Writing Assignments

One of the things that we have been talking about in our class, as well as at my school, is the low literacy scores. One of the things that we have been doing in our school is the A+ Lab that has lessons designed on the computer for students to improve their reading comprehension. Also, during their homeroom, we have what is called Excel, where the students are to do nothing but reading for the 30 minutes.... Realistically, that is not happening because it is right before or right after lunch, and you and I both know that those kids may have the book on their desks, but they are not reading them. In our content area, we are suppose to have writing incorporated into our curriculum. I have definitely incorporated that into my Honors Geometry class because I had them do a research project and write and paper between 3 and 5 pages long. I just took them up Monday, and I have already got the chance to read some of them and I'm pretty impressed so far. They also have to do an oral report of their paper and have atleast one visual aid whether that be a PowerPoint presentation or a poster or something else. Sometimes it is difficult to incorporate writing into my regular classes though, especially when it is hard enough to get them to just turn in their homework!!! I'm still learning though, and we are able to atleast incorporate some writing into the curriculum by using open response questions on our tests.

Scholastic Audit

I know several schools have been through the audit process by the state department, one of those schools being our close neighbor- Drew Central, but our audit is being done next week so it's crunch and stress time! Actually, our school has been preparing for it since August, but sometimes I feel that we have been going about it all wrong. For example, I thought that the state was suppose to come into our school and see what we have been doing in order to tell us what we need to fix! It seems to me that what we have been doing is changing everything just for this one week, even though we are told to continue doing it if it is helping the students. I just feel like there are a million folders that we having to get together, a million things that we need to have posted in our room, binders that need to be put together, and just a bunch of bologna that I feel is a waste of my time to get together! Oh well, next week will be here and gone before we know it; and since I have been doing what I am suppose to with teaching the students using as many hands-on manipulatives, graphic organizers, and incorporating technology into my lesson as much as I can, I really shouldn't be that worried because I'm just doing my job!!

Respect

I know I posted something earlier this year about my crazy 9th graders, and I think I have finally figured out what is wrong.... There is no respect coming from the kids today. I honestly think that if the children have a good support coming from there parents or whoever is raising them, then they will be taught the moral values of discipline, responsibility, and respect. Even though I was complaining earlier in the year, I do have to say that things have gotten a little better. Several of my kids have been sent to ISS (In-school suspension), Day Springs, and even boot camp. With some of these students it seems to help, but with others it doesn't really phase them. I am learning from my mistakes though, and I will know what to expect next semester and how to deal with students. One thing that I'm going to change is having bathroom passes or just passes in general to leave the classroom because sometimes I feel as if my students are taking advantage of me not having those. As a teacher, I am always learning something new and I don't mind taking advice from anyone who has it to offer! But back to the point of this posting, I really do believe that there isn't much respect from young students, and I wish that this is something that could be instilled in them as early as possible and encouraged throughout their educational career. These students and this generation in general are the future of our country, and (with some of them taking on this role) it really scares me!

The Rest of My Time!

As most of you know or may not know, I also teach dance and gymnastics after I finish teaching at school all day. I teach Monday-Thursday from 4:00 until about 8:30 each night. This is my fifth year of owning and operating my dance studio (Monticello Dance Academy), and I'm still learning so much that helps me in my classroom at school- and vice versa. I really do have a whole new perspective on teaching dance and gymnastics because of my teaching at the high school this year. Attached are some pictures of one of my gymnastics classes that I teach on Monday nights. It really is neat to see that diversity exists everywhere and I can truly see it within my dance and gym students. Also attached is one of my students in action with me spotting her. I'm so glad that I have my studio to fall back on if teaching school doesn't work out for me. I love teaching dance and gym and it is such a stress reliever after a long day in the classroom! :)

