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CG - First time here, but I am going into student teaching and maybe I could get some help if anyone is a teacher.
jt11 - Im a new teacher
jt11 - I will be starting my first job Tuesday
CG - What grade will you be teaching
jt11 - I will be teaching middle school at an alternative school for students with severe behavior disorders
CG - I am going into elementary had I am having problems writing a unit so I am trying to get some help.
jt11 - what kind of unit are you going to be doing
CG - I am doing two units for a third grade classroom. Native Americans and Butterflies.
jt11 - What area are you having trouble on
CG - With the Native American one, I am going to focus on four different tribes, and I do not know how to put it all together without the students getting confused.
jmbalaya - hi all...finishing up my masters starting my first teaching job in august
jt11 - are you limited to the number of days you can do it on
jmbalaya - anyone here teaching high school
jt11 - Hi JMbalaya. I just graduated and will be starting my first job tuesday, working in an alternative school for students with behavior disorders. I am very nervous
CG - Most likely I will have about four weeks, but I am not sure if I sure teach one tribe a week or talk about all of them at the same time.
CG - I Worth/SC and JMbalaya, I am a student teacher in the fall and very nervous.
jmbalaya - cg what are u going to student teach
jt11 - CG I would take at least 3 days for each tribe. If you really want to get creative you can dress up like a tribe indian and read a book on the tribe and have a characteristic board for each tribe
CG - Either Native Americans or Butterflies. My teacher is focusing on both.
jmbalaya - elementary school right
CG - yes, third grade
CG - I was thinking about dressing up to spice up the unit.
jmbalaya - jd what are u going to be teaching
jt11 - CG, try this site it may help http://www.lennox.k12.ca.us/LPD.html
CG - Within those three days I would focus on their house, clothing, and food or would that be to much.
jmbalaya - 3rd grade is a great age
JD - I graduated in May to teach in the Elementary level. I don't have a job yet and am very nervous
jmbalaya - where are u wanting to teach jd
JD - Jumbalaya, What grade do you teach?
CG - Thanks I will have to check that site out.
jmbalaya - biology chemistry...high school
JD - I think it would be best in Mass but I would like to try out of state. The reason I don't think I will be able to go out of the states is because of financial reasons.
CG - So, do you think I will have enough time to focus on all those areas in three days.
jmbalaya - from what i have heard it is better to teach here for a couple of years and then leave
JD - are you from Mass?
jmbalaya - hey nbc what are u going to teach
jmbalaya - no thought about teaching there though
jmbalaya - maybe if that's all you are doing...why are u just student teaching 3 days?
JD - How long have you been teaching Jumbalaya
CG - I am student teaching for 12 weeks, but jt11 thought that three days devoted to each tribe would be good.
jmbalaya - none yet...starting in august...finishing up masters in teaching now
jmbalaya - o ok yes that's should be good
CG - I am trying to figure out how to get all four tribes taught.
CG - How would I get everything taught in three days about one tribe?
Worth/SC - I'll jump in and give you a little info about me. I'm going to teach high school math. I learn my classes next Thursday. I'll be pursuing alternative certification -- in anticipation of my midlife crisis, I'm changing careers.
jmbalaya - jd what are u going to teach...i think 3 days will be fine cg
jmbalaya - worth i will be teaching hs biology/chemistry
JD - I am looking for an elementary position
jmbalaya - worth where are u going to be teaching at
Worth/SC - I'll be in public school in Western SC.
Californian - Hello room. I have been teaching a few years. Can i still stay and chat a while?
jmbalaya - kk i lived in spartanburg 1 summer....i'll be in nw va
Californian - Is lesson planning the topic?
jmbalaya - sure californian we could use some talkers lol
jmbalaya - in theory yes but we have a lot of newbie teachers so it's more about the fear of that
CG - I Californian which grade do you teach.
Californian - i find lesson plans very useful for subs and for new teachers
Californian - Long term plans I find useful and thematic web plans and collaborative planning is useful too
jmbalaya - what grade/subject do u teach
Californian - I have a principal now who believes in the old fashion LBC format: learning, behavior and conditions
CG - Californian, what grade do you teach.
Californian - Kindergarten, reading recovery :)
JD - Californian, do you have any suggestions as to how to go about long term planning and thematic web plans?
Californian - I have taught many other grades
CG - I need help with doing a unit on Native Americans for third grade.
