A lesson that didn't go quite as planned...

     This week, I designed a lesson on the first hour chapters of Frankenstein. My original plan was to cover the first four chapters of Frankenstein by splitting the class into pairs, assigning each pair a chapter, and having them take on the role of a teacher by pulling out key events, characters, and important lines that they feel every student should know in order to gain a full understanding of the text. I thought that this lesson was going to be interesting and engaging, and spark a great class discussion. However, my plans were derailed. 
     I has stressed to the students during the previous class period that they needed to complete the reading for homework in order to be able to participate in the activities for the following day. Unfortunately, out of twenty students in the room, only nine even attempted to read, There was a split second when I was in front of the students that I just wanted to cry and scream in frustration. However, I thought about it quickly and split the room into two groups: those who had read and those who had not. The students that did not read were asked to read and annotate in class while the other group began my planned activity. 
     Even though my lesson did not go quite as planned, I was very proud of the way I handled the fast curve ball that my students threw at me. I was able to think on my feet and be flexible in order to fit all of the students' needs. I think I also succeeded in holding every student accountable for his or her own work. Instead of moving on and having the nine students carry the whole class, I decided that it would be better to ensure that everyone completed the assignment. I was also glad that I didn't have to hold any student back by allowing the prepared students to move on. 
      One of my biggest fears about going into the teaching field was that no one would do their homework, leaving me unable to finish my lessons. However, based upon today's results, I know that I can handle that awkward situation better than I could have ever possibly imagined. 
     

    

  

Delicious!

This is a list of educational resources that I compiled using www.delicious.com. I think this website is useful because it allows its members to find helpful links from all over the web without having to open a million tabs!

https://delicious.com/kayleighc814

Back in my day...

     Being 21-years-old, it was not that long ago that I found myself in a seat in a high school classroom pleading with the clock to go faster. Days never seemed so long, and when the bell finally rang, one would have thought that I was the star of the track team. I think that the reason why I was disengaged from my classes is because the material was often presented in a boring, dry manner. I think that drawing on my past experiences as a high school student will only strengthen my performance as a high school teacher.

    One aspect of English class that I absolutely loathed as a student was poetry. I never understood poetry, and it was presented in a manner that did not allow me to engage with the text. Instead of unlocking the complicated language of poetry, it was more important that I was exposed to the poem. I think that as a teacher, I will try to present poetry in a way that inspires the students to dive deeper into the text in order to understand its true meaning. One way that I wish to achieve this is by reading the poem with the students first. Next, I want the students to point out details that they think are significant or present any questions that they may have. Then, I want to analyze the poem as a whole class, rather than leave the students to their own devices. I think that if I am able to incorporate these strategies, I will be able to save my students from the fate that I suffered in high school.

A Self-Portrait

Here is a self-portrait I did using www.picassohead.com! It was a great way to express myself! I think this website will be useful for helping students to visualize the characters in the texts they are reading.

Frankenstein Comic Strip

This is a comic strip that I designed to illustrate a basic version of how Mary Shelley came to write Frankenstein using www.makebeliefscomix.com. I think that this is a fun activity for students to do! Not only do they have to know the plot of a text, but they have to create their own original dialogue between the characters! I only wish that the website was not so limited in the number of images that you can incorporate into your comic strip!

Effective Lessons

     A teacher never knows if a lesson will go over well. However, there are certain characteristics that all effective lessons should contain. First and foremost, it should be student centered. Students do not learn well by listening to a boring lecture from the teacher. Effective lessons should be as interactive as possible. Students should be in the front seat, while the teacher takes on the role of a "back-seat driver" to guide them. Effective lessons should also be interesting to the students. Regardless of the level of interaction, if the students can't get interested in the material, they will not learn. Effective lesson should be interesting enough to motivate the students to do their activities and inspire the students to learn.

    Assessment should not always be a test or a quiz. I think that students should be mostly assessed based upon their participation in class discussion. Students are sometimes hesitant to complete written assessments in class. However, I think that if the teacher is able to facilitate an interesting discussion, the students will demonstrate their mastery of the subject at hand. I have found that many of my students are unmotivated to complete written assignments. However, if I am able to spark their interest with interesting discussion questions, they open up and blossom!

"Ms. C, you crack me up!"

      Even though I am in the process of learning to be an effective teacher, it is my students that are the main focus of my semester. Yes, I have a lot of other homework and lots of paperwork to fill out for certification, but I try to never lose sight of why I chose this career path in the first place: the students.

     One goal that I have successfully met thus far is to have the students like me. I have achieved this by having a light-hearted and humorous demeanor in the classroom. I strive every day to make sure that I am not only educating, but entertaining as well. I believe that this has led me to build such a strong rapport with my students.

     It is important to have a good relationship with the students because frankly, it makes everyone's lives easier. If the students like you, they will want to work hard for you. A teacher can gain the respect of students by being able to have a good time, but being stern and following all of the rules that are in place. If the students respect a teacher, a trusting relationship can be built. I think that every teacher should strive to gain their students respect and trust in order to be an effective teacher.