TPACK Voicethread

Essential Instructional Strategies for Writing

I think writing is a skill that needs to be nurtured throughout a child's education. For all students to learn the skills to be successful writers, I believe that it is necessary to include these three essential strategies:

- Story Mapping
- Journaling
- Writing Conferences

UbD Base Ten Number Sense

Culture of Youth and food choices-Price ESR505

Social Situation Observation-Price

The social situation I chose to observe was a visit home to Libertyville in a old family haunt called "Bill's Pub". Now, Bill's pub is more than a pub it is actually a local favorite for pizza. Having grown up in Libertyville, I have been coming to this place since I was 8 years old. It is dark but it is not completely challenging to see. Which is good because the whole place is "decorated" with stuffed animals, like as in taxidermy. Gross, I know, but it has been this way since 1957 when it opened. The animals range from large game such as moose and bears to squirrels, mink and raccoons. It is furnished in all wood with large family seating and an arcade to spend your quarters. One of the things Bill's Pub is well known for is peanuts. They serve peanuts to all the guests and after you crack them out of the shell you throw the shells on the floor. The noise level is medium with classic rock on in the background and the lively chatter of people.

The actors in this social situation are the patrons both at the bar and in the restaurant and the people who worked there. The patrons made the most of the crowd with over 80% being families and almost all of the families being white. This was something I had never particularly paid attention to growing up in the area but now observing from an outside perspective I find mind-boggling. After living in very diverse communities it is strange for me to return and see such a euro-centric dominated culture. The families did not really interact with other families. A couple came in later in the evening and it was obvious that they were regulars. They chatted up the waitress and new what they were going to order as soon as they sat down.The employees varied in ages. One lady, I assume probably was there when I was visiting the place with my family 25 yrs ago. The hostess was a girl about the age of 20 who was working her butt off busing tables, wrapping food and seating people who were waiting. I interacted with her, letting her know that I noticed how hard she was working and she seemed genuinely appreciative of my noticing. Overall, the rest of the staff was somewhat cold, just doing the same thing that they had done many nights previous. Because I saw this as a place of my youth, I had certain memories of the decor. The sign on the exterior as well as some of the stained glass seemed different. I approached the bartender about the way the place looked awhile ago. After stating he had only worked there four years, he did confirm the missing stained glass piece that hung behind the bar that depicted a bar-wench, well endowed and holding two steins of beer. This was how I remembered the place and according to the bartender, people had complained of it being inappropriate for a family establishment so they removed it. Even the sign on the outside had been replaced, all to cater to the needs of those who frequented the place and society.

Even though most of the people didn't interact with others around I did observe something interesting. Babies and kids allow for a common ground to open communication. I was with my nephew and we were all together for his 1st birthday. We sang to him and the table next to us were all smiling along with us and at Sebastian when he clapped at the end of the song. Interaction in the arcade also included a child but more on my doing then theirs. Other than those two instances people stayed pretty close to those they new.

Teacher Identity, Student Identity- Mr. Holland's Opus

This video clip is from the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus".
Back story: Glenn Holland is a musician and composer who takes a teaching job to pay the rent while, in his 'spare time', he can strive to achieve his true goal - compose one memorable piece of music to leave his mark on the world. As Holland discovers 'Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans' and as the years unfold the joy of sharing his contagious passion for music with his students becomes his new definition of success.

In this scene,Gertrude is struggling to the point of abandonment. She has compared her success to others and it has affected her goal. Her role in this is a typical role of students. Although this is specific to music it can represent many children from many different walks of life. She could represent the child who comes from a home that berates and verbally abuses or that of one who feels defined by their community and income. She is a child like so many that needs that support and passion from a mentor, a person who shows her there is another way.
The role of Mr. Holland in this scene, beyond being the music teacher is that role, the supportive role and guidance counselor. He, himself, has struggled to accomplish his goal. This fact gives him some insight on the concept of giving up and struggling by comparing yourself to others. He guides Gertrude to see music as fun and a personal journey where she need not bring in the accomplishments of others. He has her think of her best quality, visualize it has a sunset and then play that sunset.
The lesson in this scene is to look inside yourself in order to find the truth of your potential. To me this lesson of Mr. Holland's is that the pressures or expectations of others is no match for what we can find within. This is a cheesy scene in an otherwise wonderful movie. The lessons in the movie are both for the students and teacher. Mr. Holland learns from his son, his wife and his students. This to me is a reminder that we as teachers are not the only ones teaching. That we are also learning not only from our actions and mistakes but from our peers and students.

Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction Lesson Plan for Appositives

VoiceThread of the ADDIE Instructional Model

My Philosophy Of Teaching

Education is in a state of flux. Teaching and learning theories are thrown around and bureaucratic malaise affects administrators, teachers and students on a daily basis. On top of these things, there is a serious disparity in the quality of education for urban students when compared to the education received by their suburban peers. Teachers take on many roles in the community and the classroom: parent, mentor, nurse, counselor, and of course, facilitator of learning. When mixed with parental involvement, a teacher can have an exceptional power over the learning and success of their students. Within the classroom, a teacher makes obtaining knowledge easier for each individual student through strategies, love and organization. Within a community, a teacher can promote a sense of pride and optimism for the future of community members. An exceptional teacher can balance all of these roles while staying grounded in her own roles outside of the classroom.

While each student is an individual, there are things that benefit every student. I believe students learn best in a safe environment that encourages thinking, doing and reflecting. It is my belief that with the safety of the classroom and a mentor that supports and encourages each student, children can reach their potential and push themselves even farther. While there are many styles of teaching there are also many styles for learning. I have often equated being a teacher to being a doctor of learning. Each student has different strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. It is the responsibility of the teacher to find a diagnosis and remedy for each individual student. When nurtured and provided with many tools to draw from, students can not only learn content, they can master a foundation for learning that will take them to college and make them an integral part of society. The goals I have for my students are mastery of learning, problem solving and social growth. By integrating these goals into a positive learning environment, new opportunities arise and renew curiosity, culture and discipline in the students.

I am a lifelong learner who strives to continually grow and gain new strategies, technology and classroom ideas in order to better my teaching and my students’ education. I believe this is the foundation of a child’s education. With the efforts of the parent, teacher, school and community, a child can dream big and accomplish those dreams. I stand behind the belief that parental involvement, along with excellent teaching methods that encourage higher order thinking skills and consistent discipline, can make a difference: in a life, a school and a community. Walt Disney said, “When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.” The thing that I believe in, implicitly and unquestionably, is a quality education for every student, one that allows them to see a future without limitations. I, like most, have spent time improving myself through education, exploration and self-reflection. The next chapter in my life is not mine; rather it belongs to every student that comes into my life. It becomes their chapter, their accomplishments and their future. I intend to share with every child that knowledge is empowerment, a power that can lift them up and carry them wherever they want to go.

Welcome, Bienvenido!

Welcome! 
This is the first of many posts in my journey through teaching, obtaining my Masters in Urban Education and my daily interaction in the educational world. I intend to use this blog to inspire myself and others through their own personal learning experiences. Please feel free to comment and contribute on anything that I share. The video below is a great example of words that inspire me. I hope it inspires you too!

~Namaste