FIRST POST: January 30th: Introduce yourself (Name, grade level/subject, interests, background information on yourself, etc.) and explain your reaction to the first several days of student teaching.
1. February 3rd: The Secret of Planning pp. 1-20
What
were your thoughts regarding planning as you read this section? How will the secrets you have read about
planning influence your own instructional planning?
2. February 17th: The Secret of Classroom Management pp. 21-40
How
effectively do you feel you discuss and implement the rules of the classroom
with your students? After reading and
reflecting on the secrets of this chapter, what changes do you foresee making
when you have a classroom of your own?
3. March 3rd: The Secret of Instruction pp. 41-59
The
authors provide a list of eight tips to let you know your lessons are
appropriately paced. Look at the list
and reflect on your teaching for the past few days. How many of these tips do you think apply to
your classroom? Describe which ones
could be observed and give examples.
4. March 17th: The Secret of Effective Discipline pp. 95-109
The
authors provide five statements that are attributed to being a better, more
effective teacher. Reflect on these
statements and explain how they apply to your daily interaction with your
students.
5. March 31st: The Secret of Attitude pp. 61-78
One
point that the authors make is that negative teachers rarely see that quality
in themselves. If you were to ask your
principal or colleagues about your attitude what do you think they would
say? No matter how positive our
attitude, we can always reflect on how we might improve. Utilizing the secrets shared in this chapter,
what improvements might you consider making in the future?
6. April 14th: The Secret of Professionalism pp. 79-94
Reflect
on yourself and your current experience thus far. How do you feel about the professionalism you
have demonstrated thus far? Reflect on
at least two important points shared in this chapter that may help you in
improving or maintaining your professionalism as an educator.
7. April 28th: The Secret of Motivation and Inspiration pp. 111-129
Effective
teachers do not bring their personal problems into their classrooms. They just act as if everything is OK – even
when it might not be. If you were
counseling beginning teachers, what suggestions from the chapter do you feel
are the most relevant in guiding these teachers? What are the reasons for your thinking?
Denise Weigert-Introduction January 29th, 2013
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is Denise and I'm currently working toward Middle Level Social Studies teaching certification as well as a Masters in Special Education. I've found this student teaching experience to be a bit overwhelming and exciting!
My cooperating teacher has been great so far. I relate well to his teaching philosophy that every student is capable of receiving an A. He gives students projects to complete and counts them as test scores. While I do believe there is a place for formal testing, I also understand that knowledge can be expressed in many ways. Traditional pencil and paper tests don't always give the whole picture!
In my spare time, I enjoy swimming and reading. I recently got my hunting license and have hunted 3-4 times for deer and small game.
I have two daughters, Rebeckah-a freshman at Edinboro, and Rumer-a sophomore. Rumer is involved in Track and Cross Country. We live in Corry.
Hello Denise! I described my first day of student teaching with the same two words: exciting and overwhelming! Therefore, I relate to how you are feeling. It sounds like you have an awesome cooperating teacher. I completely agree on the importance of using multiple modes for assessment. It's so refreshing when your cooperating teacher follows the methods we have been learning in class.
DeleteDenise Weigert-February 3rd Blog- The Secret of Planning
ReplyDeleteThe seven secrets to planning in Chapter 1 are invaluable advice to me as a student teacher. Lesson plans will be structured such that I will clearly define the objectives and actively engage the students in activities that are centered around them. I have struggled with planning a lesson around a great activity and tailoring the objective instead.
I've worked hard to get rid of the perfectionism within me and view lesson plans as fluid documents that are subject to change.
Planning out the lesson in 5 minute increments of time will allow me to judge whether the students have grasped the main concepts or not.
An activity can be cut and, in it's place, another 5 minute block can be dedicated to reteaching.
Setting the students up for success ensures success for all students!
Denise,
ReplyDeleteThe philosophy you and your cooperating teacher share is great! I love how he does projects for the students, as I have found that it takes a lot to get most middle and high school students truly motivated. Students are usually more interested in a group project over a written test.