Precepts

In Wonder, you should have learned about Mr. Browne's precepts. Be prepared to explain your precept in detail.  Keep reading... It only gets better!

What is your Precept?

Write your own personal precept -

• If you use a quote, credit should be given to the originator
• You should use CANVA to create a Postcard with your personal Precept on it.
• You can get a free account by logging in with an email and password.
• When you are finished, click on Share, then Embed - Copy the embed code or download as a JPG and upload or embed on your Blog.  
• This is a Book Club grade and a Blog grade. 2 grades.

Scan the QR and learn About the Author, R. J. Palacio

Due by January 5, 2018.

Initiative

 

Definition

in·i·ti·a·tive

iˈniSH(ē)ətiv/

noun

noun: initiative; plural noun: initiatives; noun: the initiative

1.

the ability to assess and initiate things independently.

"use your initiative, imagination, and common sense"

2.

the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
"we have lost the initiative and allowed our opponents to dictate the subject"

Assignment

Year 1:  You are now beginning your third week as an EAT intern.  You should begin to get a feel for what needs to be done in your classroom.  You should begin to show initiative in your classroom.  
Year 2:  You have been in the classroom as an intern for over a year now.  This is a refresher for you, answer the following questions below about initiative.  Do you think you are showing more initiative in your second year than you did your first year?  

The assignment this week is as follows:

1.  What does initiative mean to you?  In your own words please!

2.  Make a list of at least 10 ways you can show initiative as an EAT intern in your field site classroom. (whether you have actually done them or not)
3.  Find at least five words that are synonomous with initiative.  List them.

3.  Write a paragraph that indicates some actual things you did during the week to show initiative in your classroom.  How did this impact your mentor teacher or students? 

4.  Why is initiative such an important characteristic for a teacher to possess?

This blog is due on Monday October 30.  Follow the rubric for best results. 

How would you handle this?

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 on Friday.  

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. Crabby, 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. Petty, 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. 

Classroom Computer Protocol and Technology Update

The beginning of the school year was hectic and there were several issues with technology during the first two weeks. Because we were "behind" so to speak, we didn't go over usual technology protocol for use and care of tech tools.   Please read the entire blog and follow directions at the end.  Reading and commenting will count as a blog grade.  After you have read the blog, make a comment at the end of this post.  If you don't comment, I will assume you didn't read it.  Your comment should include this statement:  "I have read the classroom computer protocol and technology updates and I will do my best to abide by them.  Include one other statement from the blog that you learned.  Sign your name.  Due by Friday, September 22.    

• Check the number to assure you have the right computer
• Make sure it is fully charged and ready to go. 
• Although we will not use the Macbooks every day, we will use frequently, have it already opened or immediately pull it up when you get into a class, this will help save time.  
• When you return your Macbook to it's tray at the end of class, be sure it is in the right tray and the charger lights up.  This is a courtesy to others.
• Do not carry your laptop by the screen.  This will harm the built in camera.
• Clean the screen with wipes that are provided and never spray anything on your computer.
• Keep drinks and food away from your computer.

1.  Screens Down – Anytime someone is speaking (teacher, speaker or other students), screens will be tilted down.  Nothing is more distracting to you or to others around you than someone surfing the web.  Putting the screen down will help bring attention to the task at hand.
2. Tech-Tips – It is required for you to have a Chrome toolbar set up on your computer. Always make sure you are logged in to your Chrome toolbar.  Your name should appear in the top right corner of your screen.  The minimum bookmarks you should have at this time are Canvas, BISD, My Blog, Your Blog and additionally you should have the goo.gl URL shortener as an add on.  Others will come at a later time.  Bookmarks are a HUGE time saver.  
3. Sound – All laptops will be muted during class time.  If you are working on an independent project, you may listen to music with your headphones.  Do not assume you can leave headphones in when you enter the classroom.  When I begin speaking, remove your headphones. Do not charge your phones from the laptops. 
4. Camera Use – Your laptop is equipped with both a digital camera and digital video recorder. With these tools, we will create a multitude of projects from footage and photos you take. There are expectations that the photos and videos taken are appropriate and in good taste. The subject should always be asked before an image is taken of them. Privileges of these two tools will be revoked if used inappropriately. Please refrain from taping video and snapping pictures of people without permission.
5. Self-Management – If it is not related to the task assigned, you should not be doing it during class. This includes email, Googling, and social networks. Self-Management of digital access is a lifelong skill that relates to productivity.  Do not change the home screen on your computers. Manage your files and keep desktop clutter to a minimum.  
6. Saving work – You should be saving your work.  Everyone has a Google Drive.  You should save all of your work in your own drive.  You can drag all types of files into the drive, even if they are not google files.  Word, Excel, PowerPoint, jpg, png, PDF..

