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Post by Cynthia on Sept 24, 2015 1:49:54 GMT
Answer the two questions below and respond to two colleagues.
1. This chapter makes the case that compelling curriculum contributes to a positive learning environment. What's really compelling (exciting) to you about the content you teach? What do you do to help students experience the excitement of ideas?
2. Think about "positive classroom management" as it's described in this chapter. What does it look like? Feel like? What messages does it send?
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Post by brenda on Sept 25, 2015 6:04:07 GMT
Answer the two questions below and respond to two colleagues.
1. This chapter makes the case that compelling curriculum contributes to a positive learning environment. What's really compelling (exciting) to you about the content you teach? What do you do to help students experience the excitement of ideas?
2. Think about "positive classroom management" as it's described in this chapter. What does it look like? Feel like? What messages does it send? Chapter 4 1. There is no subject I dislike teaching; however, I have my favorites. I love math and social studies. I loved math when I was a student because I thrived on the challenge of getting a difficult problem correct. I just liked figuring out math problems and trying to get them all correct! I realize that math is a subject that is very difficult for many students, especially as they move up through the grades. This can cause kids to really hate math. I strive to not let that happen by doing what I can to get all students to see some success in math. I show my love of math. Students have made me little posters about math because they know I love it. I laminate those and display them in my classroom. I try to get them to think that math is fun and to get excited for themselves when they do well on their assignments or when they figure out a tough problem. Now that I am the teacher of math, the challenge is no longer solving the problems. The challenge is getting my students to the point where they understand and can solve the tough problems. I get excited when struggling students eventually learn how to do certain problems that previously caused great frustration. I like to be a cheerleader for these students and to make them feel good about themselves when they are successful. I had a student last year who went through most of the year feeling a bit like a failure because she was never getting the Bonus question right on math tests. She would comment on it with every test. However, I always commented back to her that I loved the fact that she never gave up and that she continued to try. When she eventually got a Bonus question right, she was ecstatic! I was so happy for her! I get excited when students figure out how to do a certain type of problem before I even explain it or show it. I compliment them on it and ask them to tell the class how they solved it. This, too, makes kids feel so good about themselves and to be hungry for more. Social studies has always been a favorite of mine, too. History is fascinating to me. There are so many interesting stories and details that go along with every historical event. I am always learning history! I enjoy passing on these stories and details that are usually never written in school textbooks. I love it when I have a student that is like me and he/she shares with the class these kinds of stories or details. I had a student last year who was amazing. He remembers so many details from the books he reads and he shared many interesting things with the class. Geography is a part of social studies that is really fun for me, too. Our world is big and fascinating! Along with math and social studies, I would have to say that I also really enjoy reading novels in class. I love the excitement I get from my students when they beg to read the next chapter or they try to predict what will happen in the next chapter. I like when students are able to "read between the lines" and figure things out! Discussion sessions are always great with novels! 2. Positive classroom management is characterized by R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Teachers respect students. Students respect teachers and fellow students. Everyone shows respect in what they do and what they say. Students feel free to take risks without being ridiculed for being wrong or failing. There is laughter and it is laughter with everyone, but not at anyone. Discipline problems are rare in classrooms with positive class management because students have learned to "gain attention and power in positive ways" as the author states. The message it sends is that all are accepted and valued in the eyes of everyone else in the classroom. This opens the door to nothing but more learning! |
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markw
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Post by markw on Oct 1, 2015 16:31:59 GMT
4-1 No doubt about it. As the years have evolved (37) for me, I thoroughly enjoy teaching middle school Health Education, and the students know it. I used to to be really content oriented and knowledge based with that, but in the past decade in still teaching to the benchmarks and standards that are established we have moved toward a more "critical thinking" approach that is based on decision making on the information presented in Health 7, 8, and 9. There are so many topics to include today and the mediums out there to present them is compelling.
4-2 With that as the years have progressed, I have let the students garner more ownership with the above classes with web based assignments and group presentations on topics such as systems, chemicals, and nutrition.
