Blog Posting # 8

MY COHORT

I read many of my classmates work and was really inspired by all of them. One that I would say I learned something or gained new insight was on Charis's blog. She is talking about blog #2 and the quote that impacted her the most. She then added her own thoughts and said, " My students will be taking risks that may leave them open to ridicule as they share their thoughts and feelings with others. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to establish a bond of trust that let's my students know that it's alright for them to explore the world around them and share their discoveries without fear of being mocked."

I thought this was so important. I also noticed in her writing that what she talked about in this blog also relates back to the morning meetings blog. It is amazing the connections find and the way morning meetings are valuable and is a great way to bond with your students and to have them gain trust in you.

THE OTHER COHORT

The other blog I looked at from the other class was by Kjersti Helberg. She said,
"I also feel like it is so important for each child to have personal time with the teacher where they feel like they are the most important kid to the teacher at that moment. This might be special time when all of the kids are outside or a time during small groups where the student gets to interact with the teacher. I think in this time like in the chapter you could talk about goal setting, interview the student to see where they are at emotionally in the class, just talk to the student about something that is not usually discussed in class anything to make them feel special. I think in a classroom of 30 students it would probably be pretty easy to feel like you were just another m&m in the bowl with nothing special about you. I want to make sure I take the time to make all of my students feel like they are important to me to encourage them to continue to put forth effort in my class to do their best!"

Wow this was really valuable to me! I agree completely with her thoughts and it really made me realize how important it is and how it is my duty to make my students feel loved and cared about. Every teacher is always running around trying to get things done, but when you think about it if you don't grow a bond with your students and give them the time the need and deserve, then the work and the stress level for you as a teacher is going to be high! It is so important for students to not feel like they are just another number (child) in the classroom. Talking with students one on one my not only help your relationship with them, but it could help them personally and academically! Great insight Kjersti!

P.S. Sorry 2-3 sentences was way to difficult for me! There was just so much good and insightful words! ENJOY!!!

Blog Posting #7

Part 1: Other than the strategy you presented in class this week, which strategy can you most picture yourself actually using in your teaching?

The strategy I did was Think-Tac-Toe and I thought it was a fantastic idea. The other strategy that caught my eye and my attention was the learning menu's. I thought that was such a creative idea that match my organization and my creativity.

Part 2: Why? Explain this, and give me an idea of a concept or topic you are familiar with, and what it might look like to teach it with this strategy.

Learning Menu's is just a very creative tool that can be used in any subject area and with any topic. It is a great way for students differentiate learning and allow them to have a choice in what they do. Learning menus is a type of learning that incorporates activities that all students must do, as well as some activities that they get to choose from. It helps them focus on the purpose of the topic and have knowledge and understanding. Learning menus is not only used to differentiate based on interest or readiness but also learning profiles of the student. I love that you can incorporate it into math. An example:

• main course, each student would have to do all of these activities (unless I chose to change it and limit it down to one. If I did this I would just take out the 2 other ideas so they couldn't see it and may use them another time) :
• Write the steps you will take in deciding how to represent a group of place value blocks.
• Draw a picture that represents numbers in many different ways.
  
• Develop patterns using place value and repetition of number patterns.
  
• Side Dishes (must choose 2)
  
• Define place value, in writing.
  
• With a partner present a dramatization of a number sentence focusing on place value .
• You have the information, "is 327 made up of 3 tens, 2 hundreds and 7 ones?". Check whether given answers to the problem have the correct place value and explain why.
• Dessert (you may do one or more of these if you would like to)
• Create a place value test for your class.
• Create 10 place value word problems for your classmates to solve.
  
• Explain how the words such as ones, tens and hundreds relate to place value.
• Create place value questions such as, "For what place is the number the same?" (tens)
  

I found this idea on the internet. After class I was really interested in this strategy so I went online to look for some more ways to incorporate it. I loved how in class they used a book and language arts but I thought it was brilliant how the this lesson did it for math. I am glad I saw this menu on place value and saw how they integrated it with language arts as well. This is such a creative strategy and I think it will really draw the students attention. The set up of the pamphlet of choosing from the menu is great. I also loved the idea that instead of using points, make it about money and have them get to a certain amount. You could also have a final banquet. There is just so much to do with this strategy.

Blog Posting #6

Choosing which way to differentiate, for readiness or interest, is a really hard question to answer. I think it is important to differentiate both ways. I think both ways helps you better help your students, depending on the situation. Sometimes it is really important to put students together based on readiness because then they are with a group that are on the same level and are learning equally. Placing students that are not on the same learning level can be hard at times for those that are higher developed. However, if I was to choose one particularly, I would choose for interest. I was sitting in my classroom management thinking about this question. We were talking about when students are interested they tend to do better. Then it came to me! I would be more interested in differentiating on my students interest. I love when students have a choice and when they have a say in what they are learning and how. I think it builds closer relationships with other students in the classroom that are similar to them. I also think they would be more apt to doing their work and caring more about doing it right and it looking good. When students enjoy what they are doing they succeed!