This blog is based off of the article Bah, humbug! Fort Worth schools ban Santa, gifts in classroom and In Fort Worth, Santa Claus can go to school but not to class.
I believe that Christmas should be practiced in schools. Elementary school is supposed to be the time where you have parties and make school actually fun. Once you get to middle school and high school you do not have very much time for celebrating because you are switching from class to class. Children that are in middle school hardly even understand the real meaning of Christmas. December is the time for giving and I believe that students should be allowed to participate in this holiday. Kids that are in middle school are trapped in a classroom for plenty of hours and I believe that it is very beneficial if they get to take a break every once in awhile and do fun Christmas activities.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
American Teacher
This blog is in response to the movie American Teacher and Mrs Steven's blog.
The movie American Teacher was very emotional to me. My view on becoming a teacher is slightly different now. Before, I understood that teachers did not have a very high salary but I never looked at it in a personal way. This movie made me realize how difficult teaching can be and that you must really have a passion for kids to be able to make it.
The biggest frustration in the movie seemed to be the lack of pay that teachers got. None of the teachers in the movie were selfish and none of them really seemed to complain about money but that seemed like the main cause for all the other issues. Many people struggled to make enough money to support their family which can make things really hard on a family,
Teaching can be improved without just raising the pay. The districts could donate supplies for the teachers that way they would not be expected to spend money out of their pockets to buy the supplies they need to teach. Also, they could allow longer planning periods and lunches to give the teachers more time to plan and relax!
The movie American Teacher was very emotional to me. My view on becoming a teacher is slightly different now. Before, I understood that teachers did not have a very high salary but I never looked at it in a personal way. This movie made me realize how difficult teaching can be and that you must really have a passion for kids to be able to make it.
The biggest frustration in the movie seemed to be the lack of pay that teachers got. None of the teachers in the movie were selfish and none of them really seemed to complain about money but that seemed like the main cause for all the other issues. Many people struggled to make enough money to support their family which can make things really hard on a family,
Teaching can be improved without just raising the pay. The districts could donate supplies for the teachers that way they would not be expected to spend money out of their pockets to buy the supplies they need to teach. Also, they could allow longer planning periods and lunches to give the teachers more time to plan and relax!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Why Do Students Procrastinate?
In response to Mrs. Stevens blog and Overcoming Procrastination Article.
Procrastination is avoiding a task that has to be done. Personally, I have never had an issue procrastinating, I like to get my work done as soon as I can so that I don't get stressed out.
Why students procrastinate:
One of the main issues that people procrastinate is because of their difficulty concentrating. Procrastination is very similar to school students especially seniors who are ready to be out of high school. I have tons of friends who procrastinate and it just makes things more difficult. As teenagers we have trouble concentrating because we are involved in sports, dating, applying for colleges, and much more. In my opinion it is very hard to concentrate when i'm trying to get homework done.
How to overcome procrastination:
One way I will try to overcome procrastination is by setting my priorities straight and managing my time wisely. For example, I have tons of homework to do but I also have scrap booking pages to finish for volleyball. Even though there is a dead line for my scrap booking also, school work should be higher on my priority list.
Procrastination is avoiding a task that has to be done. Personally, I have never had an issue procrastinating, I like to get my work done as soon as I can so that I don't get stressed out.
Why students procrastinate:
One of the main issues that people procrastinate is because of their difficulty concentrating. Procrastination is very similar to school students especially seniors who are ready to be out of high school. I have tons of friends who procrastinate and it just makes things more difficult. As teenagers we have trouble concentrating because we are involved in sports, dating, applying for colleges, and much more. In my opinion it is very hard to concentrate when i'm trying to get homework done.
How to overcome procrastination:
One way I will try to overcome procrastination is by setting my priorities straight and managing my time wisely. For example, I have tons of homework to do but I also have scrap booking pages to finish for volleyball. Even though there is a dead line for my scrap booking also, school work should be higher on my priority list.
Monday, November 7, 2011
If I could change education...
Inspired by this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=player_embedded
Education has changed dramatically throughout the years. As technology increases, the ways of teaching also increase. In my opinion education should be based on the intelligence and work ethics of students. All students need to attend school, however, if they are not willing to do work then they would be suited better in an on level class. Usually the on level classes have more disturbance so it is important that teachers keep strict rules. Also, as a current student, education is more fun when you are able to use technology. I think it would increase the students "want" to learn if attempt to use computers and tablets in their everyday learning.
Education has changed dramatically throughout the years. As technology increases, the ways of teaching also increase. In my opinion education should be based on the intelligence and work ethics of students. All students need to attend school, however, if they are not willing to do work then they would be suited better in an on level class. Usually the on level classes have more disturbance so it is important that teachers keep strict rules. Also, as a current student, education is more fun when you are able to use technology. I think it would increase the students "want" to learn if attempt to use computers and tablets in their everyday learning.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Lesson Planning 101
4th grade TEKS
In my fourth grade class, they just finished learning about the Native American tribes in Texas.
