Blog Assignment 8

For this blog assignment we were asked to describe how we would use our blogging skills in your classroom. While I'm not much of a blogger, I think the biggest and best way a blog would be extremely useful is if it were used as a place for students and their parents to check daily, weekly, monthly, etc. Instead of using a weekly or biweekly newsletter, I could use a blog to post updates on what is going on in the class. The information could contain projects the students are working, concepts and lessons they are learning, and even provide tools (such as learning interactive games, practice problems, sheets, concepts, etc) the students could use at home to improve math skills or reading skills. Ultimately, it can serve as an avenue of communication between myself and the parents on what is going on in the classroom.

Blog 7 Assignment

The question for this week's blog post is the following:

"After reading and pondering the debate about teens lacking adult reasoning capacity, yet being held to adult consequences, what do you think this means for you as a teacher?"

I think this is a hard question. Through their teen years, children are learning how to be adults more than every before. I think the best way to show them how to be an appropriate adult who makes the right decisions is by being an adequate role model in the classroom. Having integrity, being hardworking, determined, responsible, respectful, and honest will resonate with them. Teachers spend a lot of time with children and teens and on any given day a child/teen may see his/her teacher more than they see their parents. Thus, a lot of the responsibility to show them how to act and behave appropriately as an adult does fall on the teacher.

This is not to say that children and teens won't make mistakes, because they definitely will. They will struggle with integrity, they will lack the desire to be a hard worker or determined, they will not always want to be responsible, respectful, and honest because they don't have the adult reasoning yet. This is when, we as teachers, must correct their behavior through the appropriate discipline channels and influence them to want to make the right the decisions. It is ultimately one of the many jobs in our classroom: to be the appropriate role models, to correct behavior when we can, and to hope the children/teens will learn from it and us so they can make appropriate decisions the next time a circumstance arrives.

Blog 6 Assignment

In this week's lesson, we studied various information regarding music and its impact on learning, especially when it comes to reading and math. It turns out that math and music have a strong correlation with each other. Both subjects are connected through patterns, counting, geometry, ratios/proportions, and equivalent fractions and sequences. Additionally, there is a strong relationship between the various skills needed complete math functions and those needed to play music. Interestingly enough, it is possible that early math training begins building those same neural networks that are used to perform math functions. Students who study music also have strong reading development and phonological awareness. This is largely due to the fact that music is thought to enhance the auditory area closely related to reading.

Music studies, like the Mozart Effect, showed that an activity that puts a person in a good mood will improve their performance on a test that is taken directly afterwards. I found this particularly interesting because this past week, in the class I'm completing field experience hours in, the students were preparing for AIMS testing. At the end of the school day on Friday, the teacher played a parody of "Let It Go" from Disney's latest blockbuster hit, "Frozen." The song talked about test anxieties and how the students did not need to stress, to let it all go  and trust that they know the information and are well prepared.The song was a mega hit for the class and the students requested the teacher play the video twice more. After class, the teacher told me she was going to play the song for them at the very beginning of the day on Monday so the students could relax again before even beginning the test. Thus, it's obvious that music has a powerful effect on the brain and body. Different aspects of the body affected by music includes breathing, heart rate, pain management, and muscle movement. Playing a musical instruction is also known to change the brain because new motor skills are acquired.

All of this information impacts me several ways as a teacher. Ultimately, music is very important in our schools, especially since it is so closely related to math and reading. Many schools are cutting funding to their arts programs and this largely includes music. It's a sad reality and arts in the school should really be the LAST to have funding cut. Without music in our schools, especially instrumental bands, I do believe our students would suffer more harm than good. This is why it will be important, as a teacher, to fight for arts in the schools in whatever way possible. Additionally, I plan to utilize music in my classroom whenever I can. This may include (but is certainly not limited to) background music as the children work silently on an activity or various music activities to help teach a concept. I also will take the idea of the "Let It Go" parody with me to my class regarding AIMS testing. That is certainly a fun way to help the students relax and focus on an upcoming test. In short, music can do so much for our classrooms and our students.

Blog 5 Assignment

This week's lesson focused on reading and language. Quite frankly, these aspects of development are also two of the biggest facets regarding learning. If children are unable to speak or hear or understand a language, their reading skills will suffer greatly. As a result, their reading skills suffer, children will undoubtedly suffer greatly in school.  Even if children can speak a language, they can still have difficulties in school and with reading. This is especially true if the child does not receive the adequate experiences needed when he or she is developing.

I learned several ways to help children with their language and reading development. Speaking in in longer and more complicated sentences has shown to help students make longer and more complicated sentences. It increases their vocabulary as well. Reading books every day also helps with language development in these areas.

This information will impact me as a teacher in several ways. Firstly, I know that even after a child has entered school, reading practice will still be vital. As a result, I know that I will need to make sure that the students are actively engaged in reading inside and outside the classroom, whether it be through the material we are covering in class or reading for fun when time permits. Reading will be vital in my classroom. Additionally, speaking in complexity allows chances for students to learn new vocabulary thus improving their language. Students will also learn to speak better if I allow them to facilitate in discussions with each other and myself. Group discussions will greatly contribute to their retention of material as well.

