In today's class we basically just revised our papers and helped other students try to get a good idea what to talk about in our papers. There were no readings for this week, and we didn't get to headlines but I think that by letting our peers help revise, we each got a better idea of what to discuss.
This semester has been great. I learned many important issues and strategies to run my future classroom. My experience in Newark was great and I consider myself lucky to have had the oppurtunity to spend briefly 30 hours in a new, high tech elementary school.
This school has changed some of my ideas about becoming a teacher. I was so set on teaching high school but elementary school [the higher grades] seems like it would be a good idea as well.
The host teacher I worked with gave me a lot of great ideas and advice for my future and I really enjoyed working with her and her students. I really felt at home when I was in Newark. It is a wonderful experience to start your initial field work with someone who is very knowlegable, caring, and dedicated to his or her career.
This class inspired me to want to still apply to the Teacher Educaiton program, and I look forward to keeping up the good work during the initiation process.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
December already!
Wow, it is unbelievable how fast this semester passed by! Before we know it, we will be in front of classrooms lecturing and being TEACHERS! It is simply amazing how this course helped me establish that I DEFINITELY want to be a teacher. I had doubts but, I think I am pretty sure on my choice.
As for today's class, once again, there were three great headlines. First, No Child Left Behind.. an important issue that gets teachers and parents are both upset about, but is it good or bad? The ranking process of standardized testing can brutally damage a school's image. What is important.. Math? English? Should this test be taken in English?
The second article includes a VERY controversial issue on Japan's new idea of taking a college course via cell phone. In my opinion, this is a joke because there is no interaction nor learning process that is going on when taking a course over the phone or even the Internet.. in this case. I think that the whole purpose of higher education is to interact with the teacher and get a good learning experience - not to teach yourself via cell phone.
The last article deals with a major issue that I am probably going to encounter a few times within my career. Since I want to become an English teacher - especially for high school, the "Frightening Fiction," article really hit home for me. It is a scary thought to have to double check each individual student's work for emotional content as well. How do you know what is not acceptable for school or what is simply a fictional story?
As for the readings - I was especially interested in the steps to be a teacher. I think as far as we go, for now, we need to focus on the preparation and the sequence stages in school. It is important to know that this is what we really want to do with the rest of our lives. It is also important to take care of the first few years of teaching [by being totally focused, organized, and interested in the content]. Once tenured, the interest factor will probably not be an issue but there will be days we will want to quit. The frustrations and negativity of teaching shouldn’t stick with us as a problem. I think that before we are preparing to retired, we should all tell everyone that we truly LOVE teaching.
As for today's class, once again, there were three great headlines. First, No Child Left Behind.. an important issue that gets teachers and parents are both upset about, but is it good or bad? The ranking process of standardized testing can brutally damage a school's image. What is important.. Math? English? Should this test be taken in English?
The second article includes a VERY controversial issue on Japan's new idea of taking a college course via cell phone. In my opinion, this is a joke because there is no interaction nor learning process that is going on when taking a course over the phone or even the Internet.. in this case. I think that the whole purpose of higher education is to interact with the teacher and get a good learning experience - not to teach yourself via cell phone.
The last article deals with a major issue that I am probably going to encounter a few times within my career. Since I want to become an English teacher - especially for high school, the "Frightening Fiction," article really hit home for me. It is a scary thought to have to double check each individual student's work for emotional content as well. How do you know what is not acceptable for school or what is simply a fictional story?
As for the readings - I was especially interested in the steps to be a teacher. I think as far as we go, for now, we need to focus on the preparation and the sequence stages in school. It is important to know that this is what we really want to do with the rest of our lives. It is also important to take care of the first few years of teaching [by being totally focused, organized, and interested in the content]. Once tenured, the interest factor will probably not be an issue but there will be days we will want to quit. The frustrations and negativity of teaching shouldn’t stick with us as a problem. I think that before we are preparing to retired, we should all tell everyone that we truly LOVE teaching.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
My Last Day of Community Service
After going to the school to help out three other times, I was a bit sad when I went my last time, Friday. It was a very busy day in class because the 5th grade, along with the the other grades as well because there was a Hispanic assembly celebrating important Hispanic people in the U.S.
I got to the classroom around 12:30 p.m., and was greeted by the host teacher. She asked me if I can do her a great favor and organize VERY LARGE piles of tests and papers for her. She was absent a few days last week, so EVERYTHING was out of order and she needed a hand getting organized again. She had me organize each paper into which assignment it was, the class, and the student's number. [Every student from each section had a number that coinsides with their name alphabetically to help make recording grades easier.]
It took me about an hour just to organize each paper from worksheets, homework, and test packets. Then, after I was finished organizing, I had to put everything in order by class. I didn't complete what she had for me because the time simply flew away! I finished three homework assignments, two stacks of tests, and one stack of worksheets that was done in class.
It was sad when I had to leave around 3:00, but the teacher wants to keep in contact and I would love helping her out whenever I can.
