Friday, February 25, 2011
INSPIRATION
PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO OF PAUL POTTS ON BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT PRIOR TO READING THIS POST
INSPIRATION
Many educators are discouraged because of the state of our school systems. There is a lack of parent involvement, student motivation, resources, learning tools, funding, and support.
Like the singer in the video we immediately look at the state of our schools and say nothing is going to work. These kids will not be successful. They are unteachable!
As the singer is not confident in himself, educators are not confident in the capabilities of their students.
I believe if you give students a chance and show them that you believe in them, they will become motivated to succeed. They need an opportunity from their teachers to to be successful.
Behavior in some classrooms hinder the success of students and it understandably disheartens teachers. In spite of all the issues we face as educators, it is our responsibility to teach. We're not just teaching academics, because many of our students lack the life skills needed to function socially in an organized environment. We are also teaching children confidence and perseverance.
Help your students persevere through life's challenges and see past negativity.
Remember to always give your students an opportunity, a chance, and most of all hope.
Paul Potts was given an opportunity despite his appearance, background, and lack of confidence. He is now a world renowned opera singer and winner of Britain's Got Talent.
INSPIRATION
Many educators are discouraged because of the state of our school systems. There is a lack of parent involvement, student motivation, resources, learning tools, funding, and support.
Like the singer in the video we immediately look at the state of our schools and say nothing is going to work. These kids will not be successful. They are unteachable!
As the singer is not confident in himself, educators are not confident in the capabilities of their students.
I believe if you give students a chance and show them that you believe in them, they will become motivated to succeed. They need an opportunity from their teachers to to be successful.
Behavior in some classrooms hinder the success of students and it understandably disheartens teachers. In spite of all the issues we face as educators, it is our responsibility to teach. We're not just teaching academics, because many of our students lack the life skills needed to function socially in an organized environment. We are also teaching children confidence and perseverance.
Help your students persevere through life's challenges and see past negativity.
Remember to always give your students an opportunity, a chance, and most of all hope.
Paul Potts was given an opportunity despite his appearance, background, and lack of confidence. He is now a world renowned opera singer and winner of Britain's Got Talent.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Definition of Curriculum
My definition of curriculum is currently more comprehensive and no longer based on a generalizations. I understood the curriculum to be a set of academic tools designed to educate and prepare students for the future. Based on course readings and class discussions, I view the curriculum as not only being a set of academic tools but also a comprehensive guide and implementation structure for all education stakeholders to follow. The curriculum should be used alongside other documents in order to effectively meet the state standards. The curriculum includes all that is written, tested, and taught. The written is based on the curriculum guidelines, common core standards, curriculum standards, and professional standards. The taught is implementation of the curriculum, and tested is the assessments decided to ensure that the written and taught were implemented and addressed effectively.
The curriculum helps school stakeholders to plan, organize, and implement instruction. It serves as a guideline which gives a specific outline of what academic material should be taught. Although it outlines academic guidelines, in order to implement the curriculum effectively it takes the efforts of all stakeholders. The curriculum is just a document without the expertise of administrators and teachers, the participation of student families, and all stakeholder's support in providing and maintaining the necessary resources to implement the curriculum.
At my school, teachers in testing grades 3-5 are encouraged to focus on teaching areas in Reading and Math that coincide with state test content when we should be focusing on the curriculum itself. The guidelines provided in the curriculum, if implemented correctly, will help students be successful in all tested areas. The curriculum should not be isolated to the specific guides but it should encompass everything that helps execute the curriculum.
I define the curriculum as a body of documents that help promote student achievement. It's not only the curriculum guides, state standards, and curriculum, but it should also include professional standards that hold teachers accountability and promote family and community involvement in education. Curriculum is a group of documents that guide the academic success of students through effective implementation and participation of all stakeholders. The content of curriculum and implementation should change and be redefined based on new technologies and discoveries in education. What is written should be followed but flexible, what is taught should be aligned with stakeholder accountability, and what is tested should coincide with continued student success on a global scale.
The curriculum helps school stakeholders to plan, organize, and implement instruction. It serves as a guideline which gives a specific outline of what academic material should be taught. Although it outlines academic guidelines, in order to implement the curriculum effectively it takes the efforts of all stakeholders. The curriculum is just a document without the expertise of administrators and teachers, the participation of student families, and all stakeholder's support in providing and maintaining the necessary resources to implement the curriculum.
