The Teaching Channel

The Teaching Channel is a great resource for new teachers and experienced teachers as well.  The link takes you to a group of instructional videos that show best teaching practices with teachers modeling good instruction.

The video below, is an example of a teacher modeling what she wants her students to do.



You will need to find two videos that fit your grade level and subject as well.  Either copy or embed the videos in your blog.  Give a brief description for each video and why you chose it.   What can you learn by watching good teaching?

This blog is due on Friday December, 12.  Always follow the rubric for best results.

Humor

Read this article about infusing humor into your classroom.  It is from the GoTeach! FEA magazine. 

Think about the article and some of the examples in it.  Have you ever had a teacher that made class more interesting by being funny?  Have you ever had a teacher that had a humor tumor and made things unnecessarily uncomfortable or boring?  Write about something funny that a teacher has done or said in one of your classes along the way. 

Look at some of the technology sources suggested and linked in the article like Blabberize - try them out. Link one website or an APP in your blog this week that you think would be fun or humorous in a classroom.  Find a funny picture. cartoon, quote or meme with captions that would be appropriate for your site school classroom and insert the image in your blog this week. 

Your blogs should reflect conversational style writing, not just answering the questions.  Your writers voice should come through on your blogs.  Check your hyperlinks and make sure they are linked.  Pictures make your blog more interesting to read. 

An example of an educational meme:

 

This blog will be due on Friday, December 5.  As always, follow the rubric for best results.  

Reflect

Many of you recently attended the TAFE Region XI competitive events day in Lake Dallas.  You all did a great job.  You were willing to jump in and help where needed.  I am proud of the way you conducted yourself.  You competed well and you should take pride in a job well done.  At times it was hectic and stressful and other times, it was boring just sitting around waiting.  Thus is the nature of competition day.  The hard part is over and now we wait till Friday for results.  Regardless of the results, you should feel good about yourself.  We are a great TEAM - BCTAL Richland!

This weeks blog is to reflect.

1. What event / events did you participate?
2. What was the hardest part of your event?   
3. What did you learn from this experience?
4. What will you do differently next round?
5. What was the best part?

If you didn't attend the region event.  You will need to describe in detail, your Teacher Created Material.  Take two pictures of your project and include in your blog.  Give step by step details of how it should be used inside a classroom.

Blog is due at the end of class today, Monday Nov. 10.

Rubric

My internship so far...

This week, you are to write about your internship, so far.  Everyone will answer the following things:

Year 1 and Year 2

1. What school you have been placed in?
2. What is the grade level?
3. Your mentor teacher / teachers name.  How long have they been teaching?
4. Link your teacher's webpage to your blog.
5. What subject is going on while you are there?
6. How did you feel when you first walked into your site school classroom?
7. What do you do when you are in the classroom?
8. What are you most looking forward to doing in your classroom this year?
9. Take a picture of your mentor teacher and include in your blog.  

Year 2 interns only, in addition to the above list, compare the similarities and differences to your experience last year.  

Blog is due on Friday, November 7 - UNLESS you are participating in TAFE Region 11 competition this weekend, your blog is due on Friday November 14.  Always follow the rubric for best results.  

Genius Hour

Watch the above video.

Have you ever thought?  "if I were in charge of my own education, I would do _____."
Look at this interesting website called GeniusHour.com.

This week's blog will allow you to think outside the box.  On your blog, you will propose your own Genius Hour project.  What would you like to do if you had a free hour in class each week to work on something / anything you were passionate about?  Follow the guidelines outlined in the video.  It needs to be something that has your own point of view.  We will share this blog in class and vote on the best proposal.  Do your best work!

This blog will be due on Monday, October 27.  As always, follow the rubric for best results.

What Would You Do? Year 1 Only

Blog Due on Tuesday, October 6.  Year 1 Only

Read the scenarios below.  Choose ONE of the potential situations you could encounter in your internship.  Post an entry on your blog that reframes the outcome by generating a solution that would be an appropriate and professional way to handle the situation as an EAT intern.  Your response should have clarity while avoiding vague recommendations.  Be sure you state which Scenario you are writing about.  Discuss at your table.  This is due at the end of class today.  

