The unit I read was in chapter 4 on the world of geometry.
1. I liked how the teacher has such a passion for math and how she used differentiation to help her students learn all they could about geometry.
2. I learned of the things I could use to help me differentiation a lesson. This is what one teacher said she used; “Interest and learning style surveys given at the beginning of the year, along with observation and consistent anecdotal records, has supplied me with information about individual students’ preferred approaches to learning tasks, as well as their areas of special interest.”
3. What I am stuck on a little bit is how there are 11 lessons, but only 7 lessons have differentiated components in them. I guess if you only have 1 differentiation thing in a whole unit, the whole unit is classified under differentiation. Or is it?
4. I would have to modify lesson 8, when the teacher uses round robin to review.
5. I would modify that because the method used in round robin is not the best method to use.
6. I would use instead the jigsaw method instead to help review what they have learned before moving on.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Week 7
To be complete honest, I really don't know what I need to tier a lesson plan. What I do know, as I get to know my students, I will learn who they are what they are bringing to my class every day. I can then take what they are bringing and tie that into my lesson plans. I can tier my lessons according to what my students needs are. That is what I understand at this point in time. It may change.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Week 6
Bullet 1:
“Caring teachers who create relationships with their students enhance student learning.”
This is true for me, because I have seen firsthand those teachers that build relationships with their students, how their learning does enhance.
Bullet 2:
“Teachers who create a warm and supportive classroom environment tend to be more effective with all students.”
This reminds me of morning meetings and when you hold them, how they can create that environment to help all the students learn more effectively. To have that feeling of support in the classroom can really make a big difference I think.
Bullet 3:
“Teachers’ enthusiasm for learning and for their subject matter is an important factor in student motivation that, in turn, is closely linked with student achievement.”
I believe a teacher’s enthusiasm can help make or break them as a teacher. Children come to school with an enthusiasm to learn and when a teacher shows their dislike for a subject that can turn off the students desire to learn that subject. I want to show good enthusiasm for all subjects in my future classroom.
Bullet 4:
“Effective teachers emphasize hands-on learning, conceptual understanding, and links with the world beyond the classroom.”
This is true for me because I think when students are able to connect their learning with the world beyond the classroom; they will be able to remember what they learned longer. I want to aim for long term learning and remembering, not short term effects that only waste time in the long run.
Question 2:
I liked both metaphors. But the one about the spaghetti sauce called “gravy” was easier for me to relate to. To love is not something I feel that you can study and then copy exactly the same. It is more of an act that evolves over time and one that everyone shows differently. I know when I feel love from someone else, I am more willing to listen to them. The same can apply to a teacher that shows their love for their students.
“Caring teachers who create relationships with their students enhance student learning.”
This is true for me, because I have seen firsthand those teachers that build relationships with their students, how their learning does enhance.
Bullet 2:
“Teachers who create a warm and supportive classroom environment tend to be more effective with all students.”
This reminds me of morning meetings and when you hold them, how they can create that environment to help all the students learn more effectively. To have that feeling of support in the classroom can really make a big difference I think.
Bullet 3:
“Teachers’ enthusiasm for learning and for their subject matter is an important factor in student motivation that, in turn, is closely linked with student achievement.”
I believe a teacher’s enthusiasm can help make or break them as a teacher. Children come to school with an enthusiasm to learn and when a teacher shows their dislike for a subject that can turn off the students desire to learn that subject. I want to show good enthusiasm for all subjects in my future classroom.
Bullet 4:
“Effective teachers emphasize hands-on learning, conceptual understanding, and links with the world beyond the classroom.”
This is true for me because I think when students are able to connect their learning with the world beyond the classroom; they will be able to remember what they learned longer. I want to aim for long term learning and remembering, not short term effects that only waste time in the long run.
Question 2:
I liked both metaphors. But the one about the spaghetti sauce called “gravy” was easier for me to relate to. To love is not something I feel that you can study and then copy exactly the same. It is more of an act that evolves over time and one that everyone shows differently. I know when I feel love from someone else, I am more willing to listen to them. The same can apply to a teacher that shows their love for their students.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Week 5
Bullet 1:
•"Students in schools, classrooms, and educational systems that teach less and teach it better score higher on standardized measures than students in schools that seek coverage of massive amounts of information with little emphasis on understanding. In other words, curriculum that is a mile wide but only an inch deep is ineffective in producing real learning."
