Reflection #12

Well this week was spent in preparation for our teaching on Thursday. On Tuesday we used the class time to finalize our teaching lesson, choose videos to show, and make a couple of example balloon cars. I was a little surprised that we were able to decide on our lesson topics so easily, knowing some of the personalities of our group. But I was really impressed with how well we all worked together.

Thursday we got the final touches ready for our lesson and then went to Rocky Mountain Elementary to teach the sixth grade class. I was extremely surprised that I was able to collect enough water bottle lids (over 150) for the activity, but it was just the right amount. Carissa and Rachel made sugar cookies for the anticipatory set, Corina prepared a few of the principle of assembly lines to teach to the class, Rachel shared a 5 minute history of the first assembly line for Henry Ford, Carissa prepared the worksheets, and I collected all of the materials required for the balloon car activity, prepared the instructions, and introduced and ran the activity. Once again I was impressed with how well the group worked together and split up the task.

When we arived in the classroom it was surprising to hear how excited these kids were to have us back. For some reason they love the BYU students. Just like I thought I had plenty of comments on my diaper boxes... but thats ok. I was also very surprised at how smart the sixth graders are. Rachel asked a question about supply and demand during her history section and one of the students very confidently raised his hand and gave the perfect answer about the economics of it all. So up until this point everything had gone to plan, in fact I can't really think of many things that we should have changed at all except for one part during my part of the lesson.

I first explained what we were making and then split them into groups. Then passed out the diaper boxes of materials and explained they would have 5 minutes to organize it all and create their own assembly line. It was after the 5 minute planning period that I wish I could have back. I hadn't thought about the fact before hand that the students would not stop to listen to the next set of instructions with everything in front of them. Really all I wanted to say was "go" but the whole classroom manangement thing didn't happen. Luckily I am a quick learner and was able to get the classes attention after the building time was up by flashing the lights and having each kid hold their hands above their heads until the blood ran out.

Overall I really was impressed with how well our lesson went. I thought we were well prepared and I thought the kids loved the activity. Even though most groups did not have the greatest assembly line they seemed to understand the importance of them. So great job group.

Reflection # 11

This week is going to be hard to reflect on. Both Tuesday and Thursday were spent in our groups working on our sixth grade lesson plan. So... it has been kinda boring but i will write about it anyway. We are teaching the kids about assembly lines and having them put one into practice by building a balloon car.
Thursday we spent a few minutes discussing some of the timing of our lesson and finalizing who was teaching what. I am in charge of the activity, instructions, and materials. So far so good. I also spent some time creating some jigs in Shums lab for the activity. I created a block for one student to use as a hole punch for the lids/wheels. I also spent alot of time making a holder for the bottles that will allow for them to cut a hole in the top of the bottles. This device uses a cardboard tube and a wooden base. Works pretty good I think.
Here is the quick version of our lesson plan.
Sequential Order

Sugar Cookies
with quality control pre-test


I love Lucy Video

History

Good Assembly Line Video
with 3 principles of Assembly Line

Instructions/ Split up Groups/ Handout Materials

Reflection #10

I have to say this was kind of a fun week. Despite having lectures on both days I feel like I learned a lot this week. Tuesday we talked about teacher salary, benefits, perks etc. and why it is awesome to be a teacher. I thought that is was very interesting to see some of the different starting salaries of school districts. It seemed that for the most part Utah districts had about the same amount within a couple thousand. It wasn't surprising to me that out of state districts had higher starting salaries. What was surprising to me was the about of students in our program that plan on leaving Utah to teach. I really thought more people would be sticking around.

Thursday was interesting as well. We spent the first half or so of class in our teaching groups discussing our lesson plan ideas and getting ready to teach the sixth grade class.

The rest of class was spent listening to Jeff LeBaron, a graduate of the program from a few years ago. He talked about some of the activities that he has his Jr High class do and they sounded way fun. I could really see me loving to teach an intro to tech class at the Jr High level. I had already heard of a lot of the activities that he does but the one that caught my eye was the hot air balloons that they made. Out of crete paper they built six foot high balloons and then actually heated them up and let them fly. That is a way cool idea! The other thing that I loved about Jeffs presentation was that you can tell he loves his job and his students. It was also easy to see that he is making a difference in his classroom, something that I will strive to do.

