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.