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