Writing to Learn-
If only I knew what I know now back then. Haha...I think that makes sense.
Conley states that many students who have graduated from high school report that they were not well prepared for the writing in college. "I'm jumping up and down and raising my hands to agree with this statement." Wow, if only I could go back 10 years or so, and demand my teachers show me how to write like they want in college. This would have made my life a lot easier.
Writing Instruction is an ever changing process, just when we think we are current on technology and digital media a complete new set of technology is on the market. I feel that technology should be used in the classroom, and it is up to the teacher to bring in the most current technology as possible. Or at least, discuss it if one can not afford it. My mentor teacher does not incorporate any technology in her lessons whatsoever. She teaches science, math and social studies and does not even had a projector in the room.
" DO not just assign writing, take time to show students how to write to learn." Conley pg 312 Wow, crazy concept huh? This statement can be used in all content area. Do not just assign problems, take time to show students how to work out problems. Students need examples of real life experiences, and hands-on activities. A teacher can tell me all day how to "do" something, but I'm not going to fully grasp it until I do it myself or the teacher models it for me.
Brainstorming and quick-writes are ways to guide students' writing. Journals, reports, essays and writing stories are ways to teach students how to write. Providing immediate feedback is an effective way to teach students how to review and revise.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Smartboard and Promethium
I wish I could say that I have a lot of experience with both of these. Unfortunately, I have only experienced with the " Interwrite boards", I think they are a lot like Promethium boards. I would like to have more experience with both of these tools. I would love to have one in my future classroom, I think it is a great way for teachers to motivate students to learn in a new and exciting way. I also would want my students to use it as well. When I was observing in a 6th grade classroom the students were doing presentations using the "Interwrite boards", they seemed to be extremely comfortable navigating with the board. Overall, I would love to learn more about smart boards and promethium boards.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Conley's Ch.7 "We all need some motivation"
“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar
I wanted to begin this blog with a quote that I found. Motivation is so extremely important in the classroom I can't even begin to say. Teachers should motivate their students all the time. I still have to be motivated at 24 years old, granite I do many things on my own but at some point in my life a teacher motivated me and helped mold me into the person I am today.
In the text Conley states that there are several key factors for building motivation among students. Teachers need to model their own enthusiasm. I could take up my entire page with comments about this statement. In my practicum experience, I feel that my teacher in no way shape or form motivates the students. In my observation this week , for three entire hours the students were told to sit in their desks and work on a practice MCT2 mathematics test. A test that they apparently took 3 months ago. After the students finished the practice test for the second time they were told to answer the questions in the current chapter in their science text and turn them in for a grade. For a total of 3 hours there was no communication, social interaction or motivation used at all. I understand that students must take practice tests for state testing, but I feel that my teacher used it as busy work. I was also told that all of the objectives were taught and everything from here on out was review. What?? Is this teacher for real?
There are several strategies that teachers can use to activate prior knowledge and and increase motivation. I hope to see my practicum teacher present content in interesting ways, set high expectations for students and provide feedback and praise when needed.
As a third grade student, motivation and activation of prior knowledge should be incorporated across all content area . I hope to see this in my future visits to the school and that my teacher is willing to spend actual class time teaching with motivation and enthusiasm.
I wanted to begin this blog with a quote that I found. Motivation is so extremely important in the classroom I can't even begin to say. Teachers should motivate their students all the time. I still have to be motivated at 24 years old, granite I do many things on my own but at some point in my life a teacher motivated me and helped mold me into the person I am today.
In the text Conley states that there are several key factors for building motivation among students. Teachers need to model their own enthusiasm. I could take up my entire page with comments about this statement. In my practicum experience, I feel that my teacher in no way shape or form motivates the students. In my observation this week , for three entire hours the students were told to sit in their desks and work on a practice MCT2 mathematics test. A test that they apparently took 3 months ago. After the students finished the practice test for the second time they were told to answer the questions in the current chapter in their science text and turn them in for a grade. For a total of 3 hours there was no communication, social interaction or motivation used at all. I understand that students must take practice tests for state testing, but I feel that my teacher used it as busy work. I was also told that all of the objectives were taught and everything from here on out was review. What?? Is this teacher for real?
There are several strategies that teachers can use to activate prior knowledge and and increase motivation. I hope to see my practicum teacher present content in interesting ways, set high expectations for students and provide feedback and praise when needed.
As a third grade student, motivation and activation of prior knowledge should be incorporated across all content area . I hope to see this in my future visits to the school and that my teacher is willing to spend actual class time teaching with motivation and enthusiasm.
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