Curriculum areas we will focus on will be based on themes or big ideas.
They will include:
Explorations: We all have a natural curiosity to explore our world. From the mysterious depths of the ocean to Mars, students will be challenged to go a step beyond the explorers who came before them. Social inequity and effects of nutritional habits on the heart will be examined. Students will discover winter survival tactics and retrace the steps of some famous explores such as Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Lewis and Clark, and Mathew Henson to name a few. Alternative sources of energy, logic, cultural exchange and the effects of ancient inventions on today’s society will be investigated. Students will discover a new world of explorations waiting for them.
Choices: From the easy to the dramatic, choices are analyzed, organized, and categorized in this exciting unit. Students soon realize they make hundreds of choices everyday. We will study decision making strategies such as flow charts, tree diagrams, drawing straws and flipping coins are explored. Students investigate bullying, ethics, nutrition, and positive and negative consequences involved in making decisions. Students compare fractions and make real life choices based upon comparisons. This experience will help students grasp the importance and implications of the choices they make each day.
Balances: Is it possible for our world to ever again be ecologically balanced? Was it ever? What is the connection between the inner ear and sea sickness? We well examine the universal concept balances from many perspectives. Balance in art, government, diet, mathematics and even elevators will be discovered. You might ask, “How are elevators and balance related? You will discover for yourself.
Viewpoints: We will examine the concept of viewpoints from many angles. From the history of child labor laws to optical illusions, studying viewpoints takes students through a variety of critical thinking activities. Students learn to consider other’s perspectives as they learn the process of formal debate. Students re-evaluate their value systems as they are challenged to consider topics such as rich vs. poor, animal right, and hypothetical situations involving difficult decisions. Students will gain a new understanding of the phrase “walk in another’s shoes.
Questions: “To be or not to be. That is the question.” This may be one of the most famous Shakespearean quotes. In this unit the students will discover the play from which the quote came from and the context in which it was written. Students learn about Socrates and his ideas about questioning. The Five W’s are examined as students gather information and put together a variety of multi-media products. Students gain an understanding about how our society has evolved because people in the past were bold enough to ask questions such as “Do you suppose we can put a man on the moon?”
Parents if you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to visit our classroom, schedule a conference, or volunteer to help out, you can contact me at etcoxd@whitehall.k12.oh.us or call 417-5400
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
How To Be A Great Teacher: 19 Qualities You Should Possess
Teacher”! “Teacher”!! I don’t understand.
Those where the constant words my teachers would hear coming out of my tiny mouth. Luckily I had some great teachers and mentors who did not get discouraged and would inspire me to reach new heights. We are all unique beings with diverse talents and perspectives that have capacity to teach others. Fortunately teaching does not have to be something that is confined only to the classroom.
We can all contribute something valuable, and if we cultivate a few qualities can make our contribution more meaningful by teaching and motivating others along the way. Below are some qualities one should strive for in becoming a great teacher. Remember to not overestimate others and never underestimate yourself, if you look deep enough you have something to teach the world. One of the greatest feelings you will ever get is to be a part of another human beings progress.
Top 19 Qualities To Cultivate:
1. Engaging/ Relevant: Teaching is a two way street, if the student is not engaged, your efforts will have been wasted. You need to get a student interested, excited, and enthusiastic about learning. Get to know your students desires, how can you teach in a way that is relevant to the things they want.
2. Good Evaluators: Good teachers are aware of their student’s skill sets and abilities. They are able to teach without getting to far ahead of their students abilities. They are able to stimulate the student to the next level of progress. They know when to push their students and when to back off and give them space to contemplate on their own.
3. Creative: To be a great teacher you need to have an open mind and be creative in your approaches to teaching. Everyone learns in different ways, so you must find new creative exciting ways to make learning an enjoyable experience.
4. Good Attitude: Your attitude determines everything, when you have a great attitude you take great pride in sharing what you know, and the student will also be more receptive to you.
5. Clear/Concise: One of my pet peeves was when my teachers made a simple exercise complicated by giving unclear instructions. Many times people like to complicate things to seem intelligent or superior. Remember this is not about you; make sure you make it as easy as possible for a student to learn.
6. Organized: Time is precious and many don’t have the luxury to spend large amounts of time learning something new. Make sure to think ahead of anything you might need and be prepared so that you are able to focus on the learning experience.
7. Clear Objectives: Students need a target, be upfront with what they will be learning. If your idea is too vague or abstract a student will see no point in paying attention.
8. Empathy: Depending on your students abilities, learning complex ideas can be emotionally draining. When your students hit a wall or an obstacle, empathize with them. Try to focus on the positive, find ways to encourage them to fight through the difficulties.
9.Flexible: Many times things don’t go according to plan, if something is not working, re group and try a new approach.
10. Genuine/ Interested: Have a sincere interest in your students, if they know you care, they will go the extra mile to do their part. This is also an opportunity for you to learn as well.
11. Sober/ Professional: I remember having a few college professors who had to be drunk; there could not be another explanation to why the lecture was so terrible. Your appearance matters as well, think about what context and learning environment you will be in.
12. Knowledgeable: As obvious as this sounds, if you are not knowledgeable on a certain topic how can you teach it to someone else. Once you have your objective, make sure you do the necessary research, so that you can be confident in your ability to teach. If you are teaching something that is highly specialized, make sure you make the effort to continue your education. Subscribe to trade magazines, read up on the latest developments, go to seminars, etc.
13. Balance: Creating balance in our lives is critical. If we are to be good teachers we need to have a good balance in our mind, body, and spirit. When we neglect a certain aspect to our being, its effects spill over and sabotage our efforts.
14. Inspiring: A teacher who can inspire their students has the potential to awaken talents, that the students where not even aware they possessed. Someone who is inspired will go to great lengths to see their objective carried out.
