Early this morning I've been reading through Melissa Kelly's exhaustive list of tips for teachers. She has lists of everything from strategies for the beginning of the year to discipline matters to tips from veteran teachers. I was a little stand-offish just based on first impressions (this is an ask.com compliation) but Ms. Kelly sure has some ideas that get the brain exercising.
Ideas I found helpful include:
*Check out the classroom equipment before school starts...you don't want to flip on the overhead only to find a burned out bulb while your students wait, and wait, and wait...
This is the kind of thing I would be inclined to overlook.
*"You talk to fast." Most of us new teachers need to slow down. I think we all try to get too much information in, we feel like we're going toooooo slow, we may be boring the students...et al et al. But in this capacity, quality over quantity!
*Become friendly with the person that arranges substitutes...I remember my father (who just recently retired after eons of teaching high school auto/construction) mentioning how he bought the secretary a gift basket at the beginning of the year to win some favor when calling in "sick." Clever.
*Kelly's entire list to make my life easier at first is invaluable. Some of her ideas may seem obvious (learning students' names quickly; have lesson plans for the first week, have an icebreaker for the first day) but many are very, very helpful (be your own best substitute: there's nothing wrong with a little seatwork once in a while).
* Kelly's main page, Teaching 101, is tabbed with topics that will continue to be helpful when it really comes time to design class rules, handling stress, etc. For now these types of readings are helping me reiforce what I already believe works while opening my mind to some new ideas. All of this will be put into practice in about two weeks, when school starts. Since leaving the school district as an employee, I've been volunteering two days a week at my neighborhood school, Fairview (a wonderful place). These ideas and tips will also help me fine tune and reshape, where necessary, my philosophy of teaching.
I think some of these lists we've examined through our class readings are the kind worth printing out. Sometimes all it takes to boost your energy or motivation is a light list of tips that refesh and remind you that you're not the only one out there. Ms. Kelly even includes a list of the top inspirational books and movies for teachers!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Teaching with Technology...or teaching the same old way just with a computer!
Our major qwest over the past four weeks was to learn about technology. Not just any technology, but the programs and internet resources and tools that could help us become more organized, more effective, more interesting teachers and people.
I was fascinated by what we discovered. Many of us were frustrated because the learning curve was quite high. We were most of us in uncharted waters.
What interests me at this point is why this is the case for so many teachers. Aren't we supposed to be living in the age of technology? I often think of how the teachers with whom I've worked in the past would react to a professional development program about teaching with technology (they would be horrified, stubborn, resistant, all but a few). I began to wonder if I was the only one who thought most teachers are WAAAAAAAAY behind...even lacking....in this area.
I discovered I am not. Whole research has been done on this very topic, and what it has revealed is that teachers have not integrated technology into the classroom effectively at all.
Our reading on teaching with technology provided many insights on why teachers, as a whole, have been so resistant to really delving into what's out there. I really appreciated Nancy Salvato's reminder to us that the goal of schools is to ensure everyone has equal access to learning opportunities; schools, therefore, must provide the same tools and information across all socio-economic levels and that means technology!!
"Teachers have a responsibility to learn how to use computers and other devices so as not to put their students at a disadvantage," says Salvato, and I couldn't agree more. What a great way to remind ourselves to keep pushing to really learn and integrate all these new technologies. Aren't we all here to do the best we can for these future generations? Salvato brought up reasons many of us have been resistant to change: fear & dislike of change;
feeling intimidated by computers; resistant to taking advantage of technology in everyday life, and on and on. But I think we just need to get over it and move on. In order to do so, however, teachers need help...
As Les Foltos argued in our reading, "If we expect teachers to use technology in ways that enrich and enhance student achievement, we must provide them with the professional development they need to develop the confidence and skills to apply technology, and an understanding of how technology supports standards-based education."
A start to such understanding came in some more reading, in which Hooper and Reiber pointed out that we wouldn't expect doctors or dentists to be using the same technology they did 50 years ago, but that most teachers would feel perfectly comfortable in a classroom back in 1960 because not much has really changed! The authors provide an excellent education for teachers on the difference between idea and product technologies. Without good idea technology and effort by the part of teachers, product technologies like computers are really not effective. So the issue is not getting more computers, but teaching teachers how to best use them.
Some of the lingering thoughts I have on this issue is how do teachers get ahold of some of this great and wonderful professional development we need? Administrators, school boards, district offices and the general old public really all have to get behind teachers in this area. There are just so many fingers in the cookie jar here that getting everyone on board is a major challenge. So what might help? Bargaining? Grant-writing by individual teachers? Peer learning/coaching to avoid everyone else? Just being the squeaky wheel?
