It's hard to believe that it's already a month into the semester! This week we are focused on academic language. This topic can sometimes be a bit confusing for me but I think I am beginning to catch on. I know that academic language is the language needed for a student to succeed. Academic language is oral and written language which students use to express their knowledge of the learned content. There are four parts to academic language; language function, vocabulary, discourse, and syntax. Language function mostly refers to the action verb in the content that is being taught. An example of this could be "explain" or "describe". Vocabulary isn't so hard to define, it basically encompasses the words and phrases that are used in the content being taught. Discourse and syntax can be a bit tricky. Discourse is all about the structure of what is being spoken or written. Syntax is more like putting it all together to make it make sense. I don't have any current questions, but I'm sure I will think of some! I did find a very helpful document a while back and I still have it!
https://education.indiana.edu/students/undergraduates/clinical-experiences/_docs/Academic%20Language.pdf
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
EDU 252
It's been a while! Christmas break was much needed but it went by so quickly! I'm excited and really nervous to start this semester. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to take this class to further my knowledge of EdTPA. I do remember a few things from the Effective Teaching and Learning Cycle. The three things that I remember are the three main components; planning, instruction, and assessment. Planning is the stage in which you prepare the lesson and unpack the standard. Instruction is the stage where everything planned actually takes place, this is a large portion of the cycle. Assessment is when the teacher reflects on how the lesson went and how the students comprehended the material. When thinking about my action plan from last semester, I realize that I still need to do a lot of work. My action plan is pretty much the same because I honestly didn't think too much about it over the break. I plan to work hard on it this semester!
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Edu Blog
Wow! Time is flying by this semester! I'm sure that I'm not alone when I say that I am so overwhelmed with everything going on. Taking these education classes really make me appreciate teachers so much more than I already did. The classes are hard but it is so worth it!
I honestly feel like the past month has been a blur because of how fast it has gone by. But I have learned a lot in all of my classes. I have enjoyed this 251 class because we focus on going into detail about each step of EdTPA. This helps so much with my other classes. Recently in my 350 class we did a cultural competency project which was very eye opening. I enjoyed doing it but it made me realize how hard it really is to differentiate for every student in your class. We have also been learning about RTI and the three tiers that make it up. This was a bit confusing for me at first, but I feel like I have more understanding of it now. We were provided with a class list and we are now working on creating a lesson plan that incorporates the three tiers of RTI. In my math class, we are using the "show me" app to explain various math problems in a way that a child could understand it. And in my 410 class, we have worked a lot on creating assessments. This is so much harder than I thought it would be. We have also created an assessment in the form of a project, which I really enjoyed doing. We are now working on creating rubrics.
It can be hard sometimes to remember which class is which, especially when you have the same professor for three of your classes. A lot of material that we learn overlaps with the material from another course which can be confusing at times. But it helps me to make connections and realize how all of this that I am learning goes together. I have had a few other learning experiences in the past weeks. We had the opportunity to teach a lesson at the school of education orientation. This was a bit nerve wracking but I do feel like I learned a lot from it. I learned that it is very hard to plan a lesson in an hour and I learned that you have to be ready for anything. We have a full day of observation at a local school coming up. I am excited about this because I feel that I will learn so much from it, especially since we are getting to observe for a full day instead of just a couple of hours. I also received my clinical placement, so I will be going out to a local elementary school soon to observe in a kindergarten classroom. This makes me a little bit nervous because I am more comfortable with the upper grades of elementary but I may change my mind after these observations! I am excited for what the rest of the semester holds!
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Engaging Instruction
When I think back to all of the classes I have taken from elementary to high school, only a few stick out to me. This is because those are the few that I was actually engaged in. I looked forward to going to those classes. One of those classes is my third grade class. I know that the reason I loved that class so much was because I was engaged. I was challenged and I enjoyed it. My teachers made learning fun for us. They had relationships with each of us and they adapted to our learning styles. Another class is my seventh and eighth grade science class. I had the same teacher for both years. I remember being engaged in this class because of the different ways that the content was presented to us. We were always doing something hands on, creating things, watching videos, or doing other projects. I loved that class. The last class that sticks out to me the most is my colorguard class. I know that this is not a class that everyone takes because it is only for the colorguard. But with that being said, all four years of this class was amazing. A part of that may be because I loved colorguard but I believe a big portion of it came from the relationship I had with my teacher. She made a point to get to know us. She felt like a mother to us. This class is the class that I grew in.
