my first time teaching a full day of choir. However defining teaching is a hard term. Did the students at Hedrick learn much. Possibly, did the students learn much at washington....perhaps. the students in the morning played keyboard for me and seemed to have fun. One fact I found was if the students are loud and wild. To me this means they are having fun. The best learning happens when students are having fun. Not my favorite, but its about their learning and thus the balance between what I can handle and how much fun they can have with upholding respect.
The three classes were great. One aspect I noticed was the two teachers that had control of their students were very well behaved in the choir class. The one teacher who was dis~organized, her students were the least well behaved. She forgot to even pick them up when it was time. A great classroom needs a great teacher. Set the bar high and continue to meet it yourself and the young ones will follow.
The junior high was not as much hands on, just monitor while the students watched a video. It was great that many of the students left to go and sing valen tunes to their classmates. The more singing the better in my opinion. If I walk into a social studies class the more history and geography I can teach them about the better for them.
After all, the best teachers make the focus about the students...student centered.
--Mr. Belzberg
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
McLoughlin Middle School 2/9/2012
Teaching Algebra and Pre-Algebra. Very different then teaching about the Cold War or the Civil Rights Movement. I found it refreshing and I enjoyed it. The content is so simple and right or wrong. I always really liked doing math and solving problems in any subject. The only problem is many students don't find the content very interesting so its a challenge to motivate them.
Today we were doing problems dealing with slope-intercept form and equations that look liked 2x+16=6x-12. Very easy compared to calculus, but very hard for beginning variable learners.
The most humorous event happened today, I was telling a student to re focus and get back on track when out of my mouth flew a chunk of saliva and it landed right on his cheek. He was very upset and I told him that I would give him a jolly rancher if he called even. He accepted and even though it was super funny, I felt terrible about it. Days of teaching can be so simply funny. Its like a gross thing, but he might remember me as the sub who gleeked on him.
The Alegbra class was like an honors class. Very easy and focused. I thought it was terribly different. The class was on track and focused. Getting their attention was easy and it felt like easy living. The other classes with all the trouble makers were a challenge. They talk and talk and hate to give their attention. Its all part of growing up and even the gods remember their youthful days of rebellion.
I was very happy with the day and I always enjoy teaching more and more. Remembering how bad some people have it in the world really makes me appreciate how grateful I'm to be doing what I'm doing.
--Mr. Belzberg
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Griffin Creek Elementary 2/8/2012
A different type of subbing job than usual. I was covering a special ed classroom with only 9 students and 2 extra aides. A lot of help and at times its very needed. I really enjoyed being able to work one on one with many of the students. I gave a hand wherever I could, but it seems at times to easy. I like it and I can't complain which such a nice set-up. Compared to farm work its soft. Physically of course. Mentally it is very demanded. I might not be sore at the end of the day, but my mind is exhausted.
We did a lot today, art was the highlight. We painted masks and that was super awesome. It was very pleasant to see the students lose themselves in art. I was even given the chance to paint. It made me feel like a kid again and at times that is the best part about teaching.
We did a lot of math and one on one work. We did reading at the end of the day and I felt like the lunch room was way better than previous ones I have been in. If a teacher loves their job then it shows, if they aren't into it then it wont be enjoyable and wont make the individual very happy. Granted there are good days and bad days.
I really like my old elementary school. Funny thing today, I messed up on the pledge of allegiance. The part where its "under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all" I said indivisible first. I'm a knuckle head, I laughed at mysefl and anyone who else would have thought it very hilarious.
--Mr. Belzberg
Hedrick Middle School 2/7/2012
What a day today. The little ones the previous day and today it was junior high school students. The young men and women I worked with today are beginning to form their identities. A huge part of growing up is how you fit into the world and how you define yourself.
The first part was SSR and advisory. The students watched a video of a few of their peers singing. A great song, the only thing is they chose an uncle kracker song that is about sleeping with another mans wife. Not the greatest message, but sometimes its all about the song.
The rest of the classes were all either Algebra or Pre-Alegbra. I taught very little about math, but I did tell a few stories about looking ahead and also taking life one step at a time. Seemed Ironic I met a student who hurt himself on the bunny hill which is the beginning level. This philosophical ideals are never a panacea for life. They are just guidelines.
I told a story about when I was in junior high and I skateboarded. It was good and enjoyable a few of the stories I told, one including the bees on the orchard were entertaining at the least. Maybe they learned something. I hope!
All in all a good day, some of the students were a little nit picky and mean at times, but 7-10 times they are super nice. Part of the job I guess.
--Mr. Belzberg
The first part was SSR and advisory. The students watched a video of a few of their peers singing. A great song, the only thing is they chose an uncle kracker song that is about sleeping with another mans wife. Not the greatest message, but sometimes its all about the song.
The rest of the classes were all either Algebra or Pre-Alegbra. I taught very little about math, but I did tell a few stories about looking ahead and also taking life one step at a time. Seemed Ironic I met a student who hurt himself on the bunny hill which is the beginning level. This philosophical ideals are never a panacea for life. They are just guidelines.
I told a story about when I was in junior high and I skateboarded. It was good and enjoyable a few of the stories I told, one including the bees on the orchard were entertaining at the least. Maybe they learned something. I hope!
All in all a good day, some of the students were a little nit picky and mean at times, but 7-10 times they are super nice. Part of the job I guess.
