How technology has enhanced my ideas..(B)

When I first realized that there was no way to get out of this class if I wanted to stay an education major I knew that it would be a very long and grueling semester. I had heard some bad things about this class. I heard that it was such an intense amount of work and left very little time for the rest of one's classes. I was extremely nervous due to the fact that I am probably the least inclined person when it comes to computers and technology. In the end I came to grips and knew that I would just have to get through this one difficult class to accomplish my dream of being an Elementary School Teacher.
No lie, this class has been extremely difficult. Between trying to balance a full time job, 3 other classes and a life with this one class...it almost seems next to impossible. I am struggling but I know that its worth it. I have gained so much knowledge about computers, technology and all the amazing things I can accomplish on the computer. I was so thrilled when I actually made my friend a really cool PowerPoint presentation for her birthday about our friendship. Technology has so many uses in and outside of the class room and this class has given me so many ideas of what to do with my future classroom.
I am so proud of what I am accomplishing in this class. I never thought the computer could be so helpful in such cool projects. The ideas that I am coming up with will definitely inspire a new generation to be more skillful and knowledgeable with technology and the computer. Though this class may take a lot of hard work and time, it is definitely worth it all to come out of it a more technologically-advanced person!

A Quality All Teachers Should Have..(E)

So I've been reading the second book by Ron Clark, entitled "The Excellent 11." This book explains, in Clark's views what all teachers should be like. One quality Clark discusses in his book is humor. I agree completely with the idea that all teachers should be somewhat humorous. In the past I've had some hilarious teachers, and some very dry ones; I always seemed to do better in the classes with the funny teachers. I think Ive done better in the past with humorous teachers because their humor just keeps me interested in whats going on in class; literally, they are not putting me to sleep. When a child is stimulated to laugh... they pay attention more and enjoy being in class. Our goal should be to make our students want to come to class and hang on our every word because what we are teaching is so darn interesting...so lets achieve our goal by being the funny, crazy teachers we know we can be!!

Teacher's advice (E)

So over the break, I hung out with some friends of my sister's who are Elementary School teachers. I asked them tons of questions...they must of thought i was doing a report or something. The best or the most interesting advice I got out of our conversations dealt with how to handle student's behavior. One teacher said to be really strict the first two weeks to show the students you mean business; and then after that you can ease up a bit and be more nurturing. Another teacher said the the "3 check marks" method usually works with her. I really enjoyed listening to everything the teachers had to say and hopefully I can use their advice in the future.

In response to Brittney B's comment..(D)

I am so happy to hear that my posting about, The Essential 55, could be of help to someone. I really did enjoy reading this book by Ron Clarke and I'm so happy to know that someone else will soon find great value in it as well. Brittney expressed that she hopes that this book will help with her classroom management skills, and I am sure it will. This book had so many useful ideas for the classroom and it will definitely be of help to you, Brittney.
Brittney's post demonstrates that it is always a good idea to learn from your peers. Now, if she encounters someone in the future that needs help with some classroom management skills, she knows a great resource to suggest. Networking between teachers is extremely important because you never know what the person next to you might be hiding up their sleeve! We must constantly be learning whether it be from our peers, our elders, and even our future students! :)