments. What do you feel comes easiest when working with the teacher planning process?
As of right now, the most difficult task in the teacher planning process for me, is being creative and coming up with ideas that are appropriate for all of the students. I'm still a little unfamiliar with what each grade level should be achieving and what they should already know. Therefore, coming up with material that I must master in and be able to teach can be a challenge. Looking into the CSO's is a big help and gives me an idea of where the students should stand. After being in a classroom for a given amount of time and actually seeing where your students stand though, is the only way one can know for sure. Observing is a continuous task that must be performed daily in order to really understand your students. Being prepared and looking further into the material that needs to be taught is very helpful when it comes to planning as well. The internet is a great resource for teachers. Technology plays a big part nowadays. Having different tools for the students to use is also good for effective assessments. I think hands on activities is a great way to enrich a learning environment for all children. They get a chance to see visually and apply what they are learning to their own experiences outside the classroom. Weekly tests are also good assessments. What do you feel comes easiest when working with the teacher planning process?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Spring Semester: Post 1
"How do you feel at this point about your journey to become a teacher?"
My journey so far in learning to become a teacher has been a very beneficial experience. I am learning my weaknesses and strengths and what it takes to become an effective teacher. I have to admit, while taking all of these education courses and being in the actual classroom setting, there are times where I feel a bit overwhelmed. Even though it is very challenging, I know that it is necessary in helping me become the kind of teacher that I truly want to be. I absolutely love and adore children so I know that even if there are times that I am stressed I just remember that this is my passion and I truly want this more than anything, to make a difference in a child’s life. I am excited and ready to continue learning throughout my journey. Do you question at times your readiness for the classroom and if you are able to handle it?
My journey so far in learning to become a teacher has been a very beneficial experience. I am learning my weaknesses and strengths and what it takes to become an effective teacher. I have to admit, while taking all of these education courses and being in the actual classroom setting, there are times where I feel a bit overwhelmed. Even though it is very challenging, I know that it is necessary in helping me become the kind of teacher that I truly want to be. I absolutely love and adore children so I know that even if there are times that I am stressed I just remember that this is my passion and I truly want this more than anything, to make a difference in a child’s life. I am excited and ready to continue learning throughout my journey. Do you question at times your readiness for the classroom and if you are able to handle it?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)