Learning is fun to do....: October 2009

Chapter 1

Differentiation- when I initially heard of this word I was thinking that it was going to be something about math and how we can put it in the classroom. I really didn’t think much of it until I we watched the show about Oprah opening the door for girls to go to school and gain an education. It was there that I realized that this was the class that I have wanted to take in a long time. It has already helped me understand or rather have some ideas as far as dealing with different student and their personal needs. Then I was able to read about the ideas behind it and to come to the conclusion that I need to gain all the tools necessary to adequately use them in my classroom; to really become an example of uniting a class and others.

The highlights that I enjoyed reading about were first, that I am the leader to teach to my students’ needs and that this does not have to be done in only one way but multiple ways. This stumped me, however, because I don’t know how to first come up with all the many ways to teach, second how to organize what I am doing for who and lastly if it is being helpful or not. Anyway, the second highlight I liked is that the possibilities are endless of helping students grow and learn. Love this because it is the reason as to why I want to be a teacher. We all want to make a difference and to help individuals to become who they want to be. I am looking forward to learning more about the hows so that I will be as prepared as possible in accomplishing a classroom of learning.

"(The teacher) is able to take each student on his or her own merits, to convey, not a generic hope, not a one-size-fits-all confidence, but the specific version which can only come from the student's own facts and from knowing each child well." Sizer & Sizer, 1999, p 114.
This explains so well the way I have been feeling lately about teaching. It is overwhelming looking at teaching as a complete picture. Knowing that students are in your classroom and that you are responsible for their success. One false move could change the rest of their life. Well, anything said like that could look overwhelming and difficult, but the quote that I used earlier says it all. It is just taking time to get to know the kids and to see who they are individually. Although, it takes more that just knowing, it is a great head start to everything else. In line with that, the book also says that living the simplest truths is seldom easy. They then continue by saying or rather encouraging us to not worry about it. I think that when we worry we overlook the simple joy that comes from just living and learning. We forget to see the small moments of success and then we choose to see the failure and hard times that do become overwhelming. So I am choosing right now not to be this way. But to stand tall, be confident, and to move forward without worrying. And to apply the above quote. To know the children and see all opportunities as a an opportunity to grow and learn. I just need an action plan, but I am in the process of putting that together. Wish me luck.

Getting to know me

1. Talent- Play piano, organizing

Interest- Traveling, my husband, learning, remodeling, country dancing, outdoors, piano, quilting, and learning in general

Ability- I can walk with my feet turn inward. This ability is note worthy because I find that not many individuals can accomplish the task without tripping over their own feet.

2. In a school setting pleasing the teacher motivates me but the reward of success in doing a class well is what drives me. The motivation of pleasing the teacher deals with wanting them to know that I am a good student and that I work hard at the task that they give me. However, I find that that motivation can be turned off if I loose respect for the teacher, and then the motivation becomes just getting through. And that is why I have the reward of success as my drive because that is all on me to do. It involves my own passion, effort, and perseverance in order to feel pleased with the school year.

3. The program thus far has helped me feel more prepared to teach. I love the 3 week opportunities that we have had each semester and the opportunity to go to the first day of school. I learned more there than I did with being in a classroom for a semester. However, sometimes I feel that the program forgets where we are coming from as students and that we are here because we have the desire to learn and gain the experience necessary to be the best teachers that we can be. And that we are willing to do all that is required of us.

4. I feel most capable of doing college-level work. I have been doing it for the past 5 years. I feel that every class has prepared me for the next. I’m hope that any teacher would believe in my ability to do so. I desire to be challenged with becoming a teacher and obtaining whatever possible strengths I can to be the individual I should be.

5. I love my peers. To me, they are loyal, kind, understanding, and diligent. They work hard and rarely receive any recognition. I have seen most of them put in hours of work to receive criticism and disliking from others. They are who I desire to be. They will be excellent teachers, leaders, and examples and I am honored that I know them as my peers, friends and sisters. As far as my professors go, to some I relate and to some I find myself puzzled as to who they are and where they are coming from. But I have gained much respect for their efforts, enthusiasm and their views on teaching. They are approachable and willing to help me succeed.

6. My social strengths would be listening, understanding, and befriending others. I find that for the most part I am easy to get along with and that I can find a common ground with those who I come to know.

7. The physical weakness I can think of right now is that sometimes I have a hard time breathing. Oh and that I don’t always feel physically fit. That is a weakness to me because it shows that I’m not taking the time to be physically fit and that I’m not taking care of myself. This shows to me that I am not well balanced in my character.

8. Stress. Right now, everything. Work, because I’m not good enough, so I’m told. Family, because so many things are required o me to do. School, because I feel like I can’t do everything. Church, balancing who I am, and so much more. So again stress. I think it would have to be the feeling of inadequacy in accomplishing what I have to do, what I want to do and feeling that I am accepted to those who are around me.

9. The two goals I have about the kind of teacher that I would want to be are:

a. To be enthusiastic. By being enthused I will be anxious to learn more about how I can improve, I will be aware of the students and their personal situation and I will be able to a life long learner.

b. Confident. I don’t want to be embarrassed with singing in front of students, or doing activities in front of the students. I find that I become shy because I feel silly doing that in front of them. But I want them to feel comfortable doing it so that I means I also need to be comfortable doing it.

10. The qualities that I like best about myself are:

a. Listener. I love to listen to others and hear what it is that they have to say.

b. Compassionate. I love to see others and what they can offer and contribute to my life and whatever it is that I am doing.

c. Willing. To learn, act, to be and become. (if I agree with the reasoning.:))

Learning is fun to do....

Chapter 1

pp 120-162

Chapter 7

Getting to know me

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