Photography and Writing

I read an article recently about using photography to teach writing. The article talked about the importance of photography and how well it correlates with literacy. "Photography has an important role to play in facilitating childrens' literacy experiences". A nursery school in Scotland had children use digital cameras to record their home adventures with classroom teddy bears. The school found the photography to increase independence and help with story writing, sequencing skills, creative skills and language and communication skills. This article talks about how photography and writing are both composing processes, and they both help children with competencies. The article states that the cameras made activities more fun and less intimidating for students. The cameras "changed their view of literacy".
this article really opened my eyes to the types of technology that can be used in the classroom. For the most part, when I think about using technology in the classroom I see smartBoards and computers. while those technologies are great, it is still important to keep up with what today's students are using. I could really see this as bridging the gap between words and telling a story. This article proves that by using something that we see everyday, we can open up students' eyes in different and more exciting ways.

"Children, Parents, and Writing: Using Photography in a Family Literacy Workshop" by Jane Baskwill and Mary Jane Harkins

My Math Experiences

When I was in elementary school, I absolutely LOVED math. I felt that it was something that I am good at, and my teachers seemed to think so as well. After I have taken some mathematics method courses in college, I have given the way I was taught a lot of thought. My teachers would teach an algorithm on the board, we would copy it and do several worksheets on it until we took a test. Sure, this worked for me, but what about my peers?
It wasn't until this past summer that I actually realized why we "carry" numbers when we subtract large numbers. I never thought about this because of the numbers' place value. I thought this was strange. I was excellent at math; could work every problem out, but never really knew why I was doing what I was doing.
This really makes me think about how I would want to teach math to my students. Sure, algorithms work for some students, but not all. I believe that using manipulatives can really help students see why we move certain numbers around like we do. Maybe even let them create their own algorithms.

Decorating the Classroom

How should teachers decorate their classrooms?
This is something that I have given a lot of thought to. I have seen various types of classrooms, some with neat teach work all over the walls and some with the students' work posted up to make it "their" classroom. Which one is more important? I've heard various theories.
Here is my theory. I am what you would call a "control freak". I like to have control over everything and I'm a firm believer in "if you want something done right, do it yourself". this is why I would find it hard to hand my classroom over to the students. However, I realize that as a teacher, I am an advocate for my students. My classroom isn't about me, it's about them. Therefore, if I want my classroom neat and organized the way I want it, I will do it with their work. It's a compromise. Sure, I think its important to have several encouraging posters up, but the rest needs to be the students work. I believe they will feel more comfortable with their own work displayed in their classroom; more "at home". It gives them an opportunity be proud of their work.

The Beginning of the Year

I just recently started my lab placement at an elementary school in town. (I'm a lab student because I'm college majoring in elementary education). Its near the beginning of the year. In fact, they've only been in school for roughly a month. This got me started on how teachers begin the school year.
I remember back in my elementary school days, some teachers were intimidating and some were not. I remember one teacher who scared me to death. I had heard she was "tough" and that is what terrified me before I even stepped into her classroom. It turned out that, that very teacher is the one teacher who impacted my life the most. Yes, she was tough, and the beginning of the school year was scary, but we knew what she expected of us and what we weren't supposed to do. I respected her more than any teacher I ever had. This teacher started of the year enforcing every single rule, and making examples of those students who were disobedient.
This makes me think of how I want to start out the school year in my classroom. I want my students to respect me and get the most out of the school year. This is why I feel it is important to be "tough", especially at the beginning so that my students will know what to expect.

Oh... you're in "THAT" class..

I am recently working as a lab student in a school. When I found out where my lab placement was I was super excited because it is at a great school. I walked into my first grade classroom and the students where so cute, I couldn't wait to teach them! I thought this semester's lab experience was going to be an amazing time. It wasn't long before all of that changed.
I was speaking with the cooperating teacher about all of the things we were to get done in this semester. She then said "I just want to let you know now; this is the inclusion class. This is the toughest class I've taught in all of my 16 years. I don't want you to get discouraged if your lessons don't go as well as your peers'. This is a challenge for me each and every day."
I have never worked with special needs students before. It really made me think about how lazy I was being, looking forward to my "easy semester". I am excited more than ever now. I feel that this experience will not only be challenging, but really help prepare me for my future career as a teacher. Instead of looking forward to an easy semester, I am looking forward to getting to know these amazing children, and learning from them as well.

Becoming A Teacher...

I'm in my final year of college and I will soon be on my way to teaching at an elementary school. I am excited more than ever about becoming a teacher and having my own classroom and students to teach. My thoughts go back to what made me choose this major in the first place. It was in my sophomore year and I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life.I knew that wanted to do something that I enjoyed, but didn't know exactly what that was. When I was younger, I told my sister how I wanted to be a teacher and she replied "You don't want to do that, kids will vomit and you will have to clean it up!" Because I looked up to her, I took her word for it and decided that wasn't what I wanted to do. Given that she was young when she said it, I'll forgive her now for trying to keep me from what I absolutely love to do now. Back on the subject of choosing a major, I had gone back and forth between majors and was frantic searching for something that was just for me. For some reason, I felt called into elementary education. Heaven knows it wasn't my family; my mother was concerned I wouldn't earn the living I had hoped for and my sister, well, she was just worried about children vomiting! For whatever reason I felt called into education, I decided to go with it. Little did I know then that I would be sitting here today, planning my senior year and excited more than ever to get out into the work field! One of my biggest fears as a college student was that I would work hard for four years earning a degree and then dread going to work every day for the next 30 or so years. I am so fortunate that I came to a school where the education program is excellent. I got to gain experiences with teaching even before I was admitted into the program. I found quickly that I love working with children more than I could have imagined. In fact, there isn't a part of teaching that I'm not excited about (except for sick children of course, thank you dear sister). I know there will be tough times to come, but I think that teaching is a challenging and rewarding job. That is just what I need!