Read another blog on my PLN and two interesting questions came up. First, how much excitement is there in your classroom? In elementary excitement may sometimes be disguised as activity, but how excited are your students to take part in the learning activity. In middle and high school my guess is that some teachers discount that students need to be excited about learning but that's where they are wrong. A student who is excited about learning will be a successful learner.
Second, is there something in your classroom that piques curiosity? It doesn't even have to be related to the subject matter but just as above and excitement, a curious learner is a successful learner.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Leadership
Since I'm teaching a leadership class to seniors this year I thought I'd post about some of the discussions we've had in the past several weeks.
It's interesting most of the students are focused with completing tasks and not with moving into a leadership position. They understand the strategies but are comfortable to sit on the so called "sidelines" instead of "getting in the game".
There needs to be a project of some sort to inspire or at least put them in a position where they would have to lead but so far my creativity hasn't been able to produce one.
The end of course reflection by the students produced interesting feedback also. The wiki and the blog were popular with the usual suspects note taking and tests being the least favorite. My second class and third classes have been more engaged but we still aren't to the point where I believe we've reached true understanding.
The second rotation through will be interesting to see if they retained any of the core knowledge from the first semester.
It's interesting most of the students are focused with completing tasks and not with moving into a leadership position. They understand the strategies but are comfortable to sit on the so called "sidelines" instead of "getting in the game".
There needs to be a project of some sort to inspire or at least put them in a position where they would have to lead but so far my creativity hasn't been able to produce one.
The end of course reflection by the students produced interesting feedback also. The wiki and the blog were popular with the usual suspects note taking and tests being the least favorite. My second class and third classes have been more engaged but we still aren't to the point where I believe we've reached true understanding.
The second rotation through will be interesting to see if they retained any of the core knowledge from the first semester.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I CAN SEMINAR
I'm presenting at the National I CAN seminar on Monday, the 13th. My presentation will deal with " what great teachers do differently."
This is what I've found from a variety of sources, readings and conversations within my PLN.
Great teachers:
Have a high level of expectations for their students but also for themselves.
Of course it's easy to have high expectations, even the ineffective teacher can expect their students to be engaged and pay attention when the material may be boring and irrelevant or expect students to behave despite being treated with disrespect. The great teacher is also an effective teacher. They focus on themselves and their performance. They don't play the "if" game. If we only had better discipline, if their parents supported us, if they had better teachers last year.
Demonstrate an aura of positivity and set the tone for their classes.
Positive attitudes are contagious. Great teachers realize negativity doesn't solve the problems and in some cases actually adds to the problem. They want to be part of the solution.
Believe that all students can learn.
Great teachers build relationships with their students. When students arrive on Day 1 we have their respect(for the most part.) What a tremendous gift we have been given. Great teachers utilize this gift in their teaching. They establish relationship respect with the students. Their students know the teachers are there for them when needed and that the teachers are on their side. It is cool to care.
Deliver effective instruction using varied instructional techniques and have a high level of engagement in their classes.
The key word here is varied. Many teachers fall into the rut of "this worked 20 years ago it will work today." Times have changed. We changed centuries a while back and it's important our teaching methodology reflects the 21st century.
Recognize the individual differences between students and plan accordingly.
Great teachers differentiate instruction and assessments. They realize that students learn differently and plan for multiple assessments to evaluate understanding.
Model what it means to be an educated person.
Great teachers read, write , create and are willing to try new things. They realize learning a new skill is difficult and they place themselves in this learning cycle often.
Examine their practice on a regular basis and incorporate new methods in their teaching.
Great teachers seek to deepen their knowledge and expand their repertoire of skills. They are not satisfied with the "same old, same old routine." This also means they are comfortable with technology in the classroom. Given the realities of our modern age and the demands of our children's future in the 21st century, is it really alright to allow teachers to not use technology in their instruction? Our tools have changed. Web 2.0 technology is here and great teachers are comfortable utilizing it.
Collaborate with others to improve student learning.
Great teachers collaborate with others. We may teach with our doors closed but we cannot be an island isolated from the world of education.
Are active members in a PLN.
Great teachers don't just rely on their peer teachers across the hall, they seek out others world wide, always looking for better ways to educate their students.
Who's in your network?
See my links and blog list on the right.
