Teamwork, That's What Counts

Today is the day of my senior recital. So, needless to say, I'm a bit preoccupied. I was grateful to have the day off from class today for a bit of extra time.
We've begun collaborating in our groups in an attempt to divide and conquer the Best Practices Handbook. I'm glad for this time to work more intimately with classmates, get to know each other, and encourage each other. I believe this teamwork will enable us as future teachers to fulfill Standard 4F, "Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities." As we work in teams, we are learning ways to enhance student learning and social skills by encouraging them to work in teams. I believe working with others positively and effectively is an essential skills, as nearly every career involves this in some aspect.
I've really enjoyed getting to know everyone in this class and working together.
For the team,
Chrysalis

Technology Enhancement (Week 6)

This week, we have been discussing how to integrate technology in the classroom. An assignment for the week involves completing a virtual classroom certificate. Before this class, I really didn't even know it was possible to do so much virtually. Although it is a bit overwhelming (because I barely even know how to turn on my laptop), I am looking forward to becoming more technologically literate and applying what I learn to enhance the classroom setting.
This week's learning definitely corresponds with Standard 4D, "Teachers utilize and integrate technology in their instruction." It also corresponds with 4C, "Teachers use a variety of instructional methods." Integration of technology is a wonderful way to teach to different learning styles and provide accurate assessment of learning.

Attempting to become comfortable with more than just turning on my laptop,
Chrysalis

Best Practices Introduction (Week 5)

This week, we met in the library to communicate and research with our groups concerning the Best Practices Handbook. To be honest, it was difficult for me to understand how to compile even one of these (much less 40!!). I'm sure that with time and collaboration, we will compile a very useful handbook of practices to use in the real classroom.
This week's work corresponds with Standard 3A, "Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study." This involves developing and applying strategies and literacy skills to make content relevant and understandable for students. I'm very glad that we can work alongside each other to develop these strategies to benefit the students' learning!

Chrysalis

Final Week!

It's hard to believe this is the final week of classes for this semester and for my entire time at Gardner-Webb. I have gained much knowledge from my studies here that will undoubtedly serve me as I adventure into the professional world assuming the role of "student" and "teacher" next semester. I'm sure the assignments and expectations of this class have covered every professional teaching standard multiple times. Perhaps my favorite part of this class is the great amount of collaboration we were able to do with one another as future teachers. I believe each class helped us to fulfill Standard 1B, "Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school." An essential part of this is working with fellow personnel, teaching and learning from one another. Today, we continued the fulfillment of this Standard by working in groups, linking our Best Practices to the stages of reading and processes of writing.
This class was overwhelming and even intimidating at times, but I learned so much in it and really enjoyed it! I'll miss you all and wish you the best as future teachers.
Chrysalis

The Finishline is Nigh!

Although I feel like I experienced the biggest slump in about week 10, it's always tough to stay motivated these last few days. I am really grateful for the opportunity Dr. Clark gave us this week to revise our Best Practices Handbook. I really think this helps us achieve mastery of the content. Working on the BPH in teams was a great experience in this class. I can't imagine doing one of those all by myself! I definitely think this group project links to Standard 1C, "Teachers lead the teaching profession," as we worked together to research, describe and "TRAP" strategies to be used in the classroom. I also believe it connects with 4C, "Teachers use a variety of instructional methods." We now have forty research based methods from which to choose!

Data Collection (AKA Foreign Language 101)

Today, it was a nice change to regular class to have a guest speaker join us and explain how to collect data in the classroom and the reasons why this is important. I am not sure how much I would be using this in the Music classroom; however, the process and results are quite interesting. I believe this material applies to me in that I should be as sensitive as possible to individual students' needs such as academic strengths/weaknesses, cultural backgrounds, and what their lives are like at home. All teachers, regardless of content area, should be aware of students' needs as much as possible regarding these areas. This certainly connects with Standard 1D, "Teachers advocate for their students." The process of data collection should ultimately be for the benefit of the students in regards to their learning as well as their individual lives.

Supporting Each Other

I was relieved when I walked in to class this morning, knowing I had already taught my lesson. However, I was really glad to be there in order to support my fellow classmate "teachers." What is really awesome about our class is that we are all striving to achieve the same goals as teachers, yet we go about it in our own unique approaches to teaching our content. I believe that this helps us with fulfilling Standard 1B, "Teachers demonstrate leadership in the schools." As we learn from each other, we are enabled to share ideas with each other within the workplace.