Absences Add Up

The following blog is in response to the assignment that can be found here.

Absenteeism is a difficult issue that many teacher's have to deal with. Although this is a large problem, there are a few ways to help solve this problem. You can click this link here to view common reasons why students are missing school, so you can get more information and help put a stop to it.

Three ways to help students avoid getting behind after missing a day or more of school:

1. Give the student extra homework to work on what was done the day that they missed, so they are not missing extra practice.

2. Have the student stay in from recess or free time to get caught up on work.

3. Video new lessons taught, so the absent student can watch the video, and not miss out on the full explanation on the new topic. 

To encourage good attendance, teachers can give awards or prizes to students who stay in good standing with attendance. For example, they could give a student a sticker each day they are present, and the stickers could be traded in for rewards. Giving certificates for good attendance could also encourage the students to come to school. An incentive like this would encourage the student to be present each day, so that they can receive the award for their attendance. I do not think that major consequences should be given to students who have poor attendance because, most of the time children have to miss because they are sick, or their parents are responsible for their absence. If the problem is getting out of control, I think talking to their parent or guardian would be necessary to try and help resolve the issue.

Teachers Go Beyond the Call of Duty- What's Your Calling?

The following blog post is in response to the assignment found here.

 Teachers Go Beyond the Call of Duty -- What's Your Calling?

On November 5th, 2016, I participated in the Region XI TAFE Competition in four events. I competed in the ELF Test, Portfolio, Scrapbook and Breakout Sessions, and advanced in each of these competitions for state. I picked two of these competitions because I already had my portfolio (guidelines) completed from last year, and I had experience in the ELF Test from last year. I enjoy working in groups, so I though the Scrapbook (guidelines) and Breakout Session Competition (guidelines) would be something I would enjoy. I enjoyed competing in these four things, and I would not change one thing about the things I signed up for. In my group projects, each member worked diligently to get their part done, so I could not have picked any better members for these competitions. The biggest obstacle I encountered would have to be the lack of time that I had to prepare each of these projects. Even though the time span was long, it was difficult to finish three presentations, and prepare for another, in that time frame. The thing I enjoyed the best from these competitions, would be putting them together. Even though it was sometimes difficult because I'm a perfectionist, I enjoyed getting to see all what our chapter has done, and get to show that off to the judges. The thing that I didn't like the most was the difficulty in the group projects because, the members were in different class periods. It was hard planning and preparing these projects when we were not together. If I could change anything about my competitions or the process creating them, I probably would have spent a little more time preparing the scrapbook and the script, so I did not have to stress about, and prepare, the script last minute. Throughout this experience, I have gained a lot of responsibility, and trustworthiness. While working in a group, my team members were able to trust that I would get my part done, and I was responsible enough to finish it on time. After completing these projects, and my success at the region competition, I can not wait to go to the state conference. I am so excited! To prepare for the Teach Tomorrow Summit, I am going to focus on the scrapbook the most, since this is the competition that has way more requirements for state. All of my other competitions are finished for state, but I will need to perfect my presentations before I compete again.

Pictures

Portfolio Certificate

Chapter Scrapbook Group and Certificate

E.L.F. Test Competitors and Certificate

Breakout Session Group and Certificate

Habit of Mind: Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision

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What Would You Do?

The following blog post is in response to the assignment that can be found here.

After reading the given scenarios, I am going to provide a solution for scenario 4. Below is the exact description of the scenario.

Scenario 4

You are about to change into your field site attire and realize you have forgotten your field site shirt and name badge.  The bus will be leaving in three minutes.  You have on jeans with holes, and a low cut top.  You saw Mrs. Picky, your BCTAL EAT teacher, at your field site yesterday.  Since you think she will not be stopping by to visit interns at your field site, you hop on the bus without your EAT attire, taking your chances that you will not be discovered.  After all, if your field site mentor teacher and principal don’t say anything, there is no harm done, right?

After being an intern for one full year, and already starting on my second, the solution to this situation greatly stands out to me. If this situation happened to me, I would do a few steps to make sure that I did the correct thing. First, I would text my EAT teacher and let her know that I forgot my proper attire, and ask what he/she would like me to do. Ideally, my teacher would quickly reply and I could follow the exact orders my teacher wants me to do for that day. If my teacher does not reply right away, I would not get on the field site bus, but instead get on the BCTAL bus and go to BCTAL for the day. As soon as possible, I would text my mentor teacher and let him/her know that I could not be there today, and apologize for the short notice. If my EAT teacher is at the BCTAL, I would stay in the classroom and work on any classwork that needs to be done, but if he/she is not there, I would work in the hallway or in the other teacher's classroom. I would stay for the designated class time before returning back to my high school.