I was fascinated by what we discovered. Many of us were frustrated because the learning curve was quite high. We were most of us in uncharted waters.
What interests me at this point is why this is the case for so many teachers. Aren't we supposed to be living in the age of technology? I often think of how the teachers with whom I've worked in the past would react to a professional development program about teaching with technology (they would be horrified, stubborn, resistant, all but a few). I began to wonder if I was the only one who thought most teachers are WAAAAAAAAY behind...even lacking....in this area.
I discovered I am not. Whole research has been done on this very topic, and what it has revealed is that teachers have not integrated technology into the classroom effectively at all.
Our reading on teaching with technology provided many insights on why teachers, as a whole, have been so resistant to really delving into what's out there. I really appreciated Nancy Salvato's reminder to us that the goal of schools is to ensure everyone has equal access to learning opportunities; schools, therefore, must provide the same tools and information across all socio-economic levels and that means technology!!
"Teachers have a responsibility to learn how to use computers and other devices so as not to put their students at a disadvantage," says Salvato, and I couldn't agree more. What a great way to remind ourselves to keep pushing to really learn and integrate all these new technologies. Aren't we all here to do the best we can for these future generations? Salvato brought up reasons many of us have been resistant to change: fear & dislike of change;
feeling intimidated by computers; resistant to taking advantage of technology in everyday life, and on and on. But I think we just need to get over it and move on. In order to do so, however, teachers need help...
As Les Foltos argued in our reading, "If we expect teachers to use technology in ways that enrich and enhance student achievement, we must provide them with the professional development they need to develop the confidence and skills to apply technology, and an understanding of how technology supports standards-based education."
A start to such understanding came in some more reading, in which Hooper and Reiber pointed out that we wouldn't expect doctors or dentists to be using the same technology they did 50 years ago, but that most teachers would feel perfectly comfortable in a classroom back in 1960 because not much has really changed! The authors provide an excellent education for teachers on the difference between idea and product technologies. Without good idea technology and effort by the part of teachers, product technologies like computers are really not effective. So the issue is not getting more computers, but teaching teachers how to best use them.
Some of the lingering thoughts I have on this issue is how do teachers get ahold of some of this great and wonderful professional development we need? Administrators, school boards, district offices and the general old public really all have to get behind teachers in this area. There are just so many fingers in the cookie jar here that getting everyone on board is a major challenge. So what might help? Bargaining? Grant-writing by individual teachers? Peer learning/coaching to avoid everyone else? Just being the squeaky wheel?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
firefighters
Really saddened to learn some of the firefighters that passed last 
week were SOU students. Took me back to the summer of 1999 when I worked with the Winema Hotshots...amazing how dangerous it is...but so fun...so different...
week were SOU students. Took me back to the summer of 1999 when I worked with the Winema Hotshots...amazing how dangerous it is...but so fun...so different...Many thoughts are 
with the families of those lost....
with the families of those lost....This was us back then...
Philosophy of Teaching
A reflective philosophy of teaching should really be a work in progress...something that the teacher continually examines and refines over the years. I wonder how many teachers in our district have a written statement of philosophy on hand?
I was lucky to take a year's worth of teacher prep classes through Concordia and I've written and rewritten my philosophy of teaching (I wonder how to link it here??). Through our required readings, I've examined some great guides to refining this philosophy. I found the CRLT's rubric extra helpful because it explicitly defines what you should have in your statement, as well as an idea of how detailed you should be. I also found that the U of Saskatchewan's learning center for teachers essentially walked you through creating your statement (very, very, very helpful). I've read many examples of teachers' statements and I liked how some are more informal than others.
Some examples are very scholarly; I believe teachers should approach this project as a scholarly exercise, but I think really lending your personal touch helps readers view it as your own philosophy (rather than just another boring essay). Overall, I think a statement of philosophy should really include what you thinks works, what you really believe in, and what you actually do in the classroom as opposed to a recitiation of what you think employers or parents would want to read.
Gabriela Montell offers some practical tips for creating your philosophy that I plan to use by bringing my statement out of storage and reviewing to see if I have too many pages, if I have made any empty statements, and if I have really adopted a tone of humility.
I think your classroom blog or website is a perfect place to link your teaching philosophy. That way parents, administrators and other teachers can read about your beliefs and practices...another great step in creating more transparency in the classroom.
Last litte note on teachers' statements: I think it's great and wonderful and easy for us students to craft a philosophy (especially if we have some experience in the classroom) but I think it will be a challenge to continually reflect over the years. Once you get into a routine, it's difficult to critically examine yourself and your work and who has time to sit around reflecting and crafting and writing philosophies? Of course, however, it's essential to do such reflecting in order to grow and keep up on your game.