After the seminar, I will post discussion points we talked about.
This is what I've found from a variety of sources, readings and conversations within my PLN.
Great teachers:
Have a high level of expectations for their students but also for themselves.
Of course it's easy to have high expectations, even the ineffective teacher can expect their students to be engaged and pay attention when the material may be boring and irrelevant or expect students to behave despite being treated with disrespect. The great teacher is also an effective teacher. They focus on themselves and their performance. They don't play the "if" game. If we only had better discipline, if their parents supported us, if they had better teachers last year.
Demonstrate an aura of positivity and set the tone for their classes.
Positive attitudes are contagious. Great teachers realize negativity doesn't solve the problems and in some cases actually adds to the problem. They want to be part of the solution.
Believe that all students can learn.
Great teachers build relationships with their students. When students arrive on Day 1 we have their respect(for the most part.) What a tremendous gift we have been given. Great teachers utilize this gift in their teaching. They establish relationship respect with the students. Their students know the teachers are there for them when needed and that the teachers are on their side. It is cool to care.
Deliver effective instruction using varied instructional techniques and have a high level of engagement in their classes.
The key word here is varied. Many teachers fall into the rut of "this worked 20 years ago it will work today." Times have changed. We changed centuries a while back and it's important our teaching methodology reflects the 21st century.
Recognize the individual differences between students and plan accordingly.
Great teachers differentiate instruction and assessments. They realize that students learn differently and plan for multiple assessments to evaluate understanding.
Model what it means to be an educated person.
Great teachers read, write , create and are willing to try new things. They realize learning a new skill is difficult and they place themselves in this learning cycle often.
Examine their practice on a regular basis and incorporate new methods in their teaching.
Great teachers seek to deepen their knowledge and expand their repertoire of skills. They are not satisfied with the "same old, same old routine." This also means they are comfortable with technology in the classroom. Given the realities of our modern age and the demands of our children's future in the 21st century, is it really alright to allow teachers to not use technology in their instruction? Our tools have changed. Web 2.0 technology is here and great teachers are comfortable utilizing it.
Collaborate with others to improve student learning.
Great teachers collaborate with others. We may teach with our doors closed but we cannot be an island isolated from the world of education.
Are active members in a PLN.
Great teachers don't just rely on their peer teachers across the hall, they seek out others world wide, always looking for better ways to educate their students.
Who's in your network?
See my links and blog list on the right.
After the seminar, I will post discussion points we talked about.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Observations from the beach
I've just completed my annual unwind and recharge at the beach and I must say there are several things that hit me since the last time I was there.
First, more than likely due to the different hats I wore this past year and also the uncharted waters of new administration, I noticed it took me longer to unwind than usual. Normally I'm into the mode by the 3rd day but this time it was later in the week before I achieved that true Toes in Sand mentality.
Secondly, the beach is a wonderful place for noticing colors especially the different shades of red, white and brown. Have we not heard about sunscreen? The water was clear as you would expect staying at Crystal beach on the Emerald coast.
Lastly, it seemed as if everywhere I turned there were tattoos and I stay at what would be considered a family beach. Maybe it's those temporary ones but I couldn't help but wonder how many of these people wore suits and ties to work. I guess it's a way of letting loose and unwinding while they're at the beach.
The beach holds different meanings and purposes for everyone but for me it has always been a time to unwind, reflect and begin the planning process for the coming year. To that end it was mission accomplished.
First, more than likely due to the different hats I wore this past year and also the uncharted waters of new administration, I noticed it took me longer to unwind than usual. Normally I'm into the mode by the 3rd day but this time it was later in the week before I achieved that true Toes in Sand mentality.
Secondly, the beach is a wonderful place for noticing colors especially the different shades of red, white and brown. Have we not heard about sunscreen? The water was clear as you would expect staying at Crystal beach on the Emerald coast.
Lastly, it seemed as if everywhere I turned there were tattoos and I stay at what would be considered a family beach. Maybe it's those temporary ones but I couldn't help but wonder how many of these people wore suits and ties to work. I guess it's a way of letting loose and unwinding while they're at the beach.
The beach holds different meanings and purposes for everyone but for me it has always been a time to unwind, reflect and begin the planning process for the coming year. To that end it was mission accomplished.
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