Ending on a good note

I wasn't sure how blogging would work out for me this semester. Looking back at my posts, I did more work than I initially thought. The greatest advantage for me was blogging about topics we learned about in class. Writing about topics in such an open forum made me write better and think harder about what to write. The greatest difficulty I faced was time, not only to add to my blog but to follow the blogs of others. While we were working our way through the article facilitations, I barely had time to keep up with my blog or other readings.
While I liked blogging, I noticed that the more I wrote about this semester, the more heavily it weighed on me- like sometimes when something is bothering you and you vent, you feel worse after. I would like to blog about happier topics like how summer is just around the corner.
Thank you to everyone who followed my blog this semester. I hope that you were able to learn as much from me as I have from all of you.

Spring fever

I don't know if others are experiencing this with their students, but the kids at school today were extremely energetic! I love the beautiful weather- we no longer have to worry about gloves and hats (or coats today). I have been told that once June starts, the students start to check out- I can understand why: I would rather be outside in the warm weather playing than stuck inside trying to learn something. I felt that way today in EDU 580. I presented my lesson tonight. The room was so hot and I was getting hotter by the second standing in front of the class. I hope that my lesson came across in a clear, meaningful way. I know that I did the best I could do. I hope you all enjoyed it.

Nearing the end of the semester

I hope that I am not the only student looking forward to the end of this semester. In August, I was very excited to start the semester. I started a new job in September as a Teachers Aid and I took 4 classes (12 credits). I was definitely ready for Christmas break. In January, I couldn't seem to gather any enthusiasm for the Spring semester and I still haven't gathered any! I hope I am not alone in this feeling! My brain is tired and my body now feels the same. I am working hard to complete all of my work so that I can enjoy a break. I want to wish you all luck in finishing the semester with high energy and even higher grades. We can do it! We are in the home stretch now. Many of us are student teaching in the fall- although this will be stressful, I think that we are prepared for it. I hope that we are all placed in situations that will benefit our training as teachers. Good luck to all!

Lessons in learning (as we go)

I feel very fortunate to be a Teacher's Aide this year. I am learning a lot about how to handle children. The last week has been the most challenging that I have had this school year. Although we are well over half-way through the year, some of the children are acting as though they are in a new classroom with new rules. In the last week, I have been yelled at (by more than one child), lied to, and run away from. I am definitely gaining experience with some children at their worst! I thank God every day that he blessed me with the child that I have (for she could be a whole lot worse!!!). I want to wish all of you the gift of patience- you are going to need it!
I am happy that we are getting a vacation very soon. You do know that vacation is as much for the teachers as for the students! Enjoy yours...

PBS Tour and Resources

We learned about many resources available to us as teachers through our local PBS station during our tour last week. Tonight was the first chance I have had all week to review the resources available through the various websites. To say that I am frustrated would be an understatement! I found a lesson plan that would be fun for teachers and students, but I could not find a video that would supplement the lesson. I am sure that PBS has something, but I can't find it! The lesson plan that I found helps students explore the world through Geography and Culture (among other topics). All of the students in the class tell where they are from (countries of origin, if known). The teacher makes a list of all of these countries, and the students decide which countries to "visit." The students learn about music, art, food, language, culture, and whatever else the teacher wants to add in. Teachers could add a writing piece for ELA and a science piece involving the living world of the country. I would also like to find short videos for each country visited, if possible, so the students can see what the country and its people look like (style of dress, animals that live there, plants that grow there, etc.). I would give every student a list of what kinds of things I want them to research (food, language, culture, etc.). For students needing additional help, I would provide a list of resources to guide them in their search for information. For accelerated students, I would provide a list of additional research topics, encouraging interpretation and critical thinking. These topics may include why people choose to live in a certain part of a country or why religion influences choices made my people in a country.
The link for the lesson plan is: http://www.opb.org/education/minisites/culturalcompetence/lessonplan.html

Hope you enjoy it and can use it in your future classroom!

Spring Break

I hope that everyone had a restful Spring Break. Since the school where I work has no days off in March, I was thankful for college being on break for a week. I think the local schools should have planned a short break in March- many children have been missing school due to illness. Our class had eight children missing two days this past week! This is a real challenge that we are all going to face in our classrooms- how do we help the students catch up once they come back to school after missing several days? I guess we will take it in stride (as we do almost everything) and deal with it the best way we know how. See you all soon....

Adaptive Technology

I truly enjoyed learning about the services available through the Student Support Services program on the Plattsburgh State campus. I had heard of this program as an undergraduate, but I didn't know what services were provided. This resource is very valuable to me as a teacher. Being exposed to assistive/adaptive technology has helped me experience what items my students may be using in my future classroom. Technological advances are always improving the quality of products being used to help students with disabilities function in an inclusive classroom.
While fulfilling my Special Education requirement, I heard about AlphaSmart. This product is a small laptop computer that starts at around $200. The beauty of this product is that it can be adapted to fit the needs of any student in a classroom. Students with special needs could each have a computer to complete work on (if financially possible, everyone in class could have one). At the most basic level, this laptop has a writing program to help students become better writers. At the second level, students have access to advanced organizers and guided reading journals. At the top level, the laptops have features like sticky keys, slow keys, larger-sized font, Spanish-English word lookup, and Text-to speech software. Teachers can load supportive materials on the laptops for students needing additional assistance.
Ideally, all of the students in a classroom should have an AlphaSmart laptop. In the real world, I would provide instruction for all of my students and send guided notes and any other additional support materials to my special needs students on their AlphaSmart laptops. I can adapt assessments as well as assignments for my students with AlphaSmart laptops. Students can use their computers to complete assignments, assessments, and communicate any issues that need to be addressed by me privately. Students with special needs will receive the same curriculum as all of the other students in class, but their instruction will be tailored to meet their individual needs.
I would like the opportunity to work with the AlphaSmart in my classroom. I think this product would be beneficial to all students. What do you think?

Information about AlphaSmart is available at the website below:
http://www.alphasmartdirect.com/intro.aspx