Does Grinch have a place in the classroom?

As the Holiday season is fast approaching, there are many distractions in the classrooms.  Please read the two newspaper articles that recently ran in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram.

Click here and read this article from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram first.

Click here and read this article from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram second.

After you have finished reading the two articles:  Pretend you are speaking in front of the school board and give three compelling reasons for or against the practice of celebrating the Christmas Holiday inside the classroom.  Be prepared to defend your position in class next week.

The title of your blog this week should be:  Grinch or Santa?

Blog Rubric link

Due:  Monday, December 12, 2011.

American Teacher

The Title of your Blog this week will be  "American Teacher"

Think back on the movie American Teacher and reflect on the following:

• After watching the movie, what was your first impression?  How did your view of the profession change;  better, different or worse?  Explain.
• What did you feel was the biggest frustration the teachers had with teaching?
• Describe some ways teaching conditions could improve without an increase in money?
• If you have a question about something you were confused about, you may address it in this blog.

Remember Deep is better than Wide!

This blog post will be due on Monday, December 5.
Click here to view the Blog Rubric

Week of November 21

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
No blog for this week.  Check back on the 28th of November for a new blog assignment.
Procrastination blog is due on Monday, Nov. 21.

Procrastination?

What is Procrastination?  Have you ever procrastinated?  I think I probably know the answer to both of those questions.  Do you?

Click on this link and read about Overcoming Procrastination.

The Title of your blog this week should be:  Why Do Students Procrastinate?

1.  After you have read the article, choose at least one of the bullet points under "Why do students procrastinate?" and address how it relates to you.  If you have never procrastinated, you can use someone you know as an example, but don't use names.

• Your post should be well thought out and you should use complete sentences.  
• Less is more.  I would rather read three well written and thoughtful sentences than three rambling paragraphs!  
• Restate the chosen topic, then write your comments. 

2.  When you have completed part one, look over the "How to overcome procrastination" suggestions.  Choose at least one of the bullet points that you will honestly try and write your comments in your post about how you will try to overcome procrastinating.  

• Your post should be well thought out and you should use complete sentences.  
• Less is more.  I would rather read three well written and thoughtful sentences than three rambling paragraphs!  
• Restate the chosen topic, then write your comments. 

Refer to the Rubric if you are in question of how your blog will be graded.  This is the rubric that will be used every week.  Click here to view blog rubric.

Due on Monday, November 21, 2011

Changing Education Paradigms

Use headphones and watch the 11 minute presentation by Sir Ken Robinson.
He describes the changes occurring in education with the help of a whiteboard artist.

When you finish watching and listening, reflect on your impressions of his presentation.
You should create your blog post around the theme of:
"If I could change education,  I would ____________...

Your blog should be titled:  If I could change education, I would...

Due on Monday, Nov. 14 before class starts.

Please check my blog! Please check my blog!

Week of October 24
Many of you didn't create a new post on your blog this past week.  You should be actively checking my blog each week to see if there is a blog entry for you.  I have been very lenient so far, but will begin to grade to a higher standard this week.  Watch your posting deadlines.
Please Check My Blog!
I made a few changes to the blog rubric so it is easier to understand.  Please refer to the rubric if you are wondering how your blog will be graded.  Watch your spelling and little i's.  Put some thought to your responses.  Each weekly blog is worth 25 points.  Here is the url to the google doc for the blog grading rubric.  http://tinyurl.com/3ccw8dv  

Remember, your future employer may read your blog. 

Put your best foot forward.  

The title of your blog post this week will be:

  Lesson Planning 101

Talk to your mentor teacher this week and ask for some ideas for planning a lesson for your class.  


Click on this link to the TEA.  It includes the TEKS by subject and by Grade level.   Find your grade level and hyperlink it on your blog.  Create a plan for three different activities you would like to do with your class.  List the TEKS that fit your ideas if you can find them.  You will be presenting a lesson before the Christmas Holidays, so plan accordingly.  

Don't forget to follow the rubric http://tinyurl.com/3ccw8dv  

My First Week as a Teacher...

• My first week as a teacher...
• Include in your blog post the following information:
• Name of your site school and a hyperlink to the school's web site.
• Include a picture of the site school.
• Name of your site school teacher and a hyperlink to their school web page.
• The grade level information and what subject you will be there for.
• Briefly describe how you felt the first day when you walked into the classroom.
• What are you most looking forward to this year in your classroom?
• Due by beginning of class on Monday, Oct. 21.
• 
  
• When finished with your blog post, open your Wiki, add a new page called My Internship.  Link the URL of your Blog to this page.  
• On the My Internship page include the name of your site school, site teacher and grade.  Hyperlink the website for the site school.

Does bad handwriting have anything to do with learning?

Click here to read what one expert thinks.
Click here to read an interesting blog on the topic.
What do you think?
How good or bad is your own handwriting?

Leave a comment below.
Your comment grade will be based on:
1.  Actually leaving a comment.
2.  Using complete sentences and good grammar.
3.  Using reasoning skills regarding the topic.
4.  Meet the posting deadline of Nov. 4, 2011.

Howard Gardner on Digital Youth

2nd year interns will use headphones and watch this short video. When you are finished, choose one of the questions and create a post on your blog using the question as your blog title and your discussion of the chosen question as your post. Be sure to link Howard Gardner's video to the post.  This will be due on Friday, Sept. 30.  Click here to view the rubric that will be used to grade this assignment. 

1. What are specific ethical issues you see kids struggling when they use digital media?

2. How is our sense of identity changing in the digital world? How can adults learn from kids and guide them at the same time?

3. Digital tools make it extremely easy to communicate with anyone in the world. What are the opportunities and challenges for kids?

4. Do you think digital media are having a negative impact on kids' attention span? What are the implications for home and school?

5. How does teaching and learning change in a world where information is at your fingertips?

The Cone of Learning

What is the cone of learning?
Click here to find out.
http://tinyurl.com/3gydsp5

First things First!

Your first blog assignment is to read this article about social media.  Click here.  After you have read the article, you will reflect on your thoughts about what you read.

• Remember to show professionalism in your writing style.  
• Use proper punctuation, grammar, and no acronyms - kwim?  
• Do not ever use profanity when blogging.
• Always capitalize I.
• Use complete sentences.
• Think before you type.

Happy Blogging!

Why blog?

This year, we will all start a classroom blog.  Several reasons:  1) it's the green thing to do and it will save trees.  2)  it's the new way to journal.  3) It will allow you to keep a running record of your progress throughout the year.  4) Because I said so.  If you need more reasons, I can think of more.

Here are a couple of useful links to refer to.
My classroom wikispace:  https://sstevensbctal.wikispaces.com/
My classroom website:  http://www.sstevensbctal.com

Welcome back to school and we will continue this as the year evolves...