Self reflection of 2015-2016

As the school year comes to an end I realize that I have learned a lot this year from my sites teacher, Mrs. Snethen. This being my second year of participation in the Ready, Set, Teach class has allowed me to compare a prekindergarten age group to that of my past experience with a a kindergarten age group; the students in these two age groups are so close in age, but still develop differently and advance differently.

This year I had the privilege to work with my mentor, Mrs. Snethen, who is a great teacher and who I respect a lot. She has the perfect qualities that a prekindergarten teacher should have. Her style of teaching doesn't allow her students to get bored and reject the information being sent from her. She encourages role playing in everything she does, which makes every lesson fun, and she also ties every lesson to a life circumstance. The most important lesson that I take from her is the fact that every child can learn when there is help at home and there is help at school as well as once in a while adding a little twist to a lesson can make the outcome much more effective.

Last but not least, my students this year were great to me and I love every single one of them. Every morning was a new reason to smile. Their pure love and innocence were the reasons I enjoyed everyday I was there. Now speaking of them academically wise is what left me dumbfounded every moment they did something or said something. To me it is very interesting to just imagine how their brain functions, most of them are at age 5 and already reading when some kids at age 10 or up are at the same reading level, their intelligence is just amazing.

One more year of experience has just been another push towards my future career, I can't imagine choosing a career that does not involve children. I definitely would not have been able to have such an amazing experience without Mrs. Snethen and Ms. Barron.

My favorite children's book review

One of the most impacting tools that can be used by teachers and parents are books. Children books cover many morals and developmental stages that children will encounter and will need help understanding. My personal favorite children's book is "Hello, My Name Is Ruby" written by Philip C. Stead. This book is based on the concept of friendship and demonstrates the difficulties in finding the right group of friends. The small bird Ruby introduces herself to every new face she sees, some correspond in a very nice way and others totally deny her of their friendship. In one occasion she flies with a flock of birds where she clearly does not fit in and ends up searching for a new group of friends. Lastly she encounters a large bird with resemblance to an ostrich that takes her to the perfect place where Ruby meets birds that are just like her, where she is welcomed and loved.

When searching for friends, many children will come across disappointments and mean responses from other children. Most of the time, like Ruby, children will find that they don't fit in with a certain group, whether it be because of their age, size, or color. The most important thing to know and value is the fact that there is always that perfect match, someone will always be your unconditional friend and will share many, if not all, similar interests.

"Hello, My Name Is Ruby" is a great book for children to read at an early age simply because it creates a connection between Ruby and the reader. Ruby, the bird, will give children hope and faith needed to find the perfect match.

                                                          

                                        

Challenges in the classroom

I have recently started to take a look into visual processing disorder and I have come to realize that there is so many types of disorders a child can have and to top it off, combining about ten per class out of twenty students is a great challenge for one teacher. It is not easy for a teacher to cover a lesson  in general and when the information given is not easily obtained by all students, the effectiveness of the lesson reduces. The teacher then has to search for strategies that will allow the students to grasp the concepts covered. Now disorders don't always refer to negative obstacles a student encounters, some students are what is "gifted and talented" and being gifted and talented is great, but when all twenty students are not at that level, it is difficult for that gifted student to stay focused. Students who quickly master a concept move quickly and require challenges to keep their attention locked up. Now that creates a challenge for the teacher because now she/ he has to be able to challenge all students but at different levels of intensity. The ultimate goal of a teacher is to have all her/ his students succeed and in order for that to be accomplished, a teacher must be able to recognize and treat every disability a student may have. The inclusion of every student's need is extremely important to the academic future of that child. I believe that holding all the students to high standards is perfectly fine, the actual work is in the process of getting them to meet the standards; gifted students can achieve their goals on their own, with guidance of the teacher, and the average to lower students can have the one-on-one help that they require of. A teacher must teach herself/ himself how to effectively reach out to all the students and prepare the next geniuses of this generation!