I got to the classroom around 12:30 p.m., and was greeted by the host teacher. She asked me if I can do her a great favor and organize VERY LARGE piles of tests and papers for her. She was absent a few days last week, so EVERYTHING was out of order and she needed a hand getting organized again. She had me organize each paper into which assignment it was, the class, and the student's number. [Every student from each section had a number that coinsides with their name alphabetically to help make recording grades easier.]
It took me about an hour just to organize each paper from worksheets, homework, and test packets. Then, after I was finished organizing, I had to put everything in order by class. I didn't complete what she had for me because the time simply flew away! I finished three homework assignments, two stacks of tests, and one stack of worksheets that was done in class.
It was sad when I had to leave around 3:00, but the teacher wants to keep in contact and I would love helping her out whenever I can.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Issues from 11/26's Class
Today's class was filled with very interesting information. First and foremost, I want to touch on the headlines that were presented. The first headline that Kenny presented, regarding the reading comprehension exam that was thrown away carries along with it, many controversies. Was it the US's specific scores that didn't want to be publicized? Or.. was there really a "problem" in the exam. Like mentioned in class, Kenny tried to find the problem in the text and didn't even notice it. I think that this exam was somewhat corrupt because I think the US doesn't want to "look" bad, and by using this exam... they could easily get away with it.
As for the Myspace/Facebook issues, I could write a book on my opinions. It is almost sick how people can use these social websites to ruin other people's lives. I have both a Myspace and a Facebook and I will definitely delete them before applying for jobs, but it is a scary thing to think someone can "Google" your name and find BAD pictures of you. Having these social websites aren't as bad as they are made out to be but still shouldn't be trusted!
Lastly, the issue of "losing love" for reading. I think that parents should play an active role in their child's reading activity level. My parents read to me and I loved to read when I was younger. When I got to high school, my love for reading grew and I one day want to teach reading comprehension. It is a great thing to have when you have the love for reading.
As for the rest of the class, I was interested in the amount of technology that is needed to be known to be a teacher nowadays. Even if you are going to teach Pre-K, I think that it is important to be Internet-savvy and help children understand the importance of technology. The younger children learn how to use a computer, the more they will know for their futures. The Internet is there for us, we should take advantage of it!
As for the Myspace/Facebook issues, I could write a book on my opinions. It is almost sick how people can use these social websites to ruin other people's lives. I have both a Myspace and a Facebook and I will definitely delete them before applying for jobs, but it is a scary thing to think someone can "Google" your name and find BAD pictures of you. Having these social websites aren't as bad as they are made out to be but still shouldn't be trusted!
Lastly, the issue of "losing love" for reading. I think that parents should play an active role in their child's reading activity level. My parents read to me and I loved to read when I was younger. When I got to high school, my love for reading grew and I one day want to teach reading comprehension. It is a great thing to have when you have the love for reading.
As for the rest of the class, I was interested in the amount of technology that is needed to be known to be a teacher nowadays. Even if you are going to teach Pre-K, I think that it is important to be Internet-savvy and help children understand the importance of technology. The younger children learn how to use a computer, the more they will know for their futures. The Internet is there for us, we should take advantage of it!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Jane Vincent Case Study [Reading for 11/26]
I enjoyed reading this Case Study. This was a pretty realistic issue that many of us will most likely have to face over the course of our careers.
I think that Jane should just stick to the strict guidelines [which were designed to better challenge "gifted" students] and keep the grade an 89.3. If the student achieved an 89.3, regardless of his or her own personality or learning ability, the grade should stick to an 89. If it was 89.5, it would be more "fair" to round the grade up.
In reality, Jane is only following what she is told to do, even if the principal in other words tells her to "cut the kid a break." What is fair is fair, and I think Jane should keep the grade an 89. If I were in her shoes, I would because I know in my heart that the student achieved this. To better challenge the students, this grading system was established, and Jane was told to follow these rules.
I don't believe that by giving Willie an 89, this will kill his motivation. I actually think that it will better prepare him for college, the real world, and to be challenged even further.
I think that Jane should just stick to the strict guidelines [which were designed to better challenge "gifted" students] and keep the grade an 89.3. If the student achieved an 89.3, regardless of his or her own personality or learning ability, the grade should stick to an 89. If it was 89.5, it would be more "fair" to round the grade up.
In reality, Jane is only following what she is told to do, even if the principal in other words tells her to "cut the kid a break." What is fair is fair, and I think Jane should keep the grade an 89. If I were in her shoes, I would because I know in my heart that the student achieved this. To better challenge the students, this grading system was established, and Jane was told to follow these rules.
I don't believe that by giving Willie an 89, this will kill his motivation. I actually think that it will better prepare him for college, the real world, and to be challenged even further.
Second Meeting Attended
On Tuesday, November 20th, I attended my second meeting [in my hometown] - a Board of Education meeting. I found it very interesting, reguardless how many people were saying how "boring" these types of meetings are. It is more interesting when the teachers are teachers who I have had in the past, rahter than pure strangers who I am not too interested in in the first place.
To start off the blog, I just want to say that in my town, there is a new school that was built and opened in April of 2007. Last year, the superintendent retired and as of right now, [until April 1, 2008] there is an interim superintendent. One of the main points of this Board of Ed meeting was the election of the new superintendent. The principal of the school was nominated as Superintendent/Principal until the end of the school year when the town elects a new principal.
