Blog Reflection

Well as you can see, since I don't have that many post, I don't think blogging is my thing. I don't know, maybe if I was able to use it at school I would have used it more. That way the things that went on would have been fresh on my mind. I guess when I get home I am more worried about seeing my family and doing other school work than worrying about a blog. I am sure some find it useful but at this time I just don't think it is for me. I probably get more out of the discussion boards than anything else.

Classroom pics

Just thought I would show a couple of pics of the classroom. It is a old building. Being a computer lab there are wires everywhere. This makes having a safe classroom a problem sometimes. I just do the best I can. The good thing is that they are starting on the new High School next year.

Freedom Writers

Just thought I would recommend another book that I started reading. I know most have seen the movie, but this book includes most of the journals the students wrote while in Erin's class. It is amazing how this teacher transformed these students. If only we all could possess Erin's never give up attitude. It is a pretty good read. It gives you a little more detail about the students and things that went on in the classroom.

The Acorn People by Ron Jones

This book was recommended to me by another teacher. She said it was a good book. I have to admit that the book is not very long. I did not know that before I picked it to read for out Saturday assignment. I can say that I did not put it down until I finished it. The book is about a guy that takes a summer job at a kid’s camp. He thought it was just a normal camp, and he would be doing normal outdoor things with normal kids. But he soon found out that the camp was for disabled kids. Anyway this guy goes from hating it there and wanting to leave to loving every minute of it. It is a great story. It really makes you think what you would have done it that situation. It also paints a great picture that even kids with severe disabilities can be normal. They just need a little help with the everyday small things.

THE LAST LECTURE

`I have heard the video is not as good as the book. Not wanting to ruin the book I did not watch the video before reading the book. Randy Pausch(former college professor) is dying and is asked to give a last lecture at his former school. This book tells about his experience in writing that lecture. It also tells about some of the key points he makes in his lecture. His outlook on life is incredible. To continue life with the outlook that you lived another day and be happy about it is incredible. It really makes you think how the little problems in life are really not hard to deal with. I highly recommend it even if you didn't think the video of the actual lecture was not that great. I think the best thing I got out of it was his thinking on overcoming life's obstacles. He said that brick walls are put in front of you for a reason. They are to see if you have the want to to get over it.

Racism

Isn't it sad how racism is everywhere. When I was in south Arkansas it was between African-Americans and whites. I move to northwest Arkansas and it is between Hispanics and whites. I think with the Hispanics it is more of everyone thinks they are all illegal or they are taking jobs. Hispanic students have even asked me if I cared that hispanics take jobs. Our jobs sure would be easier if racism did not exist.

Fairness

Well I had a student blow up the other day. It is crazy to me how students quickly think you are treating them unfairly when they don't know the whole story. I really don't know how to avoid this sometimes. The hardest for me to deal with is when the problem is between students of opposite races. The opposite race from me is usually the one that thinks I am unfair. It seems they automatically think you are on the other person's side, no matter how you have treated them in the past.

Diverse Learners

There are many diverse learners in my classroom. The picture below is of a student that has an "educational plan" to help him get through school. He is a good worker as long as you keep him motivated. I do this by telling him he is doing a good job on his work. I also allow him to redo assignments to help him learn.
The student below is culturally diverse from most students in my class. She comes from a Native American culture. I haven't been able to use her culture in the classroom. I do often have conversations with her about "pow wows" that she goes to on the weekends. She is also a great athlete. I really enjoy talking with her about how she is doing in each sport she is in.

The students below come from a Hispanic culture. English is their second language. I allow them to speak Spanish to other students in my class during conversation. Their reading level is a little lower than others. Because of this I let them have more time to complete assignments. Because they have more time they are able to do the work correctly.

School Routine

Well I have a nice routine going for my CA classes now. I am still trying to figure out my marketing class. I only have five students in that class and they are next to impossible to get any kind of response out of. I have let them teach the chapters to themselves in groups a couple of times, but they are still not fully engaging into the content. I might continue to use this style, but make some changes to try and get them more envolved. If anyone has any ideas feel free to share them.

First Week of School

Well the first week flew by. My first class is great. They are all CA II students. My second class is marketing. I have a whopping total of 5 students in that class. To say we will be close is probably a understatement. Since trying to get a response out of those five students is like pulling teeth I have decided to try letting them teach the sections to each other. So far they seem to like it. My last class is a combination of CA I, CA II and CA III students. With most of the class being freshman. This class will give me the most problems. Mostly because I have to keep three different level of computer application levels on task everyday. I am having the hardest time devoting time to the CA I's, which have little to no computer experience. I spend most of my time helping CA II's with problems. If you have any advice for my "problems" feel free to post it. On a good note I really like the school and the students.