Memories of School

Motivation to Become a Teacher

What it means to become a teacher:

What is a teacher?

Being a teacher encompasses many things.  Some people in America say that being a teacher simply means being a glorified babysitter. Others may say that teachers are lazy people who only want long summer vacations. Granted, that may be true for some people who, in my opinion, should not be in this profession. Being a teacher is a serious and rewarding job when done correctly. Teachers shape the future of our country by building up its youth.  The impact that students have from their teachers in early education can influence how they live the rest of their lives. We hope they leave school with a positive impact. 

A good teacher does more than stand in the front of the classroom and explain the difference between addition and subtraction. Teachers wipe tears, give hugs and support, we believe in our students when no one else does, we inspire them to conquer the world, we show them how to think about life in a whole new light, we listen to our students when they are excited or sad, we put band aids on scraped knees, laugh with our class, make learning fun, and we push students to do their absolute best. These memories are ones that will shape students future and stay with them for the rest of their lives. 

My hopes for my future students:

It may seem like what we teach is irrelevant to some students. The question "when will I ever use this in my future?" is one that can be the hardest to answer. Yes, you may never need to know the capitol of Wyoming; however, the experience in learning is what I want my students to take away from my class. The curriculum is important, don't get me wrong, but what if one lesson sparks an interest in one student? All students are different and each teacher has to try to touch all 20 to 30+ students at the same time. I want each student to learn something from everything we do in the classroom. Each student will take something different from the lesson, but that is part of the beauty of being a teacher. I can watch each student grow individually and become their own person over the course of a year. 

The process of learning all these little facts and procedures teach students how to better learn what they will use later on. The basic principle of learning is taught in elementary school. Knowledge is a series of building blocks; without the foundation it becomes harder to continue building. In elementary school student come to understand what it means to pick out key words and how to use critical thinking. These things are essential in higher education. 

The main thing that I want my students to take away from my class is that they are capable of doing great things, and that limits are nothing compared to what they can achieve. I want my students to see the world as something to be explored. I want them to understand that there is so much more to this world than what they have seen. I want my students to learn to make goals and I want them to have the motivation to never give up. I want to prepare them for what is to come and I want to teach them how to work hard and not just get by. I want them to know what it's like to get back up and try again after they fail. I want them to make friends and I want them to figure out what is most valuable in their lives. I want them to make memories of their school days like I have, and I want those memories to carry out in their lives. I want them to graduate and go on to do whatever makes them happy. 

Memories of My Teachers and Their Lessons

My past experience in school regarding effective teacher qualities and characteristics. 

Like most students I have had both positive and negative experiences with my teachers. Upon reflecting on why some teachers were more successful in my schooling than others it really comes down to how they related with each student. All kids learn differently, which is partially why teaching is so hard.  The best teachers find a way everyone can learn effectively at the same time.  My favorite teacher in elementary school found a way to do this and all my classmates loved her. She made teaching fun and memorable. I saw her methods from the perspective of a student in 2nd grade and also from the perspective of a teacher when I was her intern in 10th grade.

 In second grade she made us feel like we were on top of the world when we did something right. When we got in trouble we knew it, but she made sure to let us know that we always had another chance to make it right. I was very talkative in elementary school, and the first time I got put at the "trouble table for talkative students" I cried until I was red in the face. The ugly, red, snotty, tear flooded, cry of pure embarrassment and disappointment. I still remember to this day how much it meant to me when she sat down and gave me her full attention and told me it was okay. She held me and told me that she loved me the way only a teacher can. As an 8 year old, simply knowing that your teacher isn't mad at you when you mess up, and knowing that she loves you and cares about you, can change the world. 

When she would teach we would always be interacting with each other and with her. Of course, there was lecture time and times when we would sit at our desks and do work, but even then we would write on the board and explain to the rest of the class what we were doing.  We had class discussions and we made everything personal. Her classroom was a place where we could share what we thought and talk about our ideas.  That year, my life at school was full of writing and acting out skits and plays, making things, using my creativity, building social skills, experiencing foreign things inside the classroom walls and building relationships. I tried new foods, heard different languages, used music in class, made things with my hands, read books for fun and fell in love with learning. All these things were not something I expected from school. I remember her class being so fun that I looked forward to going every day. I remember my best friend crying as we walked out the door on our last day of school. Our teacher touched our lives that year. She is someone I will never forget. 

