Any Teachers Out There?

[miss priss]

**clapping for BB4***First, let me say that I am a supporter of public education, however, my opinion is that the American education system is antiquated and is in need of reform. We are trying to reach kids in the 21st century with 20th century methods. No school (teacher) can be effective without these things:active parents, money, and more money. We, as a society, continue to run from the problems instead of coming up with solutions to fix them. It seems we are trying to please parents who know their kids need meds/or xyz problem but refuse to put them in classes that will help them. Our classes are already overcrowded and understaffed.
A lot of teachers tend to run out to suburbia because the kids are "better". IMO, the kids are not better is just that the environment is different; so you are dealing with a kid that has been exposed to a different situation.

I always tell new teachers: teach to the culture of your building. That is so important. If ReRe and RayRay don't know the difference between a tea cup and a saucer then relate to him/her what he can understand than things that are far-fetched from what they know. If Bill and Sue's mom drive a Benz and the nannies take care of them after school, make learning for them diverse.

Remember, ALL KIDS CAN LEARN! TOO many teachers are quick to dismiss a child for what they lack in understanding because we ASSUME that mama/daddy is teaching them at home. If you plan to teach (surburbs or not) you WILL be a parent, teacher, counselor, nurse, confident, friend, etc.
Teach to grasp minds, make influences, and although you won't save every kid, you will reach the lives of many!

[BirthaBlue4]

Originally posted by miss priss
Remember, ALL KIDS CAN LEARN! TOO many teachers are quick to dismiss a child for what they lack in understanding because we ASSUME that mama/daddy is teaching them at home. If you plan to teach (surburbs or not) you WILL be a parent, teacher, counselor, nurse, confident, friend, etc.
Teach to grasp minds, make influences, and although you won't save every kid, you will reach the lives of many!

If this isn't the truth... Nowadays, you have to assume that the parents AREN'T TEACHING THEM ANYTHING AT HOME, because that's how they act. We DO have to teach manners, and respect, and other "character" issues that should be the job of the parents, but they aren't doing it. And we can't assume they know basic information. My best friend, who teaches social studies/history/government was in a middle school last year. He had a disscussion with one student, in which the student asked him how would somebody get from Mexico to China? Its a long ride to go all the way around Africa. To which my best friend was stunned, the little boy, in 7TH GRADE, DID NOT KNOW THAT THE EARTH WAS ROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a very true story. The student's class had had a long term sub the year before and who knows what before that.

So, this is the state of the children today, we have to take all this into account when we go in. Its not ALL this bad, but a lot of it is.

[Missam05]

Okay I'm asking some help from some experienced teachers out there..

There is a class that I must take next semester that is being offered this summer...and EVERYONE has questions about assignments that the lady gives. I am continuously doing research to find the information for not only their benefit but for mine..she doesn't teach the information only assigns the work to be done..(she took the previous teacher's syllabus and changed the title page..the former teacher is outraged and refuses to help her interpret his information and answer any questions she may have..do you blame him?)

Okay I said all that to say...does anyone know how to write an ability-level lesson plan. I know different states have different formats but just a generalization would be a start. Thanks..

[BirthaBlue4]

Well, going from what I assume she needs, this would be your regular lesson plan format, but you would include any accomodations needed. You would make the accomodations for below level, on level, and above level, as a basic guideline. Since she can't give you a format, I'd either use columns, or Just subhead each section to include your accomodations for each. I haven't done a formal lesson of this particular nature, but I have done them for special education, and for inclusive education, and this is as far as we're required to go.


EXAMPLE:

Below Level On Level Above Level

I.Focus/Warm-up
II.Statement of Objective(s)
III.Materials
IV. Vocabulary
V.Introduction and Developmental Activities
VI.Guided Practice
VII.Independent Practice
VIII.Assessment
IX.Closure

Or add a section that provides for accomodations for the lesson, after the activities.

Hope that helps some!. I'll PM you an actual sample

[DSTinguished1]

I just want to give MAD PROPS to anyone who teaches and/or used to teach. My sister is a teacher and i remember her horror stories of teaching. I know that it's rough and the government doesn't help at all. But teachers have a wonderful profession and I surely believe that you all are underpaid. I have always been an advocate of teachers and will always contribute to any teachers' association.

Ok just wanted to share that....

[MizTigger]

teaching is what i've always wanted to do. i don't think i'm going to pursue it right after college, but it is in my plans.

i just think it's a shame that teaching is one of the lower paying professions....who taught all of those big executives and all the other highly-paid people? clearly they didn't learn everything themselves. so why are the pay gaps so big? it behooves me

[9nmac04dst]

Are there any language arts teachers out there?????? If so why not share some of your teaching strategies or ideas for the parts of speech. This is my second year teaching and I would love to hear ideas that you have. I normally start school of with prepositions and teach them the preposition song that goes with Yankee Doodle. I teach 6th grade so they are somewhat still babies. Come on Soror's and friends share your info!!!!

