Blog # 6

• Reflection:

Hey, friends. It is wonderful to be back with y'all again on the blog! In SCED 330, we didn't have class Tuesday, thanks, Dr. Parker! On Thursday, we learned about Science Writing Heuristic. We did an experiment of creating parachutes, we designed 4 parachutes, a basic parachute, and a control, which was a paperclip. We were trying to see how each design affected the air resistance. As we did not finish in time to go over our results, I will have to get back to you next week. The picture below shows one of our designs. This was a very inexpensive way to engage students in a scientific experiment. 

The most satisfying part of my work this week was being able to make a to-do list and get things done on it! While my to-do list is still pretty lengthy, it was a good feeling to check things off that I had done already. I encountered struggle this week with making headway on my unit for SCED 330. I am still unsure of some of the wording and expectations on my unit. To remedy this, I plan to look back at my unit for SSED307  and review what I have already completed. This week, I was most proud of being able to get one learning segment done for edTPA with my good friend, Gabrielle! We worked really hard to think critically about what was best practice for our students with this learning segment. I was also proud because it was a first-grade learning segment, and I have never been good at bringing things down to a first grader's level. Thankfully, Gabrielle was able to help me and give me some pointers about my language. Many thanks to her! The action steps that I want to complete this week are just two simple things: spend time with my family, and knock out some more things on my to-do list before Friday! I really want to spend time with my family this weekend, because no matter what, people are the most important in this life. Material things are wonderful, but life is just not as special without the ones we love. I want to complete more things on my to-do list before Friday so that I will be able to spend time with my family and not worry about homework. I contributed to class overall this week by being a team player and getting the group project done with a can-do attitude. I can try to be more ready for class next week by reviewing the material before we come to class to ensure I can contribute to discussions. 

Outside Learning/Research: 

This week I have been looking for more materials to help create a positive learning environment. I found a great article outlining 32 ways to create that positive classroom environment. Check it out here. My top favorite strategy is to just build relationships with students. This is so crucial because students have a much harder time learning from a teacher they don't like. Building relationships with every student is NOT in any way easy, but worth it, definitely. One book that I found to create a positive learning environment is: Vision of Beauty

Sarah Breedlove Walker rose from a bleak world of poverty and discrimination to unprecedented success as an influential businesswoman and philanthropist. In renaming herself, Madam Walker, in founding her own company, and in establishing herself as a powerful role-model, she proved that if something can be envisioned, it can be achieved.

Often, for young women and young men of color, they grow up thinking they don't have many options in life because poverty is so prevalent in their lives. This is a story of Sarah Breedlove Walker and her journey through struggle and success. This would help to create a positive classroom environment because my African American students and other students who are living in poverty would hopefully see that they can overcome whatever situation they find themselves in with hard work and determination. For my students in the class who are not impoverished, it gives them a lens into the lives of their classmates indirectly, through Vision of Beauty. This directly relates to standard 2 of NCPTS: Teachers Establish A Respectful Learning Environment For A Diverse Population of Students.

Top Tweets: 

This tweet was one of my top three because it goes a long way for a teacher to step back and let his/her students shine. There is nothing more powerful in learning than learning so thoroughly that one can teach another. These are 6 principles of guiding "Genius Hour." 

I am a firm believer in the fact that once a student leaves my classroom they should be better off academically and personally. The world has to deal with them when they leave my classroom so I feel as if it is important to address these 6 skills in my classroom. 

Another thing I have firmly believed in for a while is that technology is not everything. Worksheets work, too, but technology, when used effectively, can be a game changer for both students and teachers. The tweet outlines 7 characteristics of teachers who use technology effectively. 

Scientific Thinking:

This week a current event that I learned about was the Flu shot and genes. I realized when I got a phone call from my doctor that I had not gotten my own flu shot for the year, yet. This prompted me to do some research on the flu shot. There is new research that shows some very interesting points about the effectiveness of the flu shot.

"A genetic “crystal ball” can predict whether the flu vaccine will work well for certain people.

Nine genes are tied to a strong immune response to the flu vaccine in people 35 and under, a new study finds. If these genes are highly active before vaccination, a person will respond to the flu shot by making lots of antibodies. This is true no matter what flu variety, or strain, is in the vaccine. The response can help a person avoid getting the flu." Read more here. I thought it was very interesting that our genes could predict the effectiveness of the flu shot. 

This week the Hyperdoc was very informing. One thing that I really connected to was this graphic. We have been learning A LOT about inquiry and how it is important to inspire inquiring minds in our classroom. This graphic was really helpful for me to get some ideas about how to create inquiry-based learning in my own classroom. This relates to NCPTS Standard 4F: Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This relates to inquiry-based learning in every way! Teachers who help students develop inquiring minds also help them with critical thinking! This will relate to my future classroom because I want to make sure my students are prepared for 21st-century jobs that require problem solvers and critical thinkers. Hyperdoc link here!