Blog 4 Assignment

This week’s lesson focused on being relational as a teacher. What does this mean, you ask? Well, simply put, being relational as a teacher means connecting with your students in a positive manner and thereby establishing a positive relationships. Until the students have this positive relationship with the teacher, they will not focus. As a result, if children do not focus, they will not learn in the classroom.

There are several ways I plan to interact with my students to accomplish this. I plan to communicate positive expectations. By communicating positive expectations, as opposed to negative ones, children will be much more receptive to learning and even me. For example: “This will be an exciting class, and you are going to have the most memorable year you have ever had; as a result, you will do very well,” sounds much better to students than, “No one in this class will earn an A. I will make the work too hard for you to do.” Students who are intimated by the teacher’s demeanor from the get-go will not want to create a positive relationship with that teacher; the students will ultimately dread coming to class and being around the teacher.

Another way I would like to facilitate a positive relationship with my students is by displaying their work around my classroom. It will show them that I care about their work and take pride in it. Ultimately, it shows that I care about them. Showing an interest in their personal lives, listening to them, and empathizing with students are another way to show that I care about them as people. Caring ultimately builds rapport with them as well. Questions about the students’ personal lives could involve the hobbies or recent trips they took.

Lastly, while there are many, many ways to build a positive relationship with my students, having fun with the students in the classroom is one of the most important (in my opinion). If they feel I am too serious all the time, this may become intimidating to them. Intimidation could cause retreat and they may not learn as well as they could.

Overall, positive relationships between students and teachers are incredibly important if classroom and school success is to be achieved.

Blog 3 Assignment

This week I learned the importance of attention and emotions when it comes to student learning. There are several ways this information will impact me as a teacher. Firstly, I’m aware that it won’t be unusual to encounter a child who may have an attention problem. As a result, it will be beneficial for me to know the warning signs of attention problems. The most important thing for me to remember is that a child who has attention problems will usually exhibit them in multiple settings. If the child only shows the symptoms in one particular setting, such as when studying math or reading, the child may not have an attention problem. Rather, the child may simply have trouble with that particular subject matter. If I suspect an attention problem, it is important to notify the parent right away.

Additionally, I realize that it will be important for me to have ways for children to get their emotions in check. Emotions can provoke stress and if children have creative outlets to deal with their emotions, their stress levels may be reduced. Games, humor and acts of caring can help emotions as. In addition, it is always important to make sure children have ways to de-stress prior to learning new information. Stretching after l ong periods of sitting while I teach can greatly help a child. Additionally, journal writing to reflect on the information they just learned may help. These types of activities can help promote a healthy environment within the classroom. 

Blog 2 Assignment

This week our lesson focused on how vision and hearing can greatly affect a child’s ability to learn. I learned that vision and hearing problems need to be detected as early as possible so the child’s development is not impacted. Additionally, I learned the signs and symptoms of visual and hearing problems and ways to stimulate both. All of this information for be of use to me in the classroom in several ways.

Regarding the signs and symptoms of vision and hearing loss, it is important to be aware of them so that I may alert the child’s parents as soon as possible. If the problems are corrected as soon as possible, the child can be well on his way to excelling even more in the school environment. Being unaware of the symptoms of vision and hearing problems would be a great disservice to my students, as he or she would undoubtedly suffer academically or even socially.

As the daughter of a deaf parent, I know how hard it is to communicate effectively with one another. A person who can hear perfectly fine needs to exhibit a great deal of patience in communicating with the individual who has the hearing loss. My father has cochlear implants in both ears, but still cannot hear as well as he would like. In fact, he tells me our voices sound like robots and he has no way to distinguish between male or female especially if they are in the same room. Knowing there are children who wear cochlear implants, this will help me in the classroom because I will know how overwhelming the environment may be. Additional, help may be required for this student.

Knowing how to stimulate the vision and hearing of younger children, especially if I work with infants, is important. Their brains need to “catch up,” if you will, and learn to make sense of sounds for specific animals, vehicles, and the various objects that make up our world. Exposing them to various sounds and sights through games and music will greatly benefit them. 

Blog 1 Assignment

Assignment: After watching the videos on brain architecture, plasticity, and understanding the impact of the environment on a child, how does this information impact you as a teacher?

I learned some very useful information during this week’s readings about how the brain develops for children, what can impact brain development, and how long it takes the brain to fully mature. All in all, this information will impact me as a teacher in two major ways.

The first way it impacts me as a teacher is the fact that I have to be aware of how much a child’s brain does grow and develop in their formative years. Much of how I conduction my learning in the classroom will have to be thought of with this information in mind. A subcategory includes the fact that each child develops differently. Therefore, what works for once child may not work for another child. Variety will be a key factor when creating my school environment and lessons.

The second way I think this information ill impact me as a teacher is whether or not a child has a sufficient foundation for his or her brain architecture. If the child, especially one in his or her teen years, does not have the adequate foundation, their development could be inhibited even further. These rocky foundations are extremely difficult to correct. Thus, issues will undoubtedly arise both inside and outside of the classroom. I will have to this child in a way that assists him or her greatly.

Overall, children’s brain development and education are directly related and we, as teachers, must keep this in mind when teaching these students during their formative years.