This to me means that when you teach more for understanding than to just get that subject taught, more of your students will learn. I want to be the kind of teacher that focuses more on what the students are learning, than always trying to cover everything in the curriculum, because you can’t teach everything. It is just not possible.
Bullet 2:
•Important curriculum is necessarily focused on high-level thinking. There is no other way to ensure that students make meaning of, apply, and extend knowledge, understanding, and skill. In other words, there is no lesser route toward, expertise in a discipline.
The part I liked about this is how the curriculum is focused on high level thinking. To be a high level thinker can sometimes take time to achieve that level of thinking. It sets the bar high for students, showing faith in them. I want to be able to set the bar high for my students, with a way to be able to help them achieve that. I do know that every student will be at a different spot, but as long as they learn and feel good about themselves, then I know that I did something right.
Quote 1:
“Use children’s books in all grades and subjects to make complex ideas approachable and to reveal stories of the people from many cultures behind important ideas, events, and innovations.” Page 73
I like this quote, because it shares how you can use children’s books in the classroom all through school years. I want to use children’s books in my teaching to help my students to grow.
Quote 2:
“It is highly likely that students achieve much more when we present them with tasks that we genuinely believe to be beyond them, and then set out to ensure their success on those tasks.” Page 81
This to me says that when we as teachers raise the bar for our students, that they can achieve it only when we help them and show them how. I want to be able to help raise the bar for my students and to show them how to succeed in life.
•"Students in schools, classrooms, and educational systems that teach less and teach it better score higher on standardized measures than students in schools that seek coverage of massive amounts of information with little emphasis on understanding. In other words, curriculum that is a mile wide but only an inch deep is ineffective in producing real learning."
This to me means that when you teach more for understanding than to just get that subject taught, more of your students will learn. I want to be the kind of teacher that focuses more on what the students are learning, than always trying to cover everything in the curriculum, because you can’t teach everything. It is just not possible.
Bullet 2:
•Important curriculum is necessarily focused on high-level thinking. There is no other way to ensure that students make meaning of, apply, and extend knowledge, understanding, and skill. In other words, there is no lesser route toward, expertise in a discipline.
The part I liked about this is how the curriculum is focused on high level thinking. To be a high level thinker can sometimes take time to achieve that level of thinking. It sets the bar high for students, showing faith in them. I want to be able to set the bar high for my students, with a way to be able to help them achieve that. I do know that every student will be at a different spot, but as long as they learn and feel good about themselves, then I know that I did something right.
Quote 1:
“Use children’s books in all grades and subjects to make complex ideas approachable and to reveal stories of the people from many cultures behind important ideas, events, and innovations.” Page 73
I like this quote, because it shares how you can use children’s books in the classroom all through school years. I want to use children’s books in my teaching to help my students to grow.
Quote 2:
“It is highly likely that students achieve much more when we present them with tasks that we genuinely believe to be beyond them, and then set out to ensure their success on those tasks.” Page 81
This to me says that when we as teachers raise the bar for our students, that they can achieve it only when we help them and show them how. I want to be able to help raise the bar for my students and to show them how to succeed in life.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Week 4
“Barbara Kingsolver (1997) reminds us that the very least we ought to expect of ourselves is that we figure out what we hope for in this life. The most we can do, she continues, is to make sure we live inside our hopes, rather than admiring them from a distance.” Page 25
I really liked what Kingsolver said, because if we don’t try to live our hopes and just look at them from a distance, nothing will ever happen. As a future teacher, I would like things to happen and to see success in my students. To be able to do that, I first need hopes and then to put them into action to see results.
“There is no formula for success. Rather, we work in indeterminate zones of practice.” Page 33
This quote really had my name written all over it. If there was a formula for success, then more people would say they had success in their lives. But in a classroom setting, you can’t do the same thing with every child and except the same result. Every child is different in their own unique way.
“Environment communicates loudly. It signals students daily about ways in which their uniqueness is recognized and valued- or signals to them that they are replaceable and interchangeable parts in an impersonal machine.” Page 38
This I really like, because the classroom environment can affect students in many different ways. I want my students to feel that their uniqueness is recognized and valued everyday. Now I know one way I can do that, and that is by the environment in the classroom.
I really liked what Kingsolver said, because if we don’t try to live our hopes and just look at them from a distance, nothing will ever happen. As a future teacher, I would like things to happen and to see success in my students. To be able to do that, I first need hopes and then to put them into action to see results.
“There is no formula for success. Rather, we work in indeterminate zones of practice.” Page 33
This quote really had my name written all over it. If there was a formula for success, then more people would say they had success in their lives. But in a classroom setting, you can’t do the same thing with every child and except the same result. Every child is different in their own unique way.