I do think it is a bit sad that I could only think of three classes that I really felt engaged in, so I have plenty examples of classes that I did not feel engaged in. Some examples are my US History class in high school, my Chemistry class, and my Civics and Economics class. All of these were not classes that I looked forward to. The two history classes were made up of me taking notes everyday. There is nothing wrong with notes, but there is when that is all the students are doing constantly. Chemistry was not engaging for me like I feel it could've been. I now know that the reason none of these classes were engaging is because there was no differentiation and there was no relationships between the teacher and students.
To make instruction engaging, you first have to have a safe and welcoming environment. The students should feel comfortable in your classroom. You should also have relationships with the students. They should feel like they matter. And you should also understand that ALL students are different and they will learn differently. After you have created this atmosphere, you have to provide the learning that they need. You will need to make the content relatable and meaningful. Give them a reason to want to learn the content. If a student doesn't want to learn the content, they won't. Just giving worksheets will not help a student to learn, at least not ALL of them. Present the content in different ways; videos, books, hands on activities, projects. Putting students in groups also helps them to learn in different ways.
For my future classroom, I will create an environment that will make all students feel welcome and wanted. I will establish relationships with all of my students. I will also present the content that I am teaching in multiple ways so that every students' needs are met. I am excited to become a teacher and hopefully become one that I would have loved while in school. Another source that I had researched mentioned a quote by a teacher that really stuck out to me. She said " Our classrooms need to be as engaging as the world around our kids." (https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?article&articleid=678&category=In-the-classroom) I want to be the example that a student gives when speaking about the classes they were engaged in.
I do think it is a bit sad that I could only think of three classes that I really felt engaged in, so I have plenty examples of classes that I did not feel engaged in. Some examples are my US History class in high school, my Chemistry class, and my Civics and Economics class. All of these were not classes that I looked forward to. The two history classes were made up of me taking notes everyday. There is nothing wrong with notes, but there is when that is all the students are doing constantly. Chemistry was not engaging for me like I feel it could've been. I now know that the reason none of these classes were engaging is because there was no differentiation and there was no relationships between the teacher and students.
To make instruction engaging, you first have to have a safe and welcoming environment. The students should feel comfortable in your classroom. You should also have relationships with the students. They should feel like they matter. And you should also understand that ALL students are different and they will learn differently. After you have created this atmosphere, you have to provide the learning that they need. You will need to make the content relatable and meaningful. Give them a reason to want to learn the content. If a student doesn't want to learn the content, they won't. Just giving worksheets will not help a student to learn, at least not ALL of them. Present the content in different ways; videos, books, hands on activities, projects. Putting students in groups also helps them to learn in different ways.
For my future classroom, I will create an environment that will make all students feel welcome and wanted. I will establish relationships with all of my students. I will also present the content that I am teaching in multiple ways so that every students' needs are met. I am excited to become a teacher and hopefully become one that I would have loved while in school. Another source that I had researched mentioned a quote by a teacher that really stuck out to me. She said " Our classrooms need to be as engaging as the world around our kids." (https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?article&articleid=678&category=In-the-classroom) I want to be the example that a student gives when speaking about the classes they were engaged in.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
The Effective Teaching and Learning Cycle
Hi everyone! I am excited to begin a new adventure this semester in all new education courses! For this blog, I'm focusing on everything that I have learned about the effective teaching and learning cycle. The very first thing that stands out to me is in the title. Effective teaching AND learning. Teaching and learning go hand and hand. If you have effective teaching, you will have effective learning. I believe that people focus to much on the effort of the child and their ability to learn rather than focus on the effectiveness of the teaching. With that being said, I hope that all of my future lessons will be very effective. In order to do this, I need to put as much effort into planning my lesson as I do teaching it and assessing it.
I can honestly say that before starting these education courses, I never realized how much went into planning a lesson. It doesn't just start when the teacher begins to teach, and it doesn't end when the student finishes their worksheet or goes home. Thinking back, I remember lessons that I thought were taught effectively and a lot that I thought were not. Sometimes it did seem like some of my teachers would work really hard on a lesson, but sometimes there were teachers who seemed like they didn't. I want to be remembered as the teacher who taught effectively, the one who the students actually learned something from. I know the lessons that I thought were taught effectively were those that catered to all students' needs. Not everyone learns the same way, so a teacher can't always teach everyone the same way.
