Friday, May 15, 2009
Graduation
Yesterday was my graduation. On Weds my students gave me a graduation card which was super special. Those kids are the BEST ever! I am so lucky to have such wonderful students during this experience. I've even been asked to sign quite a few yearbooks. I don't remember ever asking a teacher to sign mine, so I was surprised. Another plus is that I am completely done with grading. I hate grading. It takes so much time and it is so subjective. I don't like that!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
WOW!
Well I had the students do the presidential project. Some were fantastic and others not so much. I gave out a lot of C-'s. They turned in their papers yesterday. i haven't started reading them yet, but I will do so this week.
This week I was nominated for a teacher award at the school by more than one of my students. I wasn't at the teaching conference because I had to pick up my graduation tickets, but I heard that I was very well praised by my students and some of the staff. I went to a carnival at the school and the principle told my husband how fantastic I am. Wow! I never expected that, but it sure makes me feel great to know that I am a great teacher, and that my students love me.
This week I was nominated for a teacher award at the school by more than one of my students. I wasn't at the teaching conference because I had to pick up my graduation tickets, but I heard that I was very well praised by my students and some of the staff. I went to a carnival at the school and the principle told my husband how fantastic I am. Wow! I never expected that, but it sure makes me feel great to know that I am a great teacher, and that my students love me.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Upcoming Presidents Project
This is an idea I have, but I am waiting to hear Mr G's thoughts on this. He wanted the students to do a much more scaled down version, but I really want to challenge them.
Objective: Students will examine the presidencies of Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush.
You will work in groups to research and present the U.S. President assigned to your group.
Each group member needs to write their OWN report on their president. (100 points)
Class presentations must include:
- A handout for classmates highlighting the importance of the presidency (Ex: Nixon handout) (100 points)
- Brief biography of president
- Brief description of 1st presidential election - How he became president
- Overview of president's foreign policy and major world events (focus on Cold War for presidents before 1990s)
- Overview of president's domestic policy and major events at home
- Overview of President's achievements and/or failings
- Overview of Popular fashions, music, and American lifestyles during their presidency
(Presentation is worth 200 points)
In total this project is worth 400 points. This will be a large portion of your quarter grade, so make sure you cover all points and put a lot of effort into your presentation.
Students are encouraged to use posters, images, powerpoints, video clips, and other sources during their class presentations.
You will also be responsible for the information your classmates present, so you will need to take notes for a test on the information.
Use the textbook and the PO listed for your president below to guide you on what you should cover in your report and presentation.
Textbook Pages Concept 10: Contemporary United States
Gerald Ford (906- 908) PO 2. Describe events (e.g., succession to presidency, pardoning of Nixon) of the presidency of Gerald Ford. - Presentation Monday, May 4, 2009
Jimmy Carter - (910 - 914) PO 3. Describe events (e.g., Camp David Peace Accords, Iran Hostage Crisis) of the presidency of Jimmy Carter. - Presentation Monday, May 4, 2009
Ronald Reagan (922-926) PO 4. Describe events (e.g., Star Wars, Iran-Contra Affair) of the presidency of Ronald Reagan. - Presentation Tuesday, May 5, 2009
George H.W. Bush (928-933) PO 5. Describe events (e.g., Persian Gulf War, Berlin Wall falls) of the presidency of George H.W. Bush. - Presentation Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Bill Clinton (936-944) PO 6. Describe events (e.g., economic growth, impeachment) of the presidency of William Clinton. - Presentation Wednesday, May 6, 2009
George W. Bush (945- 951) PO 7. Describe events (e.g., September 11 Terrorist Attacks, Afghanistan, Iraq War) of the presidency of George W. Bush. - Presentation Thursday, May 7, 2009
Objective: Students will examine the presidencies of Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush.
You will work in groups to research and present the U.S. President assigned to your group.
Each group member needs to write their OWN report on their president. (100 points)
Class presentations must include:
- A handout for classmates highlighting the importance of the presidency (Ex: Nixon handout) (100 points)
- Brief biography of president
- Brief description of 1st presidential election - How he became president
- Overview of president's foreign policy and major world events (focus on Cold War for presidents before 1990s)
- Overview of president's domestic policy and major events at home
- Overview of President's achievements and/or failings
- Overview of Popular fashions, music, and American lifestyles during their presidency
(Presentation is worth 200 points)
In total this project is worth 400 points. This will be a large portion of your quarter grade, so make sure you cover all points and put a lot of effort into your presentation.
Students are encouraged to use posters, images, powerpoints, video clips, and other sources during their class presentations.
You will also be responsible for the information your classmates present, so you will need to take notes for a test on the information.
Use the textbook and the PO listed for your president below to guide you on what you should cover in your report and presentation.