Scenario 1

You left campus for lunch and when you returned to campus you missed the bus that transports EAT interns to your field site campus.  You don’t have a car, but your boyfriend (girlfriend) said that he (she) could take you to your field site.  You took him (her) up on the offer.  When you boarded the bus to return to your home campus, another intern asked why you weren’t on the bus earlier.  You asked the intern not to point this out to your EAT teacher, Mrs. Crabapple, since no harm was done.

Scenario 2

You are at your EAT field site.  Although you know you are supposed to have your phone put away at your field site, you check it and see that you have a message from another intern in your class.  He said that he had an early dismissal and left the field site campus just a little early, but when he did, he forgot to sign out.  You think this is a bit strange because you never saw him ride the bus to your field site in the first place, but you agree to sign him in and out because you want to let him know he can trust you.  After all, Mrs. Meddlesome, your EAT teacher, stressed that it is important to establish relationships with your students and others with whom you work.

Scenario 3

You have just arrived at your field site.  Your teacher is absent and you have a substitute.  Previously, you have been in charge of monitoring the reading groups each day, and even though you were not aware that your mentor teacher would be gone, you know that you need to follow the routine so the students will progress. The substitute tells you that she has everything under control and you may leave because there is nothing for you to do. You decide your field site mentor will have plenty of time to get the reading groups caught up tomorrow so you go to the classroom next door where your EAT friend is interning.  The two of you move to the corner of the room and work on homework the rest of the period so you won’t disturb anyone.

Scenario 4

You are about to change into your field site attire and realize you have forgotten your field site shirt and name badge.  The bus will be leaving in three minutes.  You have on jeans with holes, and a low cut top.  You saw Mrs. Picky, your BCTAL EAT teacher, at your field site yesterday.  Since you think she will not be stopping by to visit interns at your field site, you hop on the bus without your EAT attire, taking your chances that you will not be discovered.  After all, if your field site mentor teacher and principal don’t say anything, there is no harm done, right?

As always, follow the rubric for best results. 

Significant Relationships

When was the last time you felt like a champion?  

Did you ever have a teacher that made you feel like a champion?

Using headphones, listen to this 7:48 minute video from TED talks.  Rita Pierson is a lifelong educator. Listen to what she has to say about the importance of making your students feel good about themselves.  She talks about "significant relationships."  Have you ever had a teacher make you feel significant?

The title of your blog this week is "Significant Relationships" and you will describe a significant relationship with a teacher that helped you to do better, try harder, keep on keeping on, etc.  Use the teacher's name, grade level, subject, and if you can get a picture, include it.  As you visualize your future classroom, how will you be a champion to a student in need?  Be concise and precise.

Follow the blog rubric.  Due on Monday, Sept. 29

Word Crimes

Communication is essential to be taken seriously!

Today's blog is about writing. 

Many of you have heard the Weird Al Yankovic video parody called Word Crimes.  It may hit quite close to home for many of you. 

One thing about writing, with practice, you can always get better.  Spelling and punctuation are important components to the overall writing process.  In this class, you will be expected to read well, write well, speak well, and think well.  They are all connected.

As a future teacher, you should be working on your communication skills every day.  Your written word should reflect your spoken words and thoughts.  Understanding what you are reading is vital to how you write answers and how you respond.  When you read and understand what you are reading,  you will expand your horizons and open up new worlds to yourself.

Your first blog is to write about why you want to become a teacher.  Check your spelling and grammar.  Follow the rubric and use good writing conventions. 

This is the rubric you will be using for all of your blogs this year in class.  This blog is due by the end of class on Monday, Sept. 8. 

Let's Write!

Hello Second Year Interns!


I am so glad you are back.  We have a great group, a dozen to be exact!  The blog this week is for second year interns only!

Edutopia is one of my favorite and useful teacher sites.  I get lots of my ideas from this site.  It is funded by George Lucas, you know Star Wars fame?

I recently read this article Does Spelling Count? from Edutopia. I want you to read it.  Some of you will really like and agree with the thoughts of the author.

After you have read it, you will need to create a blog that addresses the authors point of view.

Your blog is due by the end of your class on Friday, Sept. 5.   As always, follow the rubric for the best possible score.  Remember, this blog assignment is for second year interns, only.

A new year

Welcome back to school.  I hope you had a great summer.

This summer my sweet grand baby Hattie was born.  She is precious and beautiful!

I am so glad you decided to take my class.  We will focus on things that will make you a better student while preparing you for a career as a teacher.  After this year, you should be a better reader, writer, thinker and speaker.   I am looking forward to a great year.  

