Week 3 Responses

To Sheryl (Burnt Toast):

"I think new teachers have an edge here, going into the field armed with the power and knowledge of what it means to be reflective." As a new teacher, I agree with you on this statement. I am always reflecting, but I envy you veteran teachers, for having experience and not needing to constantly question your methods and strategies. There are so many deeper aspects I wish I was ready to dive into.

I like that you contemplate how your actions will affect their like at home. I never even thought of that! I bet your students appreciate that you take the time to investigate. Do you ever try to make them work things out without your assistance? Our school practices the  "Leader in Me" habits. I love this program, because it promotes characteristics that help students take responsibility.  Habit 5 is "seek first to understand, then be understood." I feel that problems occur less often and children learn more when I am able to let them work it out themselves. If it is not a physical issue, students are informing us about, we typically ask them, "did you talk to this person about this first?" It saves me a lot of he said, she said headaches!

Responsibility: What sort of stipulations and restrictions are you tied to? Are there ways use can fulfill the requirements of your curriculum, but add your own aspects, passions, and creativity? Is there a chance you could create your own curriculum and be granted approval? I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to create my own curriculum with  a few grade card elements that are pretty open. I can imagine that it would be constricting and frustrating to follow someone else's requirements!

Wholeheartedness: What a great way to force yourself to change for the better! Not only does it help you create more meaningful projects, but it also keeps you from becoming bored with your lessons. When I think about past teachers, I could always tell who was lazy and reused all their work from 10 years ago. They lost their passion for teaching and it was hard to learn from them. Keep fighting for what you want!

To Beth (Space Time Cat):

Great song choices, I am a big fan of Panic! At The Disco! :)

Have you learned much about Common Core yet? I signed up to go to a training, but it was cancelled on account of low enrollment. Don't art teachers realize they need to advocate for art and obtain profession development specific to their content area? I would love to hear your thoughts and explanations about Common Core.

Most of the regular classroom teachers I have talked to, are very frustrated with the current constraints they are experiencing. They feel that it is difficult to give students a love for learning and they do not agree with all of the requirements. Plus the students are being  forced to move on before they adequately understand the material. 

That's great that you have a big say in your curriculum! Does it allow teachers the opportunity to present the material how they want to? Do they chose their own projects and what not? I do not have a set curriculum this year, but I am on the hunt for jobs closer to home and I'm interested to know what I should expect.