1) In the TEKS under social studies, section 3B (page 16), it mentions a list of important people from the Texas Revolution, the Republic of Texas, and the annexation of Texas. For a lesson I could assign each student one of the significant people listed. After they do a little bit of research and understand the significance I would have them dress up and explain the significance of their person. This would make the lesson fun and entertaining for everyone.
2)In the TEKS under social studies, section 5 (page 19), we are given important ideas from the 20th century that are important and have changed history a lot. There are many people, places. and events that have effected life in Texas. I think that a timeline that shows how life was in the 19th century and how it was changed in the 20th century would be very appropriate. Along with the timelines we can ask the students to attach pictures of the different events to make it more fun.
3)In the TEKS under social studies, section 7C (page 19), it mentions the comparison of the geographic regions of Texas. This would be the perfect time for the students to make venn diagrams for each different area. This makes it easier to see the differences along with similarities all at the same time.
There are many different ideas that the fourth graders need to learn. I have only been in the class during social studies, so that is why I tried to focus on that subject. I am unsure of what they have been learning in the other languages.
In my fourth grade class, they just finished learning about the Native American tribes in Texas.
1) In the TEKS under social studies, section 3B (page 16), it mentions a list of important people from the Texas Revolution, the Republic of Texas, and the annexation of Texas. For a lesson I could assign each student one of the significant people listed. After they do a little bit of research and understand the significance I would have them dress up and explain the significance of their person. This would make the lesson fun and entertaining for everyone.
2)In the TEKS under social studies, section 5 (page 19), we are given important ideas from the 20th century that are important and have changed history a lot. There are many people, places. and events that have effected life in Texas. I think that a timeline that shows how life was in the 19th century and how it was changed in the 20th century would be very appropriate. Along with the timelines we can ask the students to attach pictures of the different events to make it more fun.
3)In the TEKS under social studies, section 7C (page 19), it mentions the comparison of the geographic regions of Texas. This would be the perfect time for the students to make venn diagrams for each different area. This makes it easier to see the differences along with similarities all at the same time.
There are many different ideas that the fourth graders need to learn. I have only been in the class during social studies, so that is why I tried to focus on that subject. I am unsure of what they have been learning in the other languages.
Friday, October 21, 2011
My Internship
I am interning at North Ridge Elementary School for Mrs. Macom's fourth grade class. While I am in Mrs. Macom's class I get to teach social studies and science. I am only in the classroom for about thirty minutes then the kids go to lunch and recess. The first day I was very nervous but excited. After I met Mrs. Macom I was more relaxed because she was very kind and the kids all seemed very happy to see me. The kids are so adorable and get so excited to see me. I can't wait untill i get to go see them again next week. I am looking forward to learning how to become a good, responsible teacher.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Responsibility
I think responsibility is a very important core value. It helps us take charge. In my opinion, being responsible makes me feel more mature and grown up. Sometimes I like to be responsible and clean around the house or do the dishes without being asked to do so. This makes me feel good because it's helping out my mom and it's showing my responsibility. In a video we watched today the old man finally took responsibility and put a road sign up so no one else would get hurt. It is important that we do the right thing so that we can help protect people, physically and emotionally.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Technology Changes
It is known to the world that technology is quickly updating. It's hard to believe how times can change things. In my opinion it is very useful to have all this new technology because they are a lot more productive. Some of the old technology could still be useful today and I think that is important that we take value in using those items. Now a days technology is used all the time. In some cases technology can be a distraction to some people and can become an issue. However, in some cases like mentioned in this article, technology has become a great use for studying and has made learning more effecient. In my opinion if teachers can incorporate technology into their lessons and the ways of learning, then students would be a lot more motivated in learning.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Reputation
I think someones reputation is very important. You're reputation is the way the people think of you. The way you act or the things you do can make you go from a good reputation to a bad reputation in a heartbeat. I have known a few people that have damaged their reputation and it is just sad because reputations are not easy to change. Once you have a reputation it usually sticks with you for the rest of your life, unless you go above and beyond and show people you have changed. It is a lot of work to change your reputation so instead of going through so much trouble, just work hard to maintain a good reputation.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
"Socially Smart"
After reading this article I have realized, teenagers and many others have become more tech savvy than ever before. Does everyone really understand how the internet works? The internet is not a safe place to have inappropriate pictures or comments because there are tons of people out there watching. Teenagers seem to think that their Facebook profile is private so they can post anything, when in reality other people can see their profile. Our generation needs to be careful and safe on the computer. Be smart about what you post and don't say anything you will regret. Just because you delete something doesn't mean it wasn't seen. These social networks can really hurt us once we get older and start looking for jobs. These people will be able to go back and look at anything, such as Facebook or Twitter. Social Networking is fun, but safety is also important.
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