Pages 1-7
The opening pages of this book presented multiple ideas and goals that have proven to create successful middle schools. Students at this age level are all at different stages of development in their lives, and each child is going to be experiencing this time in their life differently. That being said, educators must realize the importance of teaching to the students by addressing their needs first. This chapter discussed the importance of not only teaching how to create a healthy lifestyle, but the importance of leading by example and demonstrating a healthy lifestyle. Middle school educators must also remember the role that society plays on their school community as well. Students at this age are clearly more influenced by their peers than they are from their adult figures, and society begins to influence how adolescents act in a variety of ways. The author concluded the first seven pages by presenting the National Middle School Association's mission statement.
Pages 9-19
Middle school educators must realize the role they play and young adolescences lives. All teachers and staff who work in the school community must present themselves as positive role models who demonstrate enthusiasm through their actions. This chapter describes the role a principle must be play in the school community in order to create effective collaborate teaching style, which in the end promotes effective learning. Training to become a certified middle school educator is always changing and requires a significant amount of work. Any person who has a desire to teach children at this age level must have a passion for teaching. Teachers must be motivated and prepared to gain the interest of the students. Throughout this chapter, the author clearly stresses the importance of creating a successful learning environment in order to have an effective middle school. A school community should support and promote learning by first providing a safe learning atmosphere for all students.
Pages 19-34
One of the most difficult tasks that a teacher is faced with is how to design curriculum that is going to truly help students understand content. Students in middle school are distracted by so many other things going on in their lives; most kids are only in school because they have to be. Children at this age are developing at different rates and this can make it difficult for middle school teachers to create lessons that will engage the interest of all of their students. This chapter presents a couple ideas that should help generate curriculum that will engage students, the author says that lessons should be relevant, challenging, exploratory, and most importantly prepare students for the 21st century. Another aspect this chapter focused on was how effective collaboration can be. All middle school educators should design integrated content curriculum and teach as one big community. Once teachers are able to build relationships with their students, they will get to know their specific needs better and as a result will be better able to teach to their needs.
Pages 35-51
The main focus of these pages was a clear outline of how to actually implement the ideas and suggestions of the National Middle School Association education system. The author described how each different position in the school community has their own role, and in order to create an effective learning environment for middle school students all people involved in the school system must do their part. It is the responsibility of the entire school community all the way up to the director of education at the state level. All educators in the learning community must evaluate their performances often if they want to create successful changes when needed. This chapter also discussed that educator must look to colleagues for advice, and should strive to create collaborative team teaching within their schools.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Chapter 2: Motivating Young Adolescents
Abstract:
Chapter two discusses the need to motivate students. Students must see what is in it for them or they could care less. The author presents a variety of techniques that may be used to motivate students' but stresses on the importance of knowing your students'. All educators must get to know their students and use students specific interests when designing curriculum. One helpful suggestion the author presented was to ask questions to parents in order to gain useful information about students that could possibly help when tailoring lesson plans. Effective communication must always be used when interacting with peers, students, and mentors. The author wrote briefly about creating a safe environment. Educators must do their best effort to create a learning environment for every student to be successful in, and the first step in doing that is making the environment safe for middle school students. In the beginning of the chapter, the author presented a series of questions which he later answered throughout the chapter. Those questions were: Are you interested with knowing & being with your students? Have you created a classroom where students feel safe enough to share their emotions? Are your lessons vivid? Are you enthusiastic about your subject? Do you build suspense by giving them something to look forward to? Do your lessons take into account the varied learning styles of students? Can all students succeed in your classroom? Is the material relevant to your students' lives? Do your lessons maintain momentum? Do you clearly communicate instructions and expectations? Do your students know why they are learning certain concepts and skills? Are assessments authentic? Do the students play a role in the teaching and learning? Do your students have proof of your belief in their ability to learn?