At my school, teachers in testing grades 3-5 are encouraged to focus on teaching areas in Reading and Math that coincide with state test content when we should be focusing on the curriculum itself. The guidelines provided in the curriculum, if implemented correctly, will help students be successful in all tested areas. The curriculum should not be isolated to the specific guides but it should encompass everything that helps execute the curriculum.
I define the curriculum as a body of documents that help promote student achievement. It's not only the curriculum guides, state standards, and curriculum, but it should also include professional standards that hold teachers accountability and promote family and community involvement in education. Curriculum is a group of documents that guide the academic success of students through effective implementation and participation of all stakeholders. The content of curriculum and implementation should change and be redefined based on new technologies and discoveries in education. What is written should be followed but flexible, what is taught should be aligned with stakeholder accountability, and what is tested should coincide with continued student success on a global scale.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Instructional Technology for 21st Century Learners
As a school administrator and instructional leader I would expect to see instructional technology used that coincides with the curriculum and standard expectations. The instructional technology should also help general and special education students gain full access to instruction and enhance learning in classrooms.
To meet the needs of all learners in the 21st century I would incorporate instructional technology that students may use daily and make it useful to their education. The use of blogs, computer programs, interactive learning tools, and other traditional strategies would be useful in reaching all learners and help maintain student interests.
Through the written curriculum students can use technology to practice handwriting through "Writing without Tears", teaching general writing techniques through interactive games, and practice Reading strategies using Imagination Station. Students can also use instructional technology by using computer Word programs to write an electronic journal. Students could also use supervised blogs for writing lesson reflections. Books on CD and modified reading materials presented on smart boards would also be helpful in reaching learners with special needs.
Teachers can use instructional technology tools such as smart boards to demonstrate lesson information and to assess what is learned.
I use board maker, Istation, Study Island, and a Smart board in my classroom. My students use the smart board during morning meetings to identify time concepts, practice previously learned skills, and to practice journal writing. It serves as a visual representation of what is usually written on paper or on a chalkboard. The smart board allows interactive learning and it keeps them engaged with the pictures and multiple functions. My students seem to use the smart board tools more effectively than paper and pencil materials. The smart board also helps meet my students sensory needs. I would also promote using computer programs such as Isation, Starfall, and Study Island. These programs help students practice what they've learned, assess what they have retained, and it automatically tracks data to monitor their progress.
As suggested by Jacobs, I would incorporate graphic organizers to help with comprehension and understanding difficult concepts. Lessons would be derived from themes to help students see the broader picture and how small concepts apply to one idea. Venn diagrams with pictures could also be used to help students with special needs compare and contrast and gain a better understanding of differences and similarities. Students can complete these activities using smart boards and projectors.
Meeting the needs of 21st century learners involves being mindful of all learning styles and meeting students where they are in order to bring them to where you want them to be.
To meet the needs of all learners in the 21st century I would incorporate instructional technology that students may use daily and make it useful to their education. The use of blogs, computer programs, interactive learning tools, and other traditional strategies would be useful in reaching all learners and help maintain student interests.
Through the written curriculum students can use technology to practice handwriting through "Writing without Tears", teaching general writing techniques through interactive games, and practice Reading strategies using Imagination Station. Students can also use instructional technology by using computer Word programs to write an electronic journal. Students could also use supervised blogs for writing lesson reflections. Books on CD and modified reading materials presented on smart boards would also be helpful in reaching learners with special needs.
Teachers can use instructional technology tools such as smart boards to demonstrate lesson information and to assess what is learned.
I use board maker, Istation, Study Island, and a Smart board in my classroom. My students use the smart board during morning meetings to identify time concepts, practice previously learned skills, and to practice journal writing. It serves as a visual representation of what is usually written on paper or on a chalkboard. The smart board allows interactive learning and it keeps them engaged with the pictures and multiple functions. My students seem to use the smart board tools more effectively than paper and pencil materials. The smart board also helps meet my students sensory needs. I would also promote using computer programs such as Isation, Starfall, and Study Island. These programs help students practice what they've learned, assess what they have retained, and it automatically tracks data to monitor their progress.
As suggested by Jacobs, I would incorporate graphic organizers to help with comprehension and understanding difficult concepts. Lessons would be derived from themes to help students see the broader picture and how small concepts apply to one idea. Venn diagrams with pictures could also be used to help students with special needs compare and contrast and gain a better understanding of differences and similarities. Students can complete these activities using smart boards and projectors.
Meeting the needs of 21st century learners involves being mindful of all learning styles and meeting students where they are in order to bring them to where you want them to be.
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