Well, I know it has been a while since I posted but the semester is over in a week and I made it! I was so overwhelmed at the beginning. The first few weeks of my courses had me knocked for a loop. I am struggling with trying to STILL recover from a broken leg in February and everything was quiet overwhelming ( there is no better word). But, the clouds have cleared, I got through the semester and I think I did ok, the boot is still on the broken leg but that will get there too.

I have been following past classmates and I’m glad to see they are still posting and pushing thought. Some seemed to struggle as well as myself and others found themselves with new jobs, I’m proud to say we are all getting there. I have two classes left for the fall semester (wish I could take some summer classes but….) then my TCAP’s and I’m finished. I can’t wait. This is a dream that has been dormant in me for many years. I assumed my dream of becoming a teacher had passed me by but I’m proud to say I have never given up and I’m so close it’s crazy. Can’t wait to finally say I’m finished, although I know I will never be finished with education because once I receive my certification, I plan on going for my EL certification!!

I hope everyone has a great summer and has a chance to enjoy it!

Okay, so last semester, for our Social Studies class, we were “learning in the open” or
“open learning”. When I first read this in the instructors notes I panicked! I didn’t want other students seeing my work!! I went through school being told looking at someone else’s work was the same as cheating. “You can’t look at someone else’s paper! Eyes on your own work!” WOW!! How things have changed!! I must say it took me a bit to get used to having my work in a space where others could see it, judge it, comment on it. I wasn’t comfortable with this method……. at FIRST!!! NOW! I WISH I had the opportunity to go back to that method!

Here’s the thing. With the learning in the open method, if you aren’t sure you are on the right path, or you need a little push to get going, this is a great way to do it. Having the ability to check in with classmates and see what they are creating, what they are thinking and even bouncing ideas off each other is great!! Having fellow students comment on your work or ask you questions and give you ideas simply helps to make you that much better. Sometimes, we get so stuck in our own heads we can’t get past it, and having another set of eyes look at things and give you another perspective is great. Don’t be afraid of this. I can tell you right now, I wish I had the opportunity to check in with my fellow students to see where they are at with their lesson plans and have them give me some feedback! If you are in a class that is practicing open learning….. EMBRACE it!! Soak up all the information you can and use it! You will be so glad for everything that was shared during open learning and you will soon come to realize the same thing! Kudos to Emily G. for encouraging open learning!!!

Stay tuned……

Hello Everyone!

So… I don’t know if it is just me or not but for some crazy reason I have such a hard time getting back into the swing of things at the start of a new semester. Doubts creep into my head that I’m not sure if I can complete the work, questions like “am I good enough” and then after a few weeks I get back into the flow and I am fine. Taking two classes (plus a weekly Spanish class I take that the school I work at offers) and a full time job is a lot on my plate, (not to mention the broke leg that won’t heal!!)

I am exited for these two courses, after a great course learning so much about technology and social studies I am moving on to a science class as well as a Developing IEP and transition planning class, it is all so interesting and insightful! I just can’t wait to have my own classroom. I’m so close, only 3 more classes after this semester. The amount of information I have learned since becoming a student at GSC it is just amazing. I want to share with everyone how great the school is an how every instructor I have had is so helpful and interested in making sure I get the most out of my education. I am overwhelmed!

Keep Learning!!

The new semester started and I am now in the process of taking a science class and a class on creating IEPs. Should be incredibly interesting. I look forward to working with all the new people in the class as well as those from previous classes.

I’ll check back with everyone later. Stay tuned…….

I can’t believe that this course is coming to a close. I have learned so much I don’t even know where to start. When I first read all the information for the course the words “learning in the open” somewhat stopped my heart. I was completely out of my comfort zone having people see what I was doing as well as seeing what others were doing. Everything we did as far as lesson plans and our thoughts and comments were out there for everyone to see. It was incredibly hard in the beginning. I wasn’t used to having others comment on my work or even have them see my work. As time went on in the course I looked at things in a whole new light. This was more about sharing and helping one another through the learning process and not at all about being judged. I learned if I was stuck or not sure how to “make something work”, others would step up and help me through. Or I could go on Facebook or twitter and find solutions to my dilemmas. Learning in the open is a great way to collaborate with others and work together to make us stronger and more confident! In some cases, maybe the person that helped you wasn’t even aware of it, but through their tweets, or looking at others’ lesson plans, I always found a way to make things work. So to those of you that helps, even if you weren’t aware you were helping…. Thank You!!

Perhaps part of what was the scariest was not knowing if my work was “good enough” or “as good as” everyone else’s. I got over it, and discovered that sometimes, having more than on pair of eyes on something helps to make it and you that much better.

So, my final take away regarding “learning in the open”, don’t be afraid of it! It may not be something you are used to but it opens up a whole world of educators to you, it helps guide you, teach you, encourage you and helps to make you an all around better educator because you have that many more resources at your fingertips….. literally… a tweet or post away!

