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Post by cyarndt on Oct 23, 2015 16:16:30 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! I incorporate a lot of social studies into my classes. You teach the good and the bad of wars etc., I get to bring out some of the brighter sides that were important, such as improvements and safety of manufacturing, the development of antibiotics and uses both in the human and livestock world. In my introduction to Animal Science unit we look at how the World Wars affected the livestock industry and specific breeds of livestock because of the development of rayon and polyester. Jeff, I love that you connect history with what you are teaching! It is so important that students see how connected the content we teach is! Your classes are ones that you can pull other content areas into and show students how what they are learning is applicable. I always hear the dreaded "I'm never going to use this after I graduate"! However, your connections to skills they learn in history, science, language, FACS, and math, help them see how it all ties together! |
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Post by cyarndt on Oct 23, 2015 16:19:25 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, I feel the same as you in that respect is a necessary component to positive classroom management! Students have to learn to accept one another and their differences. It is a skill they will need their whole life! I think you do an outstanding job in this area with your students! |
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Post by marissao on Oct 23, 2015 17:54:11 GMT
1. I enjoy teaching math to my seventh and eighth graders and I try to find ways to get them excited about math. If that means allowing them to come up to the board to show how they can solve a problem or make the lesson into a game show. Sometimes with my sixth graders I find something that they like to reward them, like stickers to get them to want to work on in class.
2. When I think about “positive classroom management” I think of praising students for doing something well and working as a team to accomplish a goal. I want them to feel like they are part of their learning within class and they can help me make decisions in class. I tell them that I will respect them as a person and their materials in class, if they can show me the same respect. A positive classroom with promote a positive way of life.
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Post by marissao on Oct 23, 2015 17:56:47 GMT
1. The thing I get really excited about teaching is the ability to use so many different stories in my teachings. I love how the books come alive for the children and see how excited they get to find out what is going to happen next. Its enjoyable to see how engaged they become in the stories and what active listeners they are. I help students get excited about the ideas within our stories by acting some of the stories out. We also do guided retelling which helps the students use their own actions and words to portray the story. It also helps me to do a quick check for understanding and comprehension. Lets get excited about reading! 2. In healthy classrooms, teachers are accepting all individuals with their differences and readiness skills. Teachers need to show respect to their students to gain respect for themselves. If students have the opportunity to work and learn in ways that are exciting and comfortable to them they will make good choices and put forth their best effort. Teachers need to be confident and excited about what they are teaching to keep their classrooms fun, exciting and well managed. I like that you enjoy using the different stories in books to get your students excited in class. The idea of allowing students to retell a story in their own way is nice. Students feel good about themselves when their ideas can be heard. |
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Post by marissao on Oct 23, 2015 17:58:46 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! I think it is about important to allow our students to be themselves in class. Students know it is okay to make mistakes, even adults make some and it's a way of life. |
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tammy
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Post by tammy on Oct 23, 2015 20:40:22 GMT
1. The thing I find the most exciting about what I teach is watching the students make connections to the content in their lives, especially in the stories we read. Making personal connections with the characters make the stories come alive. It also helps them with some of the social issues that come up. My students are starting to feel more independent and grown up and want to take on more responsibilities, yet aren't always sure how to do that. A lot of the stories we read deal with growing independence and the feelings associated with that. I also enjoy teaching math since it involves hands-on activities that let the students discover things on their own or prove things to themselves and others. Any time students can make the discoveries on their own, I think the learning becomes more real to them and they see the value in it.
2. In a classroom that has positive classroom management, the students aren't afraid to express their ideas and opinions. The students aren't worried about being wrong. There is mutual respect and every member of the class is important. The students are comfortable and feel respected. They are allowed to have some say in how things happen in the classroom. It sends that message that it's ok to be different.
