blog post_8
The most important thing I have learned this semester during my fieldwork is to pay attention to every student. Each one has something special to add to the classroom, even thought it may be hard to see at times. Not only that but each student is merely a child and is learning how to function as a human being, being a child is hard and each one is at a different level in life. It is very important to me as a teacher to make sure I help each student feel special. I can't even begin to express how important teachers have been in my life. I got married this September and even invited some of my past teachers to my wedding, they made that big of a difference in my life.
One of my siblings also suffer from severe ADHD and some of the teachers he had as a child have impacted his entire life for good. Other teachers however have negatively impacted him in the worst way. One teacher even sent a note home saying that if my parents didn't medicate him they wouldn't teach him. I think a teacher can make a huge impact in a child's life. To be a teacher is more than to just teach the curriculum. In some cases a teacher spends more time with a child than their parents can each day. It is up to a teacher to be a role model in the student's lives, to be a teacher, a mediator, and most importantly a friend. To think that my sibling had no friends but because his teacher befriended him and spent the necessary time to make him feel special, it literally saved his life. I think the most important thing a teacher can do is be more than a teacher, but be a friend. Thanks to this fieldwork observation I have a better understanding of how to relate to students in the third grade. :)
Friday, November 16, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
blog post_7
blog post_7
In Mrs. Kendall's class she seems to have pretty darn good control of her students, the only form of discipline I have seen her use is by moving a student to prevent further interruption or sending them to another table (away from the other desks). She watches her students closely, they know the rules and she explains them very clearly. If they are off task or fail to listen to her they are moved. No argument, they respect her as a teacher and an authority figure so she doesn't have any trouble. The school and all the classrooms have a few basic rules; keep hands/feet/and other objects to yourself, don't talk when the teacher is talking, be in your seat when you are supposed to, and a few other things. In various classrooms I have seen teachers distribute stickers for every good deed a student does, for example, being quiet when the rest of the class is being noisy. Or being in your seat when the bell rings.
Mrs. Kendall also uses signs for her students to follow as far as procedures. If he students are being too noisy and she needs to talk to them or get them to listen she raises her hand and waits for all of the students to follow. They usually do so very quickly. Once everyone is quiet she proceeds. She also has a very specific lesson plan and schedule. She follows this the most. If things happen such as a fire drill, etc. then she changes the schedule and adapts.
In Mrs. Kendall's class she seems to have pretty darn good control of her students, the only form of discipline I have seen her use is by moving a student to prevent further interruption or sending them to another table (away from the other desks). She watches her students closely, they know the rules and she explains them very clearly. If they are off task or fail to listen to her they are moved. No argument, they respect her as a teacher and an authority figure so she doesn't have any trouble. The school and all the classrooms have a few basic rules; keep hands/feet/and other objects to yourself, don't talk when the teacher is talking, be in your seat when you are supposed to, and a few other things. In various classrooms I have seen teachers distribute stickers for every good deed a student does, for example, being quiet when the rest of the class is being noisy. Or being in your seat when the bell rings.
Mrs. Kendall also uses signs for her students to follow as far as procedures. If he students are being too noisy and she needs to talk to them or get them to listen she raises her hand and waits for all of the students to follow. They usually do so very quickly. Once everyone is quiet she proceeds. She also has a very specific lesson plan and schedule. She follows this the most. If things happen such as a fire drill, etc. then she changes the schedule and adapts.
Friday, November 2, 2012
blogpost_6
blogpost_6
The instructor I have been observing, Mrs. Kendall actively engages the students in her classroom by having them participate. I have noticed when she does group discussions she calls specifically on students at random so if they get distracted they are immediately pulled back into the conversation. She also asks for volunteers to participate in lectures and help answer questions. Another thing I have noticed Mrs. Kendall do in her class is that she has students assigned little jobs around the classroom that they are supposed to do before the end of the day such as wipe off desks or put papers from cubbies in the basket or even help other students finish assignments.
I find these techniques effective in the classroom. I see that the kids enjoy doing most of these activities and it makes them feel smart and special to participate in class. That the teacher has a job "just for them." As her class is fourth graders sometimes they seem to struggle with paying attention and not getting distracted by each other, by having them participate in discussion by calling on them at random they naturally ask themselves the questions she asks in order to be ready to answer. This keeps them actively engaged throughout class.
The instructor I have been observing, Mrs. Kendall actively engages the students in her classroom by having them participate. I have noticed when she does group discussions she calls specifically on students at random so if they get distracted they are immediately pulled back into the conversation. She also asks for volunteers to participate in lectures and help answer questions. Another thing I have noticed Mrs. Kendall do in her class is that she has students assigned little jobs around the classroom that they are supposed to do before the end of the day such as wipe off desks or put papers from cubbies in the basket or even help other students finish assignments.