To effectively teach a lesson, you must also effectively plan for the lesson. I had no idea so much went into just planning the lesson. There is so much to consider when trying to effectively plan a lesson. As a teacher, I think the most important thing you have to do is consider the learning style of each child. After doing this, you have to make the lesson relatable and more understandable for the students. You also have to plan how you will assess the students to make sure that they completely understand the content.
After the long process of planning, you have to follow through with instructing. To do this part effectively, you have to be completely prepared. You also have to be ready for any challenges that come your way. Students may ask questions that you hadn't thought of or something may go wrong in the lesson. You can use these questions or these mistakes to improve the lesson. After finishing the lesson, you should look back and find what you could have done better. This will help you to improve your next lesson.
Assessing is the last step of this cycle. This is equally as important as planning and instructing. As a teacher, you should assess the students through the instruction period. This will help you to see how much the students understand. After gathering this information, there is one major step that might be standing between a child's success or failure; feedback. Feedback is extremely important. A smiley face or a check mark will not do. The student needs to understand what they did correct and what they did incorrect. The assessment period is also a time for you to see what you might be able to do better in the planning and instruction period.
All of these steps align with the NCTCS in so many ways. To be an effective teacher, you must understand the content fully. You must also be a strong leader. All of the questions that I have revolve around how to be a better teacher. How can I plan, instruct, and assess more effectively? How can I know for sure that all of my students fully understand the content? I believe these questions can be answered with experience and practice.
I can honestly say that before starting these education courses, I never realized how much went into planning a lesson. It doesn't just start when the teacher begins to teach, and it doesn't end when the student finishes their worksheet or goes home. Thinking back, I remember lessons that I thought were taught effectively and a lot that I thought were not. Sometimes it did seem like some of my teachers would work really hard on a lesson, but sometimes there were teachers who seemed like they didn't. I want to be remembered as the teacher who taught effectively, the one who the students actually learned something from. I know the lessons that I thought were taught effectively were those that catered to all students' needs. Not everyone learns the same way, so a teacher can't always teach everyone the same way.
To effectively teach a lesson, you must also effectively plan for the lesson. I had no idea so much went into just planning the lesson. There is so much to consider when trying to effectively plan a lesson. As a teacher, I think the most important thing you have to do is consider the learning style of each child. After doing this, you have to make the lesson relatable and more understandable for the students. You also have to plan how you will assess the students to make sure that they completely understand the content.
After the long process of planning, you have to follow through with instructing. To do this part effectively, you have to be completely prepared. You also have to be ready for any challenges that come your way. Students may ask questions that you hadn't thought of or something may go wrong in the lesson. You can use these questions or these mistakes to improve the lesson. After finishing the lesson, you should look back and find what you could have done better. This will help you to improve your next lesson.
Assessing is the last step of this cycle. This is equally as important as planning and instructing. As a teacher, you should assess the students through the instruction period. This will help you to see how much the students understand. After gathering this information, there is one major step that might be standing between a child's success or failure; feedback. Feedback is extremely important. A smiley face or a check mark will not do. The student needs to understand what they did correct and what they did incorrect. The assessment period is also a time for you to see what you might be able to do better in the planning and instruction period.
All of these steps align with the NCTCS in so many ways. To be an effective teacher, you must understand the content fully. You must also be a strong leader. All of the questions that I have revolve around how to be a better teacher. How can I plan, instruct, and assess more effectively? How can I know for sure that all of my students fully understand the content? I believe these questions can be answered with experience and practice.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
April!
Wow. Time has flown. I can not believe that it is already the end of EDUC 250. I need to be honest. I came into this program not knowing if this was what I really wanted to do. I was kind of just seeing how this class would go and then I would decide for sure if I wanted to do it. I had a lot of people saying to me that I shouldn't change my major and that I was making a mistake. I also wasn't sure if I was capable of doing it, capable of teaching others. But I can say now, that I was wrong and all the people who doubted me were wrong. I love this major. I know that I have only just started and been in one class but I know for a fact this is what I want to do the rest of my life. I know that I am capable of teaching others. It is going to take some time and practice but I know I can do it. With that being said, this last month has been eye opening in so many ways. I have encountered so many learning experiences along the way this month and I am excited to tell them to you.
