Presentations

Karen - When it comes the the periodic table, it was always one of my favorite times during science.  I am not a huge science fan, but I did enjoy doing activities with the periodic table.  I liked the worksheet she had in reference to the periodic table and the overall lesson plan was thought out well.

Devyn - The use of the Kahoot for the pre-assessment and then using it again for showing progress is a good idea.  This is a way to see how well the students learned the material.  Also, the snowball game was a great way to get the students involved and learning at the same time.

Rachel - When it came to the game name of "High Five Hustle," I thought it was very catchy and would be a great way to get the students involved.  Also, the book she presented will be fun and interactive.

Civil War Lesson

Devin and I picked the same topic to create our lesson plans on.  I find it interesting to have someone else interested in the Civil War like I am.  Like you, I had a hook which I thought was going to be good, it was in my mind, but after presenting I realized it was not.  After presenting and having the professor give me some ideas, I have been changing all my hooks to make them much better.  I too had a pre-assement similar to yours, having the students tell me what they already know about the Civil War.  This can get you a learning curve about the topic.  I also liked the use of bubble maps, I think these thinking maps go well with this topic.  As I was creating my lesson plans, I realized there is so much information out there and we can teach it all.  We have to pick the important stuff and go from there.

Group 3 Presentations

Tiffannie - The front video that was presented was catchy for the age group I thought and I believe the students would like it.  Also, I think kids in that age group love animals and they will find the lesson to be very entertaining.

Carman - When it came to creativity, I thought it was creative of having the students come up with their own problems.  This teaches them how to be creative and have their own perspective.  When it comes to a student who is very successful in the topic, having them assist other students is a great idea.

Linsey - When it comes to books, I would have to say Three Little Pigs is one of my favorites.  I also liked the thinking maps.

Sara - I have always been interested in geography, and having the students create their own map is a great idea.  They can get a better understanding of the whole system.  I think the students will be engaged in the lesson throughout the entire time.

Gabi - Presenting the students isa great way to get their attention and is a great hook.  I also thought the lesson was very interactive for the students the entire time.

Group 2 Presentations

This week we were shown the difficulties of technology.  Technology is being placed more and more into the educational world, however, there are still kinks in the system which have to be world out.  I thought everyone did a good job, and I have a hand for Carman stepping to the plate and presenting even though it was not her week.  In today's world, you don't see that too often.  I would have not been able to do this, as I have waited till the last minute and need to get mine finished.  In reference to the lesson plans observed tonight, there were many points that stood out.

Crystal - I liked the thinking map she presented.  Also, I am not a huge science fan, but I felt like if I was in the class I would learn the material being taught.

Michelle - Even though she experienced numerous technological difficulties, she had a good lesson laid out and fought through with what she was able too.  Also, I liked the worksheets she had at the end to tie her lesson all together.

Carman - Liked I mentioned above, I give you a hand for stepping to the plate and being prepared to go on a moments notice.  Also, the lesson flowed well and the powerpoint has lots of information.

Group 1 Presentations

When it comes to presenting first, it is one thing I hate to do.  So with this thought, I give lots of credit to Amanda, Douglas, and Christina.  All three had lots of good information and points to their presentations.

Amanda - The slides she presented caught my attention, for instance if I was in first grade I would have been paying attention.  Also, she put all the information on the table which she was going to be teaching.

Douglas - The Cahoot which he did was fun and entertaining as well as educational.  Also, I liked how the video he used in reference to metaphors related to music in which kids would be listening to these days.  This could make kids listen deeper to the music they listen too and see if they can point out these metaphors outside of class.

Christina - The video see used would be able to get the class involved, as it is a catchy video.  Also, the lesson being taught would get the kids up and involved instead of just sitting around.

All three did a great job and gave the rest of us a standard to match.

Thinking Maps

Well I can say when we were told we had to include five thinking maps in our lesson plans, I was at a lose for what they were.  However, after looking at the website, I now know what they are and got plenty of ideas of how to include them in my lesson plan.  I think these thinking maps can be a great activity to check for student retention of student's knowledge.  There were three thinking maps which stood out to me and ones I could see using.  I liked the flow map (similar to a timeline), the multi-flow map (cause and effect), and the bubble map.  For me, history is my area of study and all three of these maps can be very helpful for.  The timeline, or flow map, can be used to show which key events occurred leading up to a certain period.  The multi-flow map, or cause and effect map, can show the causes which lead to an event and then show the effects of that event.  The bubble map and can focus on one person or one major event and tell things about that person or event.  I am glad I now have an understanding of these thinking maps, because I think they are going to be very helpful throughout my career.

Teaching Like A Champion

I found these videos to be very interesting and full of knowledge.  If time was not a factor, watching all of these videos could be very useful.  I learned a few things from watching video 60.  It said that the bottom 20% of learners in any group are kinesthetic learners.  I can relate to this, because after sitting for a long period of time I begin to lose interest.  For me, when it comes to my classroom, I want to have kids up moving around and being engaged in the lesson.  I like being up and moving around, my brain tends to learn better that way.  My other 5 videos are listed below:

Technique 40 is Sweat the Details.  This technique suggests to sweat the small stuff, such as keeping the room clean, keeping row in order, and putting phones away.  We have always been told not to sweat the small stuff, however, this technique teaches us different.  This technique said if we sweat the small stuff and keep everything in line, then bigger problems will not occur.

Technique 30 is a Strong Voice.  This technique said to signal your authority in the classroom.  If a teacher as a low tone voice, students may not pay attention to the teachers.  Also do not talk over your students.  All students need to be quiet and listening so you as a teacher don't have to keep repeating the lesson.

