Closure

1) The animoto of my senior year.


2) My shape collage:

3) My last day was very sad! Some of the kids didn't realize that I would not be back next year! I am going to go at least two more days to visit before summer so it didn't seem like the very end. However, I did show them the animoto of my class that I made which was good closure. I am so thankful for my experience with the 4th graders.

Three More Mondays

This year was my first year as an intern in this program. It is crazy how far we have grown over just one year. I have always thought about being a teacher but it is always hard to decide if you have never had a real classroom experience. This class has helped my develop so much and I have really enjoyed my experience. After spending a year in class with Mrs. Macom I have realized how much I really do enjoy teaching and children in general. My experience has made me much more enthusiastic about becoming a teacher. I have gotten so close with many students and I love the appreciation they show for me. Teaching is without a doubt something I would love to do in the future. I am very thankful for Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Macom, and all the kids in my classroom that have given me such a wonderful experience. I can not wait to come back in the future.

-This is in response to Mrs. Stevens blog post.

Smart Technology

This blog is in response to Mrs. Stevens Blog

1. Ipad Apps:
Science 360
Molecules
These apps would help my students study science and molecules and learn the basic while still having fun.

2. Smartboard Activities
Rocks and Minerals 
My students learn a lot about living things and a lot about plants. I think this lesson would help my students understand more hands on.

3. These ideas are for 4th grade classrooms.

Financial Literacy Pays Off!

This blog is in response an article called "Financial Literacy Makes School Relevant."

-I don't think many teachers try to apply learning to the real world. Going through elementary school and even now I have always sat in classes wondering why it is important for us to learn the things we do during school. Things such as counting numbers, many math activities, and reading will always be useful to us in the real world however there is not much else my teachers have made relevant.
-I really enjoyed taking economic class this summer, I felt that this was one class that would really be useful to me in the future. I think that more classes on money management, etc. could also be beneficial.
-I feel comfortable managing the money that I have as a teenagers, however, I would not feel very comfortable managing money like adults do with paying bills.
-I do believe that I would feel better about my financial future if I had been taught a financial literacy curriculum sometime during high school, I feel a class like that could really benefit almost all students.

What teachers want parents to know

Being a teacher has been very difficult. It is not easy when the parents do not even agree with what the teacher is doing. As a teacher, it is their job to teach the children and let the parents know if they see any big issues. However, this is not possible if the parents will not even listen to the teacher. Teachers really need parents to start agreeing with their teaching styles and being more supportive of the advice they are giving. The idea of "parents as partners rather than prosecutors" means that they need parents to be on their side and not against them. It makes it hard for the teachers to do their job if everything they do parents complain about. I don't believe that it is right for parents to go against teachers because it just confuses the students more. I think it would benefit the students if all teachers and parents were on the same page. 

-this blog is in response to an article called What teachers really want to tell parents

My Classroom Rules

In my Education and Training Class we watched a movie called "The Ron Clark Story." He had several rules, however, he placed an importance on rule number 1. Rule number one was that "we are family."
I think that he stresses rule number 1 because acting like a family covers several rules in one. For example, if you are family you will treat each other well and take care of each other.

Some rules that I would use in my classroom are:
1. Treat others how you want to be treated
2. Raise your hand when you want to talk
3. Don't talk while others are talking
4. Be prepared for class
5. Work hard
6. Use manners

-In response to Mrs. Steven's blog and "The Ron Clark Story"

Glogster

This is my glogster on Plant Growth and Earth Day.
http://sfq75dt.edu.glogster.com/plant-growth-amber-hoffman/

The HIgh Cost of Living

 
    No matter how much money you have, college is super expensive. My family has been adding on the my college fund since I was born. I have received several savings bonds and I have also been saving my own money when I work. I have begun applying for scholarships, however, I haven't applied for FASFA yet. I plan to do that sometime this next week.

     In response to the "Obama takes tough stance on higher education." I like the ideas from the article. I agree with some of what they are saying. I think that college is way too expensive. It is so hard for college students to have very much money because every single penny goes to school. It is crazy how much that everyone has in loans and debts. I agree that there is a better way to work through this issue.

Hire Me Please

This blog is based on the article How to Make a Good First Impression and in response to Mrs Steven's blog. 

1. My strengths for an interview situation would be showing up on time, dressing appropriate, and I am pretty good about acting calm. My weaknesses would probably be thinking on the spot, I am not very good on answering questions correctly when I am being put on the spot.

2. I can overcome my weaknesses by practicing more, have people ask me situational questions and make me think on my feet. To accentuate my strengths I could focus on being more relaxed and making my self feel comfortable around people that I have never talked to before.

3. I have only went to three job interviews. For not being very experienced with interviews I was very surprised with how well they went. I think If I didn't act as shy when I was talking to the people, I would of had better luck. 

Digital Learning Day

Digital Learning Day is on Wednesday, February 1. A good digital tool I could use in the classroom would be xtimeline. This tool would be useful in my classroom because I am in the class during history. History is always based on several events that take place in a certain order. Making a timeline of events would make history more fun for the students. Xtimeline is fun because it puts the events in order and you are able to add pictures to your events. It is free to make an account and use xtimeline so it is simple and easy for anyone to use. 

When I went to class on Digital Learning Day none of my teachers went out of their way to use fun digital tools, one teacher used a powerpoint and that was it. 

Make It Happen In 2012!

It is officially the new year and I think it is a good time to set new year resolutions.
My goals for school this year are....
1. I hope to use my time more wisely. It is important to me to make sure I do my best in school and get the most important work done first. I just started working my first official job so I am learning how to manage my time more officially.
2. I want to start spending less time on my electronic devices. I am really tied to my phone and itouch. I could get a lot more accomplished if I did different things. Even if I just spend more time with my family instead.
3. I want to focus on my future more. I have finished applying for schools and officially decided on the University of North Texas. Now I want to take the next step and focus on getting scholarships done.

-this blog is in response to Mrs. Stevens blog post

The Ideal Classroom

This century technology has really started to grow. In my opionion we might as well use the technology in the classrooms when it is appropriate. Children should not be able to text in the classrooms, but they should be able play education games if it is the appropriate time. I agree with the principals and teachers at Lewisville ISD. I think that using technology in the classrooms does make students more motivated to do their work. Also, the idea of having a coffee shop environment is new to me. I believe that there should be some desk in classrooms but they should also have fun couches and pillows for things such as reading time, etc. The idea of having a more relaxed classroom will make learning more fun for the students that can handle it.

-inspired by this article