This blog post is in response to:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-commitment-depends-on-teachers-ben-johnson
In the blog that is linked above, Ben Johnson raises the question of who is responsible for learning in the classroom? Does the responsibility to ensure that learning is taking place that of the teachers or of the students? When Ben posed this question at a faculty meeting his teaching staff had mixed feelings. In this blog Ben discusses the need for teachers to have the mentality that "all students will learn in my classroom." On the other hand, students need to have to want to learn something as well to have the perfect atmosphere for learning to take place. As a teacher, I know that all students will and do learn in my classroom and I need to set the bar high and help students to reach positive goals throughout the year.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Involve Students When Creating Classroom Rules
This post is in response to:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/bill-student-rights-classroom-rules-nicholas-provenzano
In his posting on Edutopia Nicholas Provenzano described the setting of his classroom while his students worked in groups to create a set of classroom rules that they would use for the school year. By reading his post it is clear that he did not send his students on their way blindly. They studied and discussed both the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights before beginning their class sessions dedicated to the creation of classroom rules. I really like how Provenzano uses both Social Studies and Language Arts as a lesson plan/unit for creating classroom rules that were created by his students.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/bill-student-rights-classroom-rules-nicholas-provenzano
In his posting on Edutopia Nicholas Provenzano described the setting of his classroom while his students worked in groups to create a set of classroom rules that they would use for the school year. By reading his post it is clear that he did not send his students on their way blindly. They studied and discussed both the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights before beginning their class sessions dedicated to the creation of classroom rules. I really like how Provenzano uses both Social Studies and Language Arts as a lesson plan/unit for creating classroom rules that were created by his students.
Teaching in the U.S.A. vs Other Countries Around the World
This blog post is in response to: http://www.edutopia.org/groups/elementary-school/63840
Hector, the person who wrote the blog post above, is not happy with the American school system and how it compares to the school systems of other countries around the world. Hector claimed that Finland has one of the highest ranking school systems in the world. He gave credit to the country for only allowing the top tier of their college education graduates the opportunity to apply for teaching positions. Those who do not make the cut are simply not allowed to apply for teaching jobs. Hector claims that unlike in the U.S.A., the country of Finland places a very high value on their education system and is willing to pay their teachers high wages to educate their youth. By paying their teachers competitive wages, top tier college graduates strive to become a teacher just as people in the U.S.A. strive to become engineers, doctors, accountants, and lawyers. If teachers in the U.S.A. were paid better, the quality of education might go up? I have mixed feelings on this rationale. What do you think?
Hector, the person who wrote the blog post above, is not happy with the American school system and how it compares to the school systems of other countries around the world. Hector claimed that Finland has one of the highest ranking school systems in the world. He gave credit to the country for only allowing the top tier of their college education graduates the opportunity to apply for teaching positions. Those who do not make the cut are simply not allowed to apply for teaching jobs. Hector claims that unlike in the U.S.A., the country of Finland places a very high value on their education system and is willing to pay their teachers high wages to educate their youth. By paying their teachers competitive wages, top tier college graduates strive to become a teacher just as people in the U.S.A. strive to become engineers, doctors, accountants, and lawyers. If teachers in the U.S.A. were paid better, the quality of education might go up? I have mixed feelings on this rationale. What do you think?
Friday, July 15, 2011
Student Data Folders
In response to: "Create Student Data Folders for Parents"
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/778
In this blog post Charity Preston discusses the need for "student data" folders to be sent home bi-weekly throughout the school year. By sending home student data folders, parents are more involved in the education of their child. Grades and comments will be sent home by the teacher and parents will be required to sign and return the folder on an assigned day of the week. Preston said that she also creates room on the data page where the students are required to write a self reflection about the past couple of weeks and how they think things are going and what they can do to improve. This is a way of having students track their own progress and so that they always know where they stand when it comes to their grades. Students are encouraged to take ownership in their work by sending home grades more often. Preston claims that even with the 24 hour a day grading system that is available on the school website that parents still claim they had no idea their child was not performing well in the classroom. This is a way to avoid that and to encourage more parental involvement. Preston offers a detailed example of how to make the folders and what to put in them to get you started in your own routine of sending home student data folders in the link above. I have used a system very similar to this and it works great. It really does cut down on the number of upset parents when report cards are sent home...
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/778
In this blog post Charity Preston discusses the need for "student data" folders to be sent home bi-weekly throughout the school year. By sending home student data folders, parents are more involved in the education of their child. Grades and comments will be sent home by the teacher and parents will be required to sign and return the folder on an assigned day of the week. Preston said that she also creates room on the data page where the students are required to write a self reflection about the past couple of weeks and how they think things are going and what they can do to improve. This is a way of having students track their own progress and so that they always know where they stand when it comes to their grades. Students are encouraged to take ownership in their work by sending home grades more often. Preston claims that even with the 24 hour a day grading system that is available on the school website that parents still claim they had no idea their child was not performing well in the classroom. This is a way to avoid that and to encourage more parental involvement. Preston offers a detailed example of how to make the folders and what to put in them to get you started in your own routine of sending home student data folders in the link above. I have used a system very similar to this and it works great. It really does cut down on the number of upset parents when report cards are sent home...
