There was a lot more things I took from this class that I
can use in my classroom than I thought would be. I was thinking, I’m teaching high school why
would I need to learn middle school methods?
Well after going through 5 weeks of class there are a lot of topics that
can be tweaked and used in high school. The
essential attributes that the AMLE discusses can be used in the high school level. For example, high school students should be
challenging and held to high expectations.
It also important to empower even high school students also. I feel this is important in the high school
level because a lot of the students will need to take responsibility their lives
and how to fit into society. I also need
to make my curriculum challenging and relevant.
As a business teacher, I feel it is necessary that my curriculum is
relevant. Whether students go to college
or not they will have business basics to be successful in the real world. I like the reaffirmation of using differentiated
instruction and assessment. I am still
learning how to strengthen my skills on using DI. I would say that is my weakness with my
preparation and teaching. The last thing
that stuck in my head was about the cultural and community characteristics that
we read about last week. It is not because
we just read about it, but the importance it has to do with the students. It falls under the old saying that it takes a
village to raise a child. I agree with
that because society has changed from the past that teachers and schools play a
more important role in a student’s education.
As a teacher, I think it is the most important to make sure my classroom
is inviting and safe. For me, I think I can
do this to start by meeting the students at the door as they come into the room. It was interesting how part of the essential characteristics
correlates with community characteristics.
The thought of including community and business partners ties in well
with making your curriculum relevant.
There is a lot I will take from this class and bring into my classroom.
Hey Corey,
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are a lot of things to take out of this course, specifically the culture and community aspect. Reflecting on how to keep improving our classroom in order to reach more and more students through an inviting and engaging classroom is important for every level. I also agree with you regarding the connection of middle and secondary education, students who are in the 9th grade sometimes seem to be at the same maturity level as 8th graders. Understanding all of the changes they are going through in their bodies and mind in middle school can be directly applied to your younger high schoolers.
Corey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty as to what you thought you would take away from this course. In my past, I have had to take a lot of elementary school classes that I did not find would be useful. As it turns out, I was quite wrong! I'm glad that you had a similar thought. I honestly think that a lot of education methods and ideas can be applied to any age group if it is adapted enough.
I also enjoyed how you said that high schoolers need to be challenged and held responsible for certain things. I agree with you. I think that young students are often guided easily into what they are supposed to do and how they should use their responsibility. Sometimes I wonder if students in high school are kind of just drop kicked into certain expectations and respnsibilites, that is hard to do! Especially if they have been guided their whole life. That change should be gradual. I also appreciate how you mentioned both if students go to college or if they do not. No matter what, those students will benefit from certain business ideas. Overall, you had a great closing post. Thanks!
Corey,
ReplyDeleteI was with you in questioning how this course fit into our curriculum as high school teachers. Now that we have reached the end I realize that I was wrong. A lot of what we covered is still relevant even at the high school level. I also feel that if Illinois starts to integrate more business courses into the earlier grades this experience has made me more interested in the prospect of teaching them. It has been nice having another class together, I hope our paths cross again in the future.
Great reflection on this class and the way you connected to business. I agree that at the beginning I was also questioning how this class can connect with high school business classes. There are some parts that can carry on into high school and we can definitely try to modify it to business. You are not the only one who struggles with DI. This is something that the more we do it and practice we will become better. I wish you the best when you student teach.
ReplyDeleteLuis
I will be teaching high school also. I had similar thoughts, like you, and feel that the lessons learned over the last five weeks were very informative and helpful to teaching high school History classes. I think being able to understand the junior students, their thoughts, their emotions, etc. will definitely help me to relate to the Freshmen students better. Your insights were very helpful, Corey. Good luck in the future.
ReplyDelete