Technique 28 is Entry Routine.  This technique sets the tone for class.  It tells students what to do at the beginning of class and what will be learned for the day.

Technique 20 is Exit Tickets.  This technique is a simple assessment of what was learned for the day. I like the idea of this technique because it shows if students were paying attention for the day.  Also, if all students were paying attention but did not get any of the exit questions correct, this can show the teacher needs to spend the next day adding more detail to the lesson.  Just come up with a few questions about the lesson and see what the students know.

Technique 1 is No Opt Out.  This technique sets a high academic expectation of the students.  If you ask a student a question and all they say is I don't know, don't just move onto the next student.  Either assist the student in the question or work around it until the student gets the answer.  If you just move onto the next student, you as a teacher show the student you don't care about their education and letting them take the easy way out.

Backward Design

When it comes to the topic of backward design, I think it is a system which can be very useful, especially for us new teachers.  One reason I like backward design is the fact we start with our end goal in mind and then find the ways to teach the material.  For me, the biggest thing which has stuck was Think Big, Start Small, and Go for the Easy Win.  This is a simple phrase and it is one which sticks for sure.
Before this class, I have never heard about backward design or the mentioned phrase above.  However, I am glad this class has introduced me to both.  I feel like both of these can bring great assistance to me in my first years of teaching.  I can set my goal of how I want my lessons to be a few years down the road.  Also, by no means am I going to try to turn every lesson into this, pick just a few and get the grasp of everything.  By going for the easy win, I can pick an area which I have tons of knowledge on or is my favorite topic.  For us coming into the educational system, I think backward design can play into our favor by a ton.

Collaborative Planning

When it comes to collaborative planning, I am all for it.  For one, you put more than one mind together and can obtain different ideas other than just your own.  In a group setting, more minds are brought into the same area.  Being a new teacher, you are thrown into the fire.  Working with experienced teachers in a collaborative setting can bring new insight into your fresh mind.  I may have a way I think something will work, but an experienced teacher may tell me another way.  This new way could be more beneficial to me and my students.  Taking me current and past jobs and thinking about working in a group setting has always worked out for me.  I feel with groups, more knowledge is put on the table.  We may think we know it all, however, I have figured out this is not the case anymore.  The school in which I become employed at, I hope they have collaborative planning.  I want to learn as much as possible and the current teachers employed at the school will know the curriculum and ways to teach the information.

Lesson Plan Style

When it comes to finding a lesson plan that best fits one, I feel like this is a process of trail and error.  There are numerous different styles of lesson plans out there, as I found out with the different sites to look at and the Madeline Hunter article.  For me, being organized is not my forte.  I feel like coming up with a solid lesson plan style would help me over come the issue of not being organized.  With teaching, I feel like having all your ducks in a row will help ensure the lesson is being taught properly.  Located below is a style which I came up with.  For me, I like things simple and to the point.  The below lesson plan style lists everything I feel is important.  This style is one which I believe I could follow with ease and keep me well organized.  Just like anything though, I will get more comfortable with my lesson plans as time goes on and the more I complete.

LESSON PLAN 

   

Subject / Course:

Topic:

Lesson Title:

Level:

Standards:

Lesson Objectives/goals:

Summary of Tasks / Actions:

Materials / Equipment:

Technology: 

Whole Group/Guided Practice: 

Independent Practice:

Assessment: 

Follow up (Review):

Lesson Plans

When it comes to a key part of a teacher's day, lesson plans are a vital part.  Lesson plans are used to ensure the material needed to learn is provided to the students.  Lesson plans give teachers a guideline for the topic for the day or however long the topic will take to teach.  If teaching a class we multiple classes in a day, such as high school, lesson plans ensure the same material is taught all day. Lesson plans are not just important to the teacher, but also to the students.  When a teacher is well prepared and has things in order, this can show the teacher cares about both their job and student.  Also, students can learn the importances of having things in line and being able to manage stuff.

Just like other jobs, lesson plans give set a base in which to act upon.  Something similar to lesson plans, would be general orders or operating procedures for police officers.  General orders and operating procedures tell police officers the correct ways to act upon certain things and how to handle certain situations.  These general orders and operating procedures are a vital part of the daily life of a police officer, just like lesson plans are for teachers.

Objectives

 1.  The students must be able to identify and analyze the key battles of the Civil War, and describe their importances to the out come of the war.

2.  Students will learn when it is the proper times to use their technology devices in class and when it is time to focus on learning the material.

I think objectives can be very useful in the classroom setting.

Time Management

After week one of this semester, which has just begun, a key point which I need to address is Time Management.  With taking two education classes this semester, I am going to have to be sure to have alll my ducks in a row.  When it comes to procrastinating, I am the first to admit I do it.  I usually wake until the last possible moment to type papers or complete a project.  However, after seeing the work load of these two education classes, I have realized procrastination is going to have to be thrown out the window.
When it comes to my time management, balancing things such as a full-time job, education, working out, sports, and other numerous things is going to be key.  I am a huge basketball fan and love the game, however I just recently had to turn down a job offer a being an assistant basketball coach.  I had to turn this offer down because I already knew my plate was getting pretty full and did not want to push the limit with adding another very time consuming task.
However, just like in the past, when I take on tasks I aim to complete them all and give them all my effort.  This situation will be no different.  Finishing my degree and becoming a educator has been a goal of mine, so putting forth the effort will make both of these things possible.