How to Have a Successful School Year
In response to: "Two Simple Secrets to a Successful School Year"
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/736
In Kim Oliver's blog post on how to have a successful school year she discusses two key necessities that every successful classroom needs. First, Oliver shares that building a relationship with your students is the most important thing a teacher can do to create the setting for a successful school year. Students want to do their best work for the teachers that they like and respect. Secondly, Oliver says that teachers need to set the bar high when it comes to expectations. In order for students to reach high to meet those expectations a teacher needs to ensure that their classroom is a safe place for the students to be. Teachers need to focus on being themselves because students are good at seeing right through a teacher who is trying to be someone that they are not. Kids love it when teachers are themselves and happy in the classroom!
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/736
In Kim Oliver's blog post on how to have a successful school year she discusses two key necessities that every successful classroom needs. First, Oliver shares that building a relationship with your students is the most important thing a teacher can do to create the setting for a successful school year. Students want to do their best work for the teachers that they like and respect. Secondly, Oliver says that teachers need to set the bar high when it comes to expectations. In order for students to reach high to meet those expectations a teacher needs to ensure that their classroom is a safe place for the students to be. Teachers need to focus on being themselves because students are good at seeing right through a teacher who is trying to be someone that they are not. Kids love it when teachers are themselves and happy in the classroom!
How to Land a Teaching Job
In response to: "3 Proven Ways to Land a Teaching Job"
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/811
In this blog post by Donzo Morton there are three ways in which the author discussed how to have better chances of landing a teaching position in today's tough teaching market. Number one was to be aggressive! There is no shame in being a little bit pushy in today's job market. Even if you are consistent and maybe even a little pushy, it is better than being passive and not fighting for it a little. Second way was to use your telephone. The internet is widely used nowadays and there is very little voice communication. I agree with Morton that there is a special bond that can be made through a telephone call and actually speaking with a principal or secretary. Lastly, upgrade your information that you are giving to the schools. Principals are looking for teachers who know and want to use technology. Morton suggests adding your website to your resume as well as your email and phone number. A website shows principals that you use technology and teacher websites can be created for free!
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/811
In this blog post by Donzo Morton there are three ways in which the author discussed how to have better chances of landing a teaching position in today's tough teaching market. Number one was to be aggressive! There is no shame in being a little bit pushy in today's job market. Even if you are consistent and maybe even a little pushy, it is better than being passive and not fighting for it a little. Second way was to use your telephone. The internet is widely used nowadays and there is very little voice communication. I agree with Morton that there is a special bond that can be made through a telephone call and actually speaking with a principal or secretary. Lastly, upgrade your information that you are giving to the schools. Principals are looking for teachers who know and want to use technology. Morton suggests adding your website to your resume as well as your email and phone number. A website shows principals that you use technology and teacher websites can be created for free!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Teachers Training for Technology
"Train Yourself; A Guide to Online Technology Tutorials"
http://www.edutopia.org/online-technology-computer-tutorials
In this blog by Alexandria R. Moses she discusses the importance of teachers using technology in the classroom on a daily basis. In the past it has been very common for students to use the computer lab for one hour, one day per week. Students today are being exposed to more technology in the classroom but it is important for teachers to know how to integrate as much technology into the classroom as possible. When our students graduate and head out to look for jobs or go to college, they are going to be expected to know how to use many different types of technology and computing tools. It is our job as teachers to prepare them for the real world which does require knowledge of technology tools.
This blog suggests that teachers research many different websites to learn how to use new technology and how to incorporate more new technology into their classrooms. Teachers can find tutorials on how to use many forms of technology on websites listed in this blog. The author suggests that teachers visit SchoolTube and TeacherTube to search for lessons and activities that involve the use of technology.
http://www.edutopia.org/online-technology-computer-tutorials
In this blog by Alexandria R. Moses she discusses the importance of teachers using technology in the classroom on a daily basis. In the past it has been very common for students to use the computer lab for one hour, one day per week. Students today are being exposed to more technology in the classroom but it is important for teachers to know how to integrate as much technology into the classroom as possible. When our students graduate and head out to look for jobs or go to college, they are going to be expected to know how to use many different types of technology and computing tools. It is our job as teachers to prepare them for the real world which does require knowledge of technology tools.
This blog suggests that teachers research many different websites to learn how to use new technology and how to incorporate more new technology into their classrooms. Teachers can find tutorials on how to use many forms of technology on websites listed in this blog. The author suggests that teachers visit SchoolTube and TeacherTube to search for lessons and activities that involve the use of technology.
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