Blog # 8

What is the most important thing you have learned during fieldwork observation?  Why?


The most important thing I learned in fieldwork observation is probably Active teaching.
Observing Mrs. Davis, and how the students responded to her was very motivating. I noticed her constant state of compassion and teaching. It was inspiring to notice that Teaching doesn't just come from words, it comes from the passion and emotion and love for the students.

The greatest thing I observed from that experience is teaching by example. Teachers are always teaching, whether on or off the clock. Children observe, and learn by watching and doing. I learned that helping students stay engaged, positive, and motivated is they key to their learning. You can never love student too much. Letting a students confidence grow within themselves and in their environment is something irreplaceable'. And it creates the perfect habitat for growth.

Something I hope to engage my students in as Mrs. Davis did, is teaching by example and helping them enjoy the journey they are on in their education. Having a positive atmosphere in the classroom was the biggest impression I had in field. I had an amazing class to be around and an amazing teacher. I definitely hope to be able to work with them again at some point :).

Blog # 7

What are the procedures the teacher uses to make everything run smoothly in the class?


I noticed the atmosphere in Mrs. Davis' classroom was really positive. The ways that she would motivate her students was organized and personal. On a few occasions I remember her handing assignments or papers back to students, often with a note of thanks and with appreciation. The kid I was sitting next to earned a small bag of laffy taffy's and a note that said ''great job!'' I honestly could see him beaming from his seat and a sense of value and respect came over him. Both for himself and for Mrs. Davis, and he hurried on completely motivated, to work on his new assignment before it had been asked of him. This student I observed was very proactive and felt honest about his work, I asked him what he did a good job on and he said ''I just help out a lot in the classroom, and do good on my homework and turn in my assignments on time''. I noticed she did this with many of the other students as well but each with an individual praise and encouragement where needed. It was clear the students weren't motivated by the candy but felt it was a gift from their teacher rather than a promised reward.

The procedure I felt that she used was encouragement of great behavior and a proactive attitude. No one in her class felt excluded at all, all of her students had a desire to learn and we're more motivated than I had expected. Each student volunteered to help whenever possible and it was out of respect. Mrs. Davis showed value toward each of her students and pointed out the positive in everything each would say, whether it was answering a question or sharing an experience. I feel the methods she used was a positive an uplifting attitude, her opinions and mood set the tone for the class. She focused on their needs, their feelings, their goals. by pointing out the positive, having a sense of humor, being flexible with each student, they felt motivated and respected her. They in turn listened well and was motivated for each task. She helped them feel a sense of self respect and value to see themselves in a brighter light, which had developed over the school year. The bond created was something so important even vital to both the teacher, the student, and the success they would have.

Blog # 6

What strategies does the teacher use to actively engage the students? How effective are these? 


This being one of the most important things that comes with teaching, There are many different personalities in a classroom and different ways students should be able to be engaged. Ways of being engaged varies between each child with their individual circumstance. I notice that in a classroom all different strategies are used to actively engage the students so each child is able to be equally spoken to within their learning style, and in the ways that with spark their motivation and interest best.

some of the strategies a teacher uses to actively engage his or her students are:

Actively engaging them through physical activity, again speaking to all the learning styles is most effective for all learners in the classroom.
Providing opportunity to discuss and interact with each other through discussion, games, or group assignments. Asking questions is one of the greatest way to help a child feel involved and focused, calling on students to answer helps them feel prepared and ready to answer, and maybe even sometimes excited to answer. Having students learn to research things for themselves such as through an encyclopedia or a dictionary while working on an assignment, discussing and reviewing with them after and during. Often for children and adults learning comes through games pertaining to the topic, through Songs, quotes,  role playing, creative projects, outdoor activities, hands on crafts, and movement in general is a great way for a child to use their energy productively and help them focus, feel engaged and enjoy learning.

I feel that the ways that a child is engaged in a classroom is very effective if they themselves feel enjoyment out of what they're learning. it's important that they feel involved and included and welcome. if they feel these things, I feel that the ways things are being taught to them it is effective.