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markw
New Member
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Post by markw on Oct 1, 2015 16:38:31 GMT
Brenda, In reading through your answers to this chapter, I can relate to the part on how the novels get you excited. That same effect happens in my classroom when we go through our Current Health periodicals for each month and the students are assigned to be experts with a particular section or article in that month. When they describe to me an their classmates the main premise of their article, that is when I know they "get it" or not when accurately depicting to the class. Good connection there!
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don
New Member
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Post by don on Oct 1, 2015 20:32:59 GMT
Don Nash- I love this question! What's really compelling (exciting) about the content you teach. Since 9-11 this is the most important class in our school and in our country. We better as a nation understand where we are, where we have been and where are we going.
POD/ Civics- The understanding of our democratic system and who it works is a lot of fun to teach. With the upcoming election we daily talk about the candidates and what their platforms are and what does it all mean. Last year in an unannounced state civics test all my seniors achieved over a 92%. To only got one wrong. I believe I teach the right material and the kids are learning it well.
U.S. History- We spend most of the year from the Civil War up to present day times. We spent some time on specific battles but I am excited again to teach the Great Depression, the roaring twenties the Great Wars, the Civil Rights movement, the Reagan era and so much more. It's great teaching about our Great Nation and of course some of our misgivings. (Like Vietnam)
World History- I have a two year degree in Bible Studies. World History is Church History. I have a lot of knowledge in this area and I love teaching about the philosophers from Socrates to Plato. The Greeks and the Romans were amazing as were the Incas and the Mayas in our continent. I love using compare and contrast and using different inferences on different periods of history.
9th Geography- Not my favorite class because I have the kids memorize a lot. They have to learn all the countries, capitals, major rivers, deserts, for Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim. We do some fun work on some of the cultural material but there is a lot of memorization.
8th N.D. There is so much information on our state and I have a lot fun with some of the characters in our state.( likeWild Bill Langer) The toughest thing is having them learn all the counties and county seats. We do early history to present day activities in our state. We usually start each day with something that happened to our state yesterday.
2nd question: I would like to believe that my classroom is the one that kids can be themselves and laugh and cry.
I make it a point to laugh at myself and show the human character that I am. Yeah, I make mistakes each day but hopefully I can learn from them and be better next time. What does it feel like to be a mentor and a friend to all these kids all these years??? It is awesome!
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markw
New Member
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Post by markw on Oct 2, 2015 13:19:40 GMT
Don, I have been fortunate enough to see the dynamics that occur in your class as well as how compelling you make things work for a broad array of students. You give them the opportunity to be successful, and the passion demonstrated by you in presenting your academic discipline in such a fashion is the number one ingredient that makes your classes and lessons learned in them so important. You do a great job setting them up for success!
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markw
New Member
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Post by markw on Oct 6, 2015 16:12:11 GMT
4-1 No doubt about it. As the years have evolved (37) for me, I thoroughly enjoy teaching middle school Health Education, and the students know it. I used to to be really content oriented and knowledge based with that, but in the past decade in still teaching to the benchmarks and standards that are established we have moved toward a more "critical thinking" approach that is based on decision making on the information presented in Health 7, 8, and 9. There are so many topics to include today and the mediums out there to present them is compelling. 4-2 With that as the years have progressed, I have let the students garner more ownership with the above classes with web based assignments and group presentations on topics such as systems, chemicals, and nutrition. With the positive classroom management the environment is one that is felt more comfortable to be in. Not inhibited to explore, express, and willing to contribute without being put down. It contains an environment that encourages critical thinking and processes to solve problems , issues, and whatever challenges that may be involved. A lot of positive connotations are present! |
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Post by alecia on Oct 7, 2015 3:48:48 GMT
1. The exciting part of what I teach is when you get that look in their eyes that they finally get it. They move from "I cant" to "I can". I am most excited when I see this with our math content/text and when I teach US States and Capitals. The students always claim they will never remember them or be able to do it and low and behold majority do! To get students excited about learning some of my material I try to include review games, physical actions such as memory songs, and rhymes/riddles.
