Monday, November 23, 2009

Quotes for November 16-20

"Instruction begins when you, the teacher, learn from the learner; put yourself in his place so that you may understand . . . what he learns and the way he understands it." - - Soren Kierkegaard

"The whole art of teaching is the only art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards; and curiosity itself can be vivid and wholesome only in proportion as the mind is contented and happy." - - Anatole France

Sunday, November 22, 2009

November 16-20

Monday November 16, 2009

We all had our Middle School observations at Mauldin Middle School. We observed 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes in various subjects such as math, science, social studies, english, and even home economics. I observed a 7th grade english class. They took notes and reviewed what they had read in "Twelfth Night". I observed that there were many differences between the middle school class and the elementary school class from room decorations to student interaction.


Tuesday November 17, 2009

We started off class with Katy's blog from 2 weeks ago. We talked about our elementary school and middle school observations comparing and contrasting the schools (more colorful vs. more plain) and the classrooms (very decorative and busy vs. not as much). Even the way some of the desks were arranged was different. We then picked which high school and subject we would prefer to go to in order to observe for our high school unit. We finished class with the Ron Clark Academy students singing about the election (You Can Vote However You Like) and their trip to South Africa.


Wednesday November 18, 2009

First we confirmed our high school selections for our high school observations on Friday. Then Andrea and Quentin read their story "7th Grade Woes".



After their story, we worked to get ready for our Teacher Cadet Breakfast with the Experts in groups to come up with questions for teachers, administrators, special education teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors. After each group came up with questions for each, each group was assigned one of the categories to pick out the 10 best questions. These questions were then typed up by Mrs. Turner so we could each have a copy.


Thursday November 19, 2009

We had our Teacher Cadet Breakfast with the Experts. It was an awesome experience and a great way to practice our professional skills by interviewing teachers, administators, special education teachers, guidance counselors, and coaches. I had the experience of interviewing Mrs. Collins. She was really nice and had a lot of good insight about teaching. Since she teaches mostly college prepatory(cp) classes, it was good to hear what she had to say about its challenges. She also answered many questions about getting students involved, how to handle challenging students, teaching to each student's learning styles, and coming up with lesson plans. It was a really good learning experience.









Friday November 20, 2009

We had our high school observations. We went to multiple high schools. Some went J.L. Mann, Greenville High, etc. and some stayed at Mauldin. I stayed at Mauldin and observed Miss Mulvey's Spanish I cp class. It was a great experience to witness first hand some of the challenges teachers face. It worked out really well that I got to see exactly what I had heard Mrs. Collins talking about the day before. I also got to observe a little bit of Miss Mulvey's Spanish III honors class. The behavioral difference was astounding. It was truly an experience I will never forget.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

November 9-13



November 9


We discussed Ron Clarke and his new school out of Atlanta. We also prepared for our Mauldin Elementary by choosing what teacher we wanted to observe. Afterward, we began The Ron Clarke Story, a life-story about Ron Clarke and how he began teaching those who are underprivileged.


November 10


Today, we continued watching The Ron Clarke Story. . .


November 11


We still continued to watch The Ron Clarke Story. Today, we finished the movie and reminsced on his teaching abilities and what a good movie we watched.


November 12


On November 12, we traveled to Anderson University. Here, we were involved in a campus tour, Teacher Cadet informational session, and a life/time management class.


We met many new, cool people from different schools aroun the upstate. AND Mrs. Turner's Teacher Cadet Conference was BETTER!!



November 13

Friday was a relaxing day. We all were assigned an elementary school to go to on Monday, and today we went to an elementary school to observe a teacher and their classroom. We related their classroom activity to the psychological development stages that we learned in class.




"Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us."


- Earl Nightingale


"To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right."


- Confucius

Monday, November 09, 2009

November 2-6, 2009

MONDAY November 2, 2009
In class we discussed Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory. We read an article about the different stages of his theory and wrote a reflection. After that we read a few more articles and reflected on them as well. We finished up class by reading some of our barrier books that were intended for elementary aged children. WE ALSO GOT OUR CUTE PEN PAL LETTERS!!


TUESDAY November 3, 2009
We continued to talk about the Erikson article by taking each stage and pairing it with an experience we each personally had. This led to the sharing of many personal stories in class. Tears were shed and laughter sure did bust out. I believe it was a true bonding experience!

WEDNESDAY November 4, 2009
Took a look at the Parenting Elementary-Aged Children article and the Summary of Dr. David Elkind's Major Points in The Hurried Child article. Afterwards we reflected on them.

THURSDAY November 5, 2009
We read the other barrier books pertaining to elementary level children. Afterwards, we made our pen pal's a "snake" fold out activity to practice their spelling.


FRIDAY November 6, 2009
We vistited Mauldin Elementary School! After officially meeting our pen pals, we split into groups to read our barrier books and let them color a picture that was related to the book. It was so much fun, and the kids really enjoyed it. We just adore our pen pals!



QUOTE OF THE WEEK
A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.
-- Author Unknown

Sunday, November 01, 2009

October 26- 30 2009







MONDAY Oct 26 2009
On Monday we all turned in our childrens books! Everyone did such a good job. We spent most of the day reading our books out loud to the class.


TUESDAY Oct 27 2009
On Tuesday we went on an amazing field trip! We went to Five Oaks Academy where we learned about a place where you measure fractions by garden crops and learn to write cursive in the sand.The Montessori method of education is a model that serves the needs of children of all levels of mental and physical ability as they live and learn in a natural, mixed-age group. It allows children to discover, not only from the instructors and specially designed materials, but from playing and learning from one another as well. This builds confidence, trust and social skills that will be necessary for them to adapt in the world as they grow.

WEDNESDAY Oct 28 2009
Wow two field trips in one week! We week to the Middle School for The Montessori program. We had a blast!

THURS Oct 29 2009
We wrote in our lovely journals about our experiences in The Montessori schools. We also spent the whole time in class discussing the pros and cons of The Montessori school. We mostly had a lot of positive things to say about it. :)! Yay!

FRIDAY Oct 30 2009
This day was so much fun! We all worked together to get all of the teacher of the months stuff done! I have never seen such great team work ever! We made ghost and thanksgiving turkeys for all of the teachers. We all had a blast and everything turned out wonderful! TEAMWORK ROCKS!!! :)