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.

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?

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

More NTI stuff!!!

I wanted to add that I now use take 5 and working on implementing some team building exercises to go bell to bell. I am also working on learning names to avoid taking roll...I do have a seating chart, but I am tweaking it a bit to move certain talkers from each other.

Having my tables in a row, having order and a plan and having my desk in the back of the room has enabled me to keep discipline to a minimum!

I look forward to being able to prepare a better rubric and developing test strategies to be able to get a handle on what students have learned.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Awesome Start!

I had a great start to the new year. It was a world of difference starting back this year with having went through NTI this summer. Alot of what we learned has been helpful. Everything from the assignments (bulletin boards, the first day lecture, and lesson plans), classroom management (I use the proximity and the eye), and take 5. The students that was in my class last year noticed a change in the way we do things now. It is cool how they focus better. Classroom management is getting better. I can't wait to learn more this semester.

Implementations!Hmmm, Let me see, Where do I start?

Thank you Dr. Burns indeed it is good to be back. First I created a colorful and informative atmosphere, especially for those taking my class for the first time, and those that were new to the school. For me greeting my students with a great big smile was a given, I was at the door and so excited about all I had learned I couldn’t wait for them to get in class so that I could do my formal greeting, telling them who I was, and learn who they were, telling them about the procedures and wow! I have a syllabus! I am smiling right now it was so exciting to talk about it. I have been teaching from bell-to-bell since the beginning of school. We have been in groups four times out of the week, with a leader, reporter, recorder, and a time keeper. I have never seen students so happy to be a part of a group. Can I just tell you how I was so excited about incorporating technology that the night before I was scheduled to do my first power point and I could hardly sleep. I have set up my new projector to my new laptop and I did a power point presentation on the power point I created at NTI this summer. I had never done a power point before I came to NTI. I moved my desk to the back of the class. What a wonderful place for a desk. I can see all things
Everything is working as planned, just like you said it would. It’s just wonderful, I’m implementing everything I can in an orderly fashion that I don’t overwhelm my students.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

NTI "WoW"

Wow, is all I can say to describe the experience that I had this summer. NTI has made me such a better teacher. My students are even amazed, I can tell. In the beginning I really didn't know how much I had learned, because I was so overwhelmed with all the administrative paper work. Once I got into the class work with my students and opened my bible, I was like wow, this stuff really works.

I have use the take five to help me in the last five minutes of class. I also enjoy the transfer in. Last year I had problems getting class started, the transfer in has taken care of that problem. I also like recapping that puts a final close on your lesson, by reinforcing learning. The close out has helped me to keep focused by telling the class what I am going to teach them the next day.

All over, this experience has been great, and I can't wait to see what we are going to learn next.

The classroom management strategies really work. When I have students talking and I stop and tell them "they might not feel like what I'm saying is important, but another student might feel like it important. You should see the look on their faces.

My students says "Mrs. Hunter, your strict now, you don't play. I say "No, I'm just better.

I am so thankful for NTI!!!

NTI

I have enjoyed sharing my new techniques and strategies with my students and coworker everyone liked the ideas. The following are the strategies that Ive used so far I have implemented the daily use of lesson plans. I also use Salon Mangers, Assist Managers, Dispensary Tech, Lab Tech and Book Keepers and it works great. The use of the 5 in 5 strategies to start my class or to end the day is a great technique also.

Friday, August 27, 2010

NTI Techniques

During the 5 weeks that I attended the NTI class I learned lots of valuable information that I have since been implementing into my lessons in the classroom. The first change that I made in my own classroom was to create a class procedures poster that clearly stated my expectations in the classroom. I made sure to state each of the procedures in a positive manner and refer back to the procedures as needed.
I have found the information I learned about "First and Last 10 Minutes of Class" to be very useful. The information I learned in that particular segment has aided in classroom management. The students appreciate the structure and it creates a nice tone in the classroom.
I am using my new found skills learned from NTI to produce and implement satisfactory lesson plans. The information I found most helpful since learning to write a lesson plan is as follows:
  • Transfer-In: I have found this is a great way to link last weeks work with the current lesson.
  • Closure: This is a great way to wrap up a lesson. The three questions are an efficient way to summarize.
  • Transfer-Out: This is a very professional way to link the lesson taught to future lessons in the classroom.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

New NTI Technique

Unfortunately I wasn't in the program over the summer, but I've read through the other posting. After reading through the post and seeing how much usable information was received over the summer, I'm excited about the courses this semester. Although I've been teaching high school for 6 years, I have a lot room for growth. I look forward to learning from the instructor as well as, my fellow teachers.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

NTI Techniques

The year started out busy but techniques gained from NTI has made a big impact on how I deal with some of the challenges. One of the first techniques that was implemented was the in box for assignments. This has made keeping up with students completed assignments much easier. The use of the parking lot helps me keep track of what has been done in various classes. Also, it is helpful when students inform me that I did not tell them some important piece of information. I have been able to take them to the parking lot, where the information is written.

One of my weak areas is classroom management. The use of circulating around the classroom has helped. The use of proximity and getting to know the students personally has improved this area. "This is still a working area, but I am hopeful."

One of the NTI classroom procedures was "Have a open mind to new Ideas". This has helped me view the classroom differently. By having a open mind it is a little easier for me to try new ideas and techniques in the classroom. One last comment, the "Take five" ideas are great and the students have enjoyed the change of pace they provide. Oh, lesson plans.. still a lemon, will continue to try to make them lemonade. Freda

NTI Strategies

The new year has started and I have implemented several new techniques from NTI.

1. I use an "inbox" for all incoming assignments. This has proven to be very effective and the students caught on to the process very quickly. The inbox helps to keep me organized and monitor the student's progress with submitting assignments.

