School Diversity

After Brown v. Board of Education

This article was an interesting read as I have experienced my first year teaching in a diverse school and classroom compared to my first year of teaching.  When I taught in Michigan, last year, the school was primarily white dominate with little black, Native American, or mixed races. However, this year teaching in Florida I have a lot of different races in my classroom.  I have learned a lot about different cultures and their different views on school and other activities. 

I believe, as the article states, that integration of schools will only benefit students in the long run.  As the students stated in the article, when they get out into the real world they will be with people who are different from them in a lot of ways.  It is crutical for students to be exposed to people who are different and who they have things in common with as there is a lot to learn from one another.  We are trying to prepare our students to be successful in the real-world so we need to give them opportunties to practice being successful and gaining both the intellectual and social skills to do just that.   

Technology Necessary for Differentiation

Technology Enables True Differentiation

It was interesting to read Mary Ann Wolf's story about differentiating learning in her classroom for a student who couldn't read in the fifth grade.  She did everything she could to ensure that he would gain the skills necessary to be successful in sixth grade and beyond.  Wolf's final claim was that differentiating is almost impossible without the use of technology.  I completely agree with her.  Teachers have a lot on their plate with ensuring that all students' needs are met while maintaining a welcoming classroom climate and making sure students are meeting high-stake test requirements.  As educators, we need to make sure that we are meeting the needs of each and every student and the only logical way we can do this is with the aide of technology. 

I have a student in my seventh grade math class who has the learning capabilities of a first grader because of extenuating circumstances.  However, we have connected him with math and reading programs at his level through technology and he has made advances.  Now, can we make up numerous educational years in just one year? Probably not.  However, we can do all we can with technology and teaching strategies to make him as successful as possible.  

Additionally, I had a student come to my classroom in the middle of the year that spoke absolutely no English.  She was a native Spanish speaker, put in a seventh grade math classroom with no translator or additional resources.  I did all I could do with my resources and worked with the ESOL teacher, but it is ultimately the availability of the technology that has allowed her to be successful.  There are endless resources for teachers, students, and parents online that can help bridge the gaps and make learning relevant and meaningful for our students.   

Are College Degrees Necessary Anymore?

College Degrees: More and More, They're Just a Piece of Paper

Looks like degrees don't mean too much anymore.  After reading this article, I was surprised to see that a lot of high-end jobs are not concerned with the level of education an employee has anymore.  They are more concerned with the level of experience and the number of publications a person has.  As we are all trying to get our degrees to further our education, in the technological world it seems they want people who are experienced, not necessarily educated from accredited universities (obviously this is different in the educational field).  It was interesting to read that high-end jobs such as CEOs require degrees, but for other jobs it wasn't  necessarily the case because they aren't in the public eye.  The higher-end jobs want applicants to have the degrees because the public wants to read about that and see the person is qualified for the job. Check out this interesting read for more details regarding college degrees and job qualifications in the technology fields.  

Pinterest

Share Ideas, Paper Free: Pinterest for Educators

Pinterest has definitely been a buzz word around Facebook, work, and social events lately.  Everyone is following other people to get great ideas.  I am probably one of the few that has yet to join the craze and start searching on Pinterest.  However, as the school year is coming to an end and I will hopefully have a little more free time I need to start searching for ideas for my classroom next year.  My roommate, who is also a middle level teacher, has mentioned several times that she has "pinned" ideas for next year.  This seems to be a great place to search for ideas and keep them all in one place, much like out social bookmarking site.

I can't wait to find innovative ideas and hopefully share some of my ideas some day. 

Autocorrect School Mishap

Autocorrect Results in School Lockdown

The title of this article alone caught my attention as I will browsing through my RSS feeds.  I was surprised to read that a student sent a text message to another student, a word had been autocorrected, and both the high school and middle school went under a lock down.  I agree with the schools for taking the proper precautions and ensuring the safety of all students.  

This is a prime example of how powerful technology can be in a short time.  The fact that the autocorrected message was sent to the wrong student may have been the reason the lock down occurred.  Whatever the reason, I feel the schools made the right choice. 