[SIAsensacion]

I was a long-term substitute teacher (about 6 weeks) in a 7th grade math class in PG county, MD and I have one word for that experience--NIGHTMARE. If you think teaching can be bad, substitute teaching is a whole other can of worms. I taught English in China for a year and a half, and it was a challenging experience but I really enjoyed it. Now I am going to start teaching nursery school, and I am VERY excited about it. I did volunteer work in a head start classroom my senior year, and I loved every second of it, so maybe I am really cut out for the younger age group. God BLESS those that are cut out for MIDDLE SCHOOL teaching. You MUST have a special gift that I don't possess lol.

[BirthaBlue4]

Originally posted by SIAsensacion
God BLESS those that are cut out for MIDDLE SCHOOL teaching. You MUST have a special gift that I don't possess lol.

FOR REAL. I can't teach middle school, I'd have to shank them little heathens.

(What school were you at?)

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by BirthaBlue4
I'd have to shank them little heathens.

That's why I try to keep sharp objects away from my hands. I even try not to handle my "teacher scissors" because I'm liable to go "Psycho" up in that class one day.

[tld221]

Originally posted by MizTigger
teaching is what i've always wanted to do. i don't think i'm going to pursue it right after college, but it is in my plans.

i just think it's a shame that teaching is one of the lower paying professions....who taught all of those big executives and all the other highly-paid people? clearly they didn't learn everything themselves. so why are the pay gaps so big? it behooves me

teaching used to be one of the highest paid professions, up there with medicine and law. this was a lonnnnng time ago--when men dominated the profession. as women started entering the priofession, it (as with most things) lost its prestige. now the only way to get decently paid from teaching is in higher ed, but you must be really on top of your stuff. and of course into that sorta thing.

and i hope im going to be blessed with "the gift" cause i want to go into middle school teaching. perhaps college, but well see.

[Lady of Pearl]

As an urban school educator for several years, the best thing I can advice you is to specialize within the field of education for example either in early childhood or special education, the opportunities are much greater than in elementary education, also do not plan to come to the midwest especially Cleveland, Ohio budget cuts are rampant I'm probaly going to have to relocate down south just to get with a major school system. There has been a hiring freeze here in Cleveland for two years! just when I got my license renewed! go figure. I probaly advise someone young not to go into education unfortunately because of the politics of this field-unless you specialize in the above mentioned areas that I mentioned. Other than the politics of it I've had some memorable events each class gets tougher with each passing year but there are some students lives I have touched like the boy who got fifteen suspensions last year but did not have any this year in my classroom, the students who did not know their pre-primer sight words upon entering my class who now know them plus those words on first grade level and the student who failed second grade and could barely read now knows his second grade sight words and is the most improved in reading!

[Missam05]

Man Lady of Pearl you and BB get me so excited..I am sitting here now prolonging my assignment of creating a flannel board to go with a story..(I've chosen Once a Mouse--a Caldecott Medal Book)..anywho those are some great accomplishments and keep up the work..those are my goals once I actually get into the classroom..

On the other hand..to 9nmac04dst for parts of speech ideas..one thing I think most teachers advocate is hands on learning...since early childhood is my focus I probably would have some "baby" ideas too..I would just suggest making it real to them..human sentences (each child get a word in a sentence and have a discussion about the parts of the sentence) or even pulling a text out of something they enjoy reading..Harry Potter or something and finding the parts of speech that your are focusing on..for other ideas search the web..that's where I get my start from then tweek it to ur class or to your style of teaching..

I'm pretty sure ur all familiar with these sites...but these are my favorites when I'm in a bind
Teach-nology
Lesson Plans Page

I'm out..I've got another question but I will post it later..got to do some work..

[Lizanabavi]

Teaching is a very good field... just remember a few points.

-Your first year of teaching will probably be hard, due to the fact
that you have to get a good flow of your lessons and your
teaching style. Don't be surprised if you're the first one to work
and the one of the last ones to leave; it's not always 9-5.

-You will have to learn how to interact with parents(even the
crazy ones) I've had parents want to call me at my
house.WTH. It's all about balance... after a certain point you'll
be able to discern the ones who aren't "wrapped tight".

***Behavior Management***

This is the area where you've really got to be consistent -kids will try you- and if you don't nip misbehavior in the bud, your whole classroom will be in disarray. Be strict first, then if you have a good set of students, lighten up and give them more freedom.

-Say what you mean and mean what you say. Ex: If you have a due date for an assignment in your class -let it be that. I've gotten excuses from I fell asleep; to a parent telling me that they couldn't buy their child any paper because they spent too much money on Cannabis. Yet their child is the main one trunked down in SEAN JOHN and Air Force Ones. Oh please you can keep that!!!

***Finally***

Have your own life outside of the classroom -when you do other things besides teach, you're not as frustrated once you get to work.

[Chiante9]

Are there any school social workers out there?