My Practice Voicethread

John's practice voice thread

This is just for practice.

Education Cuts in Washington State

I was mortified when I saw the governor's state budget cut proposal of $1,300,000,000. Wow! What does this mean in terms of existing schools? I knew that seven Seattle schools were on the chopping block, but does this budget cut mean than even more schools will close? Will teachers be laid off? What does this do to my chances of becoming a teacher? Should I expect it to take a few years to find a job in the area, or should I move to another state? One thing is for sure, I'm glad that I'm getting certified through the University of Washington Bothell. I know that I will have the training and experience to make me more attractive in the job market.

To correct spelling or not to correct spelling that is the question..

During my dyad placement I have been watching carefully how the teacher interacts with students with respect to their writing. We talked briefly about this idea of editing and correction in our literacy class and that perhaps you choose one of the traits to focus on. I have learned that this question of when to tell students they have spelled something wrong is completely intertwined with your knowledge as the teacher of the student. You give them advice to change their writing based on who they are as a writer always being careful to build them up while providing adequate scaffolding.

What do Teachers Make?

So far during our dyads, I've heard from some of our classmates that they have spent most of their time pouring coffee, making copies, and grading tests. This video clip is for those that got the short end of the dyad-stick. I am posting a video below to give some inspiration to those students with limited dyad teaching experiences. The video is of a teacher doing slam poetry about what teachers can really do.

Taking it to the streets...

In what ways can we assure ourselves of taking the good things we see into our own classrooms? I know the Sunshine daydreamer and I have experienced a very eye-opening look into the high quality of education that can exist via a private school- can we bring it into the public schools with at least 10 more students in our class and potentially less room for breathing and creativity? Is this question even answerable right now? Why do schools who approach education with group tables versus individual desks considered alternative? Why does the traditional classroom format have to be the standard when so many people appreciate and thrive in so-called alternative settings? Why are there loooooong waitlists to enter into the public schools that are embracing "alternative" approaches? It seems to me that there is support out there for new approaches, not to mention the election of Randy Dorn as the new state Super (although, I have a feeling every single teacher in wa state voted on election day). My question is, where exactly is the resistance to change coming from and why is it so powerful?

Can the classroom embrace more than academics? Can it be a safe place for the student to figure out what life is all about?

Can YOU fit through an index card?

Last week in my Dyad I was faced with a challenged that proved to be a very exciting learning experience and I thought that I would share it with you. There was a student that had been struggling with a paper folding trick that he wanted to bring to sharing. Apparently earlier in the week he had given it a go at least three times before and each time something was going wrong. My challenge: to see if I could figure out how it really worked and then go over it right before he preformed the trick. I was able to find a You Tube video with someone explaining the trick so Prissia and I gave it a shot. When I was done I ran across the hall to show Caroline that it was actually possible to fit through a sheet of paper. I was so excited to share this new skill.....

Using Tests for Assessment

A master teacher has me and the other interns grade all tests and assignments, enter the scores into the grade book, and hand them back. The only way the teacher sees a student's work, is if the student approaches the teacher with a question relating to the assignment. This may make the teacher's workload lighter, but how can she know how well the students are doing? I also have a hard time knowing what learning-challenges certain students may have. I know I might be a idealist because I haven't had to grade as much as an experienced teachers, but I think that a teacher should at least take a look at the graded work.

Has anyone else had this experience?