Big Hair = Big Fun... Welcome to the 80's!

Today was "Decade's Day" at IUSB. We were given the opportunity to choose a decade with a group in our class.  Of course, my group chose the best decade ever, the 1980's! We researched the the 80's from fashion to music.  We had to present the information using a PowerPoint or poster board.  We went the PowerPoint route because, as teachers, I believe the integration of technology is crucial.  In our presentation we presented information using words and pictures.  I even created the PowerPoint with each title page using 80's slang (ex. "Funky Fresh Gear" for the slide on fashion). 

We also had popular music playing and brought in food that was popular in the 80's.  Our table was filled with CapriSun's and Runts.  The best part was dressing up.  Our clothes were bright and our hair was big!  After teasing and hairspraying my hair over and over again (destroying the ozone layer, I am sure), we did a small performance of Thriller for everyone!

After all was said and done, students walking through the building were allowed to vote for the best decade.  Regardless of who won, I had a great time with this activity and know I will be doing something similar to this in my future classroom.  I learned a lot about my own decade and I was able to learn a lot from my peers by looking at their presentations as well.  In the end, the 1960's won.  We tied second place with the 1950's. 

Be a Bucket Filler, Not a Bucket Breaker!

 

Today in class we had to come up with classroom rules.  The classroom that I am in now for field work has no rules in the classroom.  I even asked the teacher and she said that the students simply follow the lifelong guidelines (which are posted) and know what they are expected of.  I am placed in a 5th grade classroom, so I understand that students should be aware of classroom rules and expectations. 

When coming up with our list in class, we tried to develop a method that would be aimed toward younger grades, which would need to visually see the rules.  Several of us had seen buckets in classrooms where teachers add something to the bucket when students follow rules.  Once the bucket is filled, students receive an award of some kind.  I do not know how I feel about this, since it is extrinsic motivation (something I do not speak highly of), but students seem to enjoy it.

So, we took the bucket route.  We decided to label our poster "Be a Bucket Filler, Not a Bucket Breaker".  Students who do not follow rules are "breaking" the bucket.  We came up with some rules that can be deemed "generic".  Each rule would need to be discussed thoroughly with students.  The rules we came up with were:

• Be Kind
• Be Accountable
• Be Trustworthy
• Be Safe
• Be Respectful

Many procedures can go under these rules as well.  For example, if a student shouts out an answer without raising their hand, they are not being respectful.  These things can be explained at the beginning of the school year.

Ahhh, the Joy of Lesson Plans!

Today I taught my second lesson.  It went better than my first one, but I feel that they were both successful.  For my first lesson, I taught a group of students long division using the "Does Mcdonalds Sell Cheeseburger Recipes?" method.  The students seemed to enjoy it and after their assessment, I feel they were understanding how to divide with single and double digit divisors.  However, there was one student who decided to act up, which was very unlike him.  I kept redirecting him and pushing him to try.  He was refusing to do his work, but after they put their offices up, he got back on track.

My pre-assessment activity.

Mrs. Black had me grade the students F.I. tests today, which was over single and double digit divisors.  I paid particularly close attention to the students work whom I worked with during my first lesson. I was so proud to see that some of the students I worked with mastered the concept. "THEY GET IT!! I TAUGHT SOMEONE!" I thought to myself. Then I got to another students' who I worked with... He was one of the students who, while teaching the lesson, I was confident had mastered it based upon my observations and assessments.  Unfortunately, he failed his F.I. test.  I began to feel what it is like to be a teacher and to feel as if you failed your students. I did not know what to do.  All of the other students understood the subject except for this one student.  My mentor teacher had already moved on subjects after today and he was now going to be behind. It honestly hurt my heart.  

My lesson today was a review of renewable and non-renewable resources.  The students did a great job during their assessment activity during the lesson.  I could tell immediately they knew what they were doing.  The activity went very well and the students loved that they were able to sit on the floor and get out of their seats.  For their assessment during the activity, they were broken up into groups and had a handful of pictures, both renewable and non-renewable resources.  They needed to place the picture on the correct side of the t-chart that I created with tape on the carpet.

We discussed where we placed the images and why we thought they belonged there. As a final assessment, students were asked to write 1 renewable and 1 non-renewable rosource and what it life would be like without it.  They had to state what would be affected and how we could conserve those resources.  Overall, the students cooperated very well in this activity.  They have began to respect me more and I feel a part of the classroom.  With only 3 visits left, I am going to be sad to go.

Decoding our History

Today our class made a trip to the Center for History to help gain insight on Indiana's history as well as the Midwest.  I have always loved going to museums and researching our past. I really enjoyed the fact that the museum had locally discovered artifacts that provided information about our past as a place/region.

Upon searching around the museum, I began to see the 5 themes of geography represented.  We discussed the Native Americans in our region, how transportation has changed (movement), and how farming has been a key source of income for the Midwest for centuries (region, human environment-interaction).

