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/

Advantages of Co-Teaching

All students who are differently abled are entitled to a free and appropriate education (FAPE). This law is authorized under the individuals with disability education act (IDEA). Also, students should be cultivated in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Many parents would want their child’s least restrictive environment to be in the general education classroom, but the general education classroom is not always the best place for a special needs student to be placed. The student needs to placed in an environment that best fits his/her learning needs. Nevertheless, there is another strategy that teachers can use to create a better learning environment for students with special needs who are located in the general education classroom. That other source is co-teaching. According to Maryland Learning Links co-teaching is “An equal partnership between two teachers—a general educator and a special educator—who have equivalent levels of professional licensure. If teachers use the strategy of co-teaching, learning can be very effective for students with special needs.  

Some advantages of co-teaching are:

• Teachers have the opportunity to learn from each other’s knowledge.
• Special need students feel more comfortable around their peers. 
• Special needs students still receive attention. 

For more information on co-teaching and inclusion visit:

http://marylandlearninglinks.org/1006

http://disabilitynetwork.org/education/inclusion-for-special-education-students-advantages-and-benefits/

Why I want to become a Special Education Teacher

The reason I decided to pursue the field of EC-12 Special Education, is because one of my best friends back home was disabled; he couldn't walk. Although he was much older than the rest of the other guys and myself, we never paid attention to that matter. I grew closer and closer to him each and every time we had a chance to hang out. I never looked at him as being different, because he rode around in a wheel chair. He was just as normal as anyone else. He was a very humorous guy, and liked to talk about his childhood memories with the "crew". I learned a lot from this guy about the essentials of life. He encouraged me to get an education and to make something out of myself. Also, he pointed out that I had the heart of a  teacher, because I was patient, and was always teaching people around the community how to do various things. However, I took my friends advice after he passed away on May 23, 2009, just two weeks before my high school graduation. After all the times i spent with my friend, I had been inspired in so many ways without realizing that I actually had passion to help students who suffer with various disabilities, disorders, or other health impairments. In the near future, I want to be able to boost my students self esteem academically and emotionally, it just takes patience and "will" to make things happen.

R.I.P Alvin Earl Gilder Jr. 11-21-78 ~ 05-23-09

The Impulse to a Dream

Coming from a very small town of Warren, Texas, I found it rather tough to dream big. Growing up, all I ever knew was to finish high school and go straight to work. That was either becoming a logger, or working in a plant like the men who brought me up. Going to college and pursuing my dreams was out of the question. Nevertheless, I had an urge to be different and follow my dreams of receiving a degree; and becoming a certified teacher someday. The desire to be a role model for my siblings, and the children of my community was weighing heavy upon my heart; I felt that I had to do something. I wanted be someone the youth in my community could possibly look up to one day. Also, I wanted to set the bar, so that the surrounding youth could know that African Americans can be successful too. August 2009, I began my path to a professional lifestyle, pursing a degree in Interdisciplinary studies: EC-12 Special Education. During school breaks, I spend my time working as a direct child care worker for the  Mary Lee Foundation: Sinclair Children's Center. I enjoy working with these children who have various disabilities  and histories of abuse or neglect and other health impairments. Working at Sinclair Children's Center is very rewarding and teaches me more and more each day about patience.