Dear Current and Future Teachers:
I have learned that finding an education blog that you can develop an interactive experience is difficult. If you are fortunate to find one that people are active in and you can eagerly participate in then half the battle has been won. But I did not have that experience. I felt that I would find a blog that would have been interactive. However, I was unsuccessful with that endeavour. Almost all of the blogs I participated in had little to know worthwhile responses. I felt that took away from the experience.
But all was not for naught. I was able to find useful tips that would help with my second year of instruction and classroom management. Secondly, I was able to find solace in some of the blogs I responded to. Some of the posts mirrored my experiences and sentiments. This gave me hope.
Thus, those of you who are daring and open minded to participate in something like this will experience a journey that will involve an alternative approach to education.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Confessions from the Couch
Blog: Excessive Talking. . . Classroom Management
Date: 20 April 2009
Topic: Strategies for Classroom Management, Consequences and Rewards
I empathized with this teacher because she is a first-year teacher like myself experiencing the pointless channels of discipline. She has tried the calls home, the detention, and the hallway conversations only to find out that none of those strategies work. In addition, I have looked at other teachers and wonder what I am doing wrong when I walk past their classrooms to find the children are working using a proper volume. I ask them what they do and what works, but I have not found something that is effective. Thus, I have relented. I hope for the best, but I prepare for the worse.
Also, I understand the feeling of helplessness that one might feel when they management is lacking. There are all these ideas, fun activities, and experiments worth trying, but they cannot be done because of the class behaviour.
Also, I understand the feeling of helplessness that one might feel when they management is lacking. There are all these ideas, fun activities, and experiments worth trying, but they cannot be done because of the class behaviour.
Teacher Created Tips
Date: 14 April 2009
Description: Finds helpful teaching resources, tips for classroom management, teaching techniques, lesson plan ideas, and more.
Topic: Need Your Students Quiet and On-Task?
Discussion: The post discussed a strategy for teachers to assign secret students who will monitor who is on-task.
I thought the idea was a great one, but considering the level of management I have in the classroom it would not be ideal. Sadly, I deal with taking the reigns from a more experienced teacher who specifically asked for the type of students I have. Also, many of them do not care for each other, they would be deeply upset if a particular student wrote his or her name down, and some of them cannot keep a secret. Thus, once again, the idea is beautiful and would be great if I could have implemented it from the very beginning. However, I believe it is far too late for me to even begin a task such as this one. I have tried it, and there was little succes. Additionally, some of the students, particularly the ones this is geared to, are not responsive to things like this. They prefer to continue doing what they have done.
Fortunately, this is an idea that I can use next year in my classroom with students that I will start the school year with from the very beginning.
Description: Finds helpful teaching resources, tips for classroom management, teaching techniques, lesson plan ideas, and more.
Topic: Need Your Students Quiet and On-Task?
Discussion: The post discussed a strategy for teachers to assign secret students who will monitor who is on-task.
I thought the idea was a great one, but considering the level of management I have in the classroom it would not be ideal. Sadly, I deal with taking the reigns from a more experienced teacher who specifically asked for the type of students I have. Also, many of them do not care for each other, they would be deeply upset if a particular student wrote his or her name down, and some of them cannot keep a secret. Thus, once again, the idea is beautiful and would be great if I could have implemented it from the very beginning. However, I believe it is far too late for me to even begin a task such as this one. I have tried it, and there was little succes. Additionally, some of the students, particularly the ones this is geared to, are not responsive to things like this. They prefer to continue doing what they have done.
Fortunately, this is an idea that I can use next year in my classroom with students that I will start the school year with from the very beginning.
New Teachers' Times
Topic: Review Books
Discussion: One particular post regarded a teacher's experience with a reluctant class to buy the review books for the exam. The post following that had suggestions about resolving that problem.
My Response: Unfortunately, as a first-year teacher there are too many things we are left in the dark about. Many of us do not know how to ask, whom to ask, or where to go and find the proper materials we need to alleviate some of the strain we have. Thus, having experience once again with being ignorant of instructional tools and information, I advised that fellow poster to start charging the students for items items they might need for class. For instance, it is not uncommon for students to come to class unprepared, so charge them for a writing utensil and/or paper. When the desired amount is reached, then review books can be purchased and/or made copies of. However, this would come after exhausting other resources that include asking if there is money in the budget or if there are any in the building. There is no need to add more work to a busy schedule.
Discussion: One particular post regarded a teacher's experience with a reluctant class to buy the review books for the exam. The post following that had suggestions about resolving that problem.
