Pinterest Pinterest Pinterest!

This image is from flickr.com.

Out of all the web 2.0 tools that were presented this semester, there was one websites that I will definitely carry along with me when I began to teach, Pinterest. At the beginning of this semester I have heard of the website called Pinterest, but had no idea what the website consisted of. My first visit to Pinterest.com, I was surprised by all of the trending ideas that could be found in different categories from lesson plans to cooking recipes. I will be able to use Pinterest to generate new ideas for lesson plans, classroom designs, arts & crafts, and IEP’s. Pinterest can be used to discover cool projects that could be done in your class. When assigning a project, the teacher could let the parents know to check out Pinterest to find examples on how to do the project or add a twist to a certain project. All in all Pinterest is an amazing web 2.0 tool. 

For more information click here:

Educator in the Making

This past week I went home for Thanksgiving. I was excited, because this was my first time being back in Warren, TX since August. However, things were quite different. Everyone and everything that surrounded me seemed quite different or had somewhat changed a bit. Since attending school at Prairie View A &M and taking education courses, my thought process has somewhat changed too. I try to look at situations from a teacher’s perspective now. However, On Thanksgiving Day I spent majority of my time sitting outside observing my younger sibling and cousins playing; engaging in social interaction. When they were bored and had nothing else to do, I would help assist them in finding a game that would be intriguing to them. The games that I chose for the little ones to play had a slight learning twist. For instance, we played a simple game with a balloon, in which we would hit the balloon to each other. Every time the balloon would pass to another player, I had the kids count aloud how many times the balloon was hit to another player. On another occasion, I was talking to my sibling about school. He insisted on talking about sports, but my focus was how he was doing academically. Since my visit back home I feel more appreciative of the education that I am receiving at the college I attend.

For more information on social interaction games visit:

Certify Teacher

 Certify teacher is an online program that is used here at Prairie View A&M University. This online program helps teacher candidates prepare to take the TExES exam to receive teacher certification in their chosen content area. Teacher candidates are also required to pass the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam in order to receive teacher certification as well. Certify teacher offers three different for candidates to work in while logged in. The three areas are exam mode, study mode, and flashcards. Teacher candidates are encouraged to practice in study mode (option 2) and review flashcards before taking an exam.  The special education EC-12 exam is 300 minutes, 135 questions. After taking an exam you are allowed to review your answers, the program displays your answer and the correct answer. Also, the program presents why the answer is right or wrong. Furthermore, my content area is special education EC-12. It took a while for me to realize the more time you spend in certify teacher the better of a score you will acquire. After coming to my senses I now know that certify teacher is very effective if you just put in the time in study mode and flashcard, you can produce great scores as well.

 

For more information on certify teacher visit: http://www.certifyteacher.com/

Visual Schedule

Last week when I was observing inside an elementary life skills classroom, I was introduced to a teaching tool known as visual schedules. Furthermore, visual schedules appeared to be a very effective teaching strategy to the students in this specific class. The schedule was used to teach and help students become aware of their daily routine while at school. The elementary scholars, who varied in different ages and disabilities, would quietly take turn by removing a small sized picture aligned on a vertical Velcro strip when making transitions in their schedule. After removing the picture students could visually see what would be the next location or activity that would take action next for the day. According to lessonpix.com, visual schedules can be used not only to enhance the attention of to the daily schedule, but also to:

• ·         Calendar dates
• ·         Weather
• ·         Counting numbers
• ·         Songs
• ·         Share news of the day

However, I was amazed by how well the students adapt to the visual material. The students enjoyed using the material as well. Additionally, I plan to implement visual schedules/material into my daily routine in the near future as I began to teach.

 

For more information on visual schedules visit: http://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/individual-visual-schedules/

The Importance of a Black Male Teacher

To begin, growing up I never seen an African American male teacher until I transferred schools in 2006. It was a new feeling, and quite different seeing a teacher of my own skin complexion conducting instruction inside a classroom. Having a black male teacher gave me some one successful and accomplished to look up to. I learned many new things just by watching how my teachers carried their selves whether giving instruction in the classroom, or out and about in the public. The black male teachers at my school often talked to African American male students about how to act and dress at school or in the public. These guys actually created a relationship with several of the students around the community. As I grew older and graduation was approaching one of the African American teachers had a conversation with me about what are my decisions after high school. I really appreciated the time that he took out to talk with me about my future, because neither of my parents are college graduates and knew nothing about applying to college. I believe having great black male teachers around in my life had a huge impact on why I want to become a teacher today.

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2013/04/black_male_teacher_shortage_debunking_the_myth.html

Why Students Should Be Encouraged to Find a Hobby

In the society that we live in today, there are many unhelpful attractions for our students and children to get involved in. For some it could be gangs and for others it might be the use of illegal drugs, or just plain flat out attention seeking trouble. None of those are good for students to get involved in. However, this is why I strongly believe it is important for parents and even teachers to be good role models for students every day. Parents should spend time with their children, and help them find a respectable leisure pursuit to take part in. There is a great deal of hobbies for students to get involved in. If students have a hobby that is interesting to them, most likely they will not have enough time to get into unnecessary trouble. To add emphasis, when I was younger I was always in trouble, and I mean always, due to the fact that I was seeking attention. As I progressed in age, I began to play sports for the school that I attended. Sports gave me the attention that I wanted and it took up majority of my time, so therefore I had no desire to get in trouble anymore or fail any of my classes because I had found my hobby; something I loved to do. So encourage your students and children to find something of their interest to participate in. 

For a list of hobbies for students visit: http://nicehobbies.org/list-hobbies-students

How to Praise Students Effectively

Praising your students can be a powerful motivation tool to use in the classroom. Teachers can use praise to improve classroom behavior by acknowledging one students good behavior, and the rest the of the class will will match the good behavior. Praising students can also help boost students academic performance, and speed on an assignment. However, praising your students should not be issued out to much, because students understand when your comments are true to the heart. According to
smartclassroommanagment.com:

Excessive praise:

• Is not meaningful to student.
• It lowers expectations.
• It doesn't change behavior.
• Its so prevalent it becomes a humdrum to students. 

For praise to effective:

• It should be private.
• Make it subtle.
• Make it worthy.
• Make it sincere.

 After learning about how to praise students, all I can think about is my future as a teacher. I plan to praise my students, but only give credit where it is due. Also, I want to motivate my students as an effort boost their self esteem emotionally and academically. My goal is to show my students that I truly care about how well they perform inside and outside of the school.

For more information visit: http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2010/11/27/how-to-praise-students-and-influence-behavior/