Get involved and stay involved.  Enjoy the journey...

Thank you!

No, you don't have a blog assignment!

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed being your teacher.  Education and Training is a unique classroom situation, I like to think we become more like a family than in most classes.  You made it fun for me to come to work each day.  Oh, there were times when I wasn't having having any fun, but you made me laugh and I love to laugh!

For the seniors, I hope you achieve all you wish to achieve.  You have a great start, just keep going.  Some of you I had as students for three years, some two years, and some only one.  You all made an impression in my heart.  I hope you know I am just a text, email or phone call away if you need help.



Your notes were the icing on the cake for a fabulous year.  Always write notes.  It means a lot to people.  Write your parents or someone who has made an impact on you a heartfelt note from time to time.  It is worth more than any gift you can buy them!


Thank you for the awesome blanket.  I will take it to OSU games this fall, but until then, I will leave it in my classroom for those cold natured people that shiver through my class.  Some day you will figure out why teachers keep their classrooms cold!

The flowers are beautiful and I am enjoying them! 

And last but not least, the Sonic card…  What can I say, I have an addiction and it is Sonic Diet Coke with lime - not just any Diet Coke will do, I only drink my Diet Coke from Sonic.  The secret is in the ice.  I will enjoy Sonic Happy Hours all summer.  

I will see you Seniors on Sunday at graduation, I am so proud of you!  Juniors, some of you I will see back here next year - can't wait to pick up where we left off, and for those that won't be back, I certainly hope our paths cross during the year.  Have a great summer and keep in touch!  I love you and I can honestly say this has been a year to remember and one of my favorite teaching experiences!  

Happy Trails to You!

Susan Stevens

2014 was a great year!

Now that you have finished your Animoto video.  It is time to embed your video onto your blog.  It should be called "2014 The Year in Review". 

Be sure to embed and not just paste the hyperlink.  It will cost you!

It has been a great year, remember it with your video!

Two Blogs in One!

This blog post is actually two blogs.
# 1 is ThingLink
#2 is Rules
Read carefully.  It will be two separate blog posts.


You have all now watched The Ron Clark Story.

• Blog # 1 - ThingLink Blog 
•  I will give you a ThingLink code in class. Use your ThingLink login code and create your own ThingLink image.

1. Click here to go to the ThingLink website.
2. Click on EDU at the top of the page.
3. Use your Email and Password that I gave you to log in.
4. When you are logged in, click on Create.
5. You can use Google Images to find images pertaining to Ron Clark- the teacher.  Select a photo from Google Images and drag to your desktop.  It should be different than the one I have on this blog.  Extra points for a photo that isn't overused by classmates.  
6. Link at least 6 different links onto your image.  You should have at least one photo, one video and one text. 
7. When you have finished, embed on to your blog.
8. This is due by Monday April 28.  You must meet all of the criteria above to receive maximum score.

• Blog # 2 - Rules - Write your own…

Keep the following guidelines in mind

Refer to the following when considering writing your rules.

Teaching Today

Ten Activities for Establishing Classroom Rules

Establishing Classroom Rules

Ron Clark - The Essential 55 

1. Rules are a big part of classroom management.
2. Ron Clark had 55 Rules, in most cases this is way too many.
3. Try to have more than five and less than ten rules. 
4. Make rules you can keep.
5. Rules should be broad and attainable.
6. Rules are different than routines.
7. Create rules that will apply to your own classroom.
8. Obtain a copy of your own site teachers classroom rules and compare and revise.
9. Follow the rubric guidelines for maximum score.
10. This blog is due by Friday, May 2.  

Fear of Failure

Either click Here or scan the QR code and read the following article, "How to Help Kids Overcome the Fear of Failure" by Vicki Zakrzewski. 

Michael Jordan once said, "I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."  

Personally, I learn more from things I fail than from things I succeed doing.  When I fail, I strive to master the concept until I know what I did wrong.  If I succeed, many times it was just luck that was part of my success and I don't continue to strive for mastery.  

Your post should include answers to the following.  Your answers should be thoughtful and truthful.  

1.  How do you view failure as a student?  
2.  How do you view failure as a teacher?  
3.  Do you think grades are a true indicator of your knowledge?
4.  Do you think being unsuccessful can give you perspective and also encourage you to try harder?
5.  How do you handle criticism?  

