New Books!

     I have found two new books that I think will be beneficial to my student teaching experience for fall.  They are: 101 Ways To Put Pizazz Into Your Teaching and Teach to Reach.  Today, I received "101 Ways" in the mail and read it front to back.  In my opinion, it gives a lot of simple and practical ideas for making teaching and learning fun.  It provides ideas for each subject, classroom management, bulletin boards, lesson plans, seating charts, paperwork management, time savers (my favorite), speakers, self-esteem builders, multicultural activities, and FUNd raisers.  I like all of the activities and think it is a great idea to have this book on hand in case you may need to add any last minute activities.  I hope that the great ideas in this book will help me create "zesty" lessons for my students this fall!

                                                                                                   ~Only 13 days until
                                                                                               student teaching begins!~

Inspirational Movies

     I have read some of "The Everything New Teacher Book"  and it has provoked some interesting thoughts.  I have gathered that, in my future teaching career, I will find rewarding moments that will continue to motivate me throughout each year.   I would like to create a list of possible movies that show this these types of rewarding moments. I feel that these movies serve as a reminder of how influential a teacher can be.

Movie List:

                                                     To Sir, With Love  (One of my personal favorites.)

Chalk

October Sky

Dead Poets Society

Music of the Heart

Teachers

The Miracle Worker

Lean on Me 

Dangerous Minds

Freedom Writers

Mr.Holland's Opus

Renaissance Man

Open Eyes

     After reading "The First Days of School", I have gained a great deal of professional understandings that will help my future as a teacher.  It provided me with knowledge of positive expectations, classroom management procedures, and how to grow professionally.  I have taken wonderful notes that will guide my actions for the fall and my future actions as a professional.  I also intend to take the tips provided, about becoming a life-long learner, seriously.  I intend to research local conventions and seminars that will help broaden my knowledge about developing as an educator for the sake of my students.  Before I start my first day of Student Teaching, I will be watching and reading materials that were suggested within this book.  I will watch The Effective Teacher and I choose to CARE.  I will listen to How You Can Be a Successful Teacher.  I will read "The First Day of School" by Douglass Brooks, "What Helps Students Learn" by Margaret Wang, and "Milking the Grade" by Thomas Guskey.  (All suggested from page 302 in "The First Days of School.")  I hope that this wealth of information will be very useful for creating an awesome learning environment!  I look forward to learning about new things and hopefully finding other educators who would like to share their thoughts on these materials!

~This book was WONDERFUL!! If you have not read it, I seriously suggest you do in the near future!~

Becoming an Effective Teacher

Today, I searched for advice about how to become an effective teacher and ran across an article that covered Harry K. Wong's The First Days of School.  I have heard about him before and I vaguely remember watching a lecture he gave covering this topic but I've forgot how important the information really was.  I was so intrigued by the main points covered in THIS article that I went to my University and checked out his book.  While I was there, I also checked out The Everything New Teacher Book.  I hope that by reading these I will find great tips for student teaching in the fall and be able to use them in my future teaching career.  I think these books will really help you out if you are planning to student teach in the near future as well!  Please find them and have a look at them! :)

Tips from other teachers!

I have been looking at various blogs for posts about student teaching.  I have not found very many tips for student teachers but I have found a blog that gives tips for first year/new teachers.  The blog is called Sparkles, Smiles, and Student Teaching.  I reviewed all of the links and they are just Amazing!  Click on the links for the topics and explore all of the wonderful blog posts they are connected to!  You will find some great advice and information for student teaching in the fall.  Happy blog-hopping! 

Update:

I have not made any recent posts because I am currently working on gathering materials for my LiveBinder.  (See top bar for link.)  When it is finished, it will have lists of helpful websites that connect to the third, fourth, and fifth grade Georgia standards.  Have a look at the sites and resources on my LiveBinder if you are having trouble creating lesson plans or finding videos on a certain topic!  Hope it helps you!

Effective Student Teachers

Effective student teachers should do the following:

• Provide Positive Reinforcement
• Provide Guidance
• Build Trust
• Be a Role Model
• Listen Attentively
• Constantly Observe
• Record Observations
• Build Up Student Strengths
• Use Creativity
• Be Understanding
• Communicate Clearly
• Be Open Minded
• Provide Focus For Each Individual Student
• Give Timely, Specific, and Encouraging Feedback 
• Teach Students how to Stay Focused
• Teach Students how to Adapt
• Know how to Deal With Various Learning Styles
• Know Various Learning Strategies
• Treat All Students Equally (No Favoritism)
• Have a Positive Attitude
• Learn Flexibility
• Learn Proper Ways to Give Advice, Criticism, or Solutions
• Reflect on Present/Future Goals, Training, and Educational Goals

Effective student teachers will build a productive student teacher/CT relationship by doing the following:

• Building Mutual Respect
• Showing Reliable Behavior (have accountability)
• Being Honest
• Learning to Overcome Obstacles
• Finding a Common Ground
• Establishing Mutual Goals
• Demonstrating Knowledge of how to Identify and Implement Different Learning Styles
• Discussing Diversity Issues
• Develop Varying Perspectives
• Asking Questions Aimed at Personal Ability, Personal Development, Goals, and Changes.

~These statements were taken or modified/developed from paperwork given in a Coaching and Mentoring Presentation from Kennesaw State's LINK organization.~