My first weeks of the 2009 - 2010 school year have been incredibly busy. I had good intentions of writing my blog last night during the Georgia game, weather however, was not cooperative. My power went out at 7:45 p.m. This is the first deadline I have missed since freshman year in college. I won't say how long ago that was!
It's amazing how much energy middle school students have. Incorporating interactive computer games and websites into my lesson plans has been my life preserver. I was showing my sixth grade students range of motion of the upper extremities and one of the students said, "I see you are extending the humerus, radius and ulnar bones. I had not formally taught anatomy of the skeleton but had assigned an Internet game involving the skeleton. This student had enjoyed the interactive game so much, she often plays it at home. She was so proud to surprise the class with her new knowledge.
At the beginning of the year, one of my sixth graders greeted me at the door with "Elllo, Gov'na". This went on for the remainder of the week. On the second week I asked him to consider greeting me with "Ello, Gov'ness". The next day our exchange at the door was "Ello, Gov'ness", "Ello, Gov'na". I think I have a friend for life. I look forward to seeing him everyday.
Eighth grade students seem to have as much energy as the sixth grade students, but when in a group, redirect their energy into being cool, appearing unimpressed by anything an adult has to say. They truly are trying to establish some independence and sense of self. Getting them to participate with enthusiasm can be challenging.
Seventh grade students, obviously fall in the middle chronologically, and their behavior falls somewhere in between the silly, talkative nature of sixth graders and the cool, detached behavior of the eighth graders. One challenging situation in my seventh grade group this year is the boyfriend, girlfriend issue. It's funny, in the sixth grade if you sit a boy with a girl, no talking or eye contact concurs, in the seventh grade if you sit a boy by a girl, you can forget about any focus on the lesson.
I enjoy the students and look forward to finishing the certification process so I can be more focused on getting to know the students as individuals. I love Elluminate Live! I will imagine seeing you all on Monday night.
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question
1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!
Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?
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