Please view this video. Think about how it is applicable to you and your students.
Here are some questions to consider...
1. Is history repeating itself in your classroom right now?
2. Are you awesome?
3. What are you teaching the world? What are your students teaching the world?
4. Is there a student who inspires you? Tell us more.
Directions:
1. View the video.
2. Post a comment. Answer the questions above.
3. Wait for others to post their comments.
4. Respond to your classmates thinking.
~ Nicolette
I do not believe history is repeating itself in my classroom. Since we have switched to common core standards and started following the set curriculum for our district I think it would be tough to repeat myself we are assigned certain criteria based on the unit we are teaching but we have freedom to implement it the way we want. I am an awesome teacher but still have so much more to learn. I do my best to make learning fun during each lesson and assignment. My students hadn't seen me in almost 2 months and I went to surprise them for their class pictures last Friday. They all wanted to know when I would be back and one of them asked if I could do a read aloud while I was there. I am teaching students to think for themselves. I use a lot of love and logic for trouble in the classroom. I use Kagan to get them talking and interacting. Using Kagan in the classroom is a lot of work at beginning of year training them but it is so valuable in helping them talk and have conversations about their work. I think many teachers give to many answers away. It is really tough but when we do a presentation of learning our PBLs at STEM school we have to give them a guiding question and then students problem solve. My students are teaching the world through their PBLs by sharing their knowledge and presenting on the subject we are working on. We just finished a PBL on Erosion and the students created a Prezi and this Prezi showed their knowledge on what they could use on a river bank to prevent erosion. Some students used long term items like logs and large boulders and others used smaller items like rocks and mulch. We gave the kids a budget and made them brainstorm what items helped and how they helped. They worked on a team which also taught them valuable learning together in a group and how to get along. The hard part was defending it to the adults and why they chose what they chose to prevent erosion. I have a student who inspires me to be a better teacher. I have been so surprised being at a STEM school how much this student knows. I have a student that can explain things very well even before I teach them. We create KWLs on learning and I always ask what the students know about a subject before I teach it. Sometimes we watch a short video clip and then I ask the what do you know information. This students hand is always in the air and they always answer in a very adult like format and it shows how much their parents must talk to them about current events and information. This student is very smart and helps others with their thinking, too. I get excited in the classroom having this student give answers. I enjoy using interactive discussions during science because the students share their thinking and thoughts with others. This allows for them learn from each other and in turn they retain the information better. This student helps keep the conversations going when others are quiet.
ReplyDeleteCute video! :) Made me smile
ReplyDelete1. Is history repeating in my classroom: Hmmm....yes- in the fact that I am teaching the way I was taught--with paper, pen and books. Technology is changing and I must adapt and teach my kids!
2. Yes, I am awesome!
3. I am teaching the world to be happy and not give up! My students are teaching the world....hmmm...I will have to go to school tomorrow and think about that one..
4.There is a group of 5th graders who inspire me--they are 4 strong--but they are really making great 'waves' at our school. They started a school newspaper and publish it monthly. We used to have a talent show and it was SO much fun. Our teacher who used to run it is no longer at our school--but they are starting it up again this year, on their own. They inspire me b/c they take INITIATIVE and DO. They are driven.
I like that you made a Newspaper with your kids. We have work on writing during literacy time and that would be fun for a group of my students to work on during work on writing. I love students that inspire you to be a better teacher and they give you the motivation on days that are tough. How exciting to have these type of kids in your class. I have a few in my class that are driven and it motivates me.
DeleteI like the idea of a monthly newspaper. I have been trying to come up with fun exciting ways to keep my kids inspired during literacy centers and this would be a great activity for work on writing. I also like that these students have initiative and inspire you. I think it is exciting when kids motivate me to do more and come up with new fun ways to teach. I always get creative fun ideas and as long as my students stay well behaved I keep finding those type of lesson. I tell them we will do boring work if we can't follow the rules. I am glad this group of 5th graders are so driven some 5th graders lose focus. We are at a K-8 so I am curious if that will be the case after TCAP or not. We might have more struggles in 8th grade since it is the final grade in our building.
DeleteEvery day is a new day with Preschoolers!! It is our job to teach these little people they are AWESOME. They are great thinkers, feeler, doers. When they leave my room at the end of the year they should all believe in themselves.
ReplyDeleteI am teaching the world that they are wonderful, awesome and can do anything thing they put their minds to.
I am awesome. I did not realize how important of a job I am doing. It is a big deal for the students to feel independence for the first time(for many of them) . Leave the my room with the basics, rhyming, moving to a beat, letter recognition and some sounds, listening, being a respectful, kind member of our classroom community. There are studies that children who leave with a better understanding of these areas do better later in life with Math, reading etc.
I have several students who inspire me. I am trying to find the key that makes they turn daily in the classroom and outside of it.
It's Jeremie.
DeleteLet me just say as a high school teacher, you elementary and pre-school teachers are amazing. From teaching every subject to scheduling parent/teacher conferences that last two days and all without having even ONE PERIOD OFF?! My hat is off to you folks!! I know that was an off-topic tangent, but it's the truth.
