week 9
Only seven weeks left and I'm still hanging in there. Its been an amazing week in clinical this week. I requested several consecutive days off from work this week so I could be in my classroom. I'm so glad I did.
Day 1. I got to my school before 7 am. I was prepared to start teaching at 7:40 am. My first lesson was on Landforms for EDU435. It was a basic introductory lesson that covered the most of the landforms. I started with a video from Flocabulary. The class really enjoyed the video. It was my first time using Flocabulary and I highly recommend using it. It was also my first time using a Frayer model during a lesson. The worksheet was slightly different than what my CE uses in class. Instead of having my students draw a picture in the box , I had them use the word in a sentence. This created some confusion and I needed to stop mid lesson to clarify what needed to be done. I believe this was a good learning opportunity for me. I should have modeled the worksheet at the beginning of my lesson. When in doubt always model first. Afterwards, I worked with my students in small groups on their writing assignment.
My teacher gave me some great feedback. My CE had said that the kids were engaged, I knew my content, and it was evident I was prepared. She also said, "You have a gift and will make a great teacher." Here's the most important feedback she gave me. I should have began with the Frayer Model (lesson learned), remember behavior management, give positive points to redirect the unfocused (very important), and most of all keep instruction no more than 20 minutes. The next day I took her advice and had a 20 minutes lesson on volcanos, it went well. The greatest part of our day was building our own erupting volcanoes. The kids went crazy when the volcanoes erupted, they were so excited. Afterwards, I spoke with my CE and she explained we don't have a science teacher anymore. The volcano project was my students first time doing a hands on science experiment. I'm very proud of all my kids. The classes behavior was so good. All my students were involved and even my most challenging students were helpful and respectful. My one student who has been the most difficult I had given the task of carrying my tripod. I have trusted him so much lately with helping me with tasks. In return I believe I have gained his trust and respect. We will see how this new relationship will unfold.
I must say this was a day full of surprises, just forty minutes before I left an assistant teacher had approached me. I turned and had seen her coming toward my class. I had told her that my CE just went to the class next door over. She asked if I was Mr. S. I said yes, I am. She went on to tell me how on her bus ride home one of my students told her the entire way home how awesome I was. She said, he even forgot to take his seat in the back of the bus because he was so busy talking about tomorrows volcano project. I must say this is something I will never forget. I will take the good and the bad and use it to push forward and be a better teacher for my students. I really wish I would have done this years ago. It just goes to show that its never to late to do something you enjoy. I look forward to hearing back from my peers this week.
For my outside research this week I've been looking into 3D printing. I personally have wanted a 3D printer for home use for quite sometime. I began thinking this would be so cool for the classroom. I entered 3D printing in the classroom into Google and got some good articles. One of the articles stood out the most. The article talks about the endless amount of things that could be made right in the classroom for students to study. This technology brings the concrete to help build the abstract, I love it. My school for clinical does not have a lot of money to travel to museums or other fun field trips. A 3D printer brings the science museum to the school. The cost of a 3D printer has come down tremendously and is much cheaper than taking an entire grade of students, teachers, and buses several counties away. I hope to use this technology someday in my class. Please check out my link below.
https://thejournal.com/Articles/2013/12/11/3D-Printing-in-the-Classroom-5-Tips-for-Bringing-New-Dimensions-to-Your-Students-Experiences.aspx?Page=3
http://3dprintingsystems.com/why-have-3d-printers-in-the-classroom/
https://revpart.com/3d-printing-in-the-classroom/
This weeks standards that apply to my clinical experience are;
NCPTS
Standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach.
I used some strategies to help my students relate to the content and also make it relevant. I used hooks to capture their interest in learning.
Standard 4: Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction. I used direct types of media to capture my students interest. I used a clip from "Finding Nemo" the scene with the Ring of Fire. This sparked their interest and curiosity. The students were able to relate to the film to the content. I used this clip to introduce volcanoes, The Ring of Fire, and relate the background to Hawaiian. culture. During our group time we used the Global Volcano Database and images of volcanoes to inspire our composed text.
