Kallas-thenics is the official blog for Birdville ISD Education and Training Interns taking class in BCTAL 901. Exercise your intellect through writing exercises that will challenge your mind. Use it as a forum for you to express your thoughts and feelings about the world of education throughout your internship.
It is your responsibility to check this blog regularly so that you can meet all required deadlines. Blogs not finished during class time must be completed on your own time.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Final Exam Blog - Seniors due on May 20. Juniors due June 1
Title: What Will I Do to Create Change?
As a future educator, you will have an opportunity to influence the direction that education takes - especially in your classroom. Of course this takes vision and a determination to use solid teaching strategies that incorporate teaching for today, not yesterday.
View this TED Talk by Canadian principal, George Couros, who challenges you to think about using your voice (and your students') to share with others what you are doing to change education.
View the graphic, 8 Things to Look for in Today's Classroom, below. Couros proposes that these are the things you should spot in a strong learning environment. Review it carefully and think about the following:
8 Things to Look for in Today's Classroom
As a future educator, you will have an opportunity to influence the direction that education takes - especially in your classroom. Of course this takes vision and a determination to use solid teaching strategies that incorporate teaching for today, not yesterday.
View this TED Talk by Canadian principal, George Couros, who challenges you to think about using your voice (and your students') to share with others what you are doing to change education.
View the graphic, 8 Things to Look for in Today's Classroom, below. Couros proposes that these are the things you should spot in a strong learning environment. Review it carefully and think about the following:
8 Things to Look for in Today's Classroom
- Which points resonate with you the most? Why do you think that is?
- With which points are you uncomfortable, or maybe least familiar?
For this component of your final exam, you will answer the question from Couros' TED Talk, "Will you be teaching for yesterday or tomorrow?" To do this, incorporate the answers to the following questions in your response.
- Think about your education throughout the past 10+ years. Select three of the items on the graphic and comment on how you saw these items incorporated (or not incorporated) into classrooms that you had. Give examples of how each item was fulfilled (or omitted) in your classroom. (Do not use teacher's names if you are giving a negative example).
- Now think about your future classroom. Select three of the items and give an example of how you will bring these to fruition in your classroom. What teaching strategies will you use to make these items visible to your students and their parents. Be descriptive in your examples.
All blog rules for BCTAL 901 apply for this assignment. Happy blogging!
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Blog due Monday, May 11, 2015
Who is Your Teacher of the Year?
Who is the National Teacher of the Year 2015? Watch below. She's a fellow Texan!
Do you know who is BCTAL's 2015 Teacher of the Year?
Do you know who is the 2015 Teacher of the Year at your home campus?
Click here and complete the form to tell what most influenced your education.
Every student has had their personal "Teacher of the Year." Think back throughout your education. Who has your's been?
Post a thank you letter to your favorite teacher that includes how that teacher influenced you. As always, use your best writing conventions because I will be sharing these with the teacher you thanked if they are still teaching in the district.
For this blog only: You do not need to reference my blog post or any other media sources. However, that means your letter format should be pristine!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Blog Due on Friday, April 3, 2015
Title: Bill to Bypass Exams OK'd
What factors would be taken into consideration in allowing a student who has not passed all of the tests to graduate?
Two local senators, Kelly Hancock (from NRH) and Jane Nelson (Flower Mound), voted against the bill. Why do you think they took this stance?
On the other hand -- why do you think so many senators supported it?
What happens to students who don't graduate? How do they affect the local economy? Society as a whole? What is your stance on the issue? Don't be wishy-washy in articulating your thoughts. Be very clear in how you feel and be sure to support your reasons.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Blog Due March 6, 2015
For TAFE State Participants Only
Title: My State Teach Tomorrow Summit HighlightWrite a brief overview of your favorite highlight of the TAFE Teach Tomorrow Summit. It may be about a featured speaker, the competitive events, a group activity, the talent/hypnosis show, the hotel experience, or anything that occurred during the trip to Lubbock, Texas. Include why (or why not) you would recommend this experience for your fellow TAFE members who did not participate.