Californian - JD- start with the kids....start with where they are
Californian - another teacher once told me to staart with feelings and then everything else falls into place
JD - do you have any suggestions as to start the year off to get to know where the students are and who they are?
Californian - I find that you need to first decide if its child centered or textbook driven
Californian - when I was student teaching, I learned about GAB BAG
JD - What is GAB BAG?
1st - JD-I'd suggest talking with the teacher who had the students in the year before.
Californian - check curriculum guides, textbooks etc. and decide on the big ideas that need attention (generalizations) Next brainstorm some activities that are open ended and give a fair amount of attention to the visual and performing arts (activities) next, think of ways to bridge the new information to their existing background knowledges (bridge)......Next just reverse the order BAG and you have a lesson plan
1st - okay
jmbalaya - just curious anyone in here teaching high school
1st - nope...1st grade here
Californian - GAB BAG works with any content area instruction
Worth/SC - I will be teaching high school
jmbalaya - what math classes will u be teaching worth
Mr.Mrock - any words of advice for someone about to enter their first year of teaching in 4th grade?
JD - when do schools give their curriculum guides to new teachers and how do new teachers prepare if they are hired a short time before schools open.
Worth/SC - I wish I knew. I suspect Geometry and "tech prep."
Worth/SC - I'll learn next week.
Mr.Mrock - jd...you a new teacher?
Californian - JD - if you can't get the guides then go to a local univesity and they will have them there
jmbalaya - why haven't they told u yet
Mr.Mrock - ANYONE from NC?
jmbalaya - yeppers but will be teaching in va this fall
Worth/SC - Jmbalaya, I don't know that anyone knows their assignments for next year. I spoke with the principal this week and he said they'd finalize it next week.
Californian - Mr. Mrock- when you teach 4th grade- have fun with state history and use it to relate to other subjects
jmbalaya - kk...i wouldn't take my position without knowing lol...just my thing
Mr.Mrock - thanks californian
jmbalaya - mrock where will u teach in nc
REI - Hi everyone...been teaching a while. I am a Mentor for 1st year teachers and work with Student teachers. Mind if I hang out for a couple of minutes?
JD - mrock, I am looking for a teaching position.
jmbalaya - sure rei...what level do u teach
Worth/SC - Well, I'm comfortable with my math knowledge. I signed up because I wanted to be at a certain school.
Californian - Mr. Mrock- 4th graders pretend to be big kids and at most schools it is their first year with having lunch with the upper graders etc. but they are still babies an many ways and even like playing silly games such as heads up 7 up
REI - I teach 2nd.
Californian - rei- i loved 2nd
Worth/SC - REI and Californian, what teaching methods are easy and successful for beginners? There are so many decisions to make.
jmbalaya - i was looking at a lot of things but knew i didn't want to get stuck teaching physical science/physics...it played a factor
JD - mrock, I am looking for a teaching position.
Michigan - REI, I'll be student teaching next year in a 2nd grade room...any words of wisdom?
JD - REI, Do you have any suggestions as to start the year for beginning teachers
Californian - worth- lots of research shows that most teachers make their biggest risks during their first years of teaching. Pal up with a mentor at your school and don't rock the boat too much......most importantly, have fun and if it doesn't work try something else or fix it....
Worth/SC - Californian - by risks do you mean mistakes?
Californian - worth- teaching is more of an art than a science. if you script everything and leave everything to step by step sequencing you will forget that you are teaching kids and will become an expert at teaching a textbook...:)
1st - Californian-It's easy to suggest to pal up with a mentor teacher, but sometimes these "mentors" do not want to pal up with a new teacher...I have a friend who had such an experience
Mr.Mrock - i've already been set up with a mentor
Californian - 1st- I'm sorry to hear that...sounds tricky
Mr.Mrock - i'm from out of state (NY) going into NC...my mentor is also from ny
Mr.Mrock - californian....your advice sounds very good....thanks!
jmbalaya - where in nc mrock
REI - Michigan....depends. My most successful student teachers haven't been afraid to ask questions. They also tended to write tons of notes during the first part of the experience while I am still doing the teaching on lesson presentations.
Californian - good advice on interviews: don't say what you mean say what they want to hear
Mr.Mrock - mt. ulla just outside of Charlotte
JD - how do you know what they want to hear in an interview?