Of all the members of the Board, one person did not agree with the election of the new superintendent. I found it a bit humiliating on his behalf to sit there and ridicule the future superintendent right in front of his face.
Other points of the meeting was exterior construction of the school. There was an argument about the sidewalks, and how there are problems with them. One member of the board didn't want to pay the company $2,000 for their work; but only pay for supplies when the other board memeber said it is NOT the company's fault.
Many numbers were thrown around. Specifically about a park/playground that still needs to be built for the students and for little repairs. The board members left the room for an "executive meeting" for about 25 minutes and that puzzled me a little bit. What is the purpose of holding a meeting if they were going to leave the audience? Towards the end of the meeting, the members left again for another "executive meeting." I was happy that at the end of the meeting, everyone congratulated the new superintendent and I know him as well.
*****I was scheduled to go back to Newark on Wednesday, but my host teacher was not there. More posted on my last 2 1/2 hours will be on Friday, November 30th.
To start off the blog, I just want to say that in my town, there is a new school that was built and opened in April of 2007. Last year, the superintendent retired and as of right now, [until April 1, 2008] there is an interim superintendent. One of the main points of this Board of Ed meeting was the election of the new superintendent. The principal of the school was nominated as Superintendent/Principal until the end of the school year when the town elects a new principal.
Of all the members of the Board, one person did not agree with the election of the new superintendent. I found it a bit humiliating on his behalf to sit there and ridicule the future superintendent right in front of his face.
Other points of the meeting was exterior construction of the school. There was an argument about the sidewalks, and how there are problems with them. One member of the board didn't want to pay the company $2,000 for their work; but only pay for supplies when the other board memeber said it is NOT the company's fault.
Many numbers were thrown around. Specifically about a park/playground that still needs to be built for the students and for little repairs. The board members left the room for an "executive meeting" for about 25 minutes and that puzzled me a little bit. What is the purpose of holding a meeting if they were going to leave the audience? Towards the end of the meeting, the members left again for another "executive meeting." I was happy that at the end of the meeting, everyone congratulated the new superintendent and I know him as well.
*****I was scheduled to go back to Newark on Wednesday, but my host teacher was not there. More posted on my last 2 1/2 hours will be on Friday, November 30th.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday's Class Discussion and Issues
Many interesting headlines were brought up in class again. The issue of whether or not cursive handwriting is "lost" in a sense throughout public school systems is an interesting issue. I think that cursive should definitely be taught, but on the other hand, should be optional whether or not a student is comfortable using it. Standardized testing, computers, etc., take away what writing was originally "all about."
As for the second headline, many people are frightened by it. The thought of school shootings and whether or not a teacher should be armed in the classroom is a scary thought. When I was growing up, we never had to discuss these topics. It is a shame how public schools' safety issues has changed.
Lastly, another Art issue. I cannot comment as much as I wish I could on the Art controversy because I was one of the students who always felt that Art was the class that we got a "break" in. Coloring, painting, drawing, and "having fun," is what my friends and I always thought Art class was all about. For Art majors out there, it is important to have a heart for the subject. You need to love what you do, and that is ALL that really matters.
Today's discussion about issues in schools, especially the Newark Public Schools caught my attention. Getting back to the meeting that I atteneded last week, the "Highly Qualified" status is important for the schools. It makes not only the schools look better but also can provide more funding for it as well. I think that tenured, seasoned teachers are at a disadvantage by having to pay for the PRAXIS, but in the end, it is beneficial.
As for the topic of Social Studies in Newark, this seemed important as well. I think that Social Studies is in a way, "cut off" from the rest of the day. It is not fair to teach these students about important, social and current events taking place in the world today in a total of 15 minutes. No one is paying attention, no one is lsitening, and everyone wants to leave. It is a shame! Something has to be done about this!
As for the second headline, many people are frightened by it. The thought of school shootings and whether or not a teacher should be armed in the classroom is a scary thought. When I was growing up, we never had to discuss these topics. It is a shame how public schools' safety issues has changed.
Lastly, another Art issue. I cannot comment as much as I wish I could on the Art controversy because I was one of the students who always felt that Art was the class that we got a "break" in. Coloring, painting, drawing, and "having fun," is what my friends and I always thought Art class was all about. For Art majors out there, it is important to have a heart for the subject. You need to love what you do, and that is ALL that really matters.
Today's discussion about issues in schools, especially the Newark Public Schools caught my attention. Getting back to the meeting that I atteneded last week, the "Highly Qualified" status is important for the schools. It makes not only the schools look better but also can provide more funding for it as well. I think that tenured, seasoned teachers are at a disadvantage by having to pay for the PRAXIS, but in the end, it is beneficial.
As for the topic of Social Studies in Newark, this seemed important as well. I think that Social Studies is in a way, "cut off" from the rest of the day. It is not fair to teach these students about important, social and current events taking place in the world today in a total of 15 minutes. No one is paying attention, no one is lsitening, and everyone wants to leave. It is a shame! Something has to be done about this!
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