Where has my blogging gone? I have not been very good at regular blogging, but since a good teacher is one who is reflective, I need to make sure that thinking, writing, and reflecting, become a habit that I hone. I do have my class blog too, but since that is for parents, it has a slightly different tone - check out my class website at: http://strayerhomeroom.weebly.com/
The semester is over! Can we all join in a mighty, celebratory roar?! All done. 3 1/2 years of classes done and dusted. Final results come in with a 3.99 GPA on record, and just a few small steps away from that piece of paper that says that I am ready to teach the youth of America! Kind of ironic that the anti-grade, pro-standard future teacher concentrates on that GPA, but as long as that is the world we live in, that is my honest reaction to the desire to shine! Deep down I wanted that payback for my hard work, but I know as much as anyone what an unreal representation of our work that is. Some of those A's were earned through hard graft and extra credit busywork - I can't say that I still know the material. Others are deeply ingrained. Yes, I wanted A's, but I still believe that a change to standards would be more beneficial to all - especially to the future students who will be taught by people that achieved a degree, but never actually reached standards..........uh oh, she's off again! That crazy girl, thinking standards are more important than labels & competitive labeling :)
Interested? Read this article at http://tdn.com/news/local/monticello-middle-school-makes-the-switch-to-a-new-grading/article_fd4d8142-83dc-11e4-b7cb-bb4148d66548.html
Prefer a video? Watch this one:
Imagine judging by skill instead of points.........
So now I face my first semester of full-time teaching. Oh boy! I can't wait! I just posted my initial goals for the semester on the class blog - goals behind the regular teaching that is. They are:
- Involve families more through FaceBook & website
- Morning activities for homeroom
- Integrating more technology into classes
- Increasing the amount of cooperative & collaborative group work into our classes
Goals that I have added beyond what I shared with families are: to work on my transitions and to find better management techniques within the classroom. I also want to bring more movement and better learning techniques within the classroom. Engagement is always key, but I am intent on finding ways to bring the 'lost' kids back into the realm before it's too late. It breaks my heart a little to see students' fates determined so young, and maybe I can be that teacher who can join with others to influence them towards a better future than the one they have already decided for themselves at such a young age. I will do my best!
So, this space is for me really, but feel free to share in my journey! Teaching....here I come!!
Picture taken from http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1978629