Reminder: You must have a link to the blog prompt, a link to a related source (such as the Teach Tomorrow Summit on the TAFE website, and another media source; there are over 100 pics from the Summit on the RST Server)
Next, write a formal letter to Dr. Linda Anderson, Director of Career and Technology Education for BISD, thanking her for her support of TAFE at the State Teach Tomorrow Summit. Her financial support covered the coach transportation, hotel costs, registration fees, meal money, and more. Be sure to follow the guidelines for writing a proper thank you letter.
Click Here for Thank You Etiquette
All Other Interns
Title: Nontraditional Forms of Assessment
As we investigate a number of alternative assessments that can be used with your students, think about ways that would best measure the performance of your students in their mastery of the TEKS. Read the GO Teach article about assessment by clicking the link below. Nontraditional Forms of Assessment
Discuss what you learned or what information was reinforced from the article. From the examples listed in the article, which one did you like the best? Is that because it fits the way you like to be assessed, or is it a form of assessment you could envision using with your field site students?
Next, identify a form of assessment (not found in the article) that you think would be effective to use with your students. Include the name of the assessment, write a brief description of what it looks like or how it is used, and explain what grade/content for which you would use it as an assessment. Include which TEKS it would measure. (Cut and paste the full TEKS -- number and words -- in your blog post.)
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Blog Due Friday, January 16, 2015
Title: How Do You Measure Up?
You will be receiving a copy of your mentor teacher's evaluation of your performance in his/her classroom on January 16.. It is important to receive feedback in order to identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement.
Click here to evaluate yourself. This is the same evaluation form that your mentor teacher has used to evaluate you. By completing this, you will have an opportunity to compare your perception of your performance with your mentor's perception of your performance.
As you complete the evaluation, remember to answer honestly, not how you wish you had performed. You don't need to be overly harsh on yourself, but it is wise to remember that nobody is perfect and there is always room for growth or improvement.
When you have completed your self-evaluation, ask me for the copy of your mentor's evaluation of you. Compare the results.
Post on your blog answers to the following:
Click here to evaluate yourself. This is the same evaluation form that your mentor teacher has used to evaluate you. By completing this, you will have an opportunity to compare your perception of your performance with your mentor's perception of your performance.
When you have completed your self-evaluation, ask me for the copy of your mentor's evaluation of you. Compare the results.
- Did you get the grade you were expecting from your mentor? Explain.
- What insight(s) did the comments give you?
- Name an area (or areas) in which you would like to improve. How could you do that?
You do not need to do anything extra (no media, links, etc.) unless you would like extra credit or you just love blogging.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Blog Due Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Title: My Plans for the New Year!
2015 is Here! It's a New Year and a fresh start in the spring semester!
- Seniors - You have 20 weeks of high school left!
- Juniors - You are about to register for your senior year classes!
Have you set yourself up for success after high school? Or do you have some work to do? It's never too late to begin. Think about what you have to accomplish from now through May. What are some of the things you need to make happen? Do you need to improve your grades, take college placement tests, or apply for scholarships? Seniors - Where are you in the college application process - application, acceptance, dorms, scholarships, etc.? Juniors - what types of classes do you need to take to make you a highly desirable college applicant?
In this blog, compose three goals in the following areas:
- College planning: Applications, testing, visits, scholarships, and more
- Attendance
- Grades
- The outcome or desired behavior
- The timeframe
- The methodology or way it will take place
Poor example: I will have better attendance.
Good example: I will improve my attendance this semester by getting up 10 minutes early each day to avoid tardies.
Poor example: I will get scholarship money for college.
Good example: I will try to secure $1000 in scholarships for my freshman year by applying for at least 5 scholarships by April 1.
To complete your blog, discuss how achieving these goals will improve your quality of life. How will the results make your life better? Be sure your discussion has support.
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