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tammy
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Post by tammy on Oct 23, 2015 20:48:22 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! I agree, Brenda! Seeing their eyes light up when they finally get that hard question right is soooo gratifying! I feel like it's my victory just as much as it is theirs. Makes the hard work I put into my job absolutely worth it. |
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tammy
New Member
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Post by tammy on Oct 23, 2015 20:56:32 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. I agree with you. Students do need to learn how to do things on their own to make it personal for them and to help them realize that most of the time it takes more that one attempt to get things right. Pull yourself back up and try again! |
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Post by paulette on Oct 23, 2015 21:14:34 GMT
1. I love the kids and classes that I teach. In ch. 4 the author said that Mary Ann Smith was one of her mentors. The author gave about 10 things that Smith believed in such as unconditional acceptance as human beings, needing to believe that they can become better than they are today, needing help in living up to their dreams, etc. Smith's goal was to make them whole, happy, and independent. We can make a difference in children's lives
and hopefully someday be a mentor to them. Whatever we have to teach them, they will become better individuals from it. Just the fact that each student is so individual makes me want to learn more about them. What can I do to make his or her life better? We need to provide instruction
according to their needs soeach student will be successful in school.
2. Positive classroom management makes you feel good, happy, warm, and feels soft and fuzzy. In a healthy classroom, there is respect, lots of positive reinforcement, and clear expectations. Even in the positive and energetic healthy classroom, children need reminders about how to work and how to act; this is necessary to help them grow up to be emotionally and socially sound. One of the most difficult jobs we do, but very important is to create a classroom environment that invites each learner to come in, feel accepted, challenged, and supported.
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Post by paulette on Oct 23, 2015 22:14:36 GMT
Bruce - I agree that these are important classes and hopefully ones that every student should have a chance to take.
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Post by mtoepke on Oct 24, 2015 0:08:45 GMT
1. Math has always been a favorite subject of mine. I've always had a love for numbers and I found the "excitement" in the challenging problems. What's so intriguing with math is that it's used in EVERYTHING and that's one thing I really try to stress to my students. They may not use all the procedures we talk about in math class but they have to be able to solve problems and be able to determine what and how they are going to go about solving that problem. Budgeting, maximizing profit, reading trends in society, and just simply managing your bank account all require math, some just to a higher extreme than others. I try to incorporate as much real life scenarios or examples that they can relate to it first hand. I try to incorporate more and more activities but having only 35 minutes makes some activities difficult to do.
2. I think the one thing that has the biggest influence on a positive classroom is respect. Respect with both teachers and fellow classmates. I've never really had to deal with behavioral issues, but more so motivation of the students. And sometimes I feel when I get on the student because I expect so much more out of them, they feel like I don't like them. But I to keep things fun, let them work together and tackle some problems together but also individually. I believe my duties as a teacher is more important of preparing them for the real world and college and not just what is done in my class. And I can teach them to work hard, challenge them, and to not give up when things get difficult, I believe I have done far more than jus teaching them a math lesson.
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Post by mtoepke on Oct 24, 2015 0:14:45 GMT
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- I loved your answer to question #2!! RESPECT & gaining attention in positive ways...so true! I also agree with you Brenda--respect goes a long way and that's something that will get them a long ways when they leave our classrooms and enter the world after HS, go to college, find college, or whatever it may be! |
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Post by mtoepke on Oct 24, 2015 0:16:27 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. I like the idea of moving towards the critical thinking approach. it gets the kids out of the book and gets them thinking themselves rather than finding an answer in a book. It may also allow them to make that connection that they never would have made if you just stick to the text book. |
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Post by rebeccadathe on Oct 27, 2015 17:42:39 GMT
I like Tammy's response to teaching when the student gets it and it's light that goes on. They are proud of understanding instead of "I can't" when they know "I can". Chapter 4 #1
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Post by rebeccadathe on Oct 27, 2015 17:46:31 GMT
Ch. 4 #1 In Marissa's response she said she plays games to excite the students and make them understand. Reviewing for a test I do a scavenger hunt. Games and visual ideas do help understand the lesson and why we learn what we do
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