Wow, I can't believe it has been 2 months since I last posted something about my experience. Hopefully, that means that I have been working hard and improving my craft during my student teaching experience. I'm confident that is the case! This has been a very challenging and eye-opening experience so far. I have been a ball of nerves from day one, but I am more confident every day in my abilities.
I have approximately 50 tests to grade this evening, but I am planning on sharing some of my student teaching experiences in the upcoming weeks. I have two more weeks of full time teaching, then I begin to wind down my experience as I enter March. I hope to use this space more often in the coming weeks to share my experiences. Bis dann!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, December 20, 2010
Go overseas!
As many of you may know, I spent a year in Germany as a high school exchange student, attending a German school and living with a German family. It was the most profound experience of my life and it influenced my decision to study German and History in college. It was also the first step on this path that is leading me to become a teacher of German!
I spend the year in Germany in 1997-1998. For the last 12 years, many young people have asked me about that experience. My response is always the same, and it is one that I share with you today. If an opportunity presents itself to you to spend some time living, actually living, in another country, take it and don't look back. Even if you are afraid to learn another language, seek out an opportunity in an English language speaking country and take advantage of it. If you truly believe in making the world a smaller place and making connections, spend some time living in another country. Living in a new culture allows you to see life through another perspective. Customs may be different. Not better, not worse, just different. You will be forced to try things you never would of considered before. More times than not, the experience will change the way you look at the world in a positive way.
As a teacher, I look forward to sharing my experiences living overseas with my students. While being an exchange student may not be an option for everyone, I will try to bring some of the different perspectives I learned into my classroom in order to show my students what life in another country is like. I also look forward to being involved in student exchange programs where I can open doors to other cultures for my students. There is no better way of seeing the world than through the eyes of another person. If you ever have the chance, take the plunge. Go overseas!
I spend the year in Germany in 1997-1998. For the last 12 years, many young people have asked me about that experience. My response is always the same, and it is one that I share with you today. If an opportunity presents itself to you to spend some time living, actually living, in another country, take it and don't look back. Even if you are afraid to learn another language, seek out an opportunity in an English language speaking country and take advantage of it. If you truly believe in making the world a smaller place and making connections, spend some time living in another country. Living in a new culture allows you to see life through another perspective. Customs may be different. Not better, not worse, just different. You will be forced to try things you never would of considered before. More times than not, the experience will change the way you look at the world in a positive way.
As a teacher, I look forward to sharing my experiences living overseas with my students. While being an exchange student may not be an option for everyone, I will try to bring some of the different perspectives I learned into my classroom in order to show my students what life in another country is like. I also look forward to being involved in student exchange programs where I can open doors to other cultures for my students. There is no better way of seeing the world than through the eyes of another person. If you ever have the chance, take the plunge. Go overseas!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Das Ende des Semesters
As I sit here on campus today, I can revel in the fact that I have completed my course work for Transition to Teaching in a very successful way! I am still waiting to receive one final grade, but it looks like I will have achieved straight A's for my course work.
I now turn my focus to student teaching beginning January 3rd. I am excited to dive right in from day one and start learning. The student teaching placement only lasts 11 weeks! It will be over before I know it. I will be teaching my cooperating teacher's full class load for a minimum of 5 weeks. I am also looking forward to becoming a part of the overall school community. I have said from day one that I not only want to be a great teacher, but I also want to be a heavily involved member of the overall school community. I want to reach out to students beyond the classroom and engage them in activities that interest them. I want to create interesting and relevant lessons that students willingly contemplate beyond the classroom. I want my classroom to be a place that students look forward to coming to on a daily basis. They will be challenged, engaged, and respected! I am empowered by a confidence that I will be a great teacher, father, and husband all in one!!
Finally, I would like to wish all of you out there a Merry Christmas. Remember the positive things in life, even as you deal with issues and struggles. We are so blessed with everything we have. While we always believe in our minds that things could be better, there is no better time than the present. Give someone a hug today! Frohe Weihnachten!!
I now turn my focus to student teaching beginning January 3rd. I am excited to dive right in from day one and start learning. The student teaching placement only lasts 11 weeks! It will be over before I know it. I will be teaching my cooperating teacher's full class load for a minimum of 5 weeks. I am also looking forward to becoming a part of the overall school community. I have said from day one that I not only want to be a great teacher, but I also want to be a heavily involved member of the overall school community. I want to reach out to students beyond the classroom and engage them in activities that interest them. I want to create interesting and relevant lessons that students willingly contemplate beyond the classroom. I want my classroom to be a place that students look forward to coming to on a daily basis. They will be challenged, engaged, and respected! I am empowered by a confidence that I will be a great teacher, father, and husband all in one!!