EDUC 350: 

This week in EDUC 350, we concluded learning about cultural competency and moved on to laws and policies of education. To a lot of people, this may not seem like much fun, but it is most definitely important. Dr. Clark gave us a list of most important things to be aware of as teachers. 1.Bleeding kids 2. Hurt kids 3. Money. I didn't realize that money played such a huge role in the life of an educator. Another thing that we learned about what Least Restrictive Environment. Here are some notes that I took during class: 

4 settings for LRE(Least restrictive environment):

1. Inclusion- Students who with assistance who can stay in a regular classroom. Usually, have an assistant for the math/ELA in order to help that student. Included in the regular classroom. We provide accommodation.  
2. Resource- Students are in classroom/ no other teacher for support/ they go to a resource teacher during certain times of the day.  
3. Self-contained- Students are in their own classroom not the regular classroom for part of the day or the whole day.
4. Separate setting- Like North Shelby-Separate school
5. *Monitoring*- The EC teacher comes in and checks to see if they are progressing

This was an eye opening topic because I realized that day there was so much I still had to learn! Meeting the students needs with the LRE relates to NCPTS Standard 2D: Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs. In my future classroom, I strive to have every student feel important, valued, and loved. This is especially so, for me, with students who have special needs because they often are picked on or embarrased for their uniqueness! 

To leave on a positive note, I found this picture below. Every child needs a champion. You can be that champion. These are MY kids, say it, own it, love it.

 

Until next week, 

Mallory H. 

Blog # 5

Hey, friends. Another blog coming your way about the great world of education is here! This week was eventful, to say the least. I learned a lot both in and out of class, and it has ALL made me a better educator and person. 

• Reflection:
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• This week I learned about how to teach word problems in MAED 330. I had to get up in front of my peers and teach a word problem. To some, this may not seem like a big deal, but to me it is! I have never been a big fan of math, so to conquer a fear of teaching others math was a good feeling. I was proud of that. My presentation wasn't perfect, but it was definitely a start. I encountered struggle this week when I realized that I had stretched myself just a little too thin. Between projects, tests, quizzes, homework, classes, family, friends, eating, sleeping etc. I felt as if I was SO overwhelmed. My professors really helped me through that this week. I was honest with them about my overwhelming week; they provided encouragement and perspective. In order to get through this, I reexamined my schedule, study habits, and time management. I was focusing too much on every detail of every assignment, therefore, it was hard for me to check many things off my to-do list. My collaboration with my group members this week in social studies brought me great satisfaction this week. I feel as if we worked hard to accomplish our first trial of our experiment and we did a great job of being timely and efficient. My action steps that I want to complete next week are finishing my blog within an hour time frame, go visit my new school(hopefully😀), and spend meaningful time with a friend at dinner. I want to do all these things in order to spend time wisely and grow and nurture relationships. Overall in class this week, I contributed to my peers by thinking deeply about topics that we discussed and asking questions to benefit the group. Next week, I aim to have a more positive mindset. 

Outside Learning/ Research:

This week in my research I found a book relating to immigration and the difference that I child could make. After reading about multiculturalism in EDUC 350, I felt it was important to dive into the real-life situations that my students could be facing.  

"After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her mother home for good.

With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment—and shows how every child has the power to make a difference."

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mamas-nightingale-edwidge-danticat/1121100395

TTOTW:

I could imagine as a classroom teacher that it gets pretty frustrating to hear, I don't know, over and over again. This teacher proposed three things to say instead of I don't know! This is a great strategy to get the students to push past the wall they cant seem to break through. 

This tweet showed a great graphic about what skills are important for students to have that are not academic. I do believe that academics are important, more than important, foundational to the rest of their lives. However, being smart does not make you a good person. The world has to deal with the children that come out of my classroom, so I want to make sure they are growing personally, too. 

This tweet was really relevant to science methods because it talked about a virtual lab in classes using STEM standards. I realized this week that so much science could be taught through worksheets, quizzes, and tests, but if it is more hands-on, students are more likely to make deeper connections.

Scientific Thinking: 

This week, a current event that I learned about was the earth quake that hit Mexico. "A magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocked central Mexico on Tuesday, killing 225 people." This was devastating news especially after all of the hurricanes that have come through this area of late. This could directly apply to my future classroom if my students have family in Mexico or are from there. 

