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!
Monday, October 4, 2010
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?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Lessons Learned
I have already learned so much with my start at Valley Elementary. I have always known that every child learns in different ways but now I am actually seeing it in the classroom. I am seeing that where some students might be right on task, others might be adavanced and others might be far behind. It is our job as the teacher to make sure each child is reaching their full potential, which can be difficult. They all come from various lifestyles at home but it is something you must be able to take on. I have also learned that discipline is very important and having control of your classroom will ensure a better learning environment, but it is also important to have a soft side and show you truly do care about every student. Children do not want to be talked down to, they want to be talked to. My mentor teacher exemplifies that very well. Last but not least, I have learned it really does take a lot of patience to be a teacher. Without it, nothing else will fall into place. Having patience is what keeps you holding it together whether it is in the classroom or doing outside work for it, such as lesson planning, grading papers, meetings with parents, etc. Overall, my experience has been wonderful and I am so excited to keep learning and gaining the experience I need to be the teacher I want to be.
Friday, October 9, 2009
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