We also finished the readings for the Marzano book and I just wanted to add a couple of things that impressed me:

1) Organizers should focus on what is important as opposed to what is unusual

2) Higher level organizers produce deeper learning that the lower level

3) Advanced organizers are most useful with information that is not well organized

4) Different types of advanced organizers produce different results

Reflection #9

This past week I really enjoyed the discussion that we had about assessment. It was interesting to talk about what an assessment of learning is as opposed to an evaluation of learning. Other than it being a three hour lecture it was very enjoyable and informative. Although I beleive Geoff has a strong (biased) oppinion i would agree with what he said.

"True and False tests are a waste of everyone's time!"

This statement was very interesting to me because i have never enjoyed taking a true and false test. The questions always seemed the most confusing to me and the most unfair. Now after this lecture i understand why i have always felt that way. Geoff informed us that he could always score at least a 72% on a true and false quiz. He claims this is because you are not required to know the material, rather, by following a few key words and rules there is no knowlege of the subject required. Long story short there is no way to get a true evaluation of content.

Evaluation = measuring the understanding, judgment of merit
Assessment = process of documenting in measurable terms

Another interesting point that Geoff made about tests was on multiple choice questions, he showed many different questions that were written wrong and we picked out why. He showed examples of questions that either guided the students toward the right answer or didnt allow them to get the right answer because it contained the wrong article. Another example was using less than four answers or using garbage just to fill one of the answers. I thought that these ideas were obvious but i think they are mistakes that everybody makes.

Rubrics = a list of criteria and ranges of content
Reliability = measument is repeated
Validity = accuracy of measure

All in all it was a good week. I enjoyed the last few teachings that we had (especially the Lego activity that Jared prepared).

Reflection #8

Tuesday we had another classroom visit. This time I watched Kristin Massic teach at Springville High School. It was definitely an interesting visit because she didn't do any teaching. Her first period class was a prep period, and her second period Robotics class was having a work day. Normally i would have chosen to go and watch another teacher, but since I know Kristin from high school i thought it might be worth my time to talk about things from her perspective. She has been teaching for 3 years and has already taught at two different schools in two different districts. It was interesting to hear what she said about Nebo School District because that would be the district that is closer to my home.

I would really like to get a job in Nebo but the benefits are all out in Alpine School District. She explained a couple of the perks that Nebo has and none of them seemed any better to me. But... she did mention that it is easier to get a job in Nebo and they allow for more choice in what you would like to teach.

Kristin was having some interesting problems with her class. She had just barely moved into her classroom a week ago and the new computers that she was given were not set up yet. PRO - new classroom with new computers, CON - half way through the semester and she still cannot program the robots properly in her robotics class. PRO - new class = new robots. I was amazed to hear that the district was willing to buy her 25 robots at 900 dollars a piece. I would have expected them to say that she needed to buy a couple over the next few years. CON - no program on the computers yet!

Anyway it looked like Kristin had a great class going. The students were well behaved and immediately started working on their assignments, and you could tell that she had developed some really good curriculum. Kristin was also very professional and has done her research for each of her classes.

Reflection #7

This week has been a week full of teaching! Not that I really think listening to the 20 minute lessons of each person in the class is fun, it is good to hear the comments and feedback of each lesson. It seems like have learned more from the mistakes/teaching methods of others than I have from the actual teaching experience.

I did get the chance this week to teach about STL #20. I thought the lesson went really well and got some really positive feedback. I taught a short lesson on how to read a set of working construction drawings. I think the hardest part about it was narrowing the lesson down to twenty minutes. While preparing I realized that I could easily have turned this lesson into a two week unit. Luckily I found that out before I started teaching and had some time to prepare a good lesson. So far that has been the biggest difference in each of the lessons shared. It really shows who has prepared and who has just gone up there thinking they can wing it. Honestly I spent 2 hours getting the activity ready and making sure that it makes sense.

I have to admit that I was still pretty nervous about the actual teaching, but I think i was able to settle in and just teach alot sooner than previous attempts. Overall I felt it was a good lesson. Feekback from Geoff = draw a bigger example on the board... and he was right. After I turned around and looked I had drawn an example fascia that was about a centimeter tall. Ha Ha.