Effective Instruction

In my second grade class every Friday we would have a special lesson called "Fun Friday." Each week we would learn about something different that day. Our reading lessons would lead up to whatever the topic was. We had different topics like spiders, Dr. Seuss and Hawaii. On these Fridays we would have special snacks like green eggs and ham, oreos with pretzels stuck in them to look like spiders and Hawaiian fruits. My teacher would decorate the room and pretend like everything was real. We experienced these things in a way that seemed real. It was like the walls of her classroom disappeared and everything was really there right before our eyes. 

On Hawaiian Fun Friday we came in and everything seems just like any other day. I was a little disappointed because we were told to tell our parents that we were actually going to Hawaii that day. Once we got back from our PE class our teacher was standing by the door greeting us with leis and kisses on the each cheek. our chairs were all lined up like we were in an airplane. The assistant teacher was their to be our airline attendant and take us to our seat. Once we sat down the TV came on and we watched our "airplane" fly from the States to Hawaii. Once we landed our teacher, our "Hawaiian tour guide" told us all there was to know about Hawaii. She fed us Hawaiian food and even cracked a real coconut to show us the milk inside.  I learned a lot from days like this and I will probably always remember them.  I always looked forward to Fridays, not because it was the start of the weekend, but because I got to go to school. 

What I will achieve by becoming a teacher:

Growing up I went through many different phases of what I wanted to be. I wanted to be an architect, I wanted to be a ballerina, I wanted to be a fashion designer and then I wanted to be a teacher. I didn't stick with the teaching idea because it was what I decided around the time I started thinking about colleges. I stuck with teaching because once I fell in love with it, I knew there was no going back. Nothing else would give me the satisfaction like teaching. I couldn't be happy doing anything else and no other job would make me feel like I was giving this world what I was created to give. I feel like I am called to teach kids. I have a heart for children and I want to be a part of their childhood. I want to help them become better people because some parents simply don't care. I am sensitive to how kids feel because even the smallest things at that age can consume their thoughts and lives. I want to do what I can to help and I hope that what I do will pay off in the future. Helping kids and the relationships I will form is more than enough reward for me. 

Grading and Rubrics

As a future teacher I don't think there is one "best" way to assess learning. Students show their abilities is different ways and to test all students the same way may not be the most accurate assessment. When dealing with a classroom of 20 plus students it is difficult for one teacher to determine the knowledge and abilities of each individual. This being a current issues with standardized testing I want to attempt to mold my teaching and grading style so that I will be able to assess each student individually. This would include giving my students more freedom in projects and presentations. Some may be better at writing while others are better at speaking. Some students like to be artistic and would like to present something they learned in the form of an art project. Others may like to create a slide show or a movie. Doing projects that require students to put the knowledge they obtained better demonstrates their ability than a test. It allows students to take the time to think through what they have learned without the anxiety of a test. I would really love to be able to test my students in this way so that they can present their knowledge of a topic in their best element. Despite this, in the real world, one is not always in their comfort zone and as a teacher I need to prepare my students to be able to perform in any circumstance. Therefore, some things have to be measured by test scores and I will need to have my students do certain things that aren't "their thing" or in their comfort zone. 

 In my opinion, certain things should be tested by giving the students an assignment that challenges their use of knowledge. This way I will know that they understand the topic or idea, versus simply memorizing a definition or the steps to a process. I want them to know why they did something, or why something happened. I see this problem a lot in math. Students will follow a process of steps without knowing why they did something, or what that step did and how it got them closer to their answer. Memorizing steps may get them an A on a test; however, when they build on that knowledge without knowing the reasoning behind the simple steps, they will have trouble understanding how to do complex problems. I feel as though projects and other activities will build this kind of knowledge in my students better than studying for a test.

 As a student now, I prefer projects, writing assignments and presentations better than tests because I experience this ideology in my own education. When I prepare for a test I learn only what I think will be on the test. I often only learn the surface value of the topic and I don't go into in depth application of the knowledge. Using the knowledge in "real life" application scenarios versus simply being "quizzed" on their understanding helps move the knowledge deeper into their long term memory.