Thanks for reading.  Now comment!  

Ron Clark and the importance of Rules

You watched The Ron Clark Story last week.  Ron Clark founded The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA. Please click here and explore his website.   If you are on social media such as Twitter and Facebook, consider following him to see what exciting things are going on in his model school.  

If you missed the movie, it is on YouTube, watch it!

Your assignment is this, address the following questions in a conversational dialogue. Remember, you will need to follow the rubric for best results.  Refer to the prompt in your blog.  

Written content on blog:

• Why are rules important for learning? 
• How can rules help to keep a classroom running smoothly?
• What often happens in a classroom that is void of rules?  

Google Doc with pictures:

• Create a Google Doc of your rules, then Hyperlink your Google Doc Link of the classroom rules you made.
• Include the consequences to your rules.  Rules are nothing but words, without consequences.  

Due Friday, Sept. 8 before class begins.
As always, you will need to follow the rubric.
Have a great week!

End of year video 2017

 End of year video 2017

Welcome back!

Hello everyone! So glad you are in my class this year!

There are lots of changes this year at BCTAL.

• We have a new principal. Ms. Carol Adcock, formerly an AP at Richland High School and also responsible for online learning within the district.  
• We will have an enhanced cell phone policy within the classroom.  Cell phones are a wonderful tool for education, but they also can be a HUGE distraction.  We will have a new policy that ensures that you are learning while in the classroom, and will not let your cell phones be a detriment to your learning.  
• Here are links to the new Course Outlines for 2017-18.  EAT I     EAT II
• New TEKS this year.  See course outlines.
• We will be using Canvas as a learning management system.  Some of you have already used it with other teachers.  All assignments and information will be posted on Canvas going forward.
• We will be using Google tools extensively this year.  You will be required to use your g.birdvilleschools account on Canvas.  I will help you get onboard if you have not used it before.  
• Don't forget about TAFE and Educators Rising.  TAFE Region Competition is on December 1 at UNT.  Get Excited!

I am looking forward to seeing the familiar faces again and I can't wait to meet all of my new students!  This will be a great year!

Life Skills that Define Readiness for the Workforce

Are you ready for the real world?  What exactly are those skills that make you ready or not for success?   Click here and read this article about the 28 Life Skills that Define Success.  There are many overlaps with Habits of Mind on this list.

• Read and digest the infographic.  
• Pick out three of the skills you feel you don't have and elaborate on how you can work toward achieving this skill in the future.  Label as "Skills I need to work on"
• Pick three skills that you think you've got and explain why you feel this way.  Label as "Skills I Possess"

For best results, always use the rubric.  This blog is due on Friday, March 3 by the end of class.  

It all starts with a plan

We have been working on lesson planning for the past week or so.  Planning instruction for learning is one of the most important skills good teachers possess.  Taking it a step further, after you have formulated your plans, now is when you put it all together in front of  your class.  Good instruction is just as important as a good plan.

What is good instruction?  Take a few minutes and think about effective teachers you have had in your life.  Think about ineffective teachers you have had.  What was the difference in the two types of teachers?  I am thinking it probably has something to do with the way they presented the information.
Some hints to make you an effective presenter:

• Know your material!  If you don't know what you are talking about, your students will sense this.  
• Speak with a loud enough voice to be heard by all of your students.  Relax the nerves. 
• # 1 rule is to be prepared!  Students know when you are winging it.  Don't be that teacher!
• Practice with a friend or in front of a mirror before your lesson.  Those that practice do much better than those that don't!

A good way to be a good teacher is to watch videos of other good teachers.  The Teaching Channel is a good place to search for videos that show good teaching.  You can sign up for an account with your email address.  This will enable you to save videos and lesson ideas for future use.  

Your blog assignment is to find a short video of a teacher that teaches the same grade level as you are teaching on The Teaching Channel.  

• Write a review of the video. 
• Write down the "Questions to Consider" and Answer the "Questions to Consider" found on the side panel of your video.

Embed the video on your blog.  Look for the embed symbol on each video toolbar.  Click on it and it will give you the embed code to copy.

As always use the rubric for best grading results.  This blog is due on Monday, February 6.