--Mr. Belzberg
Monday, February 6, 2012
Griffin Creek Elementary 2/6/2012
Teaching the youngest group thus far. 2nd grade, a very great group. The beginning of the day was all about reading. The subject of course was frogs. We learned all about frogs and what they ate. Some great stories were told about frogs and what type of knowledge the students had of them.
The next part of the day was P.E. the students were able to run around and play dodge ball. The lesson today was about playing fair and being honest. I think many students might have taken some heed to those lessons.
After P.E. it was off to lunch and a great pbj and an orange.
Next we watched a video on George Washington and Abe Lincoln. The stories were great and a very important topic of study due to presidents day coming up this month. I enjoyed the video perhaps more than the students.
Then it was off to recess, after they came back we did a math assessment, which was awesome. It was the quietest it had been all day and the principle walked in and was very pleased. My lucky day. After the assessment we played bingo and it was a bit wild. Other than that it went great.
Then off to recess again, the last part of the day was spent writing in their very own journals. The students like that and I can understand why. Before we all left the students did some buddy reading. You can never read enough...
A great day and I could still do so more and teach better. The more opportunities I get the more I will improve. I enjoy teaching, I really hope that I answer the same in 30 years.
--Mr. Belzberg
The next part of the day was P.E. the students were able to run around and play dodge ball. The lesson today was about playing fair and being honest. I think many students might have taken some heed to those lessons.
After P.E. it was off to lunch and a great pbj and an orange.
Next we watched a video on George Washington and Abe Lincoln. The stories were great and a very important topic of study due to presidents day coming up this month. I enjoyed the video perhaps more than the students.
Then it was off to recess, after they came back we did a math assessment, which was awesome. It was the quietest it had been all day and the principle walked in and was very pleased. My lucky day. After the assessment we played bingo and it was a bit wild. Other than that it went great.
Then off to recess again, the last part of the day was spent writing in their very own journals. The students like that and I can understand why. Before we all left the students did some buddy reading. You can never read enough...
A great day and I could still do so more and teach better. The more opportunities I get the more I will improve. I enjoy teaching, I really hope that I answer the same in 30 years.
--Mr. Belzberg
Friday, February 3, 2012
Central Medford High School 2/3/2012
Historically the students who follow the rules and uphold the laws get good grades in school and are successful in the classroom. How does that translate into life? I know that those students are the ones who don't need much help, but the students who break the rules and are unable to keep with the laws need much more help.
Central is an alternative school. A place where students can receive a second chance. Do I think this is total bull shit, a little. Whenever we dumb down a group we sell that group short. We should demand more from those students who have struggled. Generally in my experience, mischief and trouble come when the learner is bored. I can only say that we need every student so engaged and focused that the option to fail isn't even a possibility.
Not to sound like I'm standing on a soup box, but we need to teach lessons in school. Get students to think about life in a holistic way. What is each student interested in...that riddle will open the door to truly intrinsic learning. Find where themotivation is and bridge that with the content.
Whoever said learning ever stops...
~~Mr. Belzberg
Central is an alternative school. A place where students can receive a second chance. Do I think this is total bull shit, a little. Whenever we dumb down a group we sell that group short. We should demand more from those students who have struggled. Generally in my experience, mischief and trouble come when the learner is bored. I can only say that we need every student so engaged and focused that the option to fail isn't even a possibility.
Not to sound like I'm standing on a soup box, but we need to teach lessons in school. Get students to think about life in a holistic way. What is each student interested in...that riddle will open the door to truly intrinsic learning. Find where themotivation is and bridge that with the content.
Whoever said learning ever stops...
~~Mr. Belzberg
Thursday, February 2, 2012
North Medford High School 2/2/2012
A huge boost for me occurred when I learned I was teaching social studies. The lesson today was a video about the children in Uganda. This film was called the "Invisible Children" this film was an eye opening documentary. I was extremely surprised at what I witnessed was happening in Africa. I couldn't believe that children had lifestyles that were so drastically different than we Americans have. A huge discrepancy in how rich our lives our and how impoverished thiers are.
I couldn't hammer into the students the key theme the video had which was how lucky and grateful us Americans are. I think an under tone of the video was most likely to help and support what's going on over there. The question I was hopeing for was, how can I get involved and help.
As teachers our goal is to shape the youth to lead lives of warmth and success. To be well rounded and prepared citizens. This LRA in Uganda was doing the exact opposite. They are trying to destroy the youth with violence and overwhelm them with fear. I think anyone who helps stop this evil is doing the righteous thing.
A new for me was a student who left in the first 10 minutes of class and didn't come back until the class was over. He was gone for over an hour. This student missed out on a huge lesson and a great video. I feel sad to say he didn't get to see such a crucial issue that is happening in the world we live in.
Until I teach again.
Mr. Belzberg
I couldn't hammer into the students the key theme the video had which was how lucky and grateful us Americans are. I think an under tone of the video was most likely to help and support what's going on over there. The question I was hopeing for was, how can I get involved and help.
As teachers our goal is to shape the youth to lead lives of warmth and success. To be well rounded and prepared citizens. This LRA in Uganda was doing the exact opposite. They are trying to destroy the youth with violence and overwhelm them with fear. I think anyone who helps stop this evil is doing the righteous thing.
A new for me was a student who left in the first 10 minutes of class and didn't come back until the class was over. He was gone for over an hour. This student missed out on a huge lesson and a great video. I feel sad to say he didn't get to see such a crucial issue that is happening in the world we live in.
Until I teach again.
Mr. Belzberg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)