Going about creating these projects as a teacher or as a student can be a difficult task. I have come to learn that rubrics are my best friend. They help clarify what my teacher wants from me as a student, and they help grading as a teacher. While doing projects myself I often have the problem of not knowing what to include or what direction to go. Teachers that share their rubrics with students provide a concrete mold that I know I need to fit. Making students guess what they need to do to make an A is not teaching. I fully support leaving room for students to do be flexible and make projects their own, however, they should know ahead of time where the points are coming from. As a teacher, using a rubric helps grading in that it is consistent and uniform. It also helps to plan the project before sharing it with students. Sometimes it can be hard to decide what I want my students to present to me. Making a rubric helps these decisions and it also helps me to decide what is more important in the project and what isn't. Basically, rubrics serve as an additional set of instructions that helps build the assignment and guides the student.

*photo credit to cybrarian77 (flikr)*

 http://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps/thinking/docs/rubricar.htm 

 This website that explains why and how to use rubrics along with tips on creating them.

Why use Digital Storytelling in the classroom?

Digital storytelling, when used properly can be a great tool in the classroom. It enables a change of pace and a new angle on learning. Presenting information in different ways enable students to go about different though processes in learning. Teaching through stories drive education away from lecture style and towards Digital stories are a way to engage students in a fun and exciting way because it brings the the focus away from the classroom. It makes things outside the classroom available to the teacher and the students. Digital stories expand the limits and this can be exciting for kids. 

Digital storytelling can teach students through creation. It doesn't always have to be something the teacher makes or borrows. Students can make their own story and this often teaches them more compared to simply watching one. They have to do their own research and figure out how they want to present it in a creative way. It also teaches them about ways to use technology and how to share information in a unique way. 

Digital storytelling can be used for teachers to provide an intro into new topics. Short videos are a great change of pace and are likely to grab the students attention. They take the students out of the classroom mentally for a few minutes. This is great for younger students because they have a desire to discover and digital storytelling takes away the limits of the school walls. 

Digital stories could also be used to briefly and visually explain difficult topics for students. Sometimes learning in the form of a story or through video can help students grasp difficult methods. They mentally approach the issue in a different way that is often less intimidating. In my classroom I will use this approach for math concepts such as long division, multiplication or order of operations. These can be hard at first, but with a patience students will be able to master anything. 

Using Video in the Classroom

I think videos have their place in education. There are many pros and cons to to videos, so I believe it is very important to use them properly. Videos are not often interactive, therefore it is easy for students to tune out while watching. As an addition to curriculum, videos are very limited. I wouldn't want to use videos that were too long in my classroom for fear of losing the interest of students. Students may have the attitude that movies and videos are what makes for an "easy" class. However, short videos can be an exciting change of pace. Listening to lecture can become just as boring, so switching up the way the information is presented is always good. Some students may learn or remember things better through digital storytelling. Videos are great for these types of students. It's all about finding the right balance for your students. 

Videos can come in handy when a teacher has a substitute. The teacher can video her/himself teaching the lesson or explaining the topic. This way the students have a familiar face and there won't be any mix ups or misunderstanding from the sub. Videos are also handy when a teacher wants to do an experiment that is not ideal for the classroom or if the school does not have the materials. Videos can convey the main ideas and student can see what happens from their seats. I will definitely take advantage of these benefits in my classroom. 

Another way I would like to use videos is by allowing the students to create their own mini-movies. This opens up a world of possibilities for their creative side, their tech-savvy side, as well as their producer side. Video is another form of digital storytelling just like blogs or journals. Students should become familiar with all their resources. I prefer making videos over watching videos in the classroom. The only problem with this is that it requires a lot of time, equipment and help from the teacher, especially with younger age groups. 

Photo Credit to Fotokannon

http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/blogs/  --> Here is an example of video being used in the classroom. The length of the videos are perfect and the characters make it interesting for the students. There is also a quiz at the end that makes it interactive for the students. 

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/09/teachers-simple-guide-to-teaching-with.html  --> Here is a great website with resources, a youtube video and a general guide for teaching with videos. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRBlNl3KUdo  --> This is a practice lesson for 1st grade students learning addition. This shows how video can be incorporated into everyday lessons. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33IjFmUoAPs  --> This is a demonstration video about go animate. It is a teacher friendly way to create your own videos for the classroom. 

Wikipedia Experience

This is the page I edited. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beekeeping

And this is my username.

Sarahsnow16

I don’t really know how I feel about Wikipedia. I think there is a lot of good information available and from my experience they did a good job of keeping it monitored. However, how do I know that the people who are monitoring certain pages are correct? I contributed valid information to my sight that I got straight from one of my classes here at state. It got taken down quite quickly. Wikipedia could be missing out on good information because some people don’t want edits to their page. I just don’t see Wikipedia as something to fret over because there is no way to know if it’s legitimate. I personally wouldn’t want anyone messing with my work, so I can understand why someone would keep close watch on the edits. I didn’t make any edits after that. I think Wikipedia is a good idea for the most part. However, if I made a page I would lock it so only certain people could edit it. 

