Blog #9

I have decided this is one of my callings in life.  I love watching children learn and have their light bulb go on when they understand a new concept.  I want to be the person to stand up for a "little" person, push them to be their best and to excel in life.  Teaching has been a dream of mine since I was younger.  I was too scared to achieve it.  I am now achieving my dream and NOTHING will stop me from achieving it.  

Service Learning helped me decide that teaching is for me.  The "little" people touched my heart.  They are so willing and wanting to learn.  They absorbed all that was taught them and still wanted more.  The "little" people wanted and needed a schedule.  I still get little "hi" from the students I helped.

My next steps in achieving my dream in to pass Math 1050 with an A-, pass the Praxis exam with flying colors by March 2016 and pass Math 2010 and 2020 with an A.  I cannot wait for my journey to unfold and will cherish every moment.

I am strong and have been through hell and back this last year.  I have many blessings that have came out of what I have gone through and am looking forward to what else is will come in my journey.  I know I can do anything that I put my mind to doing.  I need to support my beautiful children and this is the perfect career to do so.  I know there are many more blessings to come and need to be patient and cherish all the many moments.

Ali

Resource Notebook

Communication Disabilities 
Communication Disabilities
Communication Disorders Resources
Reading Rockets

Teaching Students with Communication disorders for Every Teacher  Author James E. Ysseldyke

Slideshow

Slideshow #2

Slideshow #3

Documentary:Children Living with Communication Disorder Video

Looney Toons and Communication Disorders Video

Communication Disorders: An Introductory Guide for Teachers Video

Interventions for Speech Sound Disorders in Children

Adapted Teaching Strategies
Adapted Teaching Stategies

Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities Association

Blog #8

I am making connections between my course topics and Service Learning.  In all my blog posts I see evidence of this.  This is what the purpose of the blogging experience.  I have articulated my understanding of topics and my learning.  I go into more detail and not afraid to express what I have learned.

Blogging has helped me form my thoughts into deeper and meaningful words.  Blogging has branched out my thinking and the way I can communicate my thoughts and my understanding.  It has guided me into noticing specific things in the classroom my Service Learning Teacher has implemented and how she used different techniques on how she teaches her students.

My thoughts and posts are clearer and deeper.  I can communicate my thoughts clearer and not afraid to express what I have learned.  I go into more detail and give more examples.

This blogging experience has been a positive one.  I hope to continue this as I can see my growth and see how far I have come in my journey.  I am looking forward to starting my new chapter and the next. 

Blog Post #7

The evidence of the standards being addressed in Service Learning is: 

Reading: Literature Standard 7: With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).  My Service Learning Teacher has the children tell her about the story they read.

Reading: Literature Standard 10: Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.  The Students have stations.  One of the stations is group reading.

Reading: Foundational Skills Standard 1: Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.

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	a. Follow words from left to right, top to bottom, and page by page.

b. Recognize that spoken words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters.

c. Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.

d. Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet.  The Students are taught how books are read, left to right.  They use finger spaces to separate their words when writing, the students have sight words they learn about.  They are taught upper and lower case letters. This is just a few core standards I observed. I also observed Physical Activity, Math and Science. The subject matters have approximately the same amount of time.

Core Standards and Standardize testing are both a good thing.  My Service Learning Teacher strives to teach her students the core standards.  It gives her guidance on what needs to be taught.  She can plan her lessons with the cores in mind.  

No child left behind helps make sure that all students are where they need to be or close and they all have the opportunity to succeed and receive an education.  She strives to make sure her students are getting concepts and works harder and revises the material to what her students need.

Service Learning Experience

Service Learning Experience

Interview

Mindee Pulley

Kindergarten Teacher

ME: Why did you choose to become a teacher?

Mrs. Pulley: Becoming a Teacher kind of chose me.  My brother, Kaden, had a very rocky beginning in life.  He almost died twice during the first year of his life.  We continued to wait for him to catch up on those milestones that babies hit, just like the doctors said he would; but he never did.  So, at two years old, my brother was diagnosed with Autism.  Kaden needed an intensive in-home therapy program which required several therapists (trained in applied behavioral analysis therapy) who would teach him things like- how to play the right way with a car, how to stack blocks; later on it went on to teaching him letters and identify people and objects.  

I was a therapist for Kaden from the get go; for me, teaching began when I was 13. It became so ingrained in me that I couldn't see myself finding joy in calling anything else a career.  There is NOTHING like seeing the light go on inside of a child because they have grasped a concept.

ME: Is is what you expected?

Mrs. Pulley: For the most part, yes.  What has surprised me is the loss of knowing how to play and interact by the children of today.  I have realized that we've let technology take over our lives to the point that students are losing some pretty vital social and learning skills.

ME: How long have you been teaching?