Book Reviews

I have been reading a series of books from an author who’s work I fell in love with a long time ago when I read one of her books called One Last Wish. The author of the books that I read is Lurlene McDaniel. The first book I finished not too long ago was Angels Watching Over Me, followed by Lifted Up by Angels, with the final book that I read Saturday entitled Until Angels Close My Eyes.
This series of books is about an English girl named Leah who falls for an Amish boy named Ethan. The story begins with Leah being admitted into the hospital for a broken finger. The doctors want to run some more tests because they feel like there is some underlying cause for why her finger broke. While there, she meets and is captivated by a little girl named Rebekah as well as her Amish family. Rebekah has been admitted because of a spider bite and becomes very ill. Because they are roommates, Leah gets to see and spend a lot of time with the family, especially since her mother is gone on a honeymoon.
Throughout the story, Leah learns more and more about the mysterious way of life for Ethan’s family, and learns that miracles can happen when you learn to believe and trust in God. Leah is especially captivated by Ethan and his sincerity and does in fact fall for him. These stories are based on faith, hope, and love. Leah ends up being diagnosed with cancer and must learn to have a lot of faith. In the end of the first story, Leah is visited by an angel, or so she and everyone else believes, and is miraculously cured of her illness. Rebekah is treated and her Amish family is able to return home. Before doing so, Ethan and Leah become really close and Leah continues to write him and his family once they have parted ways.
The second book in this series deals with Leah and Ethan stepping out on their own. Leah wants to rent an apartment and have a summer job which brings her closer to Ethan because he touched her heart in such a way when she was in the hospital. Ethan is to that point in his life in which he can try new things. Living closer to Ethan and his family, Leah gets too spend a lot of time around the family which includes her hospital roomy Rebekah.
The faith of Ethan and Leah is really tested in this book because of the hardships that face their relationship since Ethan is able to try English things. Also, Rebekah is killed in an accident which further tries the love of the two. I believe that this is the first book that I have ever cried when reading. I love the way this author makes me feel when reading her works because I feel like I am the main character, and when I don’t feel like that, I feel like I am right there in the scene with everything happening.
The main questioned to be answered in this storyline is whether or not Ethan and Leah will be together, or will Ethan be overcome with family obligations. In the end of this book, it leaves you wanting more because Ethan promises Leah that they will be together no matter what and you keep asking yourself if this is so because he is Amish and she is English!
Finally, I got to finish reading the final book and was absolutely intrigued. Once again, the faith of the two is tested, but this time with Leah’s stepfather whom she has learned to call her father. He is diagnosed with cancer. In an attempt for Ethan and Leah to be together, Ethan comes to live with Leah and her family during this difficult time since her stepfather is ill. Again, Ethan is allowed the opportunity to experience life in a non-Amish fashion. This book is filled with many surprises that leave you with some insight as to why certain decisions were made. At the end, I kind of wished a different choice was made, but then I was left with an understanding of why things have to be done that way.
I absolutely loved this series and I will probably read it again. It gave me hope and courage and I wanted to put my faith in God as well. I have never cried when reading a book, but this series made me cry and I felt as if I was watching the movie of it! I would recommend this for easy, enjoyable reading! It is probably more suitable for females than males though since it is sort of a “chick-flick” type deal and is rather emotional.

Diversity in my Classroom

***This group of students are very special to me because they are my Part 2 Geometry class which is the group that is finishing up the Mastery Math Program. Several of these students are 504, have IEPs, and are ALE students. This class is diverse in their learning abilities more than anything. It is a challenge for me to include several teaching strategies within my lesson that ensure their learning of the material. But I absolutely love to see their faces glow when they have done a problem right or do well on their tests. They truly are a joy to teach!

**This group of students are in my honors geometry class. They are diverse in their gender as well as their learning styles. I try to "target" my low scoring students by placing them at the front, and yes, even though these students are in Honors Geometry, some still struggle.

According to the authors of our text, diversity is referred to as the differences in culture and language of a goupr of people. Chapter 3 mainly focuses on diversity in the cultural and linguistic aspects of a person or a group of people's way of life. When I took Needs for Diverse Learners last semester through the UAM School of Education program, I learned that diversity has many strands including but not limited to the following:

• religion




• race




• ethnicity




• culture




• socioeconomics




• gender




• disabilities

In my opinion, diversity is the collection/combination of characteristics that make a person unique.

Some of the strategies that I have been using in my classroom to try to include all types of learners are group discussions, group activities where they get to interact and learn from each other, through lectures and allowing students to go to the board to put their problems and answers up there as well as giving everyone an equal opportunity to display what they are learning, and, when times permits, I really like to do the one on one instruction method to really get on that particular student's level.

Crazy 9th graders!

I don't know if it's just with my class.... I really doubt it though.... but I have a 3rd block class that is horrible!! They are 9th grade Algebra I students and it is right after lunch so that doesn't really help any... but I just don't know what to do with them!! I have rearranged the desks and made new seating charts for them atleast 5 times.... I do believe that this time is working out a little better though. My principal has been very supportive so that helps, but I just don't know what to do with them! Any suggestions? And I'm still very new to this blogging thing so I'm still trying to get all of this figured out! I'm really not sure what it is exactly that I'm suppose to be posting, but I will try to put some pictures of my classroom on here at a later date!