Blog # 5

• What do you think is the most important role a teacher plays? Why?

• What do you think is the most challenging role a teacher plays? Why?

   Based on all that I've throughout working on our Modules, Through personal observation and thought I feel the two of these questions are closely tied together and in fact have the same answer.
  
  After reading the article in the Module a few sentences really stuck out to me emphasizing what I feel.
  
  
  1 that: ''Instruction doesn't consist primarily of lecturing to students who sit in rows at desks, dutifully listening and recording what they hear, but, rather, offers every child a rich, rewarding, and unique learning experience'' and ''Students aren't consumers of facts. They are active creators of knowledge''
  
  
  and 2 that, ''The most respected teachers have discovered how to make students passionate participants in the instructional process by providing project-based, participatory, educational adventures.'' '' They know that in order to get students to truly take responsibility for their own education, the curriculum must relate to their lives, learning activities must engage their natural curiosity, and assessments must measure real accomplishments and be an integral part of learning''
  
  
  I Think that the most important Role a teacher plays is as it says in Bold, Offering EVERY child a rich rewarding and unique learning experience, helping them become Active Creators, Discovering how to help them be passionate participants in their own Learning processes and educational experience throughout life, and relating the curriculum to their lives, engaging that natural curiosity as said and help them see and value their accomplishments and help them gain a positive perspective in their abilities.
  
  
  This is also what I feel is the most challenging thing for teachers. to do this in accordance with each students personality, learning style and interests is one thing that is already challenging it takes time effort and application sometimes it takes risks to try new methods to see if it will help the student. its learning and giving at the same time for the benefit of the students. The other side of this is a teacher is only one person with as many students are in a classroom, stretching to devote yourself to each and every student with as much as they need can prove to be stressful and may as it said in the article be overwhelming. For a teacher to teach well, i feel they need to be Mindful of themselves and their own limitations. so in conclusion, what i can see being most challenging is the balance of it all and performing in a healthy productive beneficial way. 

Blog # 4

• What clerical and preparation responsibilities have you participated in?
• How does this teacher manage assessment?

While in The Classroom I was able to help with preparations for the end of the school year. I placed important documents for the following year in Envelopes as well as coupons for summer activities for the children as well as activities in the summer relating back to school in preparation for the new school year.

Mrs. Davis' assessment of her class I feel and observed that she had come to know her students each individually and became acquainted with their personal learning styles. From that she seemed to have formed a structured outline/guideline for her class each day. In each subject was a wide variety of activities each tailored to different learning styles as to give everyone a chance to enjoy an aspect of their learning that day, (as anyone would if learning something in their own style.) The variety of styles resulted in the students stretching themselves with practice in developing their personal, a second or even third learning style, leaving eyes open toward many different ways of learning and methods that are possible. Sometimes this is obvious but most times it seemed it was something the students caught onto subconsciously, and began to incorporate and try throughout the school year as opportunities presented themselves.  It seems to be second nature to incorporate things learned into life almost without noticing it, especially for students at that age.
   The thing I admired most in this aspect in Mrs Davis' assessment of her students was that she knew them all personally, she really took the time to understand each student. And was able through to take what she had learned and with her feeling to formulate class plans and activities that would be enjoyable and most beneficial to all the students. Not only as a whole, but involving each of the individualized learning plans of each student. She definitely tailored each lesson to each student individually and had something prepared for the students that were real go-getters who had caught of quick she had more tasks prepared for them extra credit activities I guess you could say. For the ones who had a harder time concentrating she gave them either in between activities breathers or very kinesthetic oriented activities for the more active and energetic children.

Blog # 3

What modifications for learners who are exceptional do you see?


While in Mrs Davis Classroom I noticed she had been spending one on one time with a few of her students,
I also noticed that while she was teaching in front of the class, she took a moments time make eye contact with these students to see if they were understanding what she was saying. She modified her words where necessary to help these students understand a little better what she was saying. whether that be explaining it in a different manner or using different words, or finding objects to help her explain her words or the task at hand.