I felt that the museum did not supply me with enough information about slavery and African Americans in the Midwest.  I have always been interested in the topic, but felt like it was left out at the museum.  I am aware that slavery was not prominant in the north, but I would like to know how immigrants were treated. I also would have liked to know more about children's roles in Indiana's history. What age did the typically stop attending schools? I saw one picture of children working in a mill in Indiana. Was child labor something that was seen often in the midwest?

One exhibit that I found highly interesting was the Civil War exhibit. I have always found the Civil War fascinating and enjoyed looking at artifacts such as the weapons, drums, and clothing. I feel that visiting museums is a great way for students (and adults) to better understand history.  Being able to see actual items helps students relate to history more. It makes it real to those in the present. In the future, I hope to bring in artifacts for my students and visit historical locations to help aid their learning.

**All images taken at Center for History, South Bend, Indiana.

Will You Trade Me?

Chris, Myself, and Kristi with what we ended up with after our trade.

Today was our "Trade Fair". Our assignment for our Trade Fair was to create a "ware" for the class. I decided that I wanted to paint something. I enjoy painting and had the supplies to do so. I painted an abstract picture I titled "The Blocks" portraying the stress and fun of blocks 1,2, and 3. I was very confident of my ware, that is until I got to class. I began to feel as if my trade item was inferior. I looked around the room. I saw homemade jewelry, pillow, cupcakes, clipboard... all amazing.

Then it came time to trade. I immediately felt shy and nervous, something I rarely am. I saw things I wanted, but would they trade me? I was feeling exactly the way I was supposed to feel. The French and the Indians they traded fur, jewelry, gold, weapons, and tools. I began to understand how they must of felt. Others in class had more than one ware, so they were able to get more. Similar to the French, they had more valuable items, such as gold. They wanted fur, because fur meant you were wealthy. This is a great way to learn about trade in the past and how it still takes place today. I feel this is a great history lesson as well as economics and math. Other things that could be taught would be manners and respect and other social skills. I hope to implement this, as well as other hand-on activities, in my future classroom.

Banned Books

Today in class we discussed banned books in schools. We discussed the different reasons why books may be banned such as sexual content, language, religion, magic, drug use, etc. I was very surprised by some of the books that are banned by schools or classrooms. Many books are "challenged", but never banned. Dr. Dan, our professor for our Language Arts class (E371), brought in a few examples of banned books. He showed us a few books banned because they contained magic.

The next book he showed us confused me slightly. Its title Heather Has Two Mommies, sounds self explanatory. I felt that, as teachers, we need to offer diverse books into the classroom, but how can we do that when all the books are banned.  Dr. Dan continued to explain how banned books can still be checked out of libraries, but are only available in the restricted section. This made me think, if books on gay/lesbian parents are considered "banned", then what are these children going to think? Books based upon homosexuality are deemed "bad", therefore to be homosexual must be wrong... This is where I found the problem. However, Dr. Dan offered me the chance to borrow Heather Has Two Mommies to take home and read. I wanted to decipher what caused this book to be on the banned list. After reading a few pages, I found out why...

Click image to view text.

The book began like a normal children's book, until you got to page 7. It began talking about how invetro-fertilization works (lets just say it get's pretty graphic with moth text and images).  I now see why the text is banned. I decided to check out the ALA (American Library Association) websites to look at the banned/challenged books list.  I was very shocked by some of the books and not by others. Such classics as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men... all classics!

As a future teacher, I hope to keep my classroom very diverse when it comes to books available.  I will always be sure to read my books before putting them in the library or assigning any book to my students. I feel that, if parents have a problem with a book, it is important that teachers defend the book and themselves, letting them know the importance of it.  As Dr. Dan said, just because one parent says the book should not be read, does not mean another parent feels the same way.

View the 100 most banned/challenged books:

ALA Banned Books

Operation "Field Experience".... COMMENCE!

Today began my first of ten visits in the field. We found out our placements on Tuesday. When you first are assigned a cooperating teacher, it is very stressful. You know nothing of this teacher, what grade they teach, what the school/class is like, and more. these questions begin to run through your mind. Will the teacher like me? Will the students like me? Am I going to enjoy it? All My questions were about to be answered.

I arrived at the school at in the morning. When I arrived, I had no idea what grade I had, since The teacher was not on the schools website. I later find out 5th grade...my FAVORITE grade! As I walked down the hall to the classroom, I became even more nervous. I met the teacher and instantly decided I liked her. Besides the fact that she was a fellow red-head, I could tell she was a good teacher.

I spent my first day observing students and trying to get to know them. There are 26 students in the 5th grade classroom. I learned a lot about classroom management on the first day. The teacher is a very organized individual and has developed a great routine with her class. She shared a few textbooks with me that she found very beneficial. I suggest checking out Lee Canter, I know I will.

I look forward to my future at the school and working with the teacher and along with her 5th


Also, here is more information on classroom management from Lee Canter:
  Lee Canter-Assertive Discipline