Textbook Pages Concept 10: Contemporary United States
Gerald Ford (906- 908) PO 2. Describe events (e.g., succession to presidency, pardoning of Nixon) of the presidency of Gerald Ford. - Presentation Monday, May 4, 2009
Jimmy Carter - (910 - 914) PO 3. Describe events (e.g., Camp David Peace Accords, Iran Hostage Crisis) of the presidency of Jimmy Carter. - Presentation Monday, May 4, 2009
Ronald Reagan (922-926) PO 4. Describe events (e.g., Star Wars, Iran-Contra Affair) of the presidency of Ronald Reagan. - Presentation Tuesday, May 5, 2009
George H.W. Bush (928-933) PO 5. Describe events (e.g., Persian Gulf War, Berlin Wall falls) of the presidency of George H.W. Bush. - Presentation Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Bill Clinton (936-944) PO 6. Describe events (e.g., economic growth, impeachment) of the presidency of William Clinton. - Presentation Wednesday, May 6, 2009
George W. Bush (945- 951) PO 7. Describe events (e.g., September 11 Terrorist Attacks, Afghanistan, Iraq War) of the presidency of George W. Bush. - Presentation Thursday, May 7, 2009
Passed My Student Teaching
This last week was very stressful! I was teaching, preparing my teaching portfolio, and getting my final evaluation. Plus I had a meeting to attend with my colleagues from the College of Education.
My teaching went really well. My students learned about President Nixon. I introduced my students to the Dialectic Journal (http://bla.stisd.net/MH_dialectical_journal.pdf). Some of them did a wonderful job and filled several pages with notes and responses. Others did the very minimum, and others refused to fill in the response side. I explained that responding was a way to strech your thinking ability and remember the information better, but they did not understand how this might help them. I also had students create a storyboard (http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource) using six events from Nixon's life. Some of my students went way beyond my expectations with this, and I feel like most of my students enjoyed making and sharing these with their classmates. I hope the visuals will help them remember Nixon's presidency too.
My portfolio was a lot of work. I think I did a pretty good job, but my mind was so overwhelmed that I didn't spend as much time on my reflections as I'd hoped. I will add to those once it is returned and sooner if my supervisor requests it. I did include some great examples of my students' work. It was wonderful too see everything I've accomplished through teaching, and how much my students really have learned from my efforts.
My final evaluation was really nice. I received the top score in almost every category. The categories that I scored one less in where things that teachers continue to develop through experience, so I did wonderfully. Plus I got some really great comments about how impressed everyone was with my dedication and hard work especially with two small children at home. It felt really good that someone recognized that because I've had to work so much harder than others to get here.
The meeting with my colleagues was all about job searching and interview questions. I am nervous about getting a job, but I feel like I am on a journey headed to where I am meant to be. I really feel pretty calm about this, and I just know that things are going to work out. So I am officially done with student teaching in 1 week, and it has been an amazing experience. I am staying at my school for 4 more weeks though, because I've really connected with my students and I want to see them off to high school.
My teaching went really well. My students learned about President Nixon. I introduced my students to the Dialectic Journal (http://bla.stisd.net/MH_dialectical_journal.pdf). Some of them did a wonderful job and filled several pages with notes and responses. Others did the very minimum, and others refused to fill in the response side. I explained that responding was a way to strech your thinking ability and remember the information better, but they did not understand how this might help them. I also had students create a storyboard (http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource) using six events from Nixon's life. Some of my students went way beyond my expectations with this, and I feel like most of my students enjoyed making and sharing these with their classmates. I hope the visuals will help them remember Nixon's presidency too.
My portfolio was a lot of work. I think I did a pretty good job, but my mind was so overwhelmed that I didn't spend as much time on my reflections as I'd hoped. I will add to those once it is returned and sooner if my supervisor requests it. I did include some great examples of my students' work. It was wonderful too see everything I've accomplished through teaching, and how much my students really have learned from my efforts.
My final evaluation was really nice. I received the top score in almost every category. The categories that I scored one less in where things that teachers continue to develop through experience, so I did wonderfully. Plus I got some really great comments about how impressed everyone was with my dedication and hard work especially with two small children at home. It felt really good that someone recognized that because I've had to work so much harder than others to get here.
The meeting with my colleagues was all about job searching and interview questions. I am nervous about getting a job, but I feel like I am on a journey headed to where I am meant to be. I really feel pretty calm about this, and I just know that things are going to work out. So I am officially done with student teaching in 1 week, and it has been an amazing experience. I am staying at my school for 4 more weeks though, because I've really connected with my students and I want to see them off to high school.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
3 more official weeks to go.
Well I am almost done. My graduation is May 14th, so only 5 weeks away. I am officially done with student teaching on April 27th. I have an evaluation on Monday and then the final evaluation in 2 weeks. I will feel so much better being done with these evaluations. I feel really drained. This past week was tough. The kids had AIMS testing. They were tired of sitting and wanted to chat all day after that. I felt really impatient with them for acting up too. I am usually not like that, but I am getting really tired. I really want to stay and finish out the year, so I am going to do that. It's only 6 weeks, and I will be happy I got to experience them all leaving for high school. I feel really attached to them all.
