The End

I can not believe the semester is almost over; when it first started I was afraid of the amount of work I was going to receive. When Dr. Luongo mentioned having to write a blog twice a week I figured it would just add more work. I was wrong, I love the blog assignment. I feel my blog portrays who I am and how I feel; it's a great way to express oneself. It is allows people to share ideas and communicate about various topics. It is great how people can comment on each others blogs and leave their personal thoughts. The blog allowed me to express my thoughts and emotions about my growth in becoming a teacher.

I will certainly use blogs in my classroom. I feel students can communicate about subjects that we are unable to get to in class because of the amount of time. Blogs are a great way to add technology into the classroom because students can add pictures, articles and videos to their blogs. I may give my students a topic and have them blog about it and share ideas with one another. I believe it will also strengthen the relationships in the classroom if students learn to communicate with one another. I could introduce the blog in the start of the semester and have them write a blog on their feelings about the class and have them comment on each others blog. There is just so much that can be done with blogs!

I really enjoyed the blog assignment and I plan on using it. I am sad its over but I'll continue to write it anyway!

What to do?

Today was my turn to teach in Principles and Techniques and although I have taught before I was a little nervous. I decided to do my unit on short stories and I figured it would be best to start with a story the students felt comfortable with. I wanted to teach a lesson that would be fun and attention grabbing but it was very hard since the first thing we had to get done was read the story. The students all cooperated and read! That was very exciting! Another lesson I had planned for this unit was the acting out of the story, where students would select a character in the story and play the role (as a group). They would be free to change the ending of the story or add characters but the plot and climax had to remain the same. I wish we could have started there, it would be fun! However, I felt it wouldn't be right since I wasn't sure how many students were familiar with the story. It was also important to read first because of vocabulary and pronunciation.

While I worked on the lesson plans I was happy with all of them except for the first one. It didn't seem like students would have fun and be interested. It made me realise that not every lesson is going to be filled with fun. However, I would have loved to teach for another day just to watch the student version of Rumpelstiltskin! Maybe I'll use this lesson again.

What it's all about!

This morning when I woke up I decided to check my email. I had received an email from the teacher I had done my Junior Field with. I was excited to see what he had to say. Well, it turns out the students miss me and want me to come back! He says they ask about me all the time! That made my day, actually it brought tears to my eyes. I remember how nervous I was the day I was supposed to teach, I barely slept the entire week. It was all worth it, the stress and anxiety! When I got up there it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. They listened and payed attention; now having them ask about me, it's what it's all about! It means I made an impact and they remember me. I can't wait to go back and see them.

Today's Learners

Check out this short video and see how students feel about technology today! They want to learn and wish to apply today's technology to their education! What do you think?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8

Jr. Field

This past week while everyone was enjoying their Spring Break I was bust doing my Jr. Field. Since I am going to be a Spanish teacher I was able to observe all different levels of Spanish. The first few days I sat there writing notes of little techniques the teacher used. He was amazing! I enjoyed the experience. The second day he asked me if I would like to teach a lesson and although I was terribly nervous I agreed. I was so nervous I barely are all week and I couldn't sleep. I would wake up speaking in Spanish and thinking of what I would do that day. The teacher I was observing introduced me to a lot of people and made me feel welcomed. So, Friday was coming up and on Thursday I was thinking to myself," maybe this isn't for me; it's so stressful and so much work." So, Friday came and although I was a nervous mess I got myself together and did it. It was the best feeling in the world, I felt comfortable after talking to the students. The lesson was all in Spanish and there was an article on Spanish weddings, we listened to a recording and answered questions. We also spoke about the kind of weddings the students would like and some of the answers brought humour to the class. The next class I taught was a little different, it was a Basic Conversation and we did a lot of grammar and vocabulary. I taught them how to conjugate Present AR-verbs. It was such a great feeling to be teaching someone else. I didn't think I would say this but...I MISS THEM! It is this priceless feeling to hear them say, " will you be back on Monday?" I wish I could be there! They made my day when they said, "we wish you could stay longer and you're so much fun." I actually wanted to cry! I know this is what I want to do and I know when I become a teacher it will be different because I will get to know my students from the start. I was intimidated by the students in the beginning and after teaching for five minutes we became friends. I loved it!

Motivation in the classroom

Motivation is the feeling someone gets when they have the desire to do something, it is the push that gives you strength to do something. What motivates students? I believe motivation comes from all areas in a students life. Lets start in the classroom. If the students don't feel comfortable in the environment they are not going to participate and they will lack the desire to work hard. If a classroom gives the student the opportunity to be themselves they will shine! Giving the students choices will give them the feeling that they are part of their education. I strongly believe this will increase the motivation level.

Parents and family are also a major part of motivation. I believe parents play a major role in the education of a child. School is the biggest part of being a child, you learn and grow and in times like that a strong support system is needed. Students want to make their parents happy or get their attention and having parents who go watch a play or listen to Christmas concert help the students strive. Siblings are also a great impact in someone's life. Ever since my brother was born I have worked extra hard to show him that anyone can achieve their dream; it is just a matter of dedication and working hard. He is my motivation. Friends can also motivate a student; if someone is there to give you that encouragement you will work hard to prove to them they were right!

I think motivation is a necessity, especially for students. They want to know someone will feel pride in their work!




Here is an interesting site, it has some tips on how to motivate students and many other things!

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm#motivating

Check this out!
http://www.quia.com/

Fun ways to teach and have fun!