I began the year eager to be interning in a 3rd grade class but didn't realize the impact it would have in my life. Being with my kids this year has changed at how I look at my future. I don't look at my future as me being another teacher. I see my self being the best teacher I can be and impacting my kids how I've been impacted this year and how I impacted the kids in my class this year. Even though this year has come to an end those kids will never leave my heart. They are my first step in my teaching career , they are my first group of kids. I am so honored to have been in a class with such amazing kids and of course an amazing mentor, Jodi Kirspel.
After a full year of interning I've learned a tone and can't wait to use everything in my future classroom! I will always keep in contact with my mentor and always seek her for advice! I can't wait to finally have a classroom of my own one day!
If I were the new Education and Training teacher for the 2013-2014 school year I would revamp the Transportation Guidlines for Field Site Travel.
OR
Even though school buses are a great way to get to other schools in the district I would allow students to drive to their Field Sites. Driving is a lot better because students would make it to their field sites faster and get to spend more time with their students! Driving would add around 15 minutes to some student's time with the students. I would still have a bus for those that still wished to ride or if their parents didn't allow them to drive or ride with another intern at their field site school. Students driving would have rules and if broken it could cause them to have to ride the bus for the rest of the year. Here are guidelines the students would have to follow!
To and from field site schools (no stops in between)
No driving recklessly (if you get a ticket you could loose your driving privelages
From being in a third grade classroom this year I saw that students had a difficulty with learning their multiplication facts. In the TEKS below you can see that they must be able to solve problems with a two digit number times a one digit number. I have come with a lesson that includes an interactive game to help master these skills.
(3.4) Number, Operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student recognizes and solves problems in multiplication and division situations. The student is expected to: (A) learn and apply multiplication facts through 12 by 12 using concrete models and objects; (B) solve and record multiplication problems (up to two digits times one digit);
I found that most students learn/work better when technology is in the lesson. Instead of worksheet after worksheet students should be able to play games (of course that go with the corresponding topic that they are studying!)
Here are a few apps for the iPad that students wouldn't just love but would actually learn their facts!
Times Table:
The Times Table app test the kids on how they know their facts. Students all learn at a different pace. This app allows you to choose which fact (1-12) you want to work on. If a student is having a really hard time on their 9's the game will only give them problems with the 9's. Students would learn so much more because its not on paper its on a game!
Times Table Quiz:
The Times Table Quiz is for students that have learned their facts pretty well and want to quiz themselves on them all. The game gives a problem, 5X7, then you pick from the answer choices they give you. Here is a screen shot of one of the problems!
Why are soon to be teachers being asked the same question, "why do you want to be a teacher?" There are people that love kids and those people want to help plant the seed for the future for these students. No matter the pay, no matter the technology, and no matter the job security we are helping these students to succeed in life.
The article I am referring to is Life 101: Defending Your Decision to Teach, from the November/December 2012 issue of FEA's Go Teach magazine. I am writing in response to Mrs. Kallas's Blog assignment on "Defending your decision to teach."
Teacher are the Role Models
Teachers are role models for most students. Teachers aren't their only to educate them in an academic field but also in life itself. As kids grow they tend to have more stress at home, with friends and at school. Teachers are also a support system. They are looked upon by many people. Many say that there is that one teacher that showed them the right path to take or that one teacher that helped them so much that they wouldn't be where they are today if it wasn't for them.
A Teacher's Honor to Educate
Being a teacher isn't all about the glam you get on helping a student pass but the honor you get when you successfully teach your students everything they need and they pass the TAKS/STAAR Testing. Teaching is a huge responsibility a one person to help 100 kids to graduate or just 20 kids to go onto the next grade. It would be an honor for me to educate the students and lead them to success in this world today. Teachers get the honor to help plant the seeds for the future.
The Hours of Being a Teacher Teaching isn't a normal 8-4 or 9-5 job, but what is wrong with that? Yes, Being a teacher means spending multiple nights up at the school preparing for a big project or planning a lesson while watching your favorite show, but it is all worth it. Teachers long hours are what give these kids the success they need and deserve! Why look at the time and say, "It's 4 so I must go home and do nothing on my own time to help my kids find their success in life!" That would make no sense. Even though teaching has crazy hours I believe a real teacher wouldn't mind if it meant that their students get the education they need and deserve. Teachers give those students a chance to have a successful life down the road.
Need some inspiration to become a teacher? Go watch "Top 10 Reasons to be a Teacher!"
In response to the Procrastination Article, I think it is safe to say that I am a procrastinator. I have very poor time management and I also have difficultly concentrating when there is so much more I could be doing like socializing. I write down all my homework in a check list app on my phone to try to stay organized but it doesn't help, I am constantly finding myself on Netflix, YouTube, and Facebook!
I think a great way to get over the procrastination is to think out the success it has on you to complete the work. If I think about getting a really good grade on an assignment I actually get it done! When you think about what you will earn if you accomplish something its a big help on actually getting it accomplished. Another way to help get over the procrastination is to put away your cell phone and even your computer if your assignments isn't on it. Putting away the technology takes away ALL of the distractions!
During the time I've spent talking to my mentor teacher and doing a little research about my lesson I have to teach I have come to love Pinterest as the site to go!
Pinterest is know for people posting pictures of their favorite recipes with a link attached, make-up and hair tips, clothing, household tips and even more. Who would think that it would be a great place for teachers! I have already pinned a ton of lessons and classroom tips on my pinboard. It a simple new way to share you thoughts and ideas on teaching! Pinterest will be my site for all my future lessons.
The Times Table Quiz is for students that have learned their facts pretty well and want to quiz themselves on them all. The game gives a problem, 5X7, then you pick from the answer choices they give you. Here is a screen shot of one of the problems!
A Teacher's Honor to Educate.jpg)
Teaching isn't a normal 8-4 or 9-5 job, but what is wrong with that? Yes, Being a teacher means spending multiple nights up at the school preparing for a big project or planning a lesson while watching your favorite show, but it is all worth it. Teachers long hours are what give these kids the success they need and deserve! Why look at the time and say, "It's 4 so I must go home and do nothing on my own time to help my kids find their success in life!" That would make no sense. Even though teaching has crazy hours I believe a real teacher wouldn't mind if it meant that their students get the education they need and deserve. Teachers give those students a chance to have a successful life down the road.
