Hello, December!

We'll begin class today with each one sharing something from our field placement with the group. We'll also discuss some wrap-up details for the semester, as we are down to two weeks now.

A couple end of the semester forms that need to be completed:

• Student Diversity Profile (I have a few of these.)
• Field Experience Log w/Contextual Factors at bottom filled out
• Complete Candidate Field Experience Evaluation

Within the next two weeks, your Cooperating Teacher will complete and return a Field Experience Evaluation for you. I will email these to them this week.

Next week, we will upload some of these documents to you TaskStream portfolios. Make sure you have your username and password with you for class next week.

Wrapping up November

Today during our seminar, we're going to do the following:

• Share one idea or observation from your classroom with your peers.
• Give an update on progress. EDU 298 people should be nearly finished with their placements and activities.
• Teaching performance rubrics - any questions?
• Watch a video clip about "What Makes Great Teachers". Yes, we have talked about this many times but we can never hear this information too many times!

What Makes Great Teachers?

 I have spring registration forms for some of you. We will get these signed and I will give you copies. Others can stop by my office tomorrow. As soon as the Physical Science lab is added, they'll be ready.

We will not meet next Tuesday - the next seminar will be Tuesday, Dec. 2. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Another Super Nice Fall Day!

We will begin today with a brief discussion on field placement progress and address any questions common to the group. If you have questions that you would prefer to visit with me in private, please feel free to stop by my office.

The ND United registration forms are here so these will be filled out in class. You do not have to pay for your own membership costs.

We're going to spend the rest of the class period looking at our individual degree plans, sometimes referred to as "programs of study". I think it's important that we look at these every so often so we can see the progress we've made and also see what is yet to come.

Enjoy the week and continue doing well in your field placements. Your teachers had GREAT things to say about you following the emails I sent out last week. Nice to hear!

Assignment for Tuesday, Oct. 28th:

We will not be meeting for class on Tuesday at 3 PM. Be sure to submit your hours or reflections by 5 PM on Fridays. The next time we meet will be NOVEMBER! (November 4 - Election Day!).

Take care.

Mid-Term Week - Half Way Through the Semester

We're going to talk briefly today about your placements, the lesson planning process, and check on everybody's progress.

Here is a link to an interesting blog post:

Lesson Plan vs Learning Plan

We will then take a brief tour of the UTTC Teacher Ed website so you are aware of all of the information on that site. We will end on the page that has information about the student teaching application that is coming up for most of you in the spring. I will hand out the student teaching application so you have more information about the essay that is required as part of the application. You have plenty of time to complete it but I want to make sure you are aware of it.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators

PRAXIS Test Preparation Materials

ONLINE RESOURCES

  

What you'll find at each of the following websites:
     °    A free, downloadable PDF Study Companion
           Much of the information is the same in each guide.  However, there is some information about the individual tests as well.             
     °    Videos that explain the testing situation.  If you're not familiar with computerized testing, you should watch some
           of these.
     °    Access to priced test preparation.  You can subscribe to an interactive test that is similar to the test that you will take.  Your subscription is for 90 days or 10 uses of the test.

Educational Testing Service: 

Preparation Materials for Praxis Core Math 
Preparation Materials for Praxis Core Reading 
Preparation Materials for Praxis Core Writing 

What you'll find at each of the following websites:
    °    Access to a free sample test.
    °    Access to priced test preparation.  You can purchase access to up to 20 writing tests or up to 30 tests for math or reading.

 Exam Edge LLC (also known as PraxisPrep.com)

Practice Tests for Praxis Core Math 
Practice Tests for Praxis Core Reading 
Practice Tests for Praxis Core Writing 

PRINT RESOURCES

We will be buying books for you to use for more information as they become available. Because these tests are new, there aren't many books available for purchase yet. 

 

Week 5 Seminar

As you know, we will not be meeting today. I am in Washington, DC, right now at a Project Director's meeting for a new grant we were awarded.

I emailed you this weekend and gave you the following assignments that are due today. It must be emailed to me before 3 PM today. Again, I sent you the email this weekend so you had had this information in advance - the info below is word for word as it was in the email I sent.

EDU 298 - Level 1 Assignment:

Per your syllabus, you have a list of observations/tasks to complete in your placement. These are as follows:

1. Tutoring a Student – One on One

2. Music Room

3. School Library

4. Assist School Personnel (Secretary, Janitor, Cafeteria Personnel)

5. PLC (Professional Learning Community) Activity

6. School Staff Meeting

7. Assisting with Students with Disabilities

8. Assisting with Students who are ELL or in a Language Immersion Setting

9. Interactions with Families

10. Extracurricular Activities (i.e. sports, music, etc.)

11. After School Programs

12. School Board Meetings

 Your assignment is to type up a document that has these items listed. Then describe how you are going to complete each one. For example, for "After School Programs". Tell me what you are going to do or what you are going to observe. 

I know the majority of you have this done already because you have shared it with me verbally or you have it written in your syllabus. All you have to do is send me a Word document attached to an email with the details typed up on it.

EDU 348 - Level 2 Assignment:

Communicating Teaching Requirements to Cooperating Teacher: Develop a list of assignments (from all your courses) that will be completed in your field placement classroom. This list must be typed and will be shared with your cooperating teacher and the instructor for this course. This list will include lessons you are required to teach, any observations, or other tasks required in your 300-level courses. You will take a copy of this list with you to share with your cooperating teacher so he or she knows the expectations for your actual teaching experiences.

Don't forget to add any field experience assignments from your classes with Colette and Leah, in addition to your lesson planning/teaching requirements.

Send me a Word document attached to an email with the details typed up on it. You will be sharing this info with your cooperating teacher, as well.

Thank you.

Week 4 Seminar

Today in class we're going to find out where everybody is with their placements. By this time, you should have contacted your teacher, made a schedule of when you are going to be in the classroom, and have actually started with your observation hours. If you haven't, I suggest you get all of these things done this week yet.

Our class discussion will be about teacher dispositions and what constitutes a "great teacher". You have the characteristics and potential to be a great teacher. If you think we have high expectations of you, and are demanding at times, you are right. We want you to be the best you can be for the children and families with whom you will teach.

Assignment for Tuesday, Sept. 30th:

• You will bring the following assignment to class with you (from the EDU 348 syllabus):

Communicating Teaching Requirements to Cooperating Teacher: Develop a list of assignments (from all your courses) that will be completed in your field placement classroom. This list must be typed and will be shared with your cooperating teacher and the instructor for this course. This list will include lessons you are required to teach, any observations, or other tasks required in your 300-level courses. You will take a copy of this list with you to share with your cooperating teacher so he or she knows the expectations for your actual teaching experiences. 

People in EDU 298 can make a plan for what and where they are going to complete the different things you have to do for your placement (tutoring, family activity, working with school personnel, etc.) If you have questions, please meet with me individually. 

• Complete the Student Diversity Profile I gave you at the beginning of the semester. This information can be obtained from your teacher or the school principal. The information is from the classroom and school where you are placed.