2. Positive Classroom Management: This is something I would like to think I try my best to portray in my own classroom as the rest of us do too. I agree with a lot of what this chapter is saying about what it looks like and should be like. Yes, you should appreciate each student as an individual and get to know them for them and what they like to do or are interested in besides school. Once you show them that you want to know them personally then you can get through to them as a learner more easily. Have to show them respect in order to get it back no matter what age level you teach. Yes, you should make the learning environment a respectful one as well as a joyful one. I truly believe once you establish that there is a time to learn and a time to have fun then you've got it made. I love to have joyful times in my classroom but I also strive that my students know when there is work to be done, it should be done. The book also mentions that the teacher should promote student independence, this is somethign I also agree with too. If a student doesnt learn to do things on his or her own they will never suceed in life. They have to be able to know how it feels to succeed and to fail so they can pick themselves back up again.
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Post by alecia on Oct 7, 2015 3:51:49 GMT
Answer the two questions below and respond to two colleagues.
1. This chapter makes the case that compelling curriculum contributes to a positive learning environment. What's really compelling (exciting) to you about the content you teach? What do you do to help students experience the excitement of ideas?
2. Think about "positive classroom management" as it's described in this chapter. What does it look like? Feel like? What messages does it send? Chapter 4 1. There is no subject I dislike teaching; however, I have my favorites. I love math and social studies. I loved math when I was a student because I thrived on the challenge of getting a difficult problem correct. I just liked figuring out math problems and trying to get them all correct! I realize that math is a subject that is very difficult for many students, especially as they move up through the grades. This can cause kids to really hate math. I strive to not let that happen by doing what I can to get all students to see some success in math. I show my love of math. Students have made me little posters about math because they know I love it. I laminate those and display them in my classroom. I try to get them to think that math is fun and to get excited for themselves when they do well on their assignments or when they figure out a tough problem. Now that I am the teacher of math, the challenge is no longer solving the problems. The challenge is getting my students to the point where they understand and can solve the tough problems. I get excited when struggling students eventually learn how to do certain problems that previously caused great frustration. I like to be a cheerleader for these students and to make them feel good about themselves when they are successful. I had a student last year who went through most of the year feeling a bit like a failure because she was never getting the Bonus question right on math tests. She would comment on it with every test. However, I always commented back to her that I loved the fact that she never gave up and that she continued to try. When she eventually got a Bonus question right, she was ecstatic! I was so happy for her! I get excited when students figure out how to do a certain type of problem before I even explain it or show it. I compliment them on it and ask them to tell the class how they solved it. This, too, makes kids feel so good about themselves and to be hungry for more. Social studies has always been a favorite of mine, too. History is fascinating to me. There are so many interesting stories and details that go along with every historical event. I am always learning history! I enjoy passing on these stories and details that are usually never written in school textbooks. I love it when I have a student that is like me and he/she shares with the class these kinds of stories or details. I had a student last year who was amazing. He remembers so many details from the books he reads and he shared many interesting things with the class. Geography is a part of social studies that is really fun for me, too. Our world is big and fascinating! Along with math and social studies, I would have to say that I also really enjoy reading novels in class. I love the excitement I get from my students when they beg to read the next chapter or they try to predict what will happen in the next chapter. I like when students are able to "read between the lines" and figure things out! Discussion sessions are always great with novels! 2. Positive classroom management is characterized by R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Teachers respect students. Students respect teachers and fellow students. Everyone shows respect in what they do and what they say. Students feel free to take risks without being ridiculed for being wrong or failing. There is laughter and it is laughter with everyone, but not at anyone. Discipline problems are rare in classrooms with positive class management because students have learned to "gain attention and power in positive ways" as the author states. The message it sends is that all are accepted and valued in the eyes of everyone else in the classroom. This opens the door to nothing but more learning! Brenda, you and I have the same favorite subjects to teach! and completely agree, RESPECT is a MUST in ALL classroom settings! |
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Post by alecia on Oct 7, 2015 3:56:23 GMT