15. Confidence: A teacher, who is confident in himself, will teach in a way that instills confidence in the student. The student will be assured that what they are learning is valuable and accurate. If a student senses that you are not confident in yourself will doubt your abilities to teach. If my friend is teaching me how to approach woman but he himself is not confident in his ideas, how will I be confident in applying what he is trying to teach me.
16. Respectful: Learn to be aware of age, gender, and cultural differences. We all come from different backgrounds learn to be respectful and seek to understand others.
17. Clear Expectations: Don’t promise a Mercedes Benz if you can only deliver a Ford Escort. Make sure you set realistic expectations in your student, than strive to go above and beyond.
18. Keep your ego in check: This is all about the learning process, don’t take anything personally when you commit a mistake or your student proves that you are wrong. Teaching is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience if you don’t let your ego get involved.
19. Adaptable: Finally the last quality to a great teacher is his ability to adapt. Change is the only constant, when circumstances change, learn to let go and embrace whatever is needed to progress.
Well there you have it, 19 qualities that if you are able cultivate within you, will almost guarantee that you become a stellar teacher in and out of the classroom. Keep growing, keep evolving, and keep smiling.
Teacher”! “Teacher”!! I don’t understand.
Those where the constant words my teachers would hear coming out of my tiny mouth. Luckily I had some great teachers and mentors who did not get discouraged and would inspire me to reach new heights. We are all unique beings with diverse talents and perspectives that have capacity to teach others. Fortunately teaching does not have to be something that is confined only to the classroom.
We can all contribute something valuable, and if we cultivate a few qualities can make our contribution more meaningful by teaching and motivating others along the way. Below are some qualities one should strive for in becoming a great teacher. Remember to not overestimate others and never underestimate yourself, if you look deep enough you have something to teach the world. One of the greatest feelings you will ever get is to be a part of another human beings progress.
Top 19 Qualities To Cultivate:
1. Engaging/ Relevant: Teaching is a two way street, if the student is not engaged, your efforts will have been wasted. You need to get a student interested, excited, and enthusiastic about learning. Get to know your students desires, how can you teach in a way that is relevant to the things they want.
2. Good Evaluators: Good teachers are aware of their student’s skill sets and abilities. They are able to teach without getting to far ahead of their students abilities. They are able to stimulate the student to the next level of progress. They know when to push their students and when to back off and give them space to contemplate on their own.
3. Creative: To be a great teacher you need to have an open mind and be creative in your approaches to teaching. Everyone learns in different ways, so you must find new creative exciting ways to make learning an enjoyable experience.
4. Good Attitude: Your attitude determines everything, when you have a great attitude you take great pride in sharing what you know, and the student will also be more receptive to you.
5. Clear/Concise: One of my pet peeves was when my teachers made a simple exercise complicated by giving unclear instructions. Many times people like to complicate things to seem intelligent or superior. Remember this is not about you; make sure you make it as easy as possible for a student to learn.
6. Organized: Time is precious and many don’t have the luxury to spend large amounts of time learning something new. Make sure to think ahead of anything you might need and be prepared so that you are able to focus on the learning experience.
7. Clear Objectives: Students need a target, be upfront with what they will be learning. If your idea is too vague or abstract a student will see no point in paying attention.
8. Empathy: Depending on your students abilities, learning complex ideas can be emotionally draining. When your students hit a wall or an obstacle, empathize with them. Try to focus on the positive, find ways to encourage them to fight through the difficulties.
9.Flexible: Many times things don’t go according to plan, if something is not working, re group and try a new approach.
10. Genuine/ Interested: Have a sincere interest in your students, if they know you care, they will go the extra mile to do their part. This is also an opportunity for you to learn as well.
11. Sober/ Professional: I remember having a few college professors who had to be drunk; there could not be another explanation to why the lecture was so terrible. Your appearance matters as well, think about what context and learning environment you will be in.
12. Knowledgeable: As obvious as this sounds, if you are not knowledgeable on a certain topic how can you teach it to someone else. Once you have your objective, make sure you do the necessary research, so that you can be confident in your ability to teach. If you are teaching something that is highly specialized, make sure you make the effort to continue your education. Subscribe to trade magazines, read up on the latest developments, go to seminars, etc.
13. Balance: Creating balance in our lives is critical. If we are to be good teachers we need to have a good balance in our mind, body, and spirit. When we neglect a certain aspect to our being, its effects spill over and sabotage our efforts.
14. Inspiring: A teacher who can inspire their students has the potential to awaken talents, that the students where not even aware they possessed. Someone who is inspired will go to great lengths to see their objective carried out.
15. Confidence: A teacher, who is confident in himself, will teach in a way that instills confidence in the student. The student will be assured that what they are learning is valuable and accurate. If a student senses that you are not confident in yourself will doubt your abilities to teach. If my friend is teaching me how to approach woman but he himself is not confident in his ideas, how will I be confident in applying what he is trying to teach me.
16. Respectful: Learn to be aware of age, gender, and cultural differences. We all come from different backgrounds learn to be respectful and seek to understand others.
17. Clear Expectations: Don’t promise a Mercedes Benz if you can only deliver a Ford Escort. Make sure you set realistic expectations in your student, than strive to go above and beyond.
18. Keep your ego in check: This is all about the learning process, don’t take anything personally when you commit a mistake or your student proves that you are wrong. Teaching is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience if you don’t let your ego get involved.
19. Adaptable: Finally the last quality to a great teacher is his ability to adapt. Change is the only constant, when circumstances change, learn to let go and embrace whatever is needed to progress.
Well there you have it, 19 qualities that if you are able cultivate within you, will almost guarantee that you become a stellar teacher in and out of the classroom. Keep growing, keep evolving, and keep smiling.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
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