I noticed that the time she spent with each of these students was set to a learning at their pace, and full of encouragement if they needed it. She helped point out their strengths and help them see their styles of learning, once discovered she would help enforce that into their learning to help them better understand.  I also noticed from the students perspective that they enjoyed finding new ways to learn that spoke best to them, and helped them be excited about their work because it reached to their understanding and helped stretch them in a way they could understand.

Something I admired while observing in that classroom was the undivided attention she chose to give any student who either requested or had a need of her time. I enjoyed the different perspectives she seemed to give the students, speaking more towards their individual learning style. Also how she helped them to discover and begin to develop their own learning styles if they hadn't yet. Not necessarily pointing it out to them but to help them see it themselves and by letting that develop within themselves first so that they could come to that conclusion personally.

Blog #2

• Tell about an opportunity you had to work one on one with a student.

Because there have only been 5 hours of field work required for this semester, I feel I should still try to expound on each of these moments rather than only picking the one I have.
In my last entry I had the opportunity to work with a small group on my first day in class.  That experience was an eye opener and a motivator for me to continue on this course i've chosen.

An opportunity of when I was able to work one on one with a student. I was able to work one on one with one of the more quiet students in the classroom. He was working on a self made crossword puzzle project. Mrs Davis gave me a little insight before sitting down with him, what I might be able to help him with, his spelling and the structure of the assignment. As I sat down with Brandon he seemed shy and insisted on sitting at a different desk so he wouldn't have to sit next to another student he didn't get along well with.

     As I looked over what he had come up with so far for the assignment I noticed that there wasn't much effort put into his project so far. After talking with him for a minute to try to get to know him a little before we worked together, I could see he wasn't very motivated to continue. I felt through his attitude that there were some outer influences that could explain a little of the lack I noticed. He didn't seem to value his own opinions very much and sadly this may have had an effect on his self esteem and his work. I proceeded to ask what kind of things he liked to do, and what he was interested in, he told me he was very interested in Bats. After showing some excitement about his answer, I asked a few questions about what it was about bats that he liked, he immediately showed a spark of excitement to tell me things I never would have guessed about bats! His excitement grew as spoke, I noticed how important it is for a child to be interested in what they are doing, for him he loved knowing specific interesting facts about things, and as I got to know him more, this interest for facts wasn't only in the genre of bats.

Through working with Brandon, I noticed how important it is to reflect a child's worth back toward them, to have them realize in their own eyes, and on their own, their value. For them to notice their strengths and how important the things that make them, THEM are, and what a value that holds. I felt while being there that once a child can see a brighter view of themselves the view of their unlimited potential can begin to be developed in their own sight.

He continued to work on that assignment using his knowledge about bats, and had the opportunity to seek more as he went. Because he was motivated I observed that his understanding of the assignment was better. His learning style I wonder if it was through auditory and visual learning by hearing the things he knew through educational programs, or if it was through seeking it out for himself in books by reading about it. He seemed to be keen on looking up information and reading about it, to use for that assignment. I assume Brandon is a read/write learner.

Some other responsibilities that Mrs. Davis had were to make sure the children had the materials they needed for all their tasks they had as a student. Also she was sure to provide materials that gave them opportunities to continue learning, as it was the end of the school year there were a lot of pamphlets that provided learning opportunities during the summer this year. I'm also aware that Teachers are likely to have many meetings and probably seminars of sorts that provide information of better ways to educate students and to be there for them one on one as well.

Being able to be with this 5th grade class has definitely been an eye opener for the good, and a confirmation that this is definitely something I want to work on. Being able to help children develop and learn while using the assets they already hold within themselves is something I would love to do with my life.

The differences of how I remember school being and how i've observed it becoming as it has now, are very different, they are more efficient, children are now able to learn in the ways that are best for them personally, rather than one set standard of learning. As taught in our class the difference from the 1950's and now is entirely changed, because of people who saw a need for a difference in education. Adapting to the needs of each student individually. It had to go through many different phases before reaching what it is now, hopefully better prepared teachers will be ready to make changes for the better as opportunities come.