The first major experience was going to a board meeting and then later meeting the superintendent of Cleveland County Schools. This was a great experience because I had no idea that so much went into making decisions for the schools. So many things have to be brought to the board for approval, even things as simple as field trips or roof repairs. Meeting the superintendent was great. We were able to ask him questions and he gave great answers. He was such a great person and very down to earth. The next eye opening experience was seeing someone present their portfolio in order to graduate. We were able to see the things she got to experience while student teaching. It was nice to see what is ahead of me and encouraging to know that she was able to get through it. The last eye opening experience was getting to see my fellow classmates present their lesson plans to the class. I think that they all did an amazing job and I was impressed with their ideas. It was a bit scary to present to the class but I'm glad I had the opportunity because it helped me understand what I need to work on.
While planning my lesson, I did a lot of research on how to teach it so that every learner would understand the standard.
I have learned so much in this class, more than I have ever learned from any other class. I truly am going to miss it. There were so many great people in the class and of course a great professor. Hopefully we will continue to be in classes together.
The first major experience was going to a board meeting and then later meeting the superintendent of Cleveland County Schools. This was a great experience because I had no idea that so much went into making decisions for the schools. So many things have to be brought to the board for approval, even things as simple as field trips or roof repairs. Meeting the superintendent was great. We were able to ask him questions and he gave great answers. He was such a great person and very down to earth. The next eye opening experience was seeing someone present their portfolio in order to graduate. We were able to see the things she got to experience while student teaching. It was nice to see what is ahead of me and encouraging to know that she was able to get through it. The last eye opening experience was getting to see my fellow classmates present their lesson plans to the class. I think that they all did an amazing job and I was impressed with their ideas. It was a bit scary to present to the class but I'm glad I had the opportunity because it helped me understand what I need to work on.
While planning my lesson, I did a lot of research on how to teach it so that every learner would understand the standard.
I have learned so much in this class, more than I have ever learned from any other class. I truly am going to miss it. There were so many great people in the class and of course a great professor. Hopefully we will continue to be in classes together.
Monday, March 26, 2018
March!
I can't believe it is already the end of March! This month has definitely flown by...too fast! A lot has happened this month. We have worked a lot with our groups to make presentations about various topics like diversity. We submit drafts, receive feedback, and then fix what we need to to make it the best that we can. It has definitely been a learning experience, being able to understand all of these topics better and see them in a way that I have never thought about. We have also learned A LOT about edTPA, which I am super thankful for. This is a huge aspect of our education, we have to pass this the semester of our student teaching to become teachers. It does make me a bit nervous but I know that I will be able to do it. I just need all of the experience from the classes ahead before I am able.
Throughout this month a good bit has happened, but I think that my favorite part of it was when we had a student teacher come and teach our class. It really taught us so much. We learned the expectations of a lesson and how it affects the students. We got to experience the lesson through the eyes of a student and it showed us how to make our lesson better. The student teacher did a phenomenal job, I hope to do as good as she did in the coming years!
Outside learning has been more apparent this month than the others. I conducted an interview with a teacher for another class but I could really relate it to this class. I learned so much from that interview and it made teaching seem so much more real to me. I have also still been doing more research on lesson plans and watching other teachers follow through with theirs. I also enjoy reading teacher blogs. I also had my first advising meeting with my advisor. This also put things into perspective. Everything is coming up on us so quickly, I don't even know what to think about it. I am very excited but also very nervous.
This month has been great and I know it will keep getting better. I look forward to being able to have a classroom with 'Ms. Alexander' on it!
Throughout this month a good bit has happened, but I think that my favorite part of it was when we had a student teacher come and teach our class. It really taught us so much. We learned the expectations of a lesson and how it affects the students. We got to experience the lesson through the eyes of a student and it showed us how to make our lesson better. The student teacher did a phenomenal job, I hope to do as good as she did in the coming years!
Outside learning has been more apparent this month than the others. I conducted an interview with a teacher for another class but I could really relate it to this class. I learned so much from that interview and it made teaching seem so much more real to me. I have also still been doing more research on lesson plans and watching other teachers follow through with theirs. I also enjoy reading teacher blogs. I also had my first advising meeting with my advisor. This also put things into perspective. Everything is coming up on us so quickly, I don't even know what to think about it. I am very excited but also very nervous.
This month has been great and I know it will keep getting better. I look forward to being able to have a classroom with 'Ms. Alexander' on it!
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