“Environment communicates loudly. It signals students daily about ways in which their uniqueness is recognized and valued- or signals to them that they are replaceable and interchangeable parts in an impersonal machine.” Page 38
This I really like, because the classroom environment can affect students in many different ways. I want my students to feel that their uniqueness is recognized and valued everyday. Now I know one way I can do that, and that is by the environment in the classroom.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Week 3
I would use this information in differentiating to know different things about my students and what they like and dislike. At first I would not change anything from the inventory. I like to try things out as they are and it will help once I have a classroom of students, I will know more of what they need and what I need to know. Then I will make changes.
The relationships I see for the content is giving me a chance to learn more about what the student likes and dislikes. That way, if the student struggles in math, I know to modify my lesson for this student. The more I learn about what the students enjoy, the more I can tie that into my lessons to help keep their attention. I know I always enjoy learning when it has to do with something I enjoy.
The relationships I see for the content is giving me a chance to learn more about what the student likes and dislikes. That way, if the student struggles in math, I know to modify my lesson for this student. The more I learn about what the students enjoy, the more I can tie that into my lessons to help keep their attention. I know I always enjoy learning when it has to do with something I enjoy.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Week 2
1) What makes the most sense to me for defining what differentiation is getting to know our students better and taking the knowledge I gain to better help my students learn in the classroom.
2b) Chapter 2, there are two statements that stood out to me. Page 15 it says; “If a teacher connects learning to a child’s emotions, she is more likely to learn then if what is being taught remains remote from her emotions.” This to me says, when a student is learning something that they enjoy and have a connection to, is more likely to enjoy the learning process and to remember it longer. The other statement I like on page 19 says; “Learning is a sequence of challenges.” To me that is so true. Far too often do people forget that to learn, you have to push yourself and try new things that you may not be comfortable with.
2b) Chapter 2, there are two statements that stood out to me. Page 15 it says; “If a teacher connects learning to a child’s emotions, she is more likely to learn then if what is being taught remains remote from her emotions.” This to me says, when a student is learning something that they enjoy and have a connection to, is more likely to enjoy the learning process and to remember it longer. The other statement I like on page 19 says; “Learning is a sequence of challenges.” To me that is so true. Far too often do people forget that to learn, you have to push yourself and try new things that you may not be comfortable with.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Blog 1
1. What is your favorite book for kids… something you would like to use in your future classroom? Why do you like it?
I don’t have a specific favorite book. But I have always enjoyed reading the Dr. Seuss’s books. I like it, because it is a fun way to learn new things and does a great job of keeping children’s attention.
2. Name your three favorite T.V. shows, even if you don’t have time to watch them! What can you (or what are you willing to) tell me about your T.V. viewing habits? I’ll tell you mine if you’ll tell me yours!
My three favorite TV shows are: NCIS, The Office, and Gilmore Girls. Right now I don’t have any television channels to watch anything on for right now. I go over to my in-laws to watch NCIS every Tuesday night. That is one of my highlights every Tuesday night for one hour. The Office I usually watch online with my husband. He is the one I blame for getting me hooked on that show.
3. Do you collect anything? Tell about your collections:
One thing I have been collecting since I was a little girl is porcelain dolls. I use to get one for Christmas and my birthday, but not anymore. Right now, they are sadly all in boxes in storage at my parent’s home in Texas. I think I have around 60 dolls. I think they are just so pretty to look at and are fun to collect.
4. Do you keep any kind of a journal (or blog?) besides this one? Tell me about it, and what you like to write about:
I am not one that likes to write a lot, especially on paper. So the only type of journal I do keep is through pictures. I do love taking pictures to help keep fun memories alive. When I use to have more free time, I would put more of my pictures in a scrapbook to be able to look at more often.
5. If you had to be the sponsor of an after-school group, select your 1st, 2nd & 3rd choices:
__ contemporary moral issues __peer relationships
__national security __world peace
__career opportunities & choices __art or music appreciation
__gender issues __ethnicity issues
__death & dying __sports
__book club __writers group
__ecology __tutoring
1 choice) Book club. I do love reading when I find a good book.
2 choice) Art or music appreciation. Are and music has always been a love that I have. Having music part of learning for children, I think helps them do better.
3 choice) Tutoring. I use to be a mentor, and the good I saw from that was great. Tutoring goes right along with mentoring.