This weeks funny note, how to deal with the class know it all...

Reflection #6

This week has been weird being back in the classroom. It seems like so long since our last discussion. This week we had the first round of the 20 minute STL's. It was nice to see people teach what is closer to a real lesson. It made a big difference in the teaching to have some time to actually set something up. It was also nice this week to get into some class discussions about differenct teaching strategies along with common feedback. It really seems to help me more to see somebody else do something that is considered wrong, rather than somebody tell me after the fact that I did the same thing.

I really enjoyed the activity that David did on thursday. He split the class into two groups and gave a simple, but direct prompt on what each team should act out in sharades. Not only did he bounce back and forth between groups, but he also gave positive feedback and truly listened to what was being discussed.

Tuesday we had a good discussion on what a powerpoint presentation should be. I think it cleared up alot of the questions that I had about it. I really feel like there are some people that rely to heavily on the presentation and it ends up becoming a lessonn on who can read the quote on the board rather than a teacher led discussion. Powerpoints should be used as prompts and a way to emphasis the key points. There is nothing wrong with a picture or short video, but I think as a rule, if there is something written on the presentation it shouldn't be read word for word.

Now I hope that I can come up with a good lesson for Tuesday. Geoff said he only expects each lesson to get better as we go along. (I guess its good mine is no longer the last STL)

Reflection #5

I am a little confused about what we are supposed to write about it class considering we did not have a class period between reflection #4 and #5.

Today i was able to watch Terry Hunters CTE class. Mr Hunter was a great teacher 14 years ago when i had him as a 7th grader and has only improved since then. I was very impressed with the interaction and the care that he gave to each student. His instruction at the beginning of class was very clear, he checked for understanding in multiple ways and times, and had clear objectives for the students.

Mr. Hunter invited me to walk around and help students. Today they were working on a small truss bridge that they had previously designed and were now making out of small wooden sticks and Elmer's glue. The students had clear parameters for the assignment including dimensions, materials, and even different jobs assigned to each one. As i walked around helping the students as much as i thought i should, i noticed Mr Hunter was not only answering questions but he was right down in, working with each on of the students. Multiple time i watched as he gave large hints, sanded sticks to the right angle, or even glued pieces together for the students. Not only did it reinforce what he had previously taught but it gave the struggling students a one on one demonstration and push towards the final goal. I didn't ever feel like he was doing it for the students but helped them just enough to fulfill the goal for the day.

I was able to watch "E" time as well. Mr Hunter has a great working relationship with the kids and you could tell that he want all of them to succeed. Each of the students that needed the extra 20 minutes of help received it. Very impressive. About the only negative mark that i would give to Mr Hunter would be the overwhelming amount of things in his classroom. He does so many fun activities with the students that the amount of decorations and equipment kinda overpowers the room. It was not a messy classroom at all, but the combined desks, computer stations, and example activities, gives the room a claustrophobic feel.

Reflection #4

Better late than never i guess...

For this reflection i would just like to write a few things from my last school visit to Mt. Nebo Jr. High. i was able to watch Mr. Christiansens 7th and 8th grade Intro to Technology classes. It was very interesting to say the least. Mr C has a very interesting way of teaching. On one hand he is probably the most organized teacher that i know of. On the other, he is the laziest!

I was very impressed with the packets that had been prepared for each class. He used about 20 or so different activities, covering different subjects involving technology, and put all of the information and worksheets into separate binders. The students were working in groups of 2 or 3 and the objective was to cycle through each binder. I was very impressed with the idea of the students learning and teaching each other, and figuring new things on their own. What i was not impressed with was the lack of instruction at the beginning of class and watching the teacher sit at his desk the entire class period.

The idea was there... the follow through and involvement with the class was not. Babysitter!

Reflection #3

Well here goes for post #3...

I was able to visit Scott Bartholomew at Vista Heights Middle School and watch his class. Here are a couple things that I wanted to remember:

Instructional Strategies: although the day we visited was dedicated to a student work day it was still apparent that Scott has established a structured classroom. They started with a quick brain teaser that allowed the winner an extra credit point, followed by a calendar rundown that was written on the white board. A simple set of instructions was given reminding the students what the assignment was and how they were to continue carrying it out, and the students were left to work in groups.

