ZooBurst

TPACK

3 reading strategies!

Three reading strategies that I would use to help students become good readers:
1. Infer and predict
2. Decoding words
3. Questioning

Understanding By Design

A Girl Like Me (Documentary)

http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/watch/6/a_girl_like_me

Community Map

http://www.walkscore.com/nearby/Howe-elementary-school-in-chicago

Social Situation

The social situation that I observed was at a Walmart store in Delevan, Wisconsin. The store is located in a very small town in Wisconsin that is both home to tourists and people living there year round. Walmart is located in a plaza with Lowes, Starbucks and Kohl’s and also many other shops. My observation took place while shopping throughout the store. Mainly my observations were in the food center because I was grocery shopping for the long weekend, but also I spent some time observing near the movies and toys.
The people shopping at this walmart were mostly White, but I did see a few Hispanic and African American families. Because the people shopping at Walmart are both the people that live in town and the ones that are just vacationing there is a wide variety of social classes present at the store, ranging from lower to upper class.
While observing the things that were occurring in this walmart I noticed that people are very friendly and helpful. Not just the workers but also the customers are always offering a helping hand with grabbing things out of reach. The store is also very slow paced. Because I am from Chicago I am always doing tasks fast. Usually shopping at a walmart in the city means that you are rushing from isle to isle to get your shopping done. But at this walmart everyone was taking his or her time. The cashier took her time and had a whole conversation while ringing us up. Along with this the cashier in the electronics department also was very friendly and spoke to us as if we were long time friends. The whole store has very kind workers and also shoppers. Even I who always seems rushed took my time at the store and did not make it seem as a task but more as something enjoyable.

Teacher Video

This is a a trailer of the movie Mona Lisa Smile. The teacher in Mona Lisa Smile is Julia Roberts, she is a great educator along with an inspiration to the whole class. While teaching her class about the history of art she is also holding high expectations for their role in society. Because many of the girls only view their role in society as being a mother or wife Julia Roberts tries to inspire them to continue their education.
The classroom is filled with only girls and their priority is not to learn, although they are all very intelligent. Instead their priority is to find a husband and become a house wife. The girls, once married, are not even required to attend school to graduate. Julia Roberts, as the teacher of these girls, has bigger dreams for them and directly helps on girl continue her education and become a lawyer.
Julia Roberts is teaching Art to a class of college students. On the first day she realizes that they know and have mastered the curriculum that she had set out for the whole semester. Following this she changes the curriculum and makes it more active. Because all the girls know all the paintings and facts relating to the painting, she teacher them something that they are unfamiliar with which is finding the beauty within each piece of art.

Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction

Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction

ADDIE

Philosophy of Education

            John Dewey stated that “Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” Therefore, the education that students receive throughout their childhood shapes the person that they will one day become. I as an elementary school teacher have the role and responsibility of not only being a teacher but also a mentor, friend and councilor to students. While teaching the next generation I will uphold my responsibilities and roles as a teacher and will educate students in ways that inspire them to value their education; they will grow up and be knowledgeable individuals who strive to be positive role models for not only their peers but for all. While valuing education I want my students to view learning as a fun and enjoyable experience that in the end will allow them to be successful. John Dewey’s view of education continues to inspire me as both a teacher and a life long learner, to educate my students in ways that will show them the true importance of an education. Taking into consideration the differences that the students bring to class I will provide them with engaging hands on lessons that will increase their knowledge while also increasing their passion and love for learning. These learning experiences will allow students to flourish academically as well as become life long learners. 

In order for students to flourish academically I will educate the class using a variety of teaching techniques and strategies. The classroom will consist off a student- centered curriculum where the focus will be on the needs of the students rather then the teacher. In the student-centered classroom, I, the teacher, will be the facilitator whose role is to guide students to become critical thinkers. Through gradual release the responsibilities in the classroom will slowly shift from me to my students and therefore make the classroom more student-centered.  I will also provide my students with engaging lessons that will give them the opportunity to be active participants in the classroom. Through engaging lessons they will be given the chance to question what they are learning and therefore increase their own understanding. I will be a researcher of both my students and their community, and will incorporate student’s lives into the lesson in order to provide for a more meaningful education. Authentic material that students can directly connect too will also provide them with a purpose for learning. These characteristics that will shape my classroom will show students that active participation is necessary both in the classroom and the world; for them to succeed in the world they will have to learn to value education and see it as a necessity.

            In order for students to flourish academically my teaching styles will take into consideration the diversity of each student. It is inevitable that I will teach students who will be on different levels emotionally, socially and academically. To provide appropriate and equal education to all my students I will differentiate instruction through modifications and accommodations. I will both modify the curriculum and lessons in order to teach each student effectively as well as provide modifications such as an alternative environment or use of different equipment. I, being an English Language Learner, am also aware of the needs of students who are new to the English language. To teach ELL’s I will provide instruction that incorporates visuals, graphic organizers, native language and scaffolding, which will better not only the understanding and learning of ELL’s but also the classroom as a whole. Through differentiated instruction I will be able to teach each student equally and to his/her fullest potential. The idea of “I do (intial instruction), we do (guided practice), you do (independent practice)” will increase the learning of my students by giving them the necessary scaffolding. The differentiated instruction that my classroom will receive will provide them with opportunities to learn on different levels. Through this effective teaching I hope to educate students in a way that will show them that learning is not simply confined to the classroom, rather it takes place in many different situations and is a non ending process; therefore students will recognize the importance of an education.

            In order for students to flourish academically I will provide them with a safe and positive learning environment. There are many things occurring in a student’s life that he/she has to bring with him into the classroom. The community, home and family that shape a child’s life will influence our classroom in a way where all differences will be seen as an asset. I as well as my students therefore will respect each other’s differences and value each characteristic that makes us unique. Through constant parent involvement, and student participation my goal is to make the classroom turn into a family or community, where every student’s input is valued and necessary. By providing students with a comfortable environment I hope to increase their engagement and participation; therefore through constant involvement I aim at teaching my students to put their knowledge to maximum use both in the classroom and the world.

            I will teach my students that education is life itself by providing them with differentiated and effective teaching in a safe environment. Together, we will constantly grow and improve both as students and teachers. Exiting my room students will feel both empowered by the belief that education is an important aspect of their life and that they have come to not only value but also enjoy. 

New Blog

I am Anna Krecisz and I have just created a blog for my TIE 535 class at NLU.