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Culturally Responsive Curricula/Multicultural Education In my TWS lessons and instruction I made sure to include all students of different culture background. Ms. Js class is highly severe in academics and we are struggling to find strategies that will enhance the learning of these students. We have a couple of behavior students that are unmotivated about their academic success. It was my goal when I was informed with such information that I needed to figure out a way to get the students to be more motivated and actually want to learn. With many hours of preparation and investigation I was able create six solid lesson plans that cue in to all different cultures of the classroom. From day 1 in Ms. Js class I realized how the students operate and what they disliked about learning. I understood that whole-group instruction had to take place, but I noticed that I lose almost half the class within 5 minutes of standing in front of the classroom. With that knowledge, I made the effort to use proximity and roam around the room so that I will be with each student and have them engaged about what I have to teach. When I walk around the room while doing whole-group instruction and while I use facial expressions and different voice levels I realized the strong connection of learning that takes place. The students of Ms. Js class need the energy of learning more than just a boring lecture they need a diverse and different way of learning always. It is always better to mix up the way we teach so that the students are getting a variety of teaching techniques. Technology to Support Instruction In my TWS I made it a goal to not let technology do the teaching, but allow it to enhance the way I teach. I used the Elmo on several occasions to show the different ecosystems where living and nonliving things reside. I used a computer to present my slides with the objective being taught for the day and living and nonliving things. I used the Elmo to project items that

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needed to be seen by the whole class in a closer view. I used a timer to keep us on task and to keep the lessons going at a descent pace. We used flashlights during our Murder Mystery Lesson on living and nonliving things. This centurys technology is amazing. I believe technology is taking over the world. As an educator I believe that technology is something that students in this generation need to know how to manipulate them in order to survive in this modern world. Technology is only getting better and it is not going anywhere. I believe that the technology today is to benefit us. We need to make sure as an educator to have a balance in the use of technology. It is important for us to be educated about the technology and the different forms of technology that are used in the classroom so that we can use them to enhance our teaching abilities, but not replacing us as the educator. Subject Matter Knowledge Because of many hours of preparation I feel like I was highly competent to teach this unit to Ms. Js third grade class. I went in with a goal of engaging my students and teaching them great things pertaining living and nonliving things and I believe I successfully reached my goal. I studied up on living and nonliving things and I made sure I knew not just the content that needed to be taught but I further investigated to know beyond what I am teaching. I believe that teachers that learn and research about what they are teaching they are furthering their knowledge and they automatically push their students to learn more and to challenge themselves. Physically and Emotionally Safe Classroom Environment Keeping the classroom organized and neat and having computer wires behind the desks helps to have a physically safe classroom environment. During the day I make sure that sweatshirts and backpacks are hung in the coat room and remain in the coat room unless on their

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bodies. This alleviates clutter and prevents accidents from happening. During my lessons we were hardly in our seats so I made sure that desks are properly aligned and things were put away and clutter free. There is a lot that has to happen to keep the classroom environment safe emotionally. There are students who get their feelings hurt very easily. There are also students who say things that are mean to other students. To prevent feelings and emotions from getting hurt I constantly relate back to the rules and procedures of the classroom so that respect is mutual between all class members. There is not a week that goes by that I dont stop and talk about the importance of respect to the students. Because Ms. Js class is pretty good at being respectful with their peers we have a pretty safe classroom environment emotionally. Classroom Management Strategies There are several classroom management strategies that were set in place when I got to Ms. Js room. Calling out Hands and eyes! to the class always helps brings the students back to me where ever I am at. When students are discussing another one that we use is Class? and the respond with yes! This helps bring students attention right where I need it. Another classroom management strategy that I use often is proximity. Roaming around the room makes it so that I am near everyone at all times, this leaves no room for students doodle or fiddle around in their des or even pass notes. Proximity has helped even my behavior students stay on task and out of trouble. Strategies that I have found ineffective are stating what I said for a consequence then I dont follow through, yelling at the misbehaved student from afar, or scolding a student in front of the whole class. These strategies have zero affect and dont allow students to learn from their mistakes. I have learned in the elementary education program that meaning what I say and

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following through with consequences makes a big difference. If we let the child slip once they wont take you seriously therefore the behavior will continue. Evaluate Outcomes of Teaching and Student Learning The data from my TWS has helped me evaluate outcomes of teaching and student learning. The data that was gathered has helped me understand effective ways that help students learn concepts. The data has reflected on their interest of learning the subject because of good preparation and well thought out lesson planning. Because my attitude towards learning the content was positive it reflected on the students wanting to be part of something so fun and intriguing. If I had a negative attitude about the subject the outcome of student learning wouldnt be so great. In fact, the outcomes would reflect the negative attitude I depicted. Personal Growth This unit has taught me so much about the students in my class and myself. I have learned so much in planning the unit on living and nonliving things. I was able to research about different items and investigate about how some things that are living used to be nonliving and vice versa. It has been an amazing journey teaching the whole unit to Ms. Js students. It was amazing to see the growth of what they didnt know before the lesson and how much their knowledge has grown within the unit. I have grown as an educator because it challenged me to create lesson plans outside of my comfort level. Because I stepped out of my usual comfort level of teaching the students were able to grasp the content by learning and growing from one another with me as the educator instilling a strong foundation of knowledge about living and nonliving things. I learned the modeling and being clear about instructions has helped my lessons go smoothly and has made a positive effect on my students.

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Caring and Profession Relationships With Students If I did not have the relationship I have with Ms. Js students I would not be able to effective deliver these lessons. Students need to be able to trust the educator. They need to feel comfortable in letting you know if they dont understand a concept or if I am moving too fast. Students need to be able to talk and communicate while learning and if there is no trust students wont be able to successfully learn anything. Something I have learned as an educator is to gain rapport with your students from Day 1. Let the students know how much you care for their wellbeing and for the growth and development in academics and in life. Once students can gain that trust from their educator, their interest in learning will be more positive.