2. Having a daily Lesson Plan in hand has helped to keep me on track with my lecture and also planned activities. Although it has been a task for me to submit lesson plans in a different format than NTI, it was a help having the ideas already completed.

3. My bulletin boards were up and ready for my students on the first day of school. It contained information such as class rules/procedures, class standards and essential questions and also school news and updates.

4. I also implemented a Lab Management plan based on the information learned at NTI. The students were given a copy for their lab safety test.

I think that overall many of the techniques and strategies that I learned in NTI have been received well by the majority of the students in my classes. There are other items such as "icebreakers" that I used on the first day of class that also worked well to get to know my new students.

NTI Strategies have been a life saver....

I have attempted several items from our NTI summer class; they include but are not limited to:

1. Placing my desk in the back of the room (a fellow math teacher also used this strategy, because of her class size) New computers were installed this week in the back of the room...still waiting for internet.

2. I’ve used Jig sawing and small groups to teach the class about the “procedures and guidelines for the class”

3. The students are selecting our initial classroom managers/supervisors. (Work in progress)

4. I’m also using the Parking lot. (work in progress)

5. When I close the class, we discuss information learned, what we're doing the next day and any deliverables for the next class (i.e. bathroom passes)

6. Thanks to one of my NTI classmates, I’m housing the student binders in the class (Work in progress)

7. Instead of being such a strict disciplinarian, I’ve allowed the students an opportunity to make choices and provided a little humor with it…(i.e. do you really want to spend Friday afternoon 3:30 to 4:00 pm in “teacher’s detention” for chewing gum?)

8. It is easy to continue; however, I've found handling papers is a challenge, so I'm using an "in-box" and students are placing items in their class bins...maybe I need more bins? (WORK IN PROGRESS)
The 'parking lot" idea has proven to be a tremendous help for me. The students usually bombard me with questions about everything under the sun as the tardy bell is ringing. My classroom management skills have definitely improved. All "parking lot" issues are addressed 5 minutes before the bell rings and class runs alot smoother.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Implemented NTI ideas

One of my takeaways from the summer sessions was how much use I could get from the camera projector we used in class.  Unfortunately, my school didn't have one.  At least not that I knew of!  The first week of school I went to the media center to see what I could scrape up (tight budgets and all).  The school system actually had a grant come through and the school received one brand new Epson projector.  Still in the box!  I quickly signed up for it and have been using it in all of my classes!  Given the class sizes and room configuration, I am now able to project notes, and show weld samples at the same time in perfect detail.

I was also able to obtain transfers for two seniors to join my class of 28 freshman to act as "assistants" to me during demonstrations.  They are happy to do this since they get credit for the class in an advanced level, and I am happy for the help.     

The lesson plans have saved me some planning time, and although I need to modify somewhat to accomodate the different student levels, class loads, and scheduling, they have proved helpful as a guide and tool.  Much of the thinking was done this summer.

New Year..New me...Priceless!

Well, before the school year began there was some house cleaning issues I addressed. Since this will be my first full year of teaching and somewhat the “senior” teacher, I completed changed the room. There were many tools and materials I found buried in the L&J storage closet.

Picture this..Walking into the classroom with crime scene tape on the entry door, the classroom is set-up in stadium seating. There are three large flags, the American flag, the official police flag, and the state flag, sits next to the judge’s bench.

We began a new student system along with small learning communities, so currently the classes are pretty much incorrect. My largest class is 19 students with 3 in internships which I have no place for them to go.
So besides the class concerns:
1. I implemented a bulletin board with my class rules on it, and I have the lab rules posted on the windows.
2. I posted College 411 poster throughout the class because we, CTAE, are now required to have students to log on and use the website.
3. I greeted each student and checked their schedule. I had only one student out of place.
4. I welcomed my students with a large stop sign for those gentlemen who pants were below their buttocks.
5. I added two to my advisory committee, interim Director of the public safety center, and Captain with the School Police.
6. I’m friendly, firmed, informative, and direct. One student stated he did not want to change because of me. (Awe!)
I could go on, but want. Today, was good day!

Implementation of new ideas

Well let's see.... what have I implemented from our summer quarter at NTI? I am starting my third year teaching and I am still changing things daily. I have learned that EVERY class is very different and what works for one group will not work for another one.

I love having the lesson plans out and ready to go. I have found that I am changing them daily but they are a good guide to get me started.

I try to do the set induction daily.

I have started walking around the room more and I've found that it does keep the talking down. I have also used one or two of the discipline techniques (yes already and it's only week 3!!!!).

I loved the 10 minute/game ideas that Ms. Chillis gave out. I used several of the ice breakers coupled with prizes the first few days of class and the kids loved them :)

I am planning on using the gallery tour this week when my students finish their time-line projects.

I have used several teaching techniques and I am interested to see how others will be helpful in the next few weeks.

New Techniques

1. After taking my class this summer, the first thing I implemented from my lessons was changing the entire seating arrangement of my class. previously, I had tables in an end to end fashion and had students sitting conference room style. I arranged my class in rows of tables due to space limitations.

I currently have over 30 students sitting in an area designed for about 20, so my administration is now looking into shifting some of my classes.

2. I implemented a bulletin board with my class rules on it.

3. I made sure I stood at my door to greet students.

4. I had mood music playing at the onset with an electronic billboard welcoming students.

5. I had a set induction (although we we just getting started) and closed out with what we will do tomorrow.

6. I have lesson plans for the week.

7. I have also stopped (almost entirely) being sarcastic.

8. I have already started developing my advisory committee.

9. I have used the "eye" approach to stopping a behavior.

All changes were instantly effective!!!

I am still very nervous about this year in maintaining control over my classes.