Follow the rubric for best results.  Due on Friday, April 18.  

LiveBinder

Below is the classroom LiveBinder that contains the links to the Web 2.0 tools and APPS you researched in last week's blog. 

Your Blog assignment for Friday, March 28 is to embed this LiveBinder on to your own Blog and to create a Wiki page called LiveBinder and then to embed it on to that page.  This will be due by the end of class.  You will need to show me it is complete. 

You can copy and paste this embed code for your Blog.

Open Binder embed code:

<iframe src="http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=1281814&present=true" height="500" width="100%">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

Binder icon embed code:

<div style="width:75px; height:78px; background-image:url(http://www.livebinders.com/images/icons/binder_icon.png); border:0px; margin-top:6px; background-repeat: no-repeat"> <a href="http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1281814"> <img src="/images/blank_binder.gif" style="width:60px; height:60px; border:0px; padding:0px;margin:11px 0px 0px 13px;" /> </a> </div> <div><a href="http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1281814">EAT Web tools and APPS</a><br /></div>

No rubric this week.  It's either all or none. 

Double Blog - Web tools

Follow the directions on Mrs. Stevens Wiki this week for your blog.  It is important to take your time and do it right.  Everything counts two times.  Do all of the criteria listed in the assignment, and you will need to include at least 4 types of multimedia this week.

Click here to access the Google Doc for the assignment.

Click here to access the rubric.

This Livebinder contains resources you may find useful for this assignment.

This Blog assignment will be due on Friday,  March 21 before class begins and will be shown randomly on the screen to be presented by you in front of class.

Is music the universal language?

Has music ever moved you?  Have you ever thought about the brain connections between music and learning?  Read this article about how one school is implementing a music program in their early education program. 

After you have finished the first article, Read this article about how one innovative teacher transformed a poverty stricken village in Paraguay.  Watch this powerful video Landfill Harmonic.


PS - the full version of the Landfill Harmonic is on YouTube.  It is awesome if you haven't seen it!

After you have finished reading both articles and watching the video, reflect on your experiences with music in education.  Was it meaningful?  Do you wish you could have pursued it further?  Do you feel we have enough fine arts and music in our curriculum?  Your thoughts. 

Your writing should reflect higher order thinking skills.  Grammar and process are important when writing.  Follow the rubric for best results.  This blog will be due on Friday, February 28 in class.  This blog will be shown on the screen so do your best work.  We will be peer grading the blogs this week.  Be creative with your title this week. 

7 Myths About Rigor

The Thinker Statue at Columbia University

Have you ever heard a teacher say that something wasn't rigorous enough?  Often, AP classes are said to contain rigor.  Just what does it mean?   Read this article "7 Myths About Rigor" and see what it says about rigor.  When you have read the article and based on your own personal knowledge, explain in your own words.   How do you think you could inject rigor into an assignment or a curriculum?  Ask yourself the questions that are outlined in the link.   Give clear thoughtful answers.

Follow the Rubric for the best grading results.  Blog is due on Monday, Feb. 10. 

Creativity Counts!

Creativity!

Use headphones to listen to the video below.   Some of you have probably heard this before, but it bears listening to again!  Sir Ken Robinson is a well renowned author and educator.  His TED Talk should offer you some perspective.  This video is always a class favorite!

I thought this was an appropriate time to show this video from Sir Ken Robinson while you are contemplating what you will be teaching your own students.   Creativity should always count!  

You are to answer the following using complete thoughts and phrases.  

You should give intelligent well thought out answers.  You should also write in complete, grammatically correct sentences.

What is Creativity?
Why does Creativity matter in Education?
How do we fix this?

Sir Ken Robinson's Website.  Click here

Sir Ken Robinson on TED Talks

The name of your Blog post is Creativity Counts.
Remember to follow the Rubric.  This blog post is due today, Monday, Feb. 3.  

The future of teachers in Texas

Here are two articles for you to read.  

After you have read both, reflect on what you have read.  Give well thought out ideas and statements.

1.  An article and graphic from Texas Monthly.  Click here

2.  Great Teachers:  Great Texas a plan proposed by State Senator Wendy Davis (Richland High School graduate) and candidate for Governor of Texas.  Click here and read about her proposal to strengthen teachers in Texas.

This blog is due on Friday, January 24.  As always, use the rubric for best scoring results.  We may be reviewing your blogs on the big screen, so do your best!