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.

Working the "Week Off"

I am very grateful to have some time off from class this week in order for us to complete our Best Practices Handbook. Even though we didn't meet for class, we still have plenty of work to do-a perfect reminder of how life as a teacher will be. Working even during "time off" enable us as teachers to fulfill Standard 3B, "Teachers know the content they teach." As teachers, we are continually learning even outside of the classroom in order to be more effective teachers.

The banjo, and literacy, and a global component...oh my!

Today, I taught banjo for the first time. It was also the first time I incorporated a global component and literacy into a music lesson. I was a bit overwhelmed in the preparation stage, but teaching my lesson was wonderful practice to receive feedback and gain confidence teaching in front of others (teachers and future teachers!). This experience helped me to fulfill many teaching standards. These especially include 1A, "Teachers lead in the classrooms," 2A, "Teachers create a nurturing environment for students," 3B, "Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty," and 4F,"Teachers help students work I'm teams." I thoroughly enjoyed this teaching experience and consider it a wonderful opportunity for growth and preparation for student teaching next semester!

From Not Yet...to I Can

Today, I created my first infographic. In a single class period, I as well as many classmates went from not even knowing what an infographic was to creating one and publishing it to the "Do." At first, I was a bit discouraged when I realized all that was left to complete in this class in just six more weeks. However, after sorting the class objectives in to three categories, "I can," "In progress," and "Not yet," I soon realized that most of those things were already in progress. The infographic was a wonderful way to creatively reflect on all I had learned. It lent a sense of accomplishment as well as motivation. It also was another useful technology tool mastered :). I believe this enabled us to fulfill Standard 5B, "Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals."

Teaching Future Teachers About Teaching

Today, the future teachers in our class taught fellow future teachers about teaching. This imcluded teaching/learning about cooperative learning as well as setting class objectives and providing feedback. My group taught cooperative learning. Familiarity with this classroom strategy will enable us as teachers to fulfill standard 4F, "Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities." We also learned about setting objectives and providing feedback. Familiarity with this classroom strategy will enable us to fulfill Standard 5A, "Teachers analyze student learning." It was beneficial for us to work together in groups and teach each other. In this scenario, we were able to assume the roles of both teacher and student.

6 Points and Voila

As a Music Education major, I am only slightly familiar with the 6 point lesson plan, having written 2 in the past. The lesson plan specifically for music is laid out much differently. However, I believe the structure of the actual lesson is not very different despite the different appearances on paper. So far, I am the most comfortable with this compared with anything else we have done in class. I am looking forward to increasing my confidence with writing 6 point lesson plans in order to broaden the possible ways to layout the structure of my lessons. I believe that practice with writing 6 point lesson plans will enable us to fulfill all the facets of Standard 4: Teachers facilitate learning for their students. Consider 4b, Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students. Being comfortable and confident with writing a thorough, organized lesson plan will undoubtedly aid in fulfilling this standard. Looking forward to writing and teaching these lessons!
Chrysalis

Understanding Standards and Research Based Practices

I am really beginning to feel more comfortable in this class, with the assigned work as well as among my fellow teacher candidates. Last week, when I was chosen to review what it meant to unpack the standard, I realized how much I have really learned in just 4 weeks.
I think the Best Practices Handbook will involve much teamwork and critical thinking. However, when it is finished, it will be a priceless plethora of strategies to apply in the classroom.
Compiling the handbook will certainly help us fulfill NCTCS 4a, "Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and the know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, and social development of their students." This involves keeping up to date with the latest resources involving student learning and adapting those resources to fit the needs of their students.
Till Thursday,
Chrysalis

Unpacking Standards in Order to Meet Them

This week, I learned a lot about what it means to unpack standards and the importance of doing so. In order for a learning standard to be met, the way in which fulfillment of it is demonstrated must be deciphered. That is, how can I help students achieve the goal of this content standard? Along with classmates from my content area, we unpacked a content standard for 6th grade. It was difficult to understand at first but after sharing ideas among the class, we understood better how to do so. Being able to unpack standards is vital to successful teaching and student learning, so I am really glad we are working on this in order to feel more confident with it. Last week's class definitely helped us to fulfill Standard 3a, "Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study."

Until next class,

Chrysalis

Growing and Learning Together

I am definitely feeling more comfortable in and about the content of this class than I was at this point last week. I really appreciate everyone's willingness to work together, to share ideas, and to be open to the ideas of others. I thoroughly enjoyed the scavenger hunt which we got to take part in today. Besides being a refreshment from the regular classroom setting, it provided many learning opportunities. Tasks such as having people define literacy broadended our perspectives on the definition and meaning behind this sometimes complex word. Even random tasks encouraged teamwork and critical thinking. This would be a wonderful tool to use inside the classroom.
Specifically, I believe the scavenger hunt enabled me to grow in the area of Standard 1B, "Teachers lead in the schools." A teacher leading in a school involves leadership among collegues. In my scavenger hunt group, I had opportunities to lead and to be outspoken with my ideas.
I have also learned more about standards, why they are important, and why they apply to me. Ultimately, they should guide in helping students not merely to acquire knowledge but moreover to be able to know what to do with the knowledge they have acquired. I believe that Constructivism is critical in order for students to succeed in this area. In order for students to construct knowledge, information must be relevant to what they already know. This ties in with Standard 3D, "Teachers make instruction relevant to students."
I am looking forward to more learning and teaching experiences in this class!

EDUC 316; Week 1; Chrysalis Bridges

This week, I learned what a Professional Learning Community is and why it is important for me as a future teacher and for the benefit of my students. I was surprised to learn that the Professional Learning Community spans beyond the classroom of teacher and student and also includes administrators and parents. The Professional Learning Community seeks the best practices for the classroom and focuses on the results, with the goal being to continuously improve processes that aid in learning. Ultimately, the Professional Learning Community should focus not on "teaching" but rather on "learning," the fundamental purpose of school. There are essential characteristics which distinguish the Professional Learning Community from just the ordinary school. These involve a shared mission, vision, values, and goals. I learned that a mission is what the group desires to do as it moves forward. I learned that a vision is what the group desires to look like and the end goals for the group. In the future, I hope to be a part of a strong Professional Learning Community. In this class, I am now part of a Candidate Learning Community. A Candidate Learning Community is a collaboration of students learning how to be teachers by utilizing the methods of a Professional Learning Community. It is essential to be a part of a Candidate/Professional Learning Community because doing so provides opportunities to learn from others in order to become a more efficient teacher and to lead as well as learn in both the classroom and with colleagues. This fulfills Standards 1A, "Teachers lead in their classrooms," as well as 1B, "Teachers demonstrate leadership in their schools." All students are expected to work together and test methods in order that the goals of the class may be achieved, all for the ultimate goal of increasing learning. I believe that our class is already demonstrating signs of a strong Candidate Learning Community. Today, we worked together in order to create a mission and a vision for our class. There were opportunities for many people to assume leadership roles, and there was opportunity for each class member to learn from the ideas of others. I look forward to the learning that will result from the growth of our Candidate Learning Community in this class.