Creativityof

 After watching Sir Ken Robinson TED Talk "How to Change Education" I find myself to be a definite supporter of his ideas. Mr. Robinson discusses creativity in education. Creativity is the ability for a person to express and act in a unique way and is different amongst every human being. Creativity is becoming extinct in the education system which is why "30 % of kids do not complete high school", education is being implemented through a routine that never changes and drives the interest of students out the door. Some people might blame it on teachers, but young teachers are being prepared to teach to a routine as well, now they're responsible of stepping out of the box and make themselves effective with their creativity. On the other hand, older teachers are also having a hard time adapting, which Mr. Robinson stated " if someone/something doesn't adapt to change it dies." "Children are born with a vast appetite for learning since they were in the womb" if any teacher, despite their age, does not use creativity to keep their students engaged their effectiveness will die.
 My current mentor teacher does an outstanding job of keeping her students engaged and developing creativity in the work her students complete. She sets her students to act like champions and establishes roles that they must act up to. Her students have a fun time in the class because every day the lessons are implemented in a different manner. Every thought that they express is important to both the teacher and the other students. The kids know they are not limited to think out of the box because the environment for such ideas was set since day one. But even when creativity is not fully present a teacher who wishes to encourage their students to express themselves can achieve such thing; "Change happens from the ground up and if you change what has happened at the ground you can change the world!"

The Essential 55 Chapters 44-55

Reaching the 55th rule was absolutely a great way to end Ron Clark's book. Mr. Clark does not only want to discipline his students, he also wants them to enjoy the beauty of life and "be the best person [they] can be"(p.158). The last rules of his wonderful 55, Mr. Clark focuses on building a good character out of his students. They are to "always be honest" no matter how much the truth might affect other people or themselves(p.152). Children tend to lie a bit more than normal, when they are young consequences will not have that much of a negative effect, but as they grow older lying can cause a lot to be lost. And as Mr. Clark advices "in life there should be no regrets" what so ever, therefore avoiding lies that can have tragic outcomes can be the key factor to living a life with no regrets(p.144). I believe that Mr. Clark has introduced the value of life at a decent age where his students are able to understand the concept of enjoying life and have time to put it into practice.
In the society that we live in today criticism is always present but as individuals we should all "stand up for what [we] believe in" and do what makes us happy!(p.137) The best way to be happy with ourselves is to accept that "we are only human" and we "are going to make mistakes", no living human is perfect(p.146). The best educator teaches the human being not the subject. I absolutely enjoyed reading The Essential 55, as a future educator I will definitely incorporate some of Mr. Clark's rules into my own class.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104136/chapters/The-Power-of-an-Effective-Teacher-and-Why-We-Should-Assess-It.aspx

The Essential 55 Chapters 33-43

After reading all chapters up to 43 I have come to develop respect for Mr. Clark. Not only does Mr. Clark imply rules for his classroom and the fulfilling of his requirements as a teacher, he also implies rules that benefit the life of his students. He teaches his students to have respect for others as well as for their surroundings; Mr. Clark let's his students know that "sometimes respect for others may not seem like it is going to have an impact, however kind actions are appreciated and recognized by others"(p.115). Respect for others is super simple to do, it can be practiced by "making sure to remember the name of the person you have been introduced to and when leaving shake their hand and repeat their names"(p.105); remembering someones name demonstrates that interest for the other person is involved. Interest can also be shown by complementing someone, whether it be by completing them on something they do or have. Complementing is very important because "people are always self-conscious" and complements help people "feel at ease" and enjoy themselves(p.116).
One crucial thing that children don't practice, especially young children, is showing gratitude. When someone "does not forget to thank other people, people never forget to include that person"(p.122). People like to know that they are not just working for someone without receiving anything in return and that definitely does not mean to buy a gift for that person, a simple and easy reward can be a kind "thank you". "Once they've been told, they're halfway there", children are used to being told what to do, so as teachers why not add a little bit of rules that deal with manners, all that is left to do is application of such rules(p.112).
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=287&id=2526

The Essential 55- Chapter 22-32

As I was reading chapters 22-32 from The Essential 55 book I have noticed that it is never too late to teach a child how to behave at all times. Some parents do not prepare their children to act appropriately in public places, such as restaurant; when eating it is not acceptable to "play with food" something that is very common among young children since they show lack of interest for behaving well, but in the long run might it ever be mastered(p.94). Most parents and teachers don't demand it from their children because they think the kids are not interested but in reality "the kids really enjoy learning manners and putting them into action" (p.98). Practicing good manners can be done at school as well for example, when having new visitors "sending two students to the front of the building who are to shake the visitor's hand and give him/her a tour of the school" is a great way for students to be respectful in a different type of situation(p.85). Good manners are not only seen through physical actions, they can also be verbally practiced, such as "calling when having a question over the homework", people will not lend you their help unless you ask in a nice way and ask for a precise and understandable question(p. 91). In the "professional world" one must "be accessible in order to be successful", there are many people that do the same job you do and if you are not easy to reach people will turn around and look for another person that is willing to work(p.91). Teaching children the importance of manners, whether it's at a table or at the work place, is very importance to set a path of pure success.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr232.shtml