After my edits were taken down I looked at the talk page. It said that the beekeeping page was not a “how to” page. I didn’t agree with him. The page talked about the equipment used to beekeep and I expounded on that. It didn’t upset me that he took them down, because I personally don’t like the idea of messing with someone else’s work anyway. I wouldn't want just anyone to do that to me. I never said anything back on the talk page.

I probably won't continue to contribute to wiki pages. I don't see any point in investing my time on something I don't fully support. There is no validity to the accuracy of the information, so I prefer to put my skills elsewhere. I don't plan to use it in my classroom either. I don't want my students to think they can believe just anything they read on the internet. 

Copyright Laws in Teaching

Everyone wants to feel like their work is appreciated and rightly accredited. The feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment drives people to work hard and make things better. I believe part of the reason why copyrights were made is to retain this drive and ambition. Without it, the work of someone may not result in proper recognition to its creator. Others could use it and call it their own. In this regard, ideas are being stolen and used without proper permission. If this went on long enough, people may stop trying to create good things simply because no one appreciated their work and gave them recognition. 

Copyright is used to help ensure that whatever gets created, gets protected. Not to say that nothing can be shared, but copyright allows the sharing to be regulated. Copyright was made to prevent someone from taking a piece of work and presenting it as their own. It also prevents people from taking something and building on that work and getting recognition. However, some people may want their work to be the building block for something greater. Copyright laws allow for the creator to grant permission to others to use their work. 

"Fair Use" fits into copyright laws by allowing teachers to use 10% of certain things for educational purposes. This prevents teachers from unfairly taking advantage of things that are not theirs, while still allowing them the resources to teach.  As teachers this gives us a lot of material to enhance our lessons. At times it may feel like copyright laws only hold back more of what we could use. It also forces us to look at the grand scheme of a piece of work and take what we think will be most beneficial to the students. It also teaches our students by example, responsibility in the world. It teaches them that not everything is theirs for the taking. 

For books, blogs, articles, videos, etc. on teaching copyright, go here:
http://www.teachingcopyright.org/resources
For questions about copy right laws, go here:
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/copyright.html
All teachers should take a look at this:
http://www.edutopia.org/copyright

Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship in Schools

A teacher's job is to provide opportunities for students to learn new things. School should be a place where kids are shaped into better citizens in their own unique way. Teachers should guide them along the way and expose them to lessons that will help them discover who they are and what they want to do in life. These lessons should equip them to live life in a way that enables them to make a difference and do so safely. 

Technology is on the rise in today's society. This puts a spin on teachers job to help students grow up to be upstanding citizens. Teachers also have to consider that not only will the students become citizens of the world, but also of the digital world. This is a hard concept for students to realize at a young age because of the barrier technology creates between people. No one is directly watching them as they post something on social media. No one directly sees them click the mouse to go onto a website they shouldn't. Not to mention how easy it is to type negative and derogatory things versus saying it to someones face. 

The first step towards creating responsible students online, is making them realize that their image and reputation online is just as important as it is in person. The same goes for their safety. Places they go online can be just as dangerous as places they could go in town. As a future teacher I will create opportunities for my students to practice responsibility online. I will teach them what is appropriate information to put on their profiles and to release to certain websites. I will ask them what certain pictures make them think. I will ask them "What if you were in this picture?". It is also important for them to understand that just because something is online, doesn't make it free. At a young age, people should learn and become aware of the laws regarding piracy and theft online. It is easy to get away illegal things online, but that doesn't create a good environment online. My students will be the future generation of society and it is my job to teach them to be honest and responsible. 

Students should be exposed to technology in many different aspects. Some don't have access at home and school is the only place they learn to use it. Schools should take responsibility for teaching students how to use technology responsibility. It is becoming such a huge part of life, therefor it should be present in schools. I agree that many aspects of social media and games can hinder children's focus in learning. I think these aspects should be restricted but there are plenty of other resources to teach kids how to use social media responsibly. 

Photo Credit to Terry Heick

links to more info on digital citizenship

http://digiteacher.flatclassroomproject.org/Let's+Talk+about+Digital+Citizenship

http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html