One strategy that Scott used was with a student tracker card. This card had all of the assignments for the term as well as discipline, late work passes, and classroom rules and expectations. Each student had it out on their desk and was expected to keep track of it throughout the semester.

Approach/ Appearance: Scott was dressed in a button up shirt and slacks that gave him a more serious look than a more casual appearance would have.

Student Reactions: The students were very respectful and willing to follow instructions. Most seemed to have a genuine interest in the class.

I really didn't take to many notes during the class because Scott had us involved with the students, but a couple things that i did note were: he involved everyone in the discussion and related things to them very well. Scott also checked for understanding regularly and it seemed that the kids were giving him truthful responses that they understood.

During the last few days I have also been reading from the Gong book and there are a few things that i would like to remember:
Questions that teachers should ask themselves
1) How can i prepare and present information in a way that motivates my students to love learning?
2) How do i teach a group when some students learn faster or have more background than others?
3) How do i find a consistent teaching method when student have such different learning styles?
4) How can i control the classroom and still give students individual freedom?
5) How can i make a deep, life-changing impact on my students?

"I began to realize that the most important key to learning was the students' role--their view of themselves, their purposes, desires, and relationships." If students wanted to learn, nothing could stop them. -Walter Gong

Reflection #1

So... i don't really know what I am for sure supposed to be writing about, but here goes... I beleive:

That teaching should be well thought out and planned before hand. There should always be an objective for the lesson, and each lesson should lead into the overall goals or objectives of the class. I beleive that teaching should be fun! If you don't love what you are teaching or how it is being taught then change it. I also beleive that there is nothing wrong with changing the lesson plan to further understanding or applicable knowledge. If a class has shown particular interest in the topic, or is having a hard time with comprehension then it is my responsibility as a teacher to have those students learn as much as possible about the topic. If it was important enough to teach it the first time then it is important enough understand it.

Learning should occur under the direction of the teacher. That does not mean that the teacher needs to be the one to teach! I beleive that the best learning comes from teaching others and applying the topic to the real world. Wong states: "Every one of us is both a student and a teacher. We are best when we each teach ourselves what we need to learn." The teacher is simply the tool to guide a discussion and not get in the way of learning. Involving every student at some point will not only better understanding but it will build a more unified classroom and show the students that it is possible to learn.

"You were hired not so much to teach...as to influence lives." - Wong

The three characteristics of an effective teacher:

1. Has positive expectations for student success.
2. Is an extremely good classroom manager.
3. Knows how to design lessons for student mastery.

Reflection #2

I think the thing I have enjoyed most about TEE 276 so far is watching everyone teach. Sometimes it gets monotonous and boring but watching other people teach has helped me alot. It has been good to see that I am not the only one that gets nervous in front of others. I have also enjoyed both the good, and the bad teaching moments.

For example, I hate when people become dependant on their Power Point presentation. Don't get me wrong I love the visuals and the use of technology in a lesson, but I really get bugged when the presenter stands in front of the class and reads word for word what is shown up on the board. Really, I can read... teach me something. Don't read what I can already read for myself. Luckily there are plenty that use the power points to lead their discussion with key words or phrases and then teaches about those ideas.

I really have been impressed with the lessons that have been taught so far. I think the hardest thing about it has been creating a good lesson with only 6 minutes to teach it in. One lesson that has stuck out to me was the other day from David. He taught about hydrogen energy and a converter that you can add to your car. He did a great job of preparing with both the video he showed as well as having a small demonstration in a jar of water. Props to him.

As a last thought I came across a section in the Wong book that I would like to post so that I can have it for future reference:

People in our culture are starved for attention:

1. The average child receives 12 minutes of attention each day from his or her parents.
2. By age 18, most Americans have spent more time in front of the television than they have with friends or parents.
3. the average adolescent spends more than three hours alone every day.
4. Loneliness is the number one problem of the elderly, many of whome are afraid to venture out of their homes or apartments

You don't need to tell all the members of a class that you love them, but you certainly can show it.