Don Nash- I love this question! What's really compelling (exciting) about the content you teach. Since 9-11 this is the most important class in our school and in our country. We better as a nation understand where we are, where we have been and where are we going. POD/ Civics- The understanding of our democratic system and who it works is a lot of fun to teach. With the upcoming election we daily talk about the candidates and what their platforms are and what does it all mean. Last year in an unannounced state civics test all my seniors achieved over a 92%. To only got one wrong. I believe I teach the right material and the kids are learning it well. U.S. History- We spend most of the year from the Civil War up to present day times. We spent some time on specific battles but I am excited again to teach the Great Depression, the roaring twenties the Great Wars, the Civil Rights movement, the Reagan era and so much more. It's great teaching about our Great Nation and of course some of our misgivings. (Like Vietnam) World History- I have a two year degree in Bible Studies. World History is Church History. I have a lot of knowledge in this area and I love teaching about the philosophers from Socrates to Plato. The Greeks and the Romans were amazing as were the Incas and the Mayas in our continent. I love using compare and contrast and using different inferences on different periods of history. 9th Geography- Not my favorite class because I have the kids memorize a lot. They have to learn all the countries, capitals, major rivers, deserts, for Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim. We do some fun work on some of the cultural material but there is a lot of memorization. 8th N.D. There is so much information on our state and I have a lot fun with some of the characters in our state.( likeWild Bill Langer) The toughest thing is having them learn all the counties and county seats. We do early history to present day activities in our state. We usually start each day with something that happened to our state yesterday. 2nd question: I would like to believe that my classroom is the one that kids can be themselves and laugh and cry. I make it a point to laugh at myself and show the human character that I am. Yeah, I make mistakes each day but hopefully I can learn from them and be better next time. What does it feel like to be a mentor and a friend to all these kids all these years??? It is awesome! Don, I agree with the fact that you do need to show students your own character, they need to know you as a person and not just as a teacher. They will relate to you better and work better for you, in my opinion. |
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Post by maryroman on Oct 7, 2015 22:12:10 GMT
1. "Forget all the books & standards. Go back to what it was that used to make reading magic for you." That sounds wonderful, but critical content addressing standards is a reality. Some of my standards are geared to recreational/enjoyment of reading. These standards don't get tested like the others do. I really believe we, as a school, need to decide what our priorities are. Have you seen the pages and pages of standards? We cannot teach it all. Some are stressed to mastery, some standards get barely touched. That's reality. I kid who "doesn't like to read" is a kid who has not met the right book yet. Usually only takes one to hook them!
2. Positive classroom management is fun, yet challenging. It sends the message that we are all making progress towards our goals at our own rates in our own way and that is OK. As students get older, what that looks like changes, but the premise is still there. That said, there will always be students who misbehave no matter what. Remember, we are just one part of their world.
A note on environment....First consideration is physical. I moved my assigned reading room from the biology room up to the library where there are computers, overheads, comfy chairs, reference material...books. I've already noticed a change in "feel".
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Post by maryroman on Oct 7, 2015 22:13:53 GMT
I loved it when Mr. Guenther gave us all the answers to HS math problems. You HAD to keep working until you got them all to that correct answer. The work! The challenge!!
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Post by maryroman on Oct 7, 2015 22:15:24 GMT
It is hard to step back and get the "sage off the stage" isn't it?  ? Hard to let them be the sage... |
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Post by 1penny on Oct 9, 2015 17:32:44 GMT
Ch 4
1. For my 8th gr. Literature class, the curriculum of the OUTSIDERS, Helen Keller, and Anne Frank, are stories that the students especially enjoy the students like being able to relate to the "greasers" and learning Sign Language, and about survival, doing whats right and being a hero. these stories touch their hearts and minds.
2. The positive classroom management has the teacher who knows that a student can teach the teacher. The teacher can learn, intregrate herself into the learning environment. She/he can literally take a seat among the desks with her students, proving she enjoys the association with the minds of sponges, ready to absorb and appreciates what one thinks and says is more important than what one uses to fill in the blanks.
t
helen Keller
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bruce
New Member
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Post by bruce on Oct 11, 2015 16:10:12 GMT
1. Students take my classes to learn about practical everyday life that they can relate to. Examples of that would be writing checks, using a debit card or credit card, obtaining a car loan, paying taxes, renting an apartment, etc. Most of the classes are elective so they want to be there. We live in a world of business and technology so more emphasis should be place on the importance of taking classes in these areas.
The subjects I teach are mainly skill type classes. We do a lot of hands on activities that help to provide a realistic experience as to what the students will actually see in their everyday life.
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