Reading Response Log 2

Pages: 28 to 101 Book Title: Apples & Chalkdust .

Quotes:
Take Charge- Do the thing your fear and the death of fear is certain
Einstein- How often does genius fall through the cracks of the school system? Our
challenge as teachers is to find creative ways to nurture independent thinkers and
creative souls, encouraging them to reach beyond their imaginations.
Pass or Fail- You may someday have to be the teacher who cares enough about the
future of your students to keep them at the same level until they really learn.
Teachers and Students- To educate is to be a part of a cycle of learning and
teaching.
Light a Fire- Knowledge for knowledges sake is meaninglessThe fire you light in
your students for learning will reach far beyond any test and affect them for a
lifetime.
How to Learn- Why does it take until graduate school before students learn how to
learn, or better yet, how they learn.
Perseverance- If you give up, you give up on your students. They deserve your
perseverance.
Walk in Line- Teachers are leaders. Lead your students on the right path by
showing them what you want and how you want it done.
Dreams- Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes.
Spice it Up- Can you teach that algebra lesson in your sleep? Be careful- you might
be teaching while your students sleep!
Learn form Mistakes- Power and respect are earned.
Reproof- It is sheer waste of time to imagine what I would do if things were
different. They are not different. Things can be different only if you can make them
different.
Questions:
Pass or Fail- Its easy to be a teacher in good times, but what about when times get
tough? I am a pretty compassionate person; and I try to see the good in everything
and everyone. I sometimes worry about how hard it may be to fail a student. How do
you feel about this topic? What do you do/feel when the student makes no effort?
What if they are making an effort?
Listen and Learn- I think that listening to your students is vital in their success.
However, it is sometimes hard to do when youre crunched for time. I was thinking
about assigning a reflection paper for homework. The students would have to write
how they are feeling about the class, confident or lost? What are they struggling
with? What are their strengths? Are there things they need to review in class? Is
there anything you can do? I think this will show how much you care and want to
help them succeed. It will also make them feel like they have a sense of authority
and ownership in the class? Do you agree? Do you think this is a good idea?
Pros/cons?
The Best Laid Plans- This talks about not being afraid to ask for help. Does your site
have PLCs? Are they helpful?
Give it Time- We must remember that kids open up at their own pace. I have a few
students like this. I try to place them next to positive and encouraging partners. It
seems to be working. What do you do?
Environment- Laura got herself into a school where she did not like the culture. I
sometime worry about choosing the right school, which will fit my personality and
abilities. I know I need to ask the right questions at the interview. Do you know
what you are going to ask? How will you know if you are the right fit?
Discipline- Developing a management plan/rules is very important. Do you have any
ideas of what you will include in yours?
Dreams- I want to teach high school biology, however, I sometimes dream about
teaching college or graduate school. Do you have further dreams for yourself?
Spice it Up- We have to be careful we dont get so comfortable in our teaching that
we bore the students. Well, we are new at teaching so we dont have this problem.
However, I sometimes feel that I am trying so hard to think about what Im going to
say and do that I dont bring enough personality to the classroom. Do you feel this
way? How do you handle it? Do you have, or have you received any advice on this
issue?
Conferences- I have had practice working with and teaching kids, which allows me
to feel comfortable and confident. However, I have not had experience with dealing
with parents. I sometimes worry about how they will react and how to best handle
them. Have you had any experiences with parents? Has your mentor or anyone else
given you advice?
WYSIWYG- I know that teaching is like acting, because you have to be positive and
interesting even when you dont feel at your best. I love being at my internship, but
the course work keeps me up some nights and I often feel tired. By 5
th
period I am
physically exhausted from standing on my feet all day and mentally drained from
the pressures of trying to teach and model after your mentor. Do you get like this
too? How do you deal with it? What do you do to stay energetic and passionate even
when you are tired or sick.
Points of Interest:
Take Charge- I felt the same way as Jayne on my first day as a student teacher.
Everyday I go into RMHS I feel more confident, yet still petrified of the possible
failure. You have to ignore the fear and just do what you were put there to do, teach!
Einstein- I think it is interesting that Einsteins genius went unnoticed until
Hermann Minkowski mentored him. It just goes to show you how influential a
teacher can be for a young mind.
Einstein- It is our job, as teachers, to push and encourage our students beyond their
own expectations. They often have no idea of their true potential. I liked when it said
we have to see the diamond in the rough. Sometimes students just want to know
someone cares enough to believe in them.
Light a Fire- This teaching to the test seems to be a necessary evil. I have heard
several teachers complain about teaching to the AIMS and CRT test.
How to learn- Char talks about not learning how to learn or think critically until
graduate school. I feel the same way. We have to give our students the opportunity
to discover their learning styles
Compliment- We have to show our students that we believe in them, even if they are
not trying or struggling. This is when compliments and acknowledgment of
students efforts and gifts is the most important.
The Team- I really liked what this passage had to say about using your strengths and
listening to others strengths. I can relate to this, as I am relying on and learning
from my mentors strengths.
The Main Thing- I know that teaching is a lot more work than I realized. I knew it
would be a lot of grading and paper work. However, even when trying to pace your
lesson for the day, I find it difficult to keep time, keep on track, support objectives,
make connections, be interesting, manage behavior, ect. Teaching involves so much
detail.
Be Prepared- This passage reminds me of my mentor. He is always prepared; he
spends a great deal of time planning out his lesson. He plans down to the very
smallest detail, even how to set up smooth transitions. He is very effective with his
time. It is sometimes overwhelming for me to count every second of class, but the
students have benefited greatly.
Yelling- I found it very interesting to know how to get class attention. My mentor
says guys and girls in a commanding voice, while counting down his fingers from
five to zero. When he reaches aero, the students are expected to be quietly paying
attention. I have also seen the clap once clap twice method. There are so many
different ways to get attention.
Gossip- I agree that silence can be just as bad as the gossip itself. People can mistake
your silence for agreement, which may not be your intention. Sometimes it pays off
to say uplifting and positive comments when negativity is beginning to spread.