I find these techniques effective in the classroom. I see that the kids enjoy doing most of these activities and it makes them feel smart and special to participate in class. That the teacher has a job "just for them." As her class is fourth graders sometimes they seem to struggle with paying attention and not getting distracted by each other, by having them participate in discussion by calling on them at random they naturally ask themselves the questions she asks in order to be ready to answer. This keeps them actively engaged throughout class.
Friday, October 26, 2012
blog post_5
blog post_5
I think the most important role a teacher plays is being a role model for their students. If the teacher shows respect to her students and cares about them, they will respect her. A teacher has the potential to change lives, or make a lasting impact for the opposite. I know in my own life I still have teachers I love and respect. I even invited several of my ELEMENTARY SCHOOL teachers to my wedding! Teachers need to reach out to their students and make each one of them feel important, because they are!
I think the most challenging role that a teacher plays is to teach her class everything they need to know to succeed as well as include all of the students. It's hard especially if you have one child that either needs individual help or is a tad bit difficult and disruptive to the other students. Another challenge I think teachers have is appealing to each student. At least for me when I was young I didn't respect a teacher if I didn't like them. Occasionally (I'm ashamed to admit it) if there was a teacher I really didn't like because they were; mean, cranky, bossy, etc. I would intentionally be difficult. I didn't like teachers that weren't fair, that favored some kids over others, I felt like everyone should be equal. I think that is a challenge for a teacher, to make all of the students feel special, not just the ones that are friendly, or really smart, or socially blossoming, all of the students.
I think the most important role a teacher plays is being a role model for their students. If the teacher shows respect to her students and cares about them, they will respect her. A teacher has the potential to change lives, or make a lasting impact for the opposite. I know in my own life I still have teachers I love and respect. I even invited several of my ELEMENTARY SCHOOL teachers to my wedding! Teachers need to reach out to their students and make each one of them feel important, because they are!
I think the most challenging role that a teacher plays is to teach her class everything they need to know to succeed as well as include all of the students. It's hard especially if you have one child that either needs individual help or is a tad bit difficult and disruptive to the other students. Another challenge I think teachers have is appealing to each student. At least for me when I was young I didn't respect a teacher if I didn't like them. Occasionally (I'm ashamed to admit it) if there was a teacher I really didn't like because they were; mean, cranky, bossy, etc. I would intentionally be difficult. I didn't like teachers that weren't fair, that favored some kids over others, I felt like everyone should be equal. I think that is a challenge for a teacher, to make all of the students feel special, not just the ones that are friendly, or really smart, or socially blossoming, all of the students.
Friday, October 19, 2012
blog post_4
blog post_4
So far in Mrs. Kendall's class I have participated in various activities as far as preparation. I put together the weeks homework packets for each of the students before class. I also printed off all of the spelling test lists for Mrs. Kendall so the students will have a copy of their spelling words and be prepared for their test. I also walked the kids to recess and then picked them up. Something else I got to do that was really quite fun was to kind of "stall" for time while we had about 5 minutes before class was over and they went to their specialties. I played a sort of quiet game and simon says while we waited and I had the eyes of every student. I am surprised by how much they listen to me. I remember when we had the student teachers and classroom helpers when I was in elementary school and I hated them all! I used to think they were bossy haha. Now I realize that they were just trying to help, I have to make sure I am not obnoxious.
The way Mrs. Kendall manages assessment is by having the students take a "pre"-test at the beginning at the section of what they are learning and then the same test at the end to see if they improve on their scores. Depending on how they do in each area in the beginning shows where she really needs to focus as far as covering material in the curriculum. Then at the end if their scores don't improve or they do poorly in certain areas that shows her where she needs to go back over certain areas and make sure they understand what is being taught.
Day 4
So far in Mrs. Kendall's class I have participated in various activities as far as preparation. I put together the weeks homework packets for each of the students before class. I also printed off all of the spelling test lists for Mrs. Kendall so the students will have a copy of their spelling words and be prepared for their test. I also walked the kids to recess and then picked them up. Something else I got to do that was really quite fun was to kind of "stall" for time while we had about 5 minutes before class was over and they went to their specialties. I played a sort of quiet game and simon says while we waited and I had the eyes of every student. I am surprised by how much they listen to me. I remember when we had the student teachers and classroom helpers when I was in elementary school and I hated them all! I used to think they were bossy haha. Now I realize that they were just trying to help, I have to make sure I am not obnoxious.
The way Mrs. Kendall manages assessment is by having the students take a "pre"-test at the beginning at the section of what they are learning and then the same test at the end to see if they improve on their scores. Depending on how they do in each area in the beginning shows where she really needs to focus as far as covering material in the curriculum. Then at the end if their scores don't improve or they do poorly in certain areas that shows her where she needs to go back over certain areas and make sure they understand what is being taught.