Hi guys! Jeremie from another work computer. Don't you guys just love TCAP week?!!
ReplyDeleteAnywho, Is history repeating itself in my classroom?
I believe for some of my class it kind of has to, but for other parts it definitely is not. The part that is repeating itself is basketball, softball, and flag football are still played the same way and for the most part always will, so that part of history, I believe, has to repeat itself. The way history is not repeating itself is how I choose the teams and the roles that some of the students play for their teams. I personally choose who plays on what teams. No having captains and the captains pick teams until inevitably one student is left standing alone to be picked last. ( I cannot tell you how many people asked me never to do that when they found out that I was matriculating to become a PE teacher. Don't want to repeat that history!) I use a Sport Education model for my classes. The handpicked teams do have CAPTAINS, but those captains are selected by their own teammates. Teams also have EQUIPMENT MANAGERS who are responsible for setting up and putting away any and all of the equipement needed to play our competitive sports for that period. Teams also have RECORDERS, and they are responsible for telling me the scores of the games they played that period. I was never exposed to this during my schooling years, so I am figuring history is probably NOT repeating itself in that regard. In my classes, I want to repeat what works and not repeat aspects that hurt, injure, or fail!
Am I awesome? I am very awesome!! Is my teaching awesome? Hmmmmmm...after 12 years of teaching I have never felt like I have it down to a science. Teaching is still very much an art to me. My school/administration/district helps to keep it an art for me. Whether it's a different schedule about every two years, block classes or 50 min. classes, adding a class this year or subtracting one this year, having my classes required for graduation or not having them almost not matter at all, changing how to teach this class one year or changing it again the next. With all the change I never feel able to get into a "groove" and really tweak from year-to-year to make the best improvements possible. When everything changes, then I find myself learning how to best meet the needs of my students on the "go", rather than already having a foundation laid. Has my classroom management and intuition improved, of course, but it better after 12 years! Honestly, I doubt I will ever feel my teaching is awesome, because there are so many variables with teaching that it would be pretty incredible to account for all of them, and if I ever do account for all of them, then I will retire the very next day!
I hope I am teaching the world to treat others like they would want to be treated. I HAVE A LOT OF TEACHING TO DO!! (especially with my freshmen this year!) I hope my students will teach others(the world) to do the same!
There is a student who inspires me and his name is Max Carbajal. Max has had many challenges in his personal life that would easily be an excuse for poor performance in his academic life. One example of those challenges would be the passing of his brother this past summer. Max played football this past fall and also wrestled this past winter taking 3rd place at the state meet a couple of weeks ago! He also recently received a scholarship to play football and continue his education at Hastings College in Nebraska. We have many students overcoming many obstacles and all of those students inspire me!
Apologies for my long-windedness!
My husband walked in while I was viewing this video. His comment…"I love the kid". This video has been around and used from the education field to the business world and applies to all. Made us both smile and was a good reminder on this rainy summer day.
ReplyDelete1. Is history repeating itself in my classroom? Yes and no. There are some really good things I've done in the past 17 years as a teacher that work and that I still use. Paper, pencil, cutting, gluing, drawing…there is value in those skills too. No, my classroom looks different in that I'm including a lot more technology to teach and facilitate learning than I used to and that is good. But, above all, I feel balance is the key. When we sway to much in one direction we lose things that are equally valuable. This happens in education all the time…a new idea comes up, everyone goes overboard by jumping on the bandwagon, and then we discover that we neglected something else that was developmentally valuable so we swing back. For me, my goal as a teacher and parent is to keep it all balanced.
2. I can be awesome. After 2 cups of coffee :)
3. What am I teaching the world? I hope I'm teaching my student and children to question. I feel much more like a facilitator than a dispenser of knowledge. I want kids to see the positives in technology and the changes in our world, but also be aware of the dangers/pitfalls that some of these new methods and tools can bring. I think we have to be very careful and cautious when teaching our children about technology and it's goal.
4. Students who inspires me? Many! Those that inspire me are the ones that recognize what they have, value it, and use those resources to work hard. Students that inspire me are those that don't have as much as others, but work hard to overcome and see that they can have more. People that don't inspire me (students or not) are those that feel entitled and don't put forth the effort. To me, effort and hard work trump a grade.
1. Yes, history is repeating itself in my classroom right now. We are working on reading and writing, but not using techology to its fullest. I am looking forward to learning so much today!
ReplyDelete2. Yes, I am awesome. I spend alot of time working towards excellence in my teaching.
3. What am I teaching the world? I am teaching the world to serve and to treat others how you want to be treated. I am teaching the world to appreciate music and be able to express it through our fingers (piano).
4. What are my students teaching the world? They are teaching the world excellence in practice and performing (piano and singing...as well as other instruments).
5. My son inspires me every day. He has an incredible sense of humor and wonderful questions. We are working on coping with disappointments and failure without getting upset.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond! Blessings on all!
I think one of the best things we can teach our students is to be kind to others and treat them the way they want to be treated!
Delete*Is history repeating itself in my classroom? Certain parts of teaching, learning and the classroom are repeating itself in several ways. We all need to continue reading on a regular basis, we need to know how to write, we need to treat others with respect, be responsible and do our job as a teacher or a student. These will always be the norms of classrooms.