Last week, one of my students came to school drunk and another one hit the VP. He was hauled off in handcuffs crying for his mommy and daddy. He's kind of a jerk, so I think he was playing that up a bit. Anyway, it's a relief to know I get a break from him for at least a week. I know that's bad, but it's hard putting up with some of the crap sometimes. I know they are all kids, and hopefully they will outgrow it. The majority of my students are wonderful though, so I shouldn't complain. Anyway I am almost done, so I just need to pull through. This has been a wonderful experience, and now I know that I can do it.
Last week, one of my students came to school drunk and another one hit the VP. He was hauled off in handcuffs crying for his mommy and daddy. He's kind of a jerk, so I think he was playing that up a bit. Anyway, it's a relief to know I get a break from him for at least a week. I know that's bad, but it's hard putting up with some of the crap sometimes. I know they are all kids, and hopefully they will outgrow it. The majority of my students are wonderful though, so I shouldn't complain. Anyway I am almost done, so I just need to pull through. This has been a wonderful experience, and now I know that I can do it.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Another week down!
This week went really well. I had to make a few on the fly adjustments to my lesson plans because of schedule changes. The first happened because the high school came during one of my classes to register students and then the same class period had a movie party another day. It worked out well in the end though.
Next week, I have my 2nd to last evaluation. I will be so happy to be done with this part! My supervisor is coming Monday, Thursday or Friday. I am kind of hoping for Monday. I am having the students act-out photos from the Civil Rights movement on Monday. They have to play the part of one of the people in a photo, and I am going to be a reporter that interviews them. I think a lot of them will hate this, but it will be a great learning experience. Hopefully they will learn from watching their classmates. Plus I really want to help them overcome their fears of being in front of a group. I've always had horrible anxiety about this, but I am now over this. Thank goodness for that or teaching wouldn't be too great for me.
There are things I need to work on still like classroom management. Mr G. was late today and I was a bit worried about being all alone with the kids. I think it would have been a great experience for me though. Plus the kids would have learned their limits more with me. I think, they think I am going to let them do whatever. Not going to happen, but I guess they could test me.
Another thing I am constantly working on is questioning. I do well with this if I plan it out and then make changes as I go, but I find myself struggling a bit if I don't have it planned out. I am getting better at doing this in the moment though.
Next week, I have my 2nd to last evaluation. I will be so happy to be done with this part! My supervisor is coming Monday, Thursday or Friday. I am kind of hoping for Monday. I am having the students act-out photos from the Civil Rights movement on Monday. They have to play the part of one of the people in a photo, and I am going to be a reporter that interviews them. I think a lot of them will hate this, but it will be a great learning experience. Hopefully they will learn from watching their classmates. Plus I really want to help them overcome their fears of being in front of a group. I've always had horrible anxiety about this, but I am now over this. Thank goodness for that or teaching wouldn't be too great for me.
There are things I need to work on still like classroom management. Mr G. was late today and I was a bit worried about being all alone with the kids. I think it would have been a great experience for me though. Plus the kids would have learned their limits more with me. I think, they think I am going to let them do whatever. Not going to happen, but I guess they could test me.
Another thing I am constantly working on is questioning. I do well with this if I plan it out and then make changes as I go, but I find myself struggling a bit if I don't have it planned out. I am getting better at doing this in the moment though.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Difficulties and frustrations
So I am more than 10 weeks into my student teaching. The teacher I am working with is great, but he annoys me too. First, he says he doesn't need lesson plans or anything, then last week he decides he needs a copy of everything. No problem, but instead of saying he decided to get this, he makes up some lame story about how at the end of each year every teacher has to turn in their daily lesson plans to the district. I know for a fact this is b.s. I honestly don't mind doing this, but I hate lame made up b.s. The truth is better! Second, I am in charge of everything except the things he's made clear that I am not in charge in. The students have to have bellwork everyday. I can see where this is helpful, and he has the students do a current event journal every two weeks. He made it clear without saying so that he wants them to do this. Another thing, I am grading students' work and I know he feels like I am not harsh enough. The thing is, I like to be encouraging. I honestly think grades are all crap. They are so subjective, so maybe I don't dock students the same way he did. It does all work out because students who don't work as hard, don't score well on things that are more straight forward. Anyway we got grades turned in for the quarter and they were evenly distributed. I guess it's hard having someone constantly watching every move and judging. One last thing, I am teaching the civil rights movement, so I ask him how he usually teaches it. His response, "fast, I just show a video Eyes on the Prize." Then he basically told me that I have to rush through it. He doesn't think it's important enough to spend much time on. He just wants to rush through the curriculum, and it's annoying. Anyway I just needed a little vent.
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