Blog #10

OK, this is easy enough. One of the best things is I have had alot of fun teaching and working with the kids. They are a handful, but its great to see most of them really grasp things and learn. I really liked teaching the math unit (well most of it anyway) and my first literacy lesson was great too. The worst thing is that there are a couple of kids that just wont stay on task for almost nothing. Somehow they have decided that they can't do anything, so they just don't. I know the teacher has tried but she is really frustrated too. I think some differentiation might make a difference, but since this is the way it has been most of their elementary career, they just won't try anymore. I hope I can figure out some things before student teaching!

Blog #9

For this blog, I'm asking you to have a "What if?" experience. Think of one of the strategies you've learned about, and a realistic application in, let's say, math, in your specific field experience classroom. (If not math, you choose the subject area... but something you really might be teaching during field!). This does not have to be lengthy... just state the content you're talking about and the strategy you can envision using.

I hope this doesn't have to be something I would be thinking about because I have spent many hours actually doing just that. I have planned, written and taught (atleast 3 of the 5 lessons so far) a math unit on integers. The lesson I will be teaching tomorrow will be both differentiated for level and interest. I am having the students divided into cooperative groups where they will work together on real life situations involving positive and negative integers. The groups have been carefully chosen to reflect their individual readiness level, as well as interest in what the real life situations are, such as football yardage, bank accounts and shopping, as well as other areas. I am hoping this will inspire the students to really do their best and be able to successfully present their real life situations to the rest of the class.

Blog #8

Which of one of the "differentiate-able" strategies shared in class this past week will you be most likely to try out, not including the one you presented? What about this strategy appeals to you? What do you understand about differentiating it rather than applying it in a general way?

I really liked the stategies of "Think Dots" becasue it really appealed to me as a fun, creative way to help students learn. I think the stategy really allows students to choose activities based on interest and learning profile. This also would allow me as a teacher to place specific activties according to readiness and this could also include tiering. I really feel like the more we can help our students by allowing them to have choices in the types of learning activities, the more we are really helping them to learn and grow. When we can provide these choices based on both student readiness and interest, the most learning will take place.