Mrs. Pulley: As a certified teacher, 7 years.  As someone that teaches in a classroom setting (not a therapist) 11.

ME: How do you divide your time?

Mrs. Pulley: I designate certain hours during the days for work alone.  8-5 is work on the weekdays; but if I need to catch up on Saturday, I give myself the afternoons for that.  It is important to have family come first though.  It is also important to leave work and work.

ME: What roles do you play as a teacher?

Mrs. Pulley: Oh my goodness, there are so many roles!  Comedian, actress, therapist, mother (to some), nurse, judge and jury!  You also get to be a part time art teacher, music teacher, movement teacher, and librarian.  It is an all encompassing job.

ME: What is the greatest challenge of this profession?

Mrs. Pulley: Having a struggling student, doing all you can, and knowing that you're still falling short because they are not grasping the basics.  You feel like you have failed that student, and that is the worst feeling in the world.  

The other greatest challenge  can be parents.  You have to have the backing and help from parents in order to help the students succeed.  Some parents view that as solely a teacher's job; but it takes a village to raise a child, and it is especially true in the case, because consistency and reinforcement from home help SO much.

ME: What part of the job brings you satisfaction?

Mrs. Pulley: How happy students are to come to class and accomplish things.

ME: What do you love about teaching?

Mrs. Pulley: Seeing the growth in a student.  It's especially easy to see in a kindergartener.

My Reflection

I learned that I may need to work hard to help all of my future students succeed.  It can be a challenge and the reward of the children succeeding will be worth it.  Success of children learning and having the light go off is the most rewarding thing.  I love seeing my own children’s light go off and I get so excited for them.  

Everyone has a different reason of why they choose teaching children.  I love hearing other teachers and soon to be teachers stories.  We are all different and can learn for each other.  We are here to help each other and not hinder.

Having help from the parents is very important.  This has helped me be a better parent support for my children’s teachers.  Education is a village support.  It all starts at home.  My children are now doing better in their classes.  I will be watching for more ideas to get parents involved.

Blog #6 Diversity in Today’s Schools

The areas of diversity in my Service Learning classroom I saw Linguistic diversity, Racial or ethnic diversity, Family structure, Poverty, Exceptional students learning disability, disorder, or challenge to focus on, Gifted students.

Linguistic diversity: Spanish speaking student with few words.  
Student getting one on one help with speaking words in English. They also get help with in class assignments and are tailored to them.

Racial or ethnic diversity: There are 5 students who are ethnically diverse. They are treated like everyone else.

Family structure: Some students are from broken homes.  Acknowledged and positive feedback when family structures were discussed.

Poverty: Some students are poverty.  They are treated like everyone else.

Exceptional students:  There are about 6-8 students who have some type of disability.  I seen them have one on one time with a Special Ed teacher. 

Gifted students: There is one to two students who are gifted.  I have not seen any special activities.

Working in small groups with "I choose"

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-differentiated-instruction
Working in small groups with "I choose"

Diversity

Culturally Responsive Teaching is being positive and communicate of high expectations.  Treating all students equal.  Teaching with the students learning needs in mind.  Respect towards students and students having respect for teacher and peers.  Treating all students that they matter and can succeed and watching them succeed.

Three strategies I saw are:

1. Action thermometer where students are asked a question as a class and they get to respond by going to the front of the room if they agree, back of the room if they disagree and the middle if they are not sure or neutral.
2. Think, Pair, Share where students think of why they answered a question the way they did, pair with a peer to discuss their why then share with the class their why answers.
3. Bottoms up, heads together where students put their heads together while sharing and discussing answers or a topic.  Bottoms are out of the chairs and heads together in a circle.  Everyone is engaged.
4. Pick-A-stick where teacher picks a stick with a students name on it to answer a question instead of calling on raised hands.
5. Musical round the Room where music is played when the students are to change stations.

Teachers need to prepare themselves for teaching in a diverse classroom because diversity is all around us.  We can prepare by keeping an open mind, having back up plans, if possible, for lessons or change the lesson on a whim if needed for students.  For example if a student does not want to participate in an activity have something else they can do to learn the same topic like reading a book. Change the content of what the students learning needs are and communicate to students what they are expected to do and participate.

Blog #5 No child left behind

In my Service Learning Placement I have seen a huge focus in Math.  They work on Math everyday in the classroom.  Their teacher teaches math several different ways so students may learn in their way of learning.  With my own children they have math homework each day.  My older child talks about what he is learning in science each week.  This is due to the push on Science and Math with the launching of Sputnik.  In 2013 the Legislation of Utah passed HB139 for $10 million funding for S.T.E.M.  I think this is also due to the launching of Sputnik.  Science and Math are important to our education so we as a whole can be prepared for our future and compete worldly for jobs.