Finally, I would like to wish all of you out there a Merry Christmas. Remember the positive things in life, even as you deal with issues and struggles. We are so blessed with everything we have. While we always believe in our minds that things could be better, there is no better time than the present. Give someone a hug today! Frohe Weihnachten!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Alles Gute zum ?Thanksgiving?
Okay, so we all know that Thanksgiving is a full-on American Holiday. There's really no way to translate that one into German. It does however, allow me some time to write a post here on the blog. Most of my free writing time has been absorbed by a Moon-watching journal that I have been writing for a class this semester. There's some really good stuff in there, I promise!
There's only about two weeks of class left before I am thrown to the wolves(literally, MCHS Wolves) at Michigan City High School. I can't wait to get started. I have completed my observation time at Ben Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso. In only about 30 hours of class time, I learned so many simple but important techniques. Keep instructions simple, model everything, take no prior knowledge for granted, make instructions explicit, plan and practice lessons, and allow students time to answer. More often than not, these students knew the answers to the questions I asked. I simply had to learn to give them the time to formulate their response.
As Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow, I wish everyone a safe, happy, relaxing holiday. I hope wherever you spend the day, your home is filled with love, family, friends, food, and football! It is truly a time to be thankful.
There's only about two weeks of class left before I am thrown to the wolves(literally, MCHS Wolves) at Michigan City High School. I can't wait to get started. I have completed my observation time at Ben Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso. In only about 30 hours of class time, I learned so many simple but important techniques. Keep instructions simple, model everything, take no prior knowledge for granted, make instructions explicit, plan and practice lessons, and allow students time to answer. More often than not, these students knew the answers to the questions I asked. I simply had to learn to give them the time to formulate their response.
As Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow, I wish everyone a safe, happy, relaxing holiday. I hope wherever you spend the day, your home is filled with love, family, friends, food, and football! It is truly a time to be thankful.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Modifications for Special Needs Students
I have spoken to a few teachers within the school where I am doing my field experience and they have both told me that they have done very little modification of assignments for specific students. Both of these teachers happen to be foreign language teachers and I am starting to get the impression that modifications and assessments are not as heavily used in these classrooms. Naturally, most foreign language study is elective, meaning students are not "required" to take it, nor are they specifically tested on its content by standardized state testing. I have observed two different German language classrooms so far this semester. My first impression is that the majority, if not all of the students in these classes would be considered high-achieving. I assume they are the best of the best within each of these individual schools. With regards to ESL students, I don't see many of them choosing to take another foreign language when they are still in the process of learning English.
I have learned a great deal about the use and importance of modifications and accommodations this semester, and I am confident that I can implement them when necessary. I believe however, that I will use them more should I be hired as a Social Studies teacher as opposed to a German teacher. I will be prepared to accommodate any student who requires it, but I don't believe modifications are as prevalent in foreign language classrooms as they are in other core subjects. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I am here to learn and these thoughts are wholly based on my limited observations in classrooms this semester.
I have learned a great deal about the use and importance of modifications and accommodations this semester, and I am confident that I can implement them when necessary. I believe however, that I will use them more should I be hired as a Social Studies teacher as opposed to a German teacher. I will be prepared to accommodate any student who requires it, but I don't believe modifications are as prevalent in foreign language classrooms as they are in other core subjects. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I am here to learn and these thoughts are wholly based on my limited observations in classrooms this semester.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Two Grading Options
Our seminar professor, Dr. Spitzer, has once again asked us to use our blog to discuss an issue. Today it revolves around using an unweighted vs. a weighted grading system. In this fictional scenario, a school system is currently using an unweighted A, B, C, D, F system with G.P.A.'s ranging from 0.0-4.0. This means all courses count equally in your G.P.A. Should they retain this system, or move to a weighted system? What are the arguments on both sides?
I attended a high school where the higher level AP and College Prep courses were really starting to kick into high gear. Students who did well in those courses could achieve a G.P.A. as high as 5.0. If this school system were to make a change, I would advocate for allowing higher G.P.A. levels for higher level courses. I believe it is fair to allow students who are taking courses at a college level to receive more credit than those who are not. I would also consider the creation of higher level electives that could be tailored to individual students. This would encourage students to pursue their creative or personal learning passions, yet still earn credit at a higher achievement level. This would also eliminate the problem of students skipping electives in pursuit of higher grades.