ReplyDelete*Am I awesome? But of course - I'm a teacher!!
*What am I teaching the world? I am teaching the world that teachers are not glorified babysitters. I am teaching kids to be honest, hard working, respectful, responsible, kind. Oh yeah, the academics, too.
*What are kids teaching the world? Kids are teaching the world that they are awesome. They are also teaching us they crave learning, they MUST have boundaries, they need teachers and other responsible adults in their lives. Finally, they teach adults a lot about life, having fun and about technology!
*What student inspires me? All of my students inspire me - that is why I teach!
I like how you pointed out that teachers are not glorified babysitters. So true. We are so much more than that! Thank you for inspiring me with your post:)
DeleteHistory is repeating itself in my classroom, because I choose to show up everyday in order to make a difference in the lives of my students. I continue to teach literature and writing, but I focus on teaching them to be real humans and to think for themselves. We have great discussions about life--how to do it and how not to do it. We look at novels in order to listen to and ponder what great authors want us to learn. So yes, humans will always be humans, so I do continue to focus on what it means to live as a human in times that change and times that really don't.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what awesome really means, but I try to be compassionate, understanding, and loving to my students. The teenage years can be rough, and I continue to remind myself that I do not know what each student is dealing with at home or in peer groups. I just want them to be safe, happy, content, engaged, and learning in my classroom. My students told me that I saved their lives last December with our school shooting--not sure I believe that, but I suppose it would qualify as awesome.
I think I am teaching the world that each individual has something to contribute, each individual has to overcome his or her obstacles, and each individual can truly make a difference in the world and in the daily lives of others. I want my students to know that they must be brave and can't ever give up.
All of my students inspire me. They show me how wonderful they are through their enlightening literary discussions and writing assignments. Everyday, I see students thinking about the world and how to make it better. I love and hate that they know so much more than me in terms of technology! I see them all as having potential and hope they never lose faith in their abilities. I know people talk about how bullying is rampant, but I see my students as more compassionate than when I first started teaching...over 30 years ago.
I believe history is repeating itself in the classroom. I use mostly paper and pencil along with various teaching strategies. Technology isn’t used as readily as I would like due to the fact I have very little in my room. I have two laptops (one from the district and one personal), two I pads (one from my school and one personal), a SMARTBoard, and a document camera. So, this brings me to why it is difficult to move into the “new” technological world! (Haha!) I also feel the training has been pretty much nil. It is more learn on your own, from your fellow teammates (which happen to be at the same level of technology as I am), and pray!
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time saying I’m awesome. I think I’m a good teacher who puts her heart and soul into teaching and trying to make an impact with my students, but I know there is always room for improvement. That’s why I’m taking this class.
I’m trying to teach my kids that they can be anything they choose to be. That they need to decide what they want to achieve, make that goal, and then work hard to get there because nothing just comes to you. I also want my kids to know why we learn what we learn and how it relates to their life now and in the future. Lastly, I want them to learn and be good citizens. To treat everyone the way they want to be treated, or better!
From what I have seen after all these years is that my students are teaching others how to be good citizens. They tell others to just tell the truth and everything will be ok, to stop picking on others, and including everyone.
There are so many students and families that have and do inspire me over the years. It is so hard to pick just one! Maybe it is Edward who came to my first grade not knowing how to read or write English and could only speak a little and then after 2nd grade (I looped with his class) was doing all of these things and was more than proficient! He was also teaching his mom to read, write, and speak English! It could also be Marco who initiated playing soccer on their knees so one of our classmates who had cerebral palsy and walked on his knees could play. Or maybe its Arete whose extended family lives in Lima and was dealing with them living in a war zone and wondering if they would be ok. As you can see there is more than just one student who inspires me.
I love your stories about Edward and Marco and Arete. I think we truly learn our "awesomeness" when we see the effects that we have on others. Goodness tends to spread and we as teachers must be the starters.
Delete1. Is history repeating itself in your classroom right now? . . . I agree with Amy's post above. Parts of history repeat themselves in my classroom, the basics, but teaching is a unique profession with all the changes that come with each new year. Not only do we have new students with unique needs, interests and personalities but once we seem to get something down they change it and want us to do something new. As my dad tells me all the time, "the only constant is change."
ReplyDelete2. Are you awesome? . . . Funny how hard it is to give yourself a compliment; but yes I am awesome:)
3. What are you teaching the world? What are your students teaching the world? . . . My hope is always to teach first graders to enjoy learning and to find a love for school. If they don't get that early I think it is hard for them to change their opinion and get them to achieve all that they are capable of though out their education. I also make an effort to instill a sense of pride in themselves and a respect for other people. I am big on manners and being kind!
4. Is there a student who inspires you? Tell us more. . . . I had a student this year, Ryan, who had the sweetest demeanor and it had a profound impact on me. He had been through so much in his short six years and handled it so much better than most adults I know. It always struck me each morning when he would stop and ask how I was doing and look at me before he left each night and say, "I hope you have a great night." (I have never had a first grader ask me how I was doing, it is just not something that they think to say). His sincere concern for others really inspired me!