My Response: Unfortunately, as a first-year teacher there are too many things we are left in the dark about. Many of us do not know how to ask, whom to ask, or where to go and find the proper materials we need to alleviate some of the strain we have. Thus, having experience once again with being ignorant of instructional tools and information, I advised that fellow poster to start charging the students for items items they might need for class. For instance, it is not uncommon for students to come to class unprepared, so charge them for a writing utensil and/or paper. When the desired amount is reached, then review books can be purchased and/or made copies of. However, this would come after exhausting other resources that include asking if there is money in the budget or if there are any in the building. There is no need to add more work to a busy schedule.
What Topics Are Most Important?
Blog: New Teachers' Times
Date: 4 April 2009
Description: A blog for beginning math teachers to discuss anything
Topic: The discussion focused on material that might appear on the June 2009 Regents.
The first post described the teacher's research regarding popular subjects on past exams. Although that is a terrific approach, that is expected behaviour. This year the math exam for middle school students had surprising topics that were not covered in the past four years. Sadly, when the year comes to a close teachers are pressed for time to instruct all missing pieces. Hence, a teacher might omit certain topics that were not prevalent on past exams, but they could very well appear on this year's.
Honestly, it is quite difficult to know what will be on the exam. But I advise all teachers to expect the unexpected and prepare for the expected. Since, I have personal experience with this matter I wanted to share that with others. It is difficult enough that a first-year teacher is just as much a student as the ones they teach. However, we are still responsible for preparing them. And if they happen to fail it is deemed as a reflection of the instructor.
Date: 4 April 2009
Description: A blog for beginning math teachers to discuss anything
Topic: The discussion focused on material that might appear on the June 2009 Regents.
The first post described the teacher's research regarding popular subjects on past exams. Although that is a terrific approach, that is expected behaviour. This year the math exam for middle school students had surprising topics that were not covered in the past four years. Sadly, when the year comes to a close teachers are pressed for time to instruct all missing pieces. Hence, a teacher might omit certain topics that were not prevalent on past exams, but they could very well appear on this year's.
Honestly, it is quite difficult to know what will be on the exam. But I advise all teachers to expect the unexpected and prepare for the expected. Since, I have personal experience with this matter I wanted to share that with others. It is difficult enough that a first-year teacher is just as much a student as the ones they teach. However, we are still responsible for preparing them. And if they happen to fail it is deemed as a reflection of the instructor.
Mathematics Education Research Blog: A researcher's attempt to follow his field
Blog: The Language of Mathematics
Date: 30 March 2009
Description: This blog focused on the impact of language when teaching mathematics. It delved into the issue that one's tongue determines how mathematics is taught, absorbed, and conceptualized.
Topic: A recent book titled, The Language of Mathematics by Bill Barton has been published. This work explores the connection between mathematics and language, how different languages influence concepts and ideas, and the delivery of the subject. Also, the book was a suggested text for graduate students, educators, and any others interested in the subject matter.
Fortunately, the approach of this blog was interesting. It discussed mathematics in a way that I have not been exposed to, but wanted to attempt in my instruction. I felt that if I could change the delivery of mathematics then it would change the way students treat and respond to the material. Oftentimes, children have a distaste for math because it was not introduced to them in a mentally appetizing manner. Thus, it forces teachers to take more responsibility for the way they teach math, the manner in which they understand and approach math, and analyze the way math was taught to them.
Also, this is a powerful text because it shows the connected nature of mathematics and literacy. Too often, these subjects are not created equally and their relationship is not stressed until after they have been taught as separate entities. Fortunately, it has urged me to implement more literacy into my math instruction, stress to my students that their subjects are all connected, and, hopefully, this would encourage students to have a greater appreciation for their education.
Although I received a response for this blog, it was in agreement to my comments. There were no further responses.
Date: 30 March 2009
Description: This blog focused on the impact of language when teaching mathematics. It delved into the issue that one's tongue determines how mathematics is taught, absorbed, and conceptualized.
Topic: A recent book titled, The Language of Mathematics by Bill Barton has been published. This work explores the connection between mathematics and language, how different languages influence concepts and ideas, and the delivery of the subject. Also, the book was a suggested text for graduate students, educators, and any others interested in the subject matter.
Fortunately, the approach of this blog was interesting. It discussed mathematics in a way that I have not been exposed to, but wanted to attempt in my instruction. I felt that if I could change the delivery of mathematics then it would change the way students treat and respond to the material. Oftentimes, children have a distaste for math because it was not introduced to them in a mentally appetizing manner. Thus, it forces teachers to take more responsibility for the way they teach math, the manner in which they understand and approach math, and analyze the way math was taught to them.
Also, this is a powerful text because it shows the connected nature of mathematics and literacy. Too often, these subjects are not created equally and their relationship is not stressed until after they have been taught as separate entities. Fortunately, it has urged me to implement more literacy into my math instruction, stress to my students that their subjects are all connected, and, hopefully, this would encourage students to have a greater appreciation for their education.
Although I received a response for this blog, it was in agreement to my comments. There were no further responses.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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