My First Day as an Intern

The response to the following blog post can be found here.

Selfie from Allison and I's
first day at our field site!

First Day back as an Intern!

Mr. Crawford

On September 13, 2016, I returned back to Walker Creek Elementary for my second year of interning. This year, I am interning in a First Grade classroom, with a teacher named Mr. Crawford. This is his 8th year of teaching. To see his website, click here. I prepared by adding and editing my "About Me" poster from last year. I made some changes, and brought it along with me. On the first day I wore jeans, my EAT button up shirt, and white converse. As soon as I walked in, I did my introduction, which only lasted about 2 minutes, but it did grab everyone's attention. When I first walked in, I felt extremely happy to be back in a classroom. I saw so many familiar faces and I was so excited to teach and learn with these new faces. During the time that I am in his classroom, I get to help the first graders with math. This worked out perfectly; math is my favorite subject! After talking to Mr.Crawford about the changes that take place in the students during a year in 1st grade, I think I am most excited to see how much the students will learn and develop during the 36 weeks in this grade level! I am most excited about being apart of their lives this year, and help teach them new things. This week in my classroom, I got to learn what the teachers and students do during a fire drill, see what responsibilities the first graders get in the library, listen in on their math book lessons each day, and I got to watch them quietly read alone for "stamina" for a record time of 12:00 mins. Many things happened this week, and I got to observe and see what happens in each new situation or lesson. After leaving, I was completely filled with joy. I cannot wait to go back this week and learn more about my new scholars, and see what they are capable of doing this school year!

Even though I am in the same school, last year and this year's internship is completely different! Last year, I was in kindergarten, and even though the grade level difference is just one year, 1st grade is way more complex. As of last year, the teacher continuously showed the students how to do things, but this year, the students are right next to the teacher, trying everything out and doing everything with him. The students this year have already greatly increased their maturity level, and they are way more self-sufficient than last year. Besides the students, the teachers also have big differences. My teacher this year is much more laid back, and relies on the students to problem-solve and work things out on their own. I can not wait to continue to see similarities and differences in these two classrooms and grade levels as the year goes on.

Picture of me in the classroom!

My Plan of Attack

The following blog post can be found here.

Last year, I competed in the Ethical Dilemma and ELF Test Competitions, and made it to the State Competition for the Ethical Dilemma contest. Last year, I enjoyed working with my team, and I plan doing it again this year for the Scrapbook Competition.

This is a picture of my classmates and I at the Region Conference from 2015.

Steps:
1. I will decide on the contests I plan on participating in. 2. I will decide who I will be working with on which contests (if they are group projects).3. I will plan what needs to get done, and work as hard as I can to get it completed before the Region Competition. 4. After I compete, and hopefully move on to the state level, I will work hard on preparing and perfecting my work before I compete again at state. 

Click here to view all of the TAFE Competitons.

•  I will be doing the Chapter Scrapbook Contest (guidelines), the Breakout Session Contest (guidelines) and the Portfolio contest (guidelines). The Scrapbook and Breakout Session Contests will be done in a group, but the Portfolio Contest will be done by myself.
• I believe the scrapbook and the breakout sessions will take a while to complete, because there are a lot of events and materials that need to be included. My group and I will need to work very hard to get these done on time.
• The portfolio contest should not take quite as long because, most of the information is already on the portfolio, I will just have to add in more information as the time goes by.
• To be successful, I will need hard work and dedication from each of the group members.

Welcome to My Blog!

The following blog assignment can be found here.

School year 2016-2017 is now started! As I start my Senior year, I am so excited to see what this year will consist of. 

I am a student at Birdville High School, and am involved in the Education and Training Program at Birdville's Center of Technology and Advanced Learning. I am so excited to be involved in school organizations and experience new things as I take on my last year of high school. In a few weeks I will be going out to a new field site classroom, and I am so excited to meet my new students. Last year, I interned in a kindergarten classroom, and this year I plan on helping out in a first grade classroom. I can not wait to learn more about this new grade level, and experience what teaching first grade is like.

Follow my blog to watch my journey through my year as a Senior in the Education and Training program.