(Newsela). https://newsela.com/read/mexico-city-7-earthquake/id/35417/ 

The hyperdoc chapter #3 was done by my group this week. From this, I learned the difference between knowing and understanding and how to a child, that makes all the difference in the world. I also learned a good bit about creating a hyperdoc using the 5E model. I am still a little unsure about the 5E model in a real classroom setting, but I look forward to exploring it more. 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pVnkt1hh9mksnulcS3ijFLjOeVD6EvsOKntj0e-L0kw/edit?usp=sharing

This week in SCED 330, we learned about the Cl-Ev-R model. It stands for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. Dr. Parker brought up a great point about the way teachers are usually great at teaching claim and evidence, but we are not so great at encouraging students to explain their reasoning. This is crucial because it gives students a whole new level of knowledge and connections. This relates to  NCPTS Standard 4: Teachers Facilitate Learning for Their Students: Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This relates to my future science instruction because I want to help my students not only know why something happens but how it happens, too. If students can go through the Cl-Ev-R model, they will be better able to reason and think abstractly. 

EDUC 350: 

This week in EDUC 350 was wonderful! We participated in a game called C'est la Vi, (Spelling?). It was extremely eye-opening to talk about the way you started out in life, often in situations beyond your control, could decide your future. For my future classroom, I want to be able to identify generational poverty, understand it, and assist where I can. We also talked about multicultural education this week. One big connection that I made this week about multicultural education was that the way we look at students who are learning English as a second language. If we look down on them and think about having to teach them English as being a problem, it disadvantages the child. If we look at it as an opportunity for them to become bilingual and have so many opportunities in their future, it benefits them greatly and makes the relationship better. This relates to NCPTS: Standard 2C: Teachers treat students as individuals. If we see their language as a positive addition to them as individuals instead of a negative addition, that could open up a new world for relationships and a more positive and embracing classroom environment. Overall this week, I have learned that no matter what culture/background/ethnicity a child is, that makes them who they are. They bring something unique, special, and wonderful to my classroom. I cannot wait to love on my kids!! :) 

• To sign off, I will leave you with a video and the words, "Every child needs a champion." -Rita Pierson 

Have a great weekend, y'all. 

Blog #4

• Hey, friends!

Weekly Reflection

I am so blessed to be with you this week sharing this blog and learning about education. There are so many things that I have learned this week in all my classes. Over this week, I was most proud of the fact that I got ahead in one of my classes so that I would not have to worry about it this week. One struggle that I had this week was forgetting about my Spanish Lab, oops!! I forgot to go this week and last week. I made a sign for my room and for my refrigerator reminding me to go to the lab. I also set an alarm on my phone! Learning about edTPA in math class brought me the most satisfaction this week. Dr. Nanney is helping us take edTPA piece by piece and providing us with feedback. It has been the most satisfactory part of my week because I realized that I can do edTPA piece by piece. It won't be easy but I can persevere! My action steps over the next week are to make sure my laundry is kept up with (because doing big loads on the weekend is never fun), work on my PDP, and eat lunch or dinner with at least two friends intentionally spending time with them and being present. I would like to complete these things because they would be really helpful in relieving stress, building relationships, and advancing my professional development. Overall in class this week, I brought a positive can-do attitude. I also helped with research and met with my fellow classmates outside of class to work on projects.

Outside Learning & Research

For my outside learning and research, I have been searching for ways to create a positive and accepting classroom environments through literacy. I found a book called, The Sandwich Swap and it is a really great way to teach acceptance in younger grades. Here is a summary of the book that I pulled off this website: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6644750-the-sandwich-swap

"Lily and Salma are best friends. They like doing all the same things, and they always eat lunch together. Lily eats peanut butter and Salma eats hummus--but what's that between friends? It turns out, a lot. Before they know it, a food fight breaks out. Can Lily and Salma put aside their differences? Or will a sandwich come between them?

The smallest things can pull us apart--until we learn that friendship is far more powerful than difference. In a glorious three-page gatefold at the end of the book, Salma, Lily, and all their classmates come together in the true spirit of tolerance and acceptance. "

Top Tweets of the Week

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This tweet meant a lot to me personally because I had friends and people very close to me experience this situation. Being intentional about building relationships with students outside the classroom is a way to build a strong bond in the classroom. Kids just really want to know you care, and you just may be the only one that does. 

This infographic is a wonderful way to see the inquiry process; it can be very helpful to know when thinking about applying to a classroom setting. Students deserve to have a teacher who knows how to dig deep in learning. This was helpful to me, so I thought I would share it. 

This tweet is absolutely so sweet! It is great to see what would be considered small accomplishments to some being celebrated. It goes a long way when a student feels like their teacher believes in them!  This tweet was SUPER sweet! It is so true, kids deserve it. They deserve for us to celebrate their accomplishments. It may seem trivial to some to celebrate on a test by test basis but it helps the classroom atmosphere! It also helps boost self-esteem for those amazing kids! 