The Essential 55- Chapter 11-21

After reading the second set of chapters,11-21, from The Essential 55 book I have noticed that a shift has happened. Chapters 1-10 were mainly about establishing moral rules rather than actual academic based rules, now chapters 11-21 deal a bit more with class assignments, grades, and expectations from Mr. Clark when dealing with his teaching. He requires his students to "be as organized as possible", it is very important as a student to be on time when turning in assignments and completing them from levels of importance or approaching due dates(p.62). Just like all Mr. Clark's rules, this one applies to every person as well, adults "have to pay bills by a certain date"(p.56). I love how Mr. Clark made turning in homework into a game, all his students were motivated and committed to the success of the whole class. His students went "sixty-two days in a row" in which they all completed their homework(p.58). The classroom went "from 30 percent homework participation to 100 percent", all students approach homework differently when it's fun rather than it being harshly enforced(p.58). Even some of my pre-k students already love school and the work because of the fun environment in the class and the way my mentor teacher approaches her lesson plans. Now something that they do find difficult is " not asking for rewards" young children are so used to receiving rewards from their parents because they behave well or because they have accomplished something important; "In the real world, rewards aren't always given to people", the people that do something they love and enjoy will not expect rewards because their happiness is their reward(p.54). A student's reward is the knowledge obtained every single day and the ability to manipulate it to grow up and be successful. 

https://www.teachermagazine.com.au/article/does-homework-contribute-to-student-success

The Essential 55 Chapter 1-10

 The first ten chapters of The Essential 55 book have illustrated what good educators should teach, which are lessons that the students can relate to the environment outside of school. Besides creating rules for his classroom Ron Clark establishes good morals. If a teacher " wants children to respect him/her, they must let them know it" in the "real" world people will introduce themselves the way they want to be referred as when holding a conversation(p.1). The tone of the conversation can be set with the words used while speaking to one another. Also when having a conversation it is "important to keep eye contact to [successfully] get your point across" and create credibility regarding the information being covered(p.3). Part of having an interactive conversation includes both sides being able to listen and "make comments until the other person is finished". For children, especially young children, listening to others without interrupting seems to be very difficult(p.4).
I absolutely love the way Mr.Clark establishes the concept of equality and staying humble. In society today we are set up to compete against those to our right and those to our left. Personally I disagree with competition among classmates, every student will shine with their own unique talent. As teachers it is fundamental to set the mindset of "no bragging when doing well or winning" due to the different self-esteem of all the students(p.14). Staying humble and not bragging "makes skills seem larger than what they really are" and creates the sincere admiration from peers(p.15). Teaching children to be successful begins with teaching them the way to act while working hard to reach success and finally how to act once having ultimate success in order to keep it. Every students in a classroom is worthy of accomplishing their dreams; every teacher is worthy of making dreams come true.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar03/vol60/num06/Moral-Teachers,-Moral-Students.aspx

Are schools built for learning?

As I was listening to Will Richardson's TED talk I understood what a school really is; a school is a place where students are obligated to attend whether they are learning or not. Teachers are having to rush through their lessons in order to meet standards, which sometimes means that some students are left with unanswered questions that later come to define the teacher's effectiveness, when in reality the teacher was only trying to do her best to cover everything that the students "need" so they can succeed to the eyes that view statistics.
The simple arrangement of classrooms today already says enough, students are to all face one way and sit in a reduced amount of space to where they are not to move from. I believe that all students from all age groups should be able to move around in class and interact with each other and what surround them. Otherwise school is just that place where you go and sit and listen to a person speak. I consider an ideal learning environment to consist of academic freedom, such as learning in a fun way not the old traditional bookwork and notes. I also believe that students should definitely meet a certain criteria, but I do not agree with the result defining how intelligent they are and whether they are ready or not to advance to the next level. When in reality no one is never "ready", there is so much information floating around that a school year just isn't able to fit in due to the length of it. A longer school year is a must, but shorter days are also a must. There is so much the human brain can take a day and it is incredible how students go almost eight hours a day learning eight different things.
In the future of education an ideal learning environment can be enforced by the amount of subjects taught a day and the way those subjects are approached. I am also a supporter of eliminating some standardized testing which does not measure total intelligence. Schools need a change before we lose the interest of our students and school becomes "that one place where I go sit and listen to a person speak."

http://www.montana.edu/facultyexcellence/Papers/activelearn2.html