Maintaining an unweighted grading system has its advantages as well. This system allows everyone to be on a level playing field. Students in varying course levels all still have the opportunity to lead their class in G.P.A. An unweighted system also encourages students to pursue course work that interests them and keeps them motivated through the content and not the final grade. When weights are added to specific courses, students will give extra effort in those courses while falling behind in others.
It is important to maintain grades tied directly to student achievement of the course objectives no matter which system is chosen. While effort, behavior, and ability are important factors to consider during the formative assessment phase of school, final grades should be based upon whether the student actually learned what you set out to teach.
I attended a high school where the higher level AP and College Prep courses were really starting to kick into high gear. Students who did well in those courses could achieve a G.P.A. as high as 5.0. If this school system were to make a change, I would advocate for allowing higher G.P.A. levels for higher level courses. I believe it is fair to allow students who are taking courses at a college level to receive more credit than those who are not. I would also consider the creation of higher level electives that could be tailored to individual students. This would encourage students to pursue their creative or personal learning passions, yet still earn credit at a higher achievement level. This would also eliminate the problem of students skipping electives in pursuit of higher grades.
Maintaining an unweighted grading system has its advantages as well. This system allows everyone to be on a level playing field. Students in varying course levels all still have the opportunity to lead their class in G.P.A. An unweighted system also encourages students to pursue course work that interests them and keeps them motivated through the content and not the final grade. When weights are added to specific courses, students will give extra effort in those courses while falling behind in others.
It is important to maintain grades tied directly to student achievement of the course objectives no matter which system is chosen. While effort, behavior, and ability are important factors to consider during the formative assessment phase of school, final grades should be based upon whether the student actually learned what you set out to teach.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Just a thought
Another thought provoking night in my adolescent development class. We viewed a video titled Bullied, detailing the first victorious case against anti-gay harassment within a school system. This was a situation where most teachers and administrators turned their heads to flat out abusive behavior. It is so frustrating to me when people don't think before speaking or taking action. For example, in the video, the principal at the middle school where this boy was being harassed simply chalked up physical beatings as "boys being boys." No punishments were given out. Because of her biased nature, she refused to think about the simple act of abuse separately from the issue of sexuality. One question needed to be asked, "Is this acceptable behavior in my school?" The simple answer is no, and anyone who disrespects and harasses another person should be disciplined. I have established from the beginning of this program that one of the pillars of my teaching philosophy is respect. Whatever else I learn or take away from this program, the respect pillar will remain steadfast. Simply put, there is no other way to treat a person.
I'd like to share one personal story of how this issue has affected my life personally. In college, I was a pledge(not a full member yet) at a fraternity and my sophomore year, a good friend from high school started as a freshman at my school. He was openly gay and I was one of the first people he had told over a year earlier. A great guy, I immediately invited him over to the fraternity to hang out. He loved the place, got along well with most everyone, and was soon asked to pledge. At our chapter meeting when the issue came up, one member stated his concern as, "What happens when we're both in the shower and he's checking me out?"(Nobody, male or female, would have been checking this guy out in the shower!) Long story short, I gathered the courage to stand up in front of 80 guys and say, "Look, this guy is one of us. He likes to party, he's friendly, he's a hard worker, he'll probably bring more girls to the house than any of us, and he wants to be here. Ask this question: Would we be questioning our desire to have this guy be a part of our house if he was straight?" The answer was no, and he was invited to be a member. He ended up being great friends with everyone in the house, including the one who was afraid to shower with him! This is a great example of taking a moment to simply think through a situation before you come down on the side of hate, fear, and discrimination!
I'd like to share one personal story of how this issue has affected my life personally. In college, I was a pledge(not a full member yet) at a fraternity and my sophomore year, a good friend from high school started as a freshman at my school. He was openly gay and I was one of the first people he had told over a year earlier. A great guy, I immediately invited him over to the fraternity to hang out. He loved the place, got along well with most everyone, and was soon asked to pledge. At our chapter meeting when the issue came up, one member stated his concern as, "What happens when we're both in the shower and he's checking me out?"(Nobody, male or female, would have been checking this guy out in the shower!) Long story short, I gathered the courage to stand up in front of 80 guys and say, "Look, this guy is one of us. He likes to party, he's friendly, he's a hard worker, he'll probably bring more girls to the house than any of us, and he wants to be here. Ask this question: Would we be questioning our desire to have this guy be a part of our house if he was straight?" The answer was no, and he was invited to be a member. He ended up being great friends with everyone in the house, including the one who was afraid to shower with him! This is a great example of taking a moment to simply think through a situation before you come down on the side of hate, fear, and discrimination!
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