December 5, 2008

Hey all,

Great presentations today - games are always winners!!   Here are my responses to the couple questions.

1) I would not consider a 'grading scale' to be motivational to most students.  Those who are educationally focused might be motivated that way  - but most of your middle school students aren't.

2) I'm trying to attach a list of websites for differentiation and motivation as requested.  If it doesn't work on here, I'll send an email with it attached.

3) I do hold the groups to their time frames.   However, I adjust when I interject.

4) Of course you can do games in your classroom, and yes, there will be a winner.  In real life there are winners, and we are to be preparing them for real life.  If you want to have a 'bigger'/'different' prize for the 'winner' and then something smaller for everyone who participated - that works, too.

What do you think about the 'winner" /"loser" thing in middle school?   Let's discuss it.

See you next week.

Diann

November 14 - Guest Speaker

I'm so pleased that the majority of you enjoyed Mr. Huffer's presentation and class facilitation.  I do want to address two questions that were raised in your reflections.

1.  Multiculturalism is handled differently in classrooms across the state.  Because it is not a specific 'content area', there are no established 'standards' for instruction in this area.  The social studies seems to be the most logical place to include it in a content area and the People in Societies standard is an excellent fit.    However, in my opinion, we are sorely lacking in the application of this topic.  If we want our students to be knowledgeable about other cultures and tolerant, we need to do a better job with this topic.  There are many areas of Ohio where there are NOT multiple cultures living.  It's important that teachers in these areas address the topic to make their students aware of various cultures so they do not become prejudice and discriminatory.  Where multiple cultures do live, it's important to teach so all can live in a cohesive and peaceful area.

2. The topic as discussed in class is not the topic you teach to your students.  The topic as discussed in class is to get you aware of your feelings and attitudes and expose you to the variety of influences that are constantly bombarding children without our notice.  The purpose here is for you to become aware of the materials you're using to teach your students so you make wise decisions and do not encourage any forms of discrimination or use of discriminatory materials.  You have a HUGE influence with your students.  If you're engaged in the playing of certain video games or watching certain TV shows that are inappropriate for students, you need to not discuss them with the students as if it's ok for them to be playing or watching.  Like it or not, you ARE a role model.  Like it or not, what's appropriate for you, as an adult, may not be appropriate for your pre-teen or teenaged students.  I'm thinking Mr. Huffer got YOU thinking. That's a good thing!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  I look forward to seeing you next month.

Diann

November 21, 2008

Hey there,

Wow - what great sessions today!!  You all just continue to impress me, and I LOVE IT!!  Thanks so much to the excellent presenters and the fantastic participants!!

Here are my responses to the questions that came up.  Please feel free to respond to any of them or to raise other issues.

1) What are more examples of how I can improve my classroom management?  

         As I stated in class, the most valid classroom management is when no problems arise. This is truly the best way.  Know your kids, plan engaging lessons, be respectful and expect respect back, maintain high standards and insist they are met, be motivated so you can be motivating, genuinely care for your students and develop rapport, be engaged in their lives(go to their activities or at the very least talk to them about them) and be engaging in the classroom.

        Some additional points:  

             1. teach your desired procedures for EVERYTHING - sharpening a pencil, walking down the hall, asking a question, group work - EVERYTHING

             2.  practice those procedures

             3.  insist on them being applied ALL of the time - be consistent

             4. be fair and consistent- every action and reaction is consistent to the child - remember 'equal' is not always fair 

             5. be in contact with students' parents and on a good basis with them

 Ok - it's hard to just sit here and think of things - 

2) How do you regain the respect of your students?  Wow - toughy!!  It's always hard to start over and those first impressions never go away.  First you'd have to figure out how and why you lost their respect.  I'd probably then try to make the necessary changes that I should have done in the first place.  I'd also probably talk to the kids and explain what your changing and what you hope to accomplish and how this is best for them and that you have their best interests in mind, etc.  Then do all the things that I told you to do in class and above and hopefully you can win them over.

3) It's just a 50 minute class.   This is a 2 credit hour course, and with your field work - we're already over the requirement for a 2 credit hour course. so......

4) How do you get the respect of your students?  My opinion:  Know them, care about them, interact with them in and out of school, care enough to create engaging and hands on lessons, be fair, be consistent, be firm, love them enough to make them mind, show them respect and expect them to do the same for you.  Talk to them and treat them as young adults not little kids or problem children.   Most of the time, you'll get from them exactly what you expect from them.

5)  There was a handout from each presentation group.  If you didn't get one, it was an oversight.

6) Research sources for classroom management = google!!  Observe as many classes with different teachers as you can.  Talk with experienced teachers.   Ask kids.....

OK - that's my input.  I really do hope to hear from a lot of you.

Have Blessed Thanksgiving!!   

Diann

5) 

November 9, 2008

Let's blog about differentiation.  I'd love to know your opinions and have a chance to respond to your questions.

Diann

October 31, 2008

Hey all,

Thanks for your participation today.  That's what makes class interesting!!  :)

Just 2 things to address today:

1) Stephanie feels like she has so many content courses that she doesn't have enough time to take them.  She's wondering if any of the rest of you feel that way?   If that's a problem, how are you dealing with it?  Has anyone found a way to increase their content based courses and help get more content knowledge in the content areas?

2) How may lesson plans you do in methods will depend upon which content areas you are in.  I know my social studies kids do a lot of them because I have them practice before they create their actual units, but I don' t know about other content areas.  I know you have to do at least a 7-10 day unit in each content area - so there's a minimum of 7-10.

Happy Halloween!!

Diann

October 24

Hey all,

Please use this platform to ask questions about parent involvement; offer your own opinions; or give specifics you'd like to discuss next class.

See you Friday.

Diann

October 17, 2008

Hey all,

Thanks to the researchers who dealt with school funding.  You did a fine job and gave us plenty to think about.  There were no specific questions for this, but I think that might have been due to the format of the reflection.  Therefore I'm opening up the blog this week to your questions / concerns / comments about school funding.  I'll let you chat with each other, and then I'll come in and answer the questions directed to me later in the week.

I hope you have a great week.

Diann