6. Have you ever taken art lessons or attended art classes outside of school? Tell about your artistic talent and/or interests:
I have never taken art classes outside of school. My art abilities are not good. The only drawing I do, is stick people.
7. Have you ever taken music lessons or belonged to musical groups outside of school? Tell about your musical talent and/or interests:
I use to play the piano. Sadly I stopped taking lessons when I was seventeen and can no longer play really good. My interests in the piano is still there, time does not allow it right now.
8. Have you ever taken dance lessons or belonged to dance groups? Tell about your dance talent and/or interests:
I use to dance in High School, I really enjoyed it. I never did belong to a dance group; it was just something I did for fun. I don’t think I am very good at dancing and it’s not something I do anymore, but I still enjoy watching it.
9. Have you ever taken drama classes or performed in a theater production? Tell about your theater talents and/or interests:
When I was eleven and twelve, I went to a private art school where we focused on doing plays and dramas. I was the door mouse in Alice and Wonderland. But that was only a phase and I grew out of it really fast. I enjoyed more in High School doing the behind the scenes events for plays.
10. What have I not asked you, that you would like me to know about you?
The only other thing I can think of that you would enjoy knowing is that I am pregnant right now and my due date is May 22. So as the semester goes on, my belly is going to be getting bigger.
I don’t have a specific favorite book. But I have always enjoyed reading the Dr. Seuss’s books. I like it, because it is a fun way to learn new things and does a great job of keeping children’s attention.
2. Name your three favorite T.V. shows, even if you don’t have time to watch them! What can you (or what are you willing to) tell me about your T.V. viewing habits? I’ll tell you mine if you’ll tell me yours!
My three favorite TV shows are: NCIS, The Office, and Gilmore Girls. Right now I don’t have any television channels to watch anything on for right now. I go over to my in-laws to watch NCIS every Tuesday night. That is one of my highlights every Tuesday night for one hour. The Office I usually watch online with my husband. He is the one I blame for getting me hooked on that show.
3. Do you collect anything? Tell about your collections:
One thing I have been collecting since I was a little girl is porcelain dolls. I use to get one for Christmas and my birthday, but not anymore. Right now, they are sadly all in boxes in storage at my parent’s home in Texas. I think I have around 60 dolls. I think they are just so pretty to look at and are fun to collect.
4. Do you keep any kind of a journal (or blog?) besides this one? Tell me about it, and what you like to write about:
I am not one that likes to write a lot, especially on paper. So the only type of journal I do keep is through pictures. I do love taking pictures to help keep fun memories alive. When I use to have more free time, I would put more of my pictures in a scrapbook to be able to look at more often.
5. If you had to be the sponsor of an after-school group, select your 1st, 2nd & 3rd choices:
__ contemporary moral issues __peer relationships
__national security __world peace
__career opportunities & choices __art or music appreciation
__gender issues __ethnicity issues
__death & dying __sports
__book club __writers group
__ecology __tutoring
1 choice) Book club. I do love reading when I find a good book.
2 choice) Art or music appreciation. Are and music has always been a love that I have. Having music part of learning for children, I think helps them do better.
3 choice) Tutoring. I use to be a mentor, and the good I saw from that was great. Tutoring goes right along with mentoring.
6. Have you ever taken art lessons or attended art classes outside of school? Tell about your artistic talent and/or interests:
I have never taken art classes outside of school. My art abilities are not good. The only drawing I do, is stick people.
7. Have you ever taken music lessons or belonged to musical groups outside of school? Tell about your musical talent and/or interests:
I use to play the piano. Sadly I stopped taking lessons when I was seventeen and can no longer play really good. My interests in the piano is still there, time does not allow it right now.
8. Have you ever taken dance lessons or belonged to dance groups? Tell about your dance talent and/or interests:
I use to dance in High School, I really enjoyed it. I never did belong to a dance group; it was just something I did for fun. I don’t think I am very good at dancing and it’s not something I do anymore, but I still enjoy watching it.
9. Have you ever taken drama classes or performed in a theater production? Tell about your theater talents and/or interests:
When I was eleven and twelve, I went to a private art school where we focused on doing plays and dramas. I was the door mouse in Alice and Wonderland. But that was only a phase and I grew out of it really fast. I enjoyed more in High School doing the behind the scenes events for plays.
10. What have I not asked you, that you would like me to know about you?
The only other thing I can think of that you would enjoy knowing is that I am pregnant right now and my due date is May 22. So as the semester goes on, my belly is going to be getting bigger.
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