As I begin week ten of my twelve week class, I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. I have moved so far beyond what was my comfort zone in this particular class it is amazing. I find myself trying new technologies and learning right along with my students. Navigating the world of social media, using technology to plan and teach lessons and blogging are all things I would never have thought of. While the school I work in has plenty of computers for each student in every class I don’t think most teachers look beyond the regular researching or game/reward part of technology. I have moved into using technology to help students meet their learning objectives and reach their goals. In my class, using a computer to play games is not what we do with our computers. I can find a book for the kids that relates to the learning objective I am teaching and students can all read the same book but the program we use allows the students to read the same book but at their reading level. They are all getting the same knowledge but just in different ways that makes it easier for them to comprehend. I have been talking a lot about the things I have learned in this class and I find I am passing this information on to the other teachers in the building who are just as excited. As I continue on my journey to becoming a certified teacher I need to keep in mind that while I may have to do some things that take me out of my comfort zone from time to time in the end, it will only make me that much better of a teacher. I can bring more knowledge and excitement into my future classroom thanks to stepping out of my comfort zone. I can explain to the kids that while it may make you feel uncomfortable doing something you have never done before, the best part of the journey is learning how to do it, having confidence in yourself knowing you did it and helping to teach others how to do it!

Many schools in my district do not have access to computers or chrome books in a 1:1 fashion. I am very fortunate in that working in a Title 1 school, every student in every classroom has a chrome book or tablet. This means students from K – 5 all have access to the internet. At the beginning of the school year forms are sent home allowing parents to “opt out” of their children having access to the internet. Most parents do not opt out.

That being said, it is very important that classroom teachers speak to the children about proper computer use. Very early in the school year students are introduced to the internet. This does not mean simply giving them the tablet or chrome book and letting them explore, it means a conversation begins. Students are taught there is a big responsibility that comes with having access to a computer. While it can be a great tool to assist in their learning, it can also be a place that could be dangerous and even in some cases simply a dumping ground to give students “something to do”.

Our students are taught it is their responsibility to follow the guidelines set for them, such as only going on approved sites, never giving out personal information and never using the internet as a place disrespect people or treat people unkind. Most of our students are very good with these guidelines and will help each other out if another student finds themselves taken to a site either unintentionally or on purpose. They know to bring the device to the teacher and talk about what happened. I think having devices available to our students is important if used in the correct way. As educators we need to be certain that whatever technology we use is to help advance the students, to get them to higher order thinking and to reflect on what they are learning. Simply having them perform a lesson that they see and just rushing through to get to the game at the end will not help them with learning. As educators we need to be certain the technology we choose will help them with relating things to their everyday life and to each other, not simply sitting in front of a computer to play a game at school.

This week is school vacation week so I will take the time to reflect on how things have gone so far. I have to say I have come so far out of my comfort zone and learned so much! Live tweets!! Who knew!! At first I have to admit I wasn’t thrilled about the situation. I did it because I was “required” to do so. WOW!! I could not have been more surprised. The tweets were nationwide and so many people had so many things to share it was incredible. I was required to do two which I did and can honestly say I will not stop there. There was so much great information being exchanged in real time it was incredible. I should know by now that getting out of my comfort zone isn’t a bad thing. It will only help me to be a better teacher. By broadening my horizons and reaching out to other educators only means I can bring more to the classroom.

Higher order thinking…… It’s not just enough to teach a lesson and be done with it but you need to make the students go deeper, continue to question and allow them to question. Don’t just let them prove they have learned the material you taught but make them question you, challenge them and allow them to challenge you! You will be amazed at how deep they can go, even as first graders! The challenge is to challenge them!!

Finally, making sure a lesson is taught to everyone, from the student that it clicks with right away to the student that simply needs a bit more time to grasp the concept. They all have the desire to learn, a teacher just needs to figure out their individual best way of letting you know they understand and grasp the lesson.

It’s been an incredible ride so far and my only regret is that I waited so long to take the ride!!

I had my second observation this past week on Thursday and wouldn’t you know, same thing that happened on the first happened again. Snow fell the night before, schools had a two hour delay. This observation was with a member of the TCAP team. She let me know due to the snow she wouldn’t make it either so we planned a ZOOM observation. I was nervous because sometimes our internet connection can be spotty and with the storm the previous night… fingers were crossed. The ZOOM connection worked thankfully and we were able to get the observation in. It was a little crazy because the time was shortened due to the 2 hour delay and in the middle of the observation the PA came on with the Principal making morning announcements and the pledge was said, kids trickled in due to the bus being late, but overall I think it went well. I wasn’t nearly as nervous as the first one and the kids were great.

Sadly, the next day, the day before our winter break, on my way to work I slipped on ice and broke my leg! So while I was thrilled the observation went well the day before….. I gave a whole new meaning to the words “winter break!”

Teaching first graders social studies! It seems as though it would be a daunting task. When we look at the subject of socials studies we need to break it down into “themes”, of which there are ten. I won’t state them all here but I will go deeper into the civic ideals, practice and engagement theme. What does this mean? This theme teaches students about core values of individuals as well as community, state and nation. It discusses the different ways in which these values can be expressed. How some societies have different values. A very good example of expressing different values is that in some countries it is disrespectful to look an authority figure in the eye, yet in others it is disrespectful not to.

This theme is about exploring questions such as how can I be present in civic participation? Do I have a role in my community, state, nation as a citizen? Working with English Learners I feel it is extremely important to stress the importance of civic responsibility. Getting involved in their community, things such as helping to keep their neighborhood clean, looking out for each other. Our classroom planted a tree last year on the school’s playground and we spoke about how years to come the tree would still be there helping the community with green space and providing shade.As students get older we speak about becoming involved not just with the neighborhood but with the city in general, joining fund raisers or donating old toys to children less fortunate. Ultimately, teaching the students about the responsibility to vote as they get older so they can help bring people to office that have the same values and hopes for their state and nation. By participating in local and national elections you can help change government.