Reflection:
This topic, how to motivate young adolescents, is one that I feel will be one of the greatest challenges I will face as a teacher. I can remember the teachers who use to catch my attention and motivated me to learn what ever it was they were teaching, and I remember the teachers who could not have bored me any more than they did. I want to be a teacher where all students look forward to coming to my class each day. No matter how well I prepare content notes, power point slide shows, video blurbs, or lecture diagrams, I must find a way to get the students engaged in the material being presented. I liked the hints and suggestions that the author displayed throughout this chapter, I can't say for sure if i will ever actually use them in my classroom, but they could serve as a great reference at some point.
Chapter two discusses the need to motivate students. Students must see what is in it for them or they could care less. The author presents a variety of techniques that may be used to motivate students' but stresses on the importance of knowing your students'. All educators must get to know their students and use students specific interests when designing curriculum. One helpful suggestion the author presented was to ask questions to parents in order to gain useful information about students that could possibly help when tailoring lesson plans. Effective communication must always be used when interacting with peers, students, and mentors. The author wrote briefly about creating a safe environment. Educators must do their best effort to create a learning environment for every student to be successful in, and the first step in doing that is making the environment safe for middle school students. In the beginning of the chapter, the author presented a series of questions which he later answered throughout the chapter. Those questions were: Are you interested with knowing & being with your students? Have you created a classroom where students feel safe enough to share their emotions? Are your lessons vivid? Are you enthusiastic about your subject? Do you build suspense by giving them something to look forward to? Do your lessons take into account the varied learning styles of students? Can all students succeed in your classroom? Is the material relevant to your students' lives? Do your lessons maintain momentum? Do you clearly communicate instructions and expectations? Do your students know why they are learning certain concepts and skills? Are assessments authentic? Do the students play a role in the teaching and learning? Do your students have proof of your belief in their ability to learn?
Reflection:
This topic, how to motivate young adolescents, is one that I feel will be one of the greatest challenges I will face as a teacher. I can remember the teachers who use to catch my attention and motivated me to learn what ever it was they were teaching, and I remember the teachers who could not have bored me any more than they did. I want to be a teacher where all students look forward to coming to my class each day. No matter how well I prepare content notes, power point slide shows, video blurbs, or lecture diagrams, I must find a way to get the students engaged in the material being presented. I liked the hints and suggestions that the author displayed throughout this chapter, I can't say for sure if i will ever actually use them in my classroom, but they could serve as a great reference at some point.
Chapter 1: Stoking the Fires Within
Abstract:
Chapter one presents the opening of this book by stating: teaching a privilege. All teachers should take pride in their profession and strive to inspire students. In order to become a successful and effective educator, one must present themselves as a positive role model which begins by having a positive attitude. The author clearly points out the fact that students have a difficult time separating the teacher from his/her attitude, "the teacher is the attitude." Presenting a positive attitude and showing enthusiasm in what they are teaching are both essential qualities which all educators should acquire. This chapter comes to a close by presenting a problem that many teachers possess; the inability to be a good listener. Many educators spend so much time teaching and explaining their thoughts on a daily bases they forget how important is it for teachers to be good listeners. One way to become a good listener is to develop relationships with the students. Teachers should create relationships with all students in order to become better listener's, and over all better educators.
Reflection:
I feel like I couldn't agree more with the author in this chapter. Teachers who display a passion for what they do and truly motivate others to learn are in my opinion far better educators. It is important that we as teachers never forget how much we influence each and every student that we interact with. We must present a positive attitude to all aspects of our job, and always remember that we are there for the them not ourselves. I look forward to developing relationships with my students because I remember how much more enjoyable my class experiences were with teachers who took the initiative in getting to know me.
Chapter one presents the opening of this book by stating: teaching a privilege. All teachers should take pride in their profession and strive to inspire students. In order to become a successful and effective educator, one must present themselves as a positive role model which begins by having a positive attitude. The author clearly points out the fact that students have a difficult time separating the teacher from his/her attitude, "the teacher is the attitude." Presenting a positive attitude and showing enthusiasm in what they are teaching are both essential qualities which all educators should acquire. This chapter comes to a close by presenting a problem that many teachers possess; the inability to be a good listener. Many educators spend so much time teaching and explaining their thoughts on a daily bases they forget how important is it for teachers to be good listeners. One way to become a good listener is to develop relationships with the students. Teachers should create relationships with all students in order to become better listener's, and over all better educators.
