Lesson

I will be doing a Social Studies lesson on community helpers for my final project.  :).....I visited the public library today and they didn't have the books I needed for my community helpers lesson so I've decided to go with farm animals instead.  :)

You can view my video at: http://youtu.be/w1C5GztmESU

Enjoy! :)     

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Should teachers be paid based on student performance?

Should teachers be paid based on student performance?

                There’s a verse that says, “Money is the root of all evil”, which fits perfectly for this blog,  if districts begin to compensate teachers for producing better test scores and grades, I think students will begin to look like dollar signs instead of individuals.  Some teachers would lose their initial desire and passion that led them to their career in the first place to earn a couple extra thousand dollars.  In an economy where financial stress is being felt by all people of different socio-economic status’ I think some educators would be yearning for that compensation that they would stop at nothing to make it possible.  Teachers who would want to earn that extra money without actually being an effective teacher would probably find other ways in receiving cash.  Some would probably approach the school secretary and request that higher level thinking and more advanced students be placed in his/her class.  Others might even alter test scores like a school district in Atlanta, Georgia did a few years ago. 

Teacher Unions & Tenure

Teacher Unions & Tenure

I strongly believe that there needs to be reform on the requirements to become tenure.  Working at an elementary school I have seen educators whose hearts are not in their career, and are anxiously waiting for their 3 year review to become tenure.  Once they pass the probationary period and become tenure, they feel they can slack off on their lesson planning because they are “untouchable” due to their new status. 

Before awarding a teacher with tenure I think administrators need to carefully examine the progress students have made in that classroom.  The teacher should also provide evidence proving how they reached their goal.  Teachers typically get evaluated twice a year so increasing this number would also be beneficial.  The last suggestion I would make is having a principal “drop in” unannounced to see if there is good lesson planning and proper class management.

Balance between Extra-Curricular Activities and Academics

                 Extra-curricular activities are a wonderful way of keeping kids physically active, making friends and also keeping them away from trouble.  If we look at the term Student Athlete, notice that the word student is first, it is not athlete student.  This is critical because as we break apart this title we know that academics come before the sport or activity.  Students should be required to maintain a certain GPA in order to participate in these activities, if the grades are not met, they should not be allowed to participate.  Balancing these two will prepare them for the real life expectations like playing in college athletics.

Introduction of Instruments

                Rhythm sticks should be the first instrument introduced to students in the lower elementary grades (K-2).  Using rhythm sticks is a great tool because they are easy to handle and students can follow a keep a steady beat while following the “leader” (teacher).  The next instruments that can be introduced at these grade levels are the finger cymbals, kazoo and xylophone.  These instruments can be played at all ages and do not require a lot of eye-hand coordination like the next instrument.  Recorders should be introduced to students from 4^th grade and beyond.  This instrument is more complex and requires precise eye-hand coordination and music reading. 

Carl Orff

Carl Orff

                Carl Orff had a wonderful philosophy about teaching music to kids, his motto, "Tell me, I forget…show me, I remember…Involve me, I understand" is his belief in a nutshell.  The Orff approach allows students to be creative and retain information.  Students are learning to read songs as they follow along, they’re also learning rhythm and best of all they’re learning by doing.  Orff combines singing, dancing, acting, and the use of instruments which is great because it can involve everyone in the entire classroom.  This philosophy is perfect for the 21^st century because it keeps the students engaged and focused, it’s not only fun but it also supports active learning. 

Sequential Learning

Lesson Planning

1.       Anticipatory Set/Setting the Stage

2.       State the Objective

3.       Teaching: Teacher input

4.       Teaching: Modeling

5.       Check for Understanding

6.       Guided Practice

7.       Closure

Sequential Learning

                Sequential learning is processing information step-by-step.  This learning style is important over the course of all subjects, but especially Math.  It allows students to see a clear path to find solutions, breaking it step by step.  Having these clear steps tends to help students understand the information being taught.  

Rote-Note

            Rote teaching is a teaching method that uses repetition to help with memorization.  When teaching a song to students it’s best to follow the “I-sing-you-sing” pattern.  This will allow you to use a phrase-by-phrase approach.  Once the students have repeated the song one phrase at a time, have them repeat two phrases at a time.