Blog Post #7

Blog Post #7

• What are the procedures the teacher uses to make everything run smoothly in the class?

In my class, the teacher is very efficient with the structure she has set up for her class to run by. She has clear expectations for what the students are supposed to be doing, so they are always aware of whether or not they are "on task". She has set up a system where the students are mostly managing themselves, and she monitors the classroom while they do their work. It really has been an amazing experience watching how well she controls her students.

So for example, once they come into class, they silent read for 20 minutes. They know exactly where their books are, where they are supposed to be sitting, and for how long they are going to be doing that activity. Once silent reading is over, they go through morning exercises (basic same routine each day) and then dive into their lesson. They have group table set out each day, and they rotate with their groups to complete different assignments at each table.

I honestly try so hard everyday I'm there to remember exactly how she handles each situation because she does so in such a calm yet firm way. I think children thrive in controlled environments where they know exactly what the rules are and what they can expect.

Blog #6

What strategies does the teacher use to actively engaged the students?

In the classroom, the teacher I am observing uses many different methods to keep her students engaged in the lesson. She makes sure to present many examples given by students, and tries to cater to different learning types by having a detailed discussion, in which she includes popcorn reading (taking turns reading) as well as asking frequent questions to make sure they understand exactly what she wants them to do. After the lesson, she will often have a group discussion where students are able to share verbally or present the work they have done. I think this method is effective for regrouping the class and evaluating the effectiveness of the lesson.

My favorite way she engages the students however, is when she has them do stations. She will set up different stations and each table and give them hands-on activities for a set period of time, where they have to complete a certain task before the time is up. I think this gives them a good routine, and helps them keep focused on what they are supposed to be doing.

Blog #5

Blog Entry #5

What do you think is the most important role a teacher plays?

        I think one of the very most important roles that a teacher can play is striving to instill a love of learning in their students. So often children learn to dislike school at such an early age, and it becomes very detrimental to their entire educational career. If a teacher can help inspire them to become good learners, they are helping children in ways they won't even be able to see for years to come.
         In the No Child Left Behind Act, they have children take a standardized test to make sure children are keeping up, but personally I think this test doesn't show how well a teacher is teaching, or even what is going on in the classroom. A teacher may have completely inspired a student who was previously struggling to try and do better, but they still haven't made much improvement on paper, but it doesn't emulate the work or progress going on beyond that.
        If teachers can help children have a desire to do well in school, they will have helped them in ways that cannot be shown on paper.