I have see support fro English Learners.  In my Service Learning Placement there is a student who speaks little English.  B gets one on one with English each day.  I can see the other students do not understand B at times.  B understands some English but not all.  B is getting help with English so B can be successful in school.  Every student needs a chance to succeed in their education.

Being that it is UEA break I was unable to interview my Service Learning Teacher.  She was out of town all week and sick the week prior.  I will interview her in two weeks due to the fact there is no school when I have my Service Learning set up.

Sputnik and the USA Education System

Voice Recording Click Me


http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/

• History changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I.  
• That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. 
• While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race.
• Sputnik caught the world's attention and the American public off-guard. 
• The public feared that the Soviets' ability to launch satellites also translated into the capability to launch ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons from Europe to the U.S. 
• Then the Soviets struck again; on November 3, Sputnik II was launched, carrying a much heavier payload, including a dog named Laika. 
• On January 31, 1958, the tide changed, when the United States successfully launched Explorer I. This satellite carried a small scientific payload that eventually discovered the magnetic radiation belts around the Earth, named after principal investigator James Van Allen. 
• The Sputnik launch also led directly to the creation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act (commonly called the "Space Act"), which created NASA as of October 1, 1958 from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and other 

http://whyfiles.org/047sputnik/main2.html

• Just two weeks after Sputnik I, I.I. Rabi, chair of Ike's Scientific Advisory Committee, warned that the Soviet emphasis on science and math would put the enemy ahead in 10 years. 
• Eisenhower called training scientists and engineers "the most critical need of all... People are alarmed and thinking about science, and perhaps this alarm could be turned toward a constructive result."
•  Congress passed the National Defense Education Act in 1958. The $1-billion law paid for college student loans, scholarships, and scientific equipment for public and private schools. 
• The act emphasized the study of math, science, and foreign languages.The Act gave the federal government an unprecedented role in the education business, and set the stage for more ambitious federal initiatives that culminated in the creation of the Education Department in the late 1970s.  
• Sputnik did not initiate the debate in the United States about the quality of schooling, but it did fuel the movement for curriculum reform. As Rossman indicates, it mobilized school districts to upgrade courses, add requirements for science and math, and buy new course materials.
• The little satellite that could also gave university professors and scientists a chance to contribute to education policy and curriculum. Eager to update teaching methods, social scientists brought new understanding of learning processes, inventing new ways to teach biology, the physical sciences and mathematics. Meanwhile, their colleagues in the hard sciences began an emphasis on laboratory science that continues today, urging that a hands-on approach to science replace rote learning.
• In chemistry, as elsewhere, the emphasis shifted from teaching facts and definitions to a focus on fundamental principles, says Glenn Seaborg, a University of California chemist who discovered plutonium and other elements.
• Seaborg was asked to organize a pioneering chemistry course called CHEMStudy in 1959. In concert with high-school teacher and college professors, the goal was, Seaborg said, to "revolutionize high school chemistry" by updating course content, keeping abreast of modern chemistry, and drastically improving laboratory instruction.

Science and math are important.  It broadens our students minds and helps us keep up with the changing world.  Science and math are all around us.  Without science or math we would not be where we are today as a country.  In my own life my children ask me about how things work and chemical reactions.  They love hands on experiments which they talk about for months and even years.  I love having them engage in science.  I am excited to teach science in my classroom and the STEM program

Magnetic Photo Analysis Assignment

History of American Education


The picture that drew me in was the picture of the woman and her little girl on the steps of the Supreme Court following the decision of Brown vs The Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas in 1954.  I was drawn to it because I see hope for a future in the mother's face for her child,  We all want the best for our children.  I want the best for my children.  I want them to have an education and to watch them succeed in their lives.  To me this photo says many things.  It speaks of hope, love, relief, fight, a future and many more.  The feeling of the photograph is hope.  Hope for education.  Hope for equality.  Hope for the future.  The photo was taken because this is a turning point in humanity and education.   This was a BIG deal in the 1950's.  It changed the lives of many which trickled down to the future generations.  It changed the way people were treated and what education they received.  This is a positive thing that happened in our history.  The overall message is everyone deserves the right to an education and the right to be treated equal.   We are all human.  We all deserve to be treated equally.  

Engaging Learners in Today’s Classrooms

In my service learning my cooperating teaching engaged the students in tactile learning by having the students cut out and glue a bat together which will be hung in the classroom for the month of October.  The students learned and practiced their cutting skills and creative skills.  they choose how their bat was glued together and what face they drew on their bat.

A second example is collaboration.  As a class the students worked on a math sheet.  In class the students are working on tallies and how to count them.  They had to count three different dogs and make tallies next to a picture of the dog.  After all the dogs were counted the students had two math problems.  One was addition and the other was subtraction.  The students came up with the answer on their own then as a class they answered to help others. All the students were engaged and participating.