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• Scientific Thinking

  This week we learned about hurricanes in SCED! As a current event that was happening that day, it made it real to discuss what was happening. One really awesome teacher experience that we had today was talking about what we would say if a student asked, "How do hurricanes form?" From there we researched it and made a presentation and then presented. It was really great!! I felt like this was helpful to me. This week had a text facilitation from Chapter https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1S9JGaGqppMEuW8uVJ8wNrUNtBlaqeME-s7Hbhxj412U/edit?usp=sharing  It talked about scientific inquiry and involving students in their learning using the 5E model. Although I am still unsure of how fond I am of the 5E model, I am learning more about it. This week I learned how important it was to know the content that I am responsible for teaching. I realized when Dr. Parker asked from the perspective of a student, "How is a hurricane formed?" that I needed to review my content for 5th-grade science. This relates directly to NCPTS Standard 3 Teachers know the content they teach! This directly affects my future classroom because I most assuredly would benefit from knowing my content!! 

EDUC 350

In EDUC 350 this week, we had the wonderful experience of getting a lens into the life of poverty vs wealth. It was an eye opening experience. We each drew slips of paper out of a cup to tell us our socioeconomic status. The low SES group got torn papers, two markers, a paperclip and an envelope. The high or middle-class SES group got many resources such as posters, food, many markers, technology etc. The point of the experiment was to give us an understanding of what many students go through every day! Going through this simulation reminded me that what my students are going through directly relates to their home life. It is important as educators to note, we must be aware and alert to what is happening in these kids lives. One way to do this is to keep relationships open with parents. NCPTS Standard 2 says, "Teachers work collaboratively with families and significant adults in the lives of their students." In my future classroom, I want to ensure that students and parents feel as if we are all working together to ensure their student is getting the best education that they can. 

I will sign off with some words of encouragement. If teaching was easy, a lot more people would be in the profession. You, yes you reading this blog, are valued, loved, and appreciated. Thanks for your hard work because #kidsdeserveit. 

-Mallory

Blog #3- Do you believe in me?

Hello, friends!

As a future educator, this week has been eye opening. We discussed race, racism, bias, and believing in our students. There is nothing more powerful in this world than love. This week I am most proud of reviewing my lens of bias in EDUC 350. This was a wonderful experience for me because so often I don't realize the lens in which I am using to look at the world, especially in my classroom. I struggled this week with making sure I did not procrastinate on my school work. I dealt with the struggle by creating deadlines of my own for my school work. In my learning, the video below brought me the most satisfaction. It reminded me of the reason that I am becoming an educator. Every student in my classroom deserves for me to believe in them. They deserve love, encouragement, and so much more. I may be the only person to smile at them or speak to them that day. It breaks my heart to know that children go through this, but my heart is overjoyed at the opportunity that I have to make a difference in this world.

The action steps that I want to take this week are to learn three new words, spend time with my roommates, and dedicate 15 minutes of prayer time every day! I want to do these things in order to build relationships and become more linguistically capable. This week in class I worked with my colleagues discussing important academic issues. In order to contribute more, I can make sure that I have researched important topics in order to allow for more discussion.

In my outside research, I searched for ways to make a classroom environment more like a family where everyone can feel loved and supported. The website I found mentioned several strategies to help build the classroom community. One of those was building the classroom through identity. When a child walks through the door they feel as if their classroom reflects them, their culture, and their identity. For example, a teacher could invite families to send in family photos to decorate the classroom with before the year begins. This would help with parental involvement too. 
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/building-community-classroom/

Top Tweets:


These three questions are so appropriate. When I walk into a classroom, I want to know the answer to those three questions. As a college student and a student for many years, I can honestly say that not every teacher that I have had could answer those questions, "yes." I strive to be a teacher that can answer, "YES," for all my kiddos.  

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With this tweet, I appreciated how it pointed out getting to know the students and building relationships was essential to showing how much you care. This is absolutely true. In the words of Dr. Clark, "Kids will do anything you ask of them if you show them that you care." 

In my classroom, I want to encourage my kids to be world changers. In order to do that, I must involve them and help them learn about ways in which they can change the world. 

Scientific Thinking: 

This week I have been learning about the current event of Hurricane Irma. I found a Newsela article that explains what a hurricane is to children. https://newsela.com/read/lib-nasa-what-is-hurricane/id/22629 We are talking in SCED about how to connect make phenomena become real to kids, and this is a definite way to do just that. 

This week I learned that believing in students and loving them is the first and foremost important thing. Standards, lessons, and assessments can come later. This directly relates to NCPTS standard 2: Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. This relates to my science instruction because my students will not care one iota about science if they do not know that I care about them. 

Over this week, I have made connections about the importance of being that person for my kids, each one of them. This is a tough job, I won't reach every child, but I know I can try. 

To end on a postive note,

I have a deep respect for all of you future educators. You have the power to empower. Have a wonderful weekend!! 

Mallory