I think maintaining a blog would give you an advantage when it comes time to rewrite and rexamine your philosophy, because it's a place you can delve into teaching issues and practices and beliefs...and a place to read others' practices and beliefs to incorporate into your own.
I was lucky to take a year's worth of teacher prep classes through Concordia and I've written and rewritten my philosophy of teaching (I wonder how to link it here??). Through our required readings, I've examined some great guides to refining this philosophy. I found the CRLT's rubric extra helpful because it explicitly defines what you should have in your statement, as well as an idea of how detailed you should be. I also found that the U of Saskatchewan's learning center for teachers essentially walked you through creating your statement (very, very, very helpful). I've read many examples of teachers' statements and I liked how some are more informal than others.
Some examples are very scholarly; I believe teachers should approach this project as a scholarly exercise, but I think really lending your personal touch helps readers view it as your own philosophy (rather than just another boring essay). Overall, I think a statement of philosophy should really include what you thinks works, what you really believe in, and what you actually do in the classroom as opposed to a recitiation of what you think employers or parents would want to read.
Gabriela Montell offers some practical tips for creating your philosophy that I plan to use by bringing my statement out of storage and reviewing to see if I have too many pages, if I have made any empty statements, and if I have really adopted a tone of humility.
I think your classroom blog or website is a perfect place to link your teaching philosophy. That way parents, administrators and other teachers can read about your beliefs and practices...another great step in creating more transparency in the classroom.
Last litte note on teachers' statements: I think it's great and wonderful and easy for us students to craft a philosophy (especially if we have some experience in the classroom) but I think it will be a challenge to continually reflect over the years. Once you get into a routine, it's difficult to critically examine yourself and your work and who has time to sit around reflecting and crafting and writing philosophies? Of course, however, it's essential to do such reflecting in order to grow and keep up on your game.
I think maintaining a blog would give you an advantage when it comes time to rewrite and rexamine your philosophy, because it's a place you can delve into teaching issues and practices and beliefs...and a place to read others' practices and beliefs to incorporate into your own.
Monday, August 11, 2008
power point
I am going to have to have a Melissa moment here and express my frustration at technology. You would think the newest version of Microsoft would include PowerPoint, but I can't find it (just got a new computer this spring...can only find PowerPoint Viewer, but that doesn't let you create power points) and so went to download a free trial version. Estimated time to download was 27 HOURS!! So far this morning the plan was just to finish up what I started in class last week. One hour in and no progress at all. So giving up and will just have to finish by coming early to class and hammering it out. I am not going to sit at the computer and fight with it all morning when there is laundry, dishes, watering, cleaning, organizing, et al to finish on my day off.
How all this relates to our future profession is what is a teacher to do if she desires to utilize her technology training but lacks the necessary equipment? I assume most teachers have decent computers, but do most classrooms have computer projectors (so the power point could be projected for the kids to see?) In my 5 years experience classrooms were not equipped with such. As my classmates have mentioned, most teachers don't have time to jump through all these hoops to use extra technology. Most teachers with whom I have worked keep everything in good old fashioned file folders.
I am open to making the best use of what we are learning but in the face of 27-hour downloading times I am looking in other directions!
How all this relates to our future profession is what is a teacher to do if she desires to utilize her technology training but lacks the necessary equipment? I assume most teachers have decent computers, but do most classrooms have computer projectors (so the power point could be projected for the kids to see?) In my 5 years experience classrooms were not equipped with such. As my classmates have mentioned, most teachers don't have time to jump through all these hoops to use extra technology. Most teachers with whom I have worked keep everything in good old fashioned file folders.
I am open to making the best use of what we are learning but in the face of 27-hour downloading times I am looking in other directions!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
to blog or not to blog...
Our class has really been struggling with the whole idea of blogging as teachers. I've been trying to look through some other professional blogs in order to get a better grasp on the possibilities. In the meantime, here's my list of the benefits and detractions that go along with keeping a professional blog (as a teacher).
Overall I feel the benefits and possibilities for professional growth, communication with parents and interaction with colleagues far outweigh the detractions...
Benefits of keeping a teacher's or classroom blog:
*The #1 most valuable aspect is increased possibility of communication with parents and students. This applies no matter what grade level you teach. Any way you can reach more parents and involve them with what you're doing is valuable. I looked over my neighborhood school's website and saw how an interactive blog could provide all the same information plus so much more. We struggle every year to involve more parents because it benefits the kids' learning to have parents and teachers on the same page.