Day 4
Friday, October 5, 2012
blog post_3
blog post_3
In Mrs. Kendall's classroom, I see modifications for learners who are exceptional in several ways. There are several students in Mrs. Kendall's class who need special attention; one is autistic who comes and goes, another student who has a minor case of autism, and some students who just struggle in certain subjects. The first day I went to Mrs. Kendall's class she had IEP appointments. So she is fulfilling that requirement. I have also noticed that she teaches with all of the learning modalities, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.
Also, Mrs. Kendall gives all of her students the same amount of classwork, but offers everyone individual help. She is very attentive of each of her students, and checks each assignment as it is turned in and if it is not satisfactory she sends the student back to try again, if the student needs additional help she will supply them with an aid (me or another student or herself). With the slightly autistic student, she is very clear with his instructions. He has a written copy and she makes sure that he knows exactly what is expected of him and how to do everything. I've noticed he is really independent and likes to do things himself, he just goes on his merry little way. :)
Day 3
In Mrs. Kendall's classroom, I see modifications for learners who are exceptional in several ways. There are several students in Mrs. Kendall's class who need special attention; one is autistic who comes and goes, another student who has a minor case of autism, and some students who just struggle in certain subjects. The first day I went to Mrs. Kendall's class she had IEP appointments. So she is fulfilling that requirement. I have also noticed that she teaches with all of the learning modalities, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.
Also, Mrs. Kendall gives all of her students the same amount of classwork, but offers everyone individual help. She is very attentive of each of her students, and checks each assignment as it is turned in and if it is not satisfactory she sends the student back to try again, if the student needs additional help she will supply them with an aid (me or another student or herself). With the slightly autistic student, she is very clear with his instructions. He has a written copy and she makes sure that he knows exactly what is expected of him and how to do everything. I've noticed he is really independent and likes to do things himself, he just goes on his merry little way. :)
Day 3
Friday, September 28, 2012
blog post_2
blogpost_2
In this chapter we have discussed a lot about the history of education. How people took individuals and taught them the essentials of survival, then proceeded to teach them how to make life better through learning, and eventually how they could better themselves through education. Also we have discussed segregation in detail. The way individuals made something of themselves regardless of how other people viewed them.
In the classroom I can see how segregation could potentially be an issue, for example, boys vs girls or "smart" vs "dumb." I had the opportunity to work one on one with a student, specifically a boy in the third grade. He was one of the students that acts out of turn more than most and enjoys talking while the teacher is also talking. I was given the task of helping him finish writing a short introductory paragraph. He was an extremely bright child, he just had a little trouble attention-wise. In the classroom I can see how the other kids segregate themselves from him. They are slightly ignorant of him when he is acting out, they also avoid partnering with him in group activities.
Hannah Groom (Decker)
Day 2
Friday, September 14, 2012
blog post_1
FIELDWORK
blogpost_1
I will be doing my fieldwork at Foothill Elementary School, in Mrs. Kendall's 3rd Grade class. I have been given a unique opportunity because not only is Foothill a public school, but also an elementary with an ALA program. It also has a program for students with Autism. So far in the classroom I have seen some very apparent developmental differences. Developmental in the context of the level of intellect that each student is at, some need additional help and some feel that they don't need any help or supervision at all.
I want to start by discussing the learning modalities. It was amazing that in just a few hours I was able to identify some of the students learning modalities. One student in particular, a young girl, was having an incredibly difficult time focusing during the quiet assessment test. If anyone made even the slightest sound her eyes were off her paper and at the source of distraction. She would then move in her seat, talk to her neighbor, until the teacher would prompt her to continue working. Also during reading time, this same student wouldn't look at the teacher as she read or even show that she was listening at all. However, I knew she was because she was doodling on a piece of paper. From my amateur observation, I believe this student to be an auditory listener. Each student is different and pays attention, or doesn't, in their own way. I observed as one autistic student was very much a kinesthetic learner. Everything he did pointed to hands-on behavior. He touched all of the objects around him frequently, sat quietly, and looked around. When it came time to clean up, he focused all his attention on the things he needed to do. He didn't hardly talk to anyone, he just did the things he was told; picked up his folder, put away his things, and waited quietly at his desk.
One thing I noticed that Mrs. Kendall does really well is her method of communicating with her students. She uses Auditory, Kinesthetic, and Visually stimulating ways to communicate instructions. For example, today she wrote 3 things on the white board that he students needed to do before they went home. Next she read them aloud to her students and had them raise their hands and repeat to her the 3 things. There was the Visual and Auditory. Lastly before the students left they were all to DO the things she wrote down for them, thus the Kinesthetic. I feel so inadequate to teach this young minds after today. They each have so many individual needs and as potential teacher of 30 students, it's slightly overwhelming. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a helping hand in the lives of these young minds.
Hannah Groom (Decker)
Day 1
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