 My students, at the middle school I teach, are allowed to carry their cell phones with them but they can't be turned on.  Well we all know how well that works.  I have students getting calls and texts from their parents while in class.  We are supposed to confiscate the phone if we find it turned on and a parent has to come to the school to get the phone.  Some parents are irate about this policy, but we can see the immediacy of information being passed on with cell phone, cheating that can take place, and they interfere with learning.  While cell phones and technology definitely have their benefits we need to ensure we are using them for their intended purposes. 

Podcasts in the Classroom

Student Podcasts: 21st Century Skills Across the Curriculum

Podcasts are a technology tool that I am familiar with listening to and viewing, but I am not too familiar with creating them.  This article ties in to our assignment for the week of creating a podcast of educational value for our students, however the emphasis is on the students creating them.  It was interesting to read how middle schools are turning to podcasts to relay information to their schools and community.  Students are in a world where they can be in constant communication with one another 24 hours a day if they wanted to be.  Creating podcasts to give information and having them uploaded to the school's website allows users and viewers to go back and listen to the information at any given time.

I am starting to brainstorm ways to use podcasts in my middle school math classroom next year.  The technology is available at my school and I can already anticipate the excitement of the students.  I think Jeanne Halderson, one of two seventh-grade teachers at Longfellow Middle School that leads the students in podcasting says it perfectly when she states, "The students find that exciting. It's a lot more motivating to write something that the whole world can hear, rather than just something for a teacher to put a grade on" (Student Podcasts).  Students like to share their work and like to see the purpose of their learning beyond the classroom.  Creating podcasts gets students engaged, editing, and presenting their information in front of a big audience. I hope to be able to use podcasts in my classroom next year.

Building Relationships with Students

Fostering Relationships in the Classroom


Building and maintaining positive relationships with students is essential for a classroom to be effective for all learners.  I find that I am pretty good at finding something to connect to each of my students about.  I actually enjoy talking about their weekend activities and daily plans that we share in class.  It is the small things that go along way with them, especially in middle school.  For example, just today walking out of school one of  my students asked me if I was going to watch the NBA playoffs tonight.  I of course responded asking what time and that I would try to catch part of it.  This 30 second conversation with the student allowed for a connection and opened the door to talk to the student about other topics including his academics that he may otherwise be shut off from. 

I work hard at the beginning of the year establishing a caring and nurturing classroom for both the students and myself.  I want to know the activities the students participate in, their interests, and of course they want to know all about me.  I obviously don't disclose as much information as some of my students do, but it is the caring atmosphere that makes learning that much better. 

I recently had two of my students come to me about a serious issue involving another student who I don't have in class, but know.  These two girls told me that they came to me because they knew I would not judge and would get them the help that they needed.  That was powerful for me.  Just when you think you aren't doing enough, the students surprise you. 

All of the suggestions in the article to establish connections with students are great and I already use some of them.  I need to keep my ELL (English Language Learners) students in mind at the beginning of next year as this was new to me this year.  I had never before had a student in my math class that didn't speak any English.  I need to work to establish relationships with them as well as help them establish relationships with other students.  The language barrier is often hard to overcome, but there are plenty of ways to try to lessen the barrier. 

Avoiding Teacher Burnout

5 Tips to Avoid Teacher Burnout

This article about "teacher burnout" caught my attention as we are nearing the end of the year! It is difficult for all teachers, especially new teachers, to not spend all of their time thinking about school work and working on school work.  I feel this article provides five great tips that any teacher can use no matter how long they have been teaching. 

Andrew Miller's first tip is to "push out content in different ways".  I find this rewarding for both students and teachers.  As Miller mentions, direct instruction with notes and lectures are effective for some students, but it is also beneficial to put the learning in the students' hands so they can explore and make connections.  I find this difficult for myself because I feel like I am not in control when I prepare activities like this for students.  Although, effectively prepared everything WILL be under control.  It is hard for me to give that up and I also have fallen into a trap of giving too much direct instruction.  It was great to be reminded by this article, as well as my administration, of all of the possibilities available in the math class for hands-on exploration.  Next year won't be my first year in a new building, state, and grade level so I hope to spend a lot more time in class allowing students exploration time.  I want to embrace problem-based learning, incorporate more technology, and provide students with meaningful learning  

Miller also suggests teachers "go home".  I sort of laughed when I read this suggestion as it is easier for some teachers to leave work while others, myself included, want to wait to leave until everything is done.  I have done better leaving work behind this year and finding some time for myself.  Last year, my first full year of teaching, I felt like I spent seven days a week working on school work both at school and at home.  We need to remember while our jobs are important and we want nothing but the best for our students, we need time for ourselves to stay motivated and healthy.  We are constantly thinking and talking about school and all it entails but we need to spend time on ourselves once in awhile.