*Along the same thread, making what we're doing in the classroom more transparent to parents and the community is a benefit to keeping a blog. We as teachers want to diffuse the myth of the "black box" and keeping a blog is a great way to let everyone know just what the class is doing, your philosophy of teaching, etc. Along the same lines are the benefits of showing a little of yourself: by adding a personal touch you can create a more comfortable relationship with parents.
* A huge benefit of blogging, and of reading blogs, is increased professional growth and development. Personal and professionl reflection leads to growth. Blogging is a great way to reflect and think about what is working in your classroom and what needs improvement. Reading other professional blogs keeps you updated on new ideas and can refresh a tired mind.
The possibilities for peer learning and teaching are endless in this medium.
* The ability to tap into other online resources through your blog is invaluable. This applies to you as the teacher, your colleagues, parents and students. Your blog could be the place they go to get links to parents resources, learning studies, online libraries, and more.
Some detractions and roadblocks on which I've been reflecting:
*The broadband gap: the lack of a functional internet connection to all parents is a problem if you are trying to reach them through your blog. I personally really struggle with blog reading and frustration because I have a very slow internet connection. I end up spending WAY to much time trying to load pages and then just give up because I'm running late, etc. In my neighborhood school (many low SES families here) a teacher's blog may not reach everyone for whom it's intended.
*The fine line between teacher/friend can be blurred through the blog process.
* Some districts or administrators may impose certain restrictions on teachers' blogs. See this great essay about this topic for more.
* Time spent maintaining your blog could detract from time developing face-to-face relationships with peers and parents or could detract from peer/professional development. I think as a teacher I would set a specific block of time each week for blogging so I could manage this issue and keep a balance between online and face-to-face interaction.
Once again, the benefits of starting and updating your classroom blog FAR outweigh any detractions of doing so. I feel many of the negative issues about which our class has been worried are manageable and that as teachers, we have control over what we are doing. That means if we really believe in keeping a blog, we can make it happen and make it very successful.
The more we examine and model other successful blogs or websites the better prepared we will be to host our own. I personally will be going for it!
Overall I feel the benefits and possibilities for professional growth, communication with parents and interaction with colleagues far outweigh the detractions...
Benefits of keeping a teacher's or classroom blog:
*The #1 most valuable aspect is increased possibility of communication with parents and students. This applies no matter what grade level you teach. Any way you can reach more parents and involve them with what you're doing is valuable. I looked over my neighborhood school's website and saw how an interactive blog could provide all the same information plus so much more. We struggle every year to involve more parents because it benefits the kids' learning to have parents and teachers on the same page.
*Along the same thread, making what we're doing in the classroom more transparent to parents and the community is a benefit to keeping a blog. We as teachers want to diffuse the myth of the "black box" and keeping a blog is a great way to let everyone know just what the class is doing, your philosophy of teaching, etc. Along the same lines are the benefits of showing a little of yourself: by adding a personal touch you can create a more comfortable relationship with parents.
* A huge benefit of blogging, and of reading blogs, is increased professional growth and development. Personal and professionl reflection leads to growth. Blogging is a great way to reflect and think about what is working in your classroom and what needs improvement. Reading other professional blogs keeps you updated on new ideas and can refresh a tired mind.
The possibilities for peer learning and teaching are endless in this medium.
* The ability to tap into other online resources through your blog is invaluable. This applies to you as the teacher, your colleagues, parents and students. Your blog could be the place they go to get links to parents resources, learning studies, online libraries, and more.
Some detractions and roadblocks on which I've been reflecting:
*The broadband gap: the lack of a functional internet connection to all parents is a problem if you are trying to reach them through your blog. I personally really struggle with blog reading and frustration because I have a very slow internet connection. I end up spending WAY to much time trying to load pages and then just give up because I'm running late, etc. In my neighborhood school (many low SES families here) a teacher's blog may not reach everyone for whom it's intended.
*The fine line between teacher/friend can be blurred through the blog process.
* Some districts or administrators may impose certain restrictions on teachers' blogs. See this great essay about this topic for more.
* Time spent maintaining your blog could detract from time developing face-to-face relationships with peers and parents or could detract from peer/professional development. I think as a teacher I would set a specific block of time each week for blogging so I could manage this issue and keep a balance between online and face-to-face interaction.
Once again, the benefits of starting and updating your classroom blog FAR outweigh any detractions of doing so. I feel many of the negative issues about which our class has been worried are manageable and that as teachers, we have control over what we are doing. That means if we really believe in keeping a blog, we can make it happen and make it very successful.
The more we examine and model other successful blogs or websites the better prepared we will be to host our own. I personally will be going for it!
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