The third example is presentation.   For getting the wiggles out she presents the students with Go Noodle.  She puts it on the overhead screen.  The students LOVE it!  They all dance and participate.  Their favorite is Pop See Ko.  She is teaching them how to dance and to exercise in a fun and interesting way.

The one time the students were disengaged is when the students were on the rug and the teacher was explaining how to do a sentence worksheet.  The students were wiggly and talkative that day.  They were talking and not paying attention.  She got their attention by saying "Marshmallows!"  where the students stop talking and focus on her.  It lasted a moment.  Then she said, "1,2,3.  Eyes on me."  The students respond by saying, "1,2, Eyes on you."  This is another technique where the students know to stop talking and focus on their teacher.  This time it worked.  The lesson could be more engaging by changing up the way the material is presented.  Some ideas are doing the assignment as a class and students participate by writing on their own paper, or having students take turn writing on the board.  The idea that the kids know when to listen with key words is a good way for the class to get in control in a short amount of time.

Engaged Learning

Twitter Chat

Twitter chat was frustrating for me.  This was me first time using it.  If I hit a wrong key things would go CRAZY.  I was not able to see my posts on the feed.  The only place I could see them was on my home page,  I enjoyed reading the comments of my fellow classmates.  I think twitter is a neat way to communicate and discuss topics.  I think this would be a good tool for the upper grades, not so much for the younger grades.  Technology is all around us and we need to use it WITHIN reason.

I learned that students need to feel safe in their learning environment.  As a teacher I can adapt to the students specific needs to help them succeed.  In a positive classroom environment there will be respect between the students and the teacher.  Respecting one another creates positve relationships and trust.

I can take these ideas and apply them to my personal life.  I have been making a positive environment for my children for the past 14 months.  It is amazing to see the difference in attitude and willingness from my children.  I can see the respect they give each other and me as their mother.  I cannot wait from my journey to unravel and see where it takes me.  I especially cannot wait to start teaching my future students.

Positive Community

To encourage a positive community, she has a 'helper' student who helps with turning on and off the lights, picking songs and activities at 'Get your wiggles out" time.  Everyone gets a turn during the year.  One time she was teaching the students about Nouns and letting the students circle a picture of a noun on a giant book.  There was not enough time for all the students to get a turn.  She had a few students get upset because they did not have a turn.  She told her students that everyone will get a turn sometime during the year. 

Before recess the students worked on a worksheet.  The teacher went around helping the students and making sure they were understanding what they were doing.  She took time to help the ones who needed help and encouraged them to do their best work.  There is a boy in the class who does not have steady fine motor skills.  She suggested that I make a dotted line for him to trace.  I did and he traced it wonderfully.    She is aware of each of her students needs, challenges, successes, and accomplishments.  She encourages them to do their best.

There is a routine in her classroom.  She has it posted on the board.  Each student understands and knows the routine.  There is minimal transition time and more time for engaged learning.  This makes the students feel safe and secure.  From my children I know that they like routines and the routine is not close to the same they are lost for a while.  I am learning so much and enjoying every moment I get to learn and experience something new.

Ali

5 needs in the classroom.

Service Learning

In my service-learning placement my first day was yesterday, but due to a stomach bug that knocked me flat in bed, I was unable to attend.  I did not want to share this bug with the class or her.  This made me sad for I was looking forward to start learning from watching her.  I have contacted the teacher and made arrangements for Friday to attend.

From what I have observed from her peeking in while setting up the service-learning she is engaging with songs.  She repeats what she is teaching in different ways.  For example she visually places the letter on the board, then Audibly teaches the children about the letter, finally she has them practice writing the letter using three different colored crayons.

I will observed her more in Friday to see how she addresses the developmental levels and the individual learning preferences of her students.  I will update when I have observed her.

Chosen School

The school I have chosen is clean and the building is well kept.  There is a busy street and there is a friendly crossing guard to help the students cross the street safely.  The school is a newer building maybe 5 years.  The kids are happy and chatting with other students.  The neighborhood looks established with older homes.  There is a grocery store across the street.

I spoke with a few of the teachers.  They are willing to help students to get the most out of their education.  They involve the parents and encourage them to visit their child's classroom anytime.  Very open and friendly.  A positive environment for children to learn.

I went online to "Great Schools" and the comments were all positive with five stars.  Some of the comments were, "my child blossomed", "great teachers", "the teachers take time to listen to their students", "has my kids needs in mind".

Service learning will engage me in the classroom.  A hands on approach will help me learn and connect the concepts of not just this class but all my classes..  It will help me appreciate all teachers and help prepare me to teach in my own classroom.  I am looking forward to this experience.