The last three suggestions Miller offers include: establishing boundaries for your time, using your personal learning network, and knowing what you are assessing. Of course most teachers have suggestions and mentor newer teachers and I believe this is great, but I think Miller's suggestions are practical for all teachers.  Hopefully this summer we all get to take some time for ourselves, while of course planning for next year.  It really never does end!

Middle Grades Teachers

Preparing for a Different Kind of Middle Grades Classroom

This article focuses on the importance of the common core standards being implemented in the next couple years aligned with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL).  The author Paul Dunford, comments about how the common core standards are being developed with UDL at the forefront.  He states, "UDL, with origins in the neurosciences, prescribes flexible approaches to learning that are adjusted to meet the individual needs of students."  Dunford also stresses the greatness of the common core standards matching the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) concepts and beliefs. 

As a middle level education minor, I spent countless semesters reading and studying the belief statements of the AMLE and how to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our middle level learners.  Their beliefs of focusing on the learner instead of the subject matter, creating structured environments for students to talk about their thinking, and project-based learning are essential to the middle level classroom.  These ideas correspond very well to the new common core standards states are getting ready to implement.  It is going to become necessary for middle school educators to truly embrace the needs of our learners by following the beliefs of the AMLE which will lead to meeting the common core standards.  We need to create learning experiences for students that will prepare them to be successful in society and this can be done by moving away from traditional teaching methods and practices.  Times are changing and so should our teaching.

Dunford, P. (2012, May 8). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edwee /transforming_learning/2012/05/preparing_for_a_different_kind_of_middle_grades_classroom.html

       

Team Teaching

Co-Teaching Article

This article at edutopia.org discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and provides tips for co-teaching.  While I have never experienced co-teaching first hand, I have another teacher in my classroom for two periods a day that helps with my special education students.  At the beginning of the year when I was told there would be someone in my room during the day, EVERYDAY,  I was a little apprehensive.  I have only been teaching for what is now my second year, but I didn't want someone in my classroom "judging" what I was doing in the classroom.  However, after only a week I never thought for one second that having Mr. B in my classroom was a burden at all, only a benefit for me.  Allowing him the opportunity to get to know all my students and assist everyone was extremely beneficial.  He not only assists the students and helps me handle behavior in the classroom, he provides me with a sense of confidence and another perspective on the topics being taught.  My first year in this school in Florida would not have been as rewarding if Mr. B wasn't there to share ideas, assist with classroom activities, and provide a friendly helpful personality every day.  He is truly more than a "parapro", he is a great teacher, friend, and colleague.        

Student's Evaluating Teachers

Should Students Evaluate Their Teachers?

This article caught my eye as the end of the year is quickly approaching and my students are evaluating me for my appraisal. The middle school where I teach in Florida is in it's first year of a new teacher appraisal system that focuses on the students and their perception of your teaching instead of the effectiveness of your teaching from your perspective and the administrators perspective.  I was very apprehensive about this process as I could spend countless hours preparing engaging lessons, but if the students did not think it was a "great" lesson it didn't matter.  This was most evident at my most recent classroom observation, by my administrator, when she was interviewing students during the observation.  At the post-observation meeting she shared the results of the questions she posed to my students and thankfully they were able to answer the questions she posed and they did so in a positive manner.  It always worried me that she was going to ask a student who thought I didn't like them or a student that did not appreciate my class.  I hoped and hoped my students were going to be honest, and not say things because they felt a certain way about me and my class.  I take all comments made by my students with a grain of salt as they are seventh graders who are trying to find their place in the world.  I just didn't want their evaluations to make my effective teaching to be diminished.  However, as I reflect if I am doing a good job my students will communicate that because they won't have anything negative to contribute. My students are constantly evaluating me or are expected to with our new system in place. 