Day 1. I got to my school before 7 am. I was prepared to start teaching at 7:40 am. My first lesson was on Landforms for EDU435. It was a basic introductory lesson that covered the most of the landforms. I started with a video from Flocabulary. The class really enjoyed the video. It was my first time using Flocabulary and I highly recommend using it. It was also my first time using a Frayer model during a lesson. The worksheet was slightly different than what my CE uses in class. Instead of having my students draw a picture in the box , I had them use the word in a sentence. This created some confusion and I needed to stop mid lesson to clarify what needed to be done. I believe this was a good learning opportunity for me. I should have modeled the worksheet at the beginning of my lesson. When in doubt always model first. Afterwards, I worked with my students in small groups on their writing assignment.
My teacher gave me some great feedback. My CE had said that the kids were engaged, I knew my content, and it was evident I was prepared. She also said, "You have a gift and will make a great teacher." Here's the most important feedback she gave me. I should have began with the Frayer Model (lesson learned), remember behavior management, give positive points to redirect the unfocused (very important), and most of all keep instruction no more than 20 minutes. The next day I took her advice and had a 20 minutes lesson on volcanos, it went well. The greatest part of our day was building our own erupting volcanoes. The kids went crazy when the volcanoes erupted, they were so excited. Afterwards, I spoke with my CE and she explained we don't have a science teacher anymore. The volcano project was my students first time doing a hands on science experiment. I'm very proud of all my kids. The classes behavior was so good. All my students were involved and even my most challenging students were helpful and respectful. My one student who has been the most difficult I had given the task of carrying my tripod. I have trusted him so much lately with helping me with tasks. In return I believe I have gained his trust and respect. We will see how this new relationship will unfold.
I must say this was a day full of surprises, just forty minutes before I left an assistant teacher had approached me. I turned and had seen her coming toward my class. I had told her that my CE just went to the class next door over. She asked if I was Mr. S. I said yes, I am. She went on to tell me how on her bus ride home one of my students told her the entire way home how awesome I was. She said, he even forgot to take his seat in the back of the bus because he was so busy talking about tomorrows volcano project. I must say this is something I will never forget. I will take the good and the bad and use it to push forward and be a better teacher for my students. I really wish I would have done this years ago. It just goes to show that its never to late to do something you enjoy. I look forward to hearing back from my peers this week.
For my outside research this week I've been looking into 3D printing. I personally have wanted a 3D printer for home use for quite sometime. I began thinking this would be so cool for the classroom. I entered 3D printing in the classroom into Google and got some good articles. One of the articles stood out the most. The article talks about the endless amount of things that could be made right in the classroom for students to study. This technology brings the concrete to help build the abstract, I love it. My school for clinical does not have a lot of money to travel to museums or other fun field trips. A 3D printer brings the science museum to the school. The cost of a 3D printer has come down tremendously and is much cheaper than taking an entire grade of students, teachers, and buses several counties away. I hope to use this technology someday in my class. Please check out my link below.
https://thejournal.com/Articles/2013/12/11/3D-Printing-in-the-Classroom-5-Tips-for-Bringing-New-Dimensions-to-Your-Students-Experiences.aspx?Page=3
http://3dprintingsystems.com/why-have-3d-printers-in-the-classroom/
https://revpart.com/3d-printing-in-the-classroom/
This weeks standards that apply to my clinical experience are;
NCPTS
Standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach.
I used some strategies to help my students relate to the content and also make it relevant. I used hooks to capture their interest in learning.
Standard 4: Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction. I used direct types of media to capture my students interest. I used a clip from "Finding Nemo" the scene with the Ring of Fire. This sparked their interest and curiosity. The students were able to relate to the film to the content. I used this clip to introduce volcanoes, The Ring of Fire, and relate the background to Hawaiian. culture. During our group time we used the Global Volcano Database and images of volcanoes to inspire our composed text.
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteYour clinical experiences sound wonderful. I know the children must have especially enjoyed watching the volcano blow up. My CE has also given me correction on time managment. I made it a goal to monitor the time closely by using an alarm set for five minutes before the end of the lesson. This will give me time to wrap up my lesson. I have never heard of the 3D printer until you mentioned it the other day on zoom. The device sounds like a great technology to incoroprate into your classroom. You could use it for lessons or posters to put on your wall.
I am so glad your lesson went well and that your are establishing great relationships with your students.
I hope you get to relax for fall break.