Reflection:
I feel like I couldn't agree more with the author in this chapter. Teachers who display a passion for what they do and truly motivate others to learn are in my opinion far better educators. It is important that we as teachers never forget how much we influence each and every student that we interact with. We must present a positive attitude to all aspects of our job, and always remember that we are there for the them not ourselves. I look forward to developing relationships with my students because I remember how much more enjoyable my class experiences were with teachers who took the initiative in getting to know me.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Chapter 1: Stoking the Fires Within Synthesis
Abstract:
The main theme of this opening chapter is centered on how a person’s attitude affects one’s ability to do their job to the greatest potential. This chapter is directed specifically towards education and how a teachers attitude influences the attitudes of their students, but it has a tone that speaks to all professions and what it takes to be the best. The author clearly presents that the starting point is to look at one’s self. The author presented a quote by, William Arthur Ward, "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." The author then states, "We all know people who seem to have retired on the job." This was very true of our class. Reflections written by my classmates stated that they remember how much more motivated they were to learn when the teacher presented material with enthusiasm and passion. Throughout this chapter the author continually talks about the importance of being a positive role model and how all educators should lead by example. We as teachers must model good behavior and explicitly show a positive attitude towards all students through mutual respect. One commonality between our classmates was the importance of developing relationships with our students. We agreed with the author, and stated how we enjoyed teachers who took the initiative in getting to know us and our needs. The author closes out the chapter by highlighting the need to develop good relationships; and one important factor in relationships is communication. Teachers are always the ones talking and become very good at it, we must always remember that is it just as important to be a good listener.
Reflection:
After reading the rest of the classes responses to the chapter I felt a little different about it myself. When I first read the chapter I couldn't help but focus on his title and opening thoughts about how we must motivate ourselves as teachers before we can become an effective educator. After looking over this chapter again I can clearly see that the author’s main idea is about having a positive attitude. A positive attitude about everything in life, but more importantly about teachers presenting themselves as positive role models and that starts with having a positive attitude. The opportunity that teachers have is incredible; they interact each and every day with young adolescents who are searching for their own identity and place in society. We as teachers must never let down our guard, no matter what. We must present ourselves as confident and positive role models, those who are there for the student’s needs and not that of our own.
The main theme of this opening chapter is centered on how a person’s attitude affects one’s ability to do their job to the greatest potential. This chapter is directed specifically towards education and how a teachers attitude influences the attitudes of their students, but it has a tone that speaks to all professions and what it takes to be the best. The author clearly presents that the starting point is to look at one’s self. The author presented a quote by, William Arthur Ward, "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." The author then states, "We all know people who seem to have retired on the job." This was very true of our class. Reflections written by my classmates stated that they remember how much more motivated they were to learn when the teacher presented material with enthusiasm and passion. Throughout this chapter the author continually talks about the importance of being a positive role model and how all educators should lead by example. We as teachers must model good behavior and explicitly show a positive attitude towards all students through mutual respect. One commonality between our classmates was the importance of developing relationships with our students. We agreed with the author, and stated how we enjoyed teachers who took the initiative in getting to know us and our needs. The author closes out the chapter by highlighting the need to develop good relationships; and one important factor in relationships is communication. Teachers are always the ones talking and become very good at it, we must always remember that is it just as important to be a good listener.
Reflection:
After reading the rest of the classes responses to the chapter I felt a little different about it myself. When I first read the chapter I couldn't help but focus on his title and opening thoughts about how we must motivate ourselves as teachers before we can become an effective educator. After looking over this chapter again I can clearly see that the author’s main idea is about having a positive attitude. A positive attitude about everything in life, but more importantly about teachers presenting themselves as positive role models and that starts with having a positive attitude. The opportunity that teachers have is incredible; they interact each and every day with young adolescents who are searching for their own identity and place in society. We as teachers must never let down our guard, no matter what. We must present ourselves as confident and positive role models, those who are there for the student’s needs and not that of our own.
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