3rd Post:: Blog Possibilties Reflection

I feel the blogging experience has helped me discuss my experiences and discuss situations in my PDS.  After reviewing my prior post about blog possibilities, I have found that sharing information within a group is always helpful and lets others learn from your experiences, while you learn from theirs.  The effectiveness of blogging is demonstrated through collaboration and reflection.  As we post new blogs, this gives us time to not only reflect on our experiences but also lets us realize which techniques and practices that worked and ones that did not.  For example, Jessica and I discussed how to better get students motivated in the classroom which we both saw as an important variable in student learning.  Communication or collaboration in a small group is very valuable.  It allows time to highlight mistakes and improve upon them.  But more importantly it allows you and others to see what your doing well so you can keep doing it.  One primary or reflection topic that stands out in my mind is Student Expectations.  As a pre-service teacher, we need to have students know and understand what we expect from them.  Whether this is coming into class and taking their seats quietly or what desired expectations we have on each assignment they turn in.
Jessica, what do you think about Student Expectation experiences as a blog topic?                 

2nd Post: Practicum Plan

For one of my learning goals, I decided to implement better Time Management skills for myself.  Last semester I tended to procrastinate with some of my assignments.  I feel as though I have not completed those assignments to the fullest potential.  I figured utilizing better time management skills would allow me to get assignments done early.  So far this semester, I have used my time more wisely allowing me to give my best effort on each assignment. I believe this was a very useful learning goal for myself as it will improve the quaility of my work as well as give me more free time.   

During the semeter, my mentor teacher and I have altered one lesson I was planning to teach around March 1st. Due to some extra material and activities my mentor teacher wanted to cover, we have decided to push the lesson back to March 9th.  I feel as though this hasa benefitted me allowing me more time to prepare the lesson.  I have been on schedule with all my other class assignment due dates and have not removed any activites or assignments.    

I feel my activity completion progress has been going excellent.  My activities have all been implemented either in the PDS classroom or in my own assignments.  For example, at the begining of semester in my PDS I had my students write a short information paragraph.  The paragraph included having students write their names, their row and seat number (so I could put names with faces), and some information about theirselves: favorite activities, what they did for fun, if they played sports ect.  This activity will allow me to have a deeper connection with my students, be more comfortable with them, and hopefully let the students feel a since of individualism as I will be able to call them by their names. 

1st Posting: Digital Story Prompt

During my time in the PDS, I have had many good experiences with the students.  Last semester, I tutored a group of 5 to 6 students in which I taught them different math fraction problems.  I used interactive technology with my activity and the student really enjoyed using the technology.  The students also found it exciting to have a new face teaching the lesson to them.  I got many great pictures of this activity, so it would be easy to share my experience in my digital story.   I noticed how the students loved this change of pace within the classroom and was just one good experience I have had in my PDS thus far.

One story I had that other tutors may be interested in hearing was a time when I tutored a student one-on-one.  This student was in a special education classroom.  During our tutor time he tried so hard and wanted to do the very best he could when I was assisting him.  He was determined to work through each math problem even when he struggled.  With a little advice and some helpful hints from me, he was able to complete the more difficult problems.  I feel as though my presence helped motivate him to do well.  This is one story I would like to share with my other peers.  I believe was makes a good story is a story that keeps its listeners entertained and excited. Also, the story has elements that may teach the listeners something valuable or something they can apply in their own classroom.   

When using different digital multimedia during story telling, you can captivate your listeners.  Using this technology will allow you to present the story in more exciting and personal way.