Chapter #7

Chapter 7 was all about assessment and creating different types of tests. There was a chart that provided a template on how much time should be allowed for each type of question. I found this chart to be very beneficial and creative. It gives us as new teachers a good idea how many questions and what type of questions we should put on our first couple tests. It is very difficult creating your first test and I believe this template will be a great resource to use. This was one of the most helpful chapters that we have gone over, and will use it for student teaching.

Chapter #6

This chapter was all about preparing a unit plan and creating a curriculum. The most important information that I pulled from this chapter was that as a teacher I must constantly be changing methods, plans, and ways I go about teaching. Always incorporating new technology or ideas is very important. After completion of a lesson it is my job to reflect and figure out what went well, what went poorly, and if the students were comprehending the material. After the reflection phase, I must make the changes necessary for the next set of students to learn better. If I continue to follow this model, students will benefit greatly.

Chapter #5

This chapter focused on 2 main subjects: Standards and "The Head, Heart, and the Hands". I found the latter of the two the most interesting. The real name's are cognitive domain, psychomotor domain, and affective domain. These are a very interesting and intertwined group. All three are necessary in order for learning to occur in the classroom, but in my mind one is the most important. It so happens that this is the hardest one of the three to attain (in my opinion). This is the affective domain also known as the "heart". In my opinion if the students don't have their heart in the material, the information is either a) going to be learned and quickly forgotten or b) not going to be learned at all. So as educators we must find the relevancy of the material and make it come alive for the students. If their heart is not in the material or if they don't care about it the minimal amount of leaning is going to occur. This will be my #1 priority when I get my class. 

Chapter #4

This chapter focus's on classroom management. It provides good suggestions on how to handle many different types of situations. This chapter would be very beneficial as an introductory course to Novice/Student teaching. Many of these problems came up during my Novice teaching experience and I expect they will, when my student teaching begins. It doesn't only provide one option, it suggests many different solutions to the same problem. This chapter did a great job breaking down the different types of classroom management such as: movement procedures, students being off task, and verbal communication. After reading this chapter I feel more prepared on handling disciplinary situations.

Chapter #3

Chapter 3 deals with types of questioning and how questioning should be conducted. All types of questioning are necessary and beneficial but a balance is needed in order to cover the material properly. The place in the lesson and timing of the question are just as important as the question itself. Also as educators we need to make sure we provide ample time for all students to answer a question. Let all the students contemplate and think about the question before you accept an answer. This way students don't get discouraged because they cannot think quick enough. The most important word with questioning and in this chapter is: balance. Without balance the lesson can easily fail.

Chapter #2

I found this chapter very interesting and forced me to do some reflective exercises. The 2.4 exercise was very beneficial. It made me think about how to accomplish my goal. It is easy to think about what you want to do, but when you try to put it down on paper it becomes a lot more difficult. After going through the exercise it was easier to put in words exactly I am setting out to do and how I am going to accomplish it.

Chapter #1

Sorry it has taken so long to get my postings and assignments going...I have been in Florida and my internet connection was almost impressively slow. So without further delay I would like to begin talking about Chapter 1. This is a good introductory chapter to the text. It offers good information on what an adolescent is, what to expect, the differences in all types of schools, and background information about laws passed that coincide with Middle School teaching. The most beneficial section of the chapter was about the different types of schools and how they run. I was not sure exactly how year-around schools worked, and what it would entail for me if I happened to teach at one. The section offered good information and broke it down into small fragments. I feel more prepared and open to teaching in a different setting that I am not completely familiar with.