REI - Mr. Mrock...have you met your mentor yet?
1st - her mentor has taught in the school for 6 yrs..he told her that he doesn't know too much about the lower grades..he's on the second flour..primary grades on bottom floor
squeeky - Hi, REI, This is my first time attempting this so bear with me
Mr.Mrock - briefly...when i was there for the interview...before I knew she would be my mentor
REI - No problem Squeeky.
Californian - JD- look for clues, kinds of questions, posters in the room, non verbal responses, books in the room
1st - he'd also arrive just in time in the morning and leave as soon as the teacher were permitted to leave...it did not leave alot of time to talk
1st - thus, she sought out someone else (a different veteran teacher)
JD - californian but if the interview is with the supt and in his or her office, how would I go about knowing?
REI - Good move on her part 1st.
Californian - JD- most interviewers aren't looking for a specific answer they want to see if you will be positive, be a risk taker, show dedication etc. These are shown in your non verbal communication.
Worth/SC - JD - I learned that there a LOT of pat answers to their questions. I'd talk with others in the process and share notes.
1st - yeah...i think it helped her out
Californian - JD-your interview with the sup is first then if that goes they pass your name to the schools that have openings
JD - thanks
JD - I think I will need to think about how I would answer some of the tough questions
Californian - JD- your philosophy, disip[line and management, your language arts program...these usually are standard
REI - JD~Interviewing with the Sup. first isn't always the case. Research the district(s) you are applying to. Find out what they are "really" looking for.
Californian - REI- and be careful of the ones that ask for a photo with the application...LOL
Worth/SC - JD - I was asked a goodly number of questions about classroom management. E.g. Give me five classroom rules. What would you do if Johnny cracked jokes during the middle of your lecture? etc.
jmbalaya - that's the big thing with hs's: can u manage your classroom
JD - those are things I am not sure if what I think will be what they would want to hear.
Worth/SC - JD - what do you think?
Californian - jmbalaya- and sadly that's true. They want to know if you can solve your own problems.....just keep in mind that most principals have had just as many disipline classes as you
jmbalaya - i don't mind it...i wouldn't want someone who sent everyone to the office to be in their school...if you can't deal with kids in different situations than teaching in hs may not be your best opt
Kim from Ohio - Hi, are we talking about teaching High School?
Californian - jmbalaya- but schools need to stop dumping onto new teachers.....I have seen it too often
REI - JD~do you have interviews schedules yet?
Kim from Ohio - I am thinking about going back to school and getting a 7-12 certification. First I am going to sub in the high school next year. Unless I have a job.
JD - I have one
JD - worth I am trying to write five rules..
Californian - JD practice your non verbal responses...it really will help ( I have been on a few interviewing committees)
Worth/SC - JD - If it hasn't been suggested to you before, read Harry Wong's First Days of School. It was recommended to me in my interview with the principal. I modestly replied that I'd already read it.
JD - what types of non verbal cues would be positive
REI - I ask our principal to do an "interview" with my student teachers near the end of their experience. He makes it tough, then goes over the interview with them to point out their strengths and areas they should work on. All of them have said that was one of the best things to experience before the "real" ones come along.
Worth/SC - JD - when I was asked to give rules (I think they asked for three), I told them I only had one and I gave it to them. It was broad and comprehensive. Something like, "Keep the classroom safe, comfortable and focused on learning."
Californian - smile, forward lean, open stance, nodding, lots of uh huhs, and showing "genuine" interest
JD - I know I really do wish I had a few practice ones but I haven't had one
Kim from Ohio - we had various principals from the area come and interview each of the students in our program (mock interview). That was an eye-opener.
REI - JD~what grade are you interviewing for?
jmbalaya - californian i understand what u are saying...but i don't blame the principals for wanting to get an idea of how their teachers will respond...i ask the same of them
JD - 2nd or 3rd. they have both positions open
Worth/SC - Jody - Who me? Aiken.
Californian - follow directions, one person speaks at a time, keep hands, feet and objects to self, ????
REI - Canter Rules....Those are the 3 rules I have in my classroom.
Californian - come to school prepared
Californian - fred jones has a web site and describes rules as operational....rules for lining up, rules for turning in homework
Californian - http://www.fredjones.com
Californian - I like one class that has one rule one word: respect ...it means to treat others as you want to be treated
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