I feel that all students in K-12 should be evaluating their teachers in a formal manner so the teacher can continue to work to meet the needs of his or her students.  My students will take a survey about my classroom and teaching that will help me prepare for next year. 

Planning a Successful Project

Six Steps for Planning a Successful Project

As the school year is coming to an end, I am already thinking about and starting to plan next year.  As I reflect on this past school year I realize that I did a pretty good job considering I started teaching in a new state with new curriculum and moved to Florida just a week before school started.  I spend much of this year "keeping my head above the water", instead of implementing all of the good practices I know and could have used.  Next year will be a new year, my third year teaching, and my second year at this middle school in Florida.  I plan to use these six steps to hopefully create an integrated unit for my students with my other core subject area colleagues. The tips described in the article are in reference to a major project that is going to take a lot of planning and collaboration.  However, I feel that I could take some of the tips and apply them to my own classroom projects, even if they are smaller scale projects.  I look forward to planning next year and will hopefully be able to integrate technology into my classroom more.   

The Importance of Education

Education: The Single Most Important Job

Reading this brief article on the importance of teaching struck me in a few different ways.  I don't necessary relate to the author of the article when he says that he wasn't one for school and didn't truly engage in learning until college, I still believe the teacher makes or breaks it for a lot of our students.  We have all had teachers who show movies all the time, lecture straight from the book, assign busy work so they can get their own work done, or even worse don't even know your name.  I had a seventh grade English teacher, also my homeroom, teacher who I am still convinced to this day didn't know my name.  How can teachers be like this and think they are effective?

Teachers do have one of the most important jobs, although our pay is not reflective of that ;), but they have to be a dedicated teacher who is using techniques and methods that have been proved effective. They have to get to know they students and make connections to show the student that their teacher cares.  One of my undergraduate professors always said, "Students aren't going to care what you know, until they know you care."  Teachers need to be role models for students and engage in methods that are effective and meet the students' needs, not just "entertain" the students.

This is a tough job that will only be mastered with time and experience.  In fact, I am not sure I am ever going to be a "master" teacher as society is ever-changing.  

Motivate Math Students

I recently read an article from the new president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Linda M. Gojak.  She emphasized the importance of creating a classroom environment where math is valued and students aren't fixated on their preconceived idea that they are not good at math so they will never be good at math.  Gojak stressed the importance of students seeing math is a postive light in the classroom and tying this attitude to parents and the community.  How often do we hear at parent conferences that the parents aren't good at math so that is why their child struggles with math?  While this may be the truth we need to make changes in the classroom to foster a positve math attitude where students can see the relevance of their math learning.  I couldn't agree with Gojak more about her seeing the need to turn math away from a "love/hate" subject.   

Gojak offers five suggestions for "not letting your students dis math".  These suggestions include:

• "Incorporate reasoning and sense making into every mathematics lesson that you teach. From kindergarten to college, students should experience mathematics as a subject that makes sense." 
• "Whether or not you are in a state that has adopted the Common Core, keep Principles and Standards for School Mathematics as your guide. The Principles, Process Standards, and exemplars for good teaching for each grade level band continue to provide the vision for world class mathematics education for every student."
• "Help your students to value mathematics by giving them opportunities to make connections among mathematical ideas and to see how mathematics is an important part of their everyday lives."
• "Share information with parents about ways that they can learn with and support their children at home." 
• "Work with your colleagues to promote a positive image of mathematics within your school, district, and community."

Making connections between mathematical ideas and student experiences allows students the opportunity to value math because they are able to see the relevance in their learning.  It takes a lot of preparation and planning on the teacher's part to make learning relevant for students, but the hard work will pay off when students are valuing math and understanding the need to learn it.  We need to create students that see the importance of mathematics, not be experts at the subject. 


References: Gojak, L. (2012, May 03). Don't let your students dis math. Retrieved on May 8, 2012 from www.nctm.org/about/content.aspx?id=33247