Blog Due April 9, 2018

TITLE:  Ending on a Positive Note!

The end of the school year is approaching.  It is easy to get lathargic and just coast through the end of the year.  Some of you have senioritis set in.  Others have had junioritis set in. 

Think about what you want to accoomplish in the next six weeks.  Record those goals on your blog.  Make sure the goal meets the following SMART requirements:

• S = Specific
• M = Measureable
• A = Attainable or Achievable
• R = Realistic or Relevant
• T = Time specific

Write goals to meet each of the 4 points below:
2 = Two things I'd like to learn before the end of the year
0 = Something I would like to avoid doing or remove from my daily behavior
1 = One thing I could do to make my life easier, yet productive
8 = Eight ways I have been kind or will show kindness to others by the end of the year (specific)

Remember the following blog rules:

• Include a renamed link to reference blog post.
• Include 2 additional media sources (1 pic or image, 1 link, 1 embedded video, or 1 of other sources, no duplications of the same type of source)
• Create an interesting layout and format (avoid one big black and white text blob)
• Check writing conventions (spelling, grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and composition)
• Be sure to PUBLISH your blog

Blog Due January 5

Title:  My Precept

Due:  Friday, January 5

In Wonder, you should have learned about Mr. Browne's precepts. Be prepared to explain your precept in detail.  Keep reading... It only gets better!

What is your Precept?

Write your own personal precept -

• If you use a quote, credit should be given to the originator
• You should use CANVA to create a Postcard with your personal Precept on it.
• You can get a free account by logging in with an email and password.
• When you are finished, click on Share, then Embed - Copy the embed code or download as a JPG and upload or embed on your Blog.  
• This is a Book Club grade and a Blog grade. 2 grades.

Scan the QR and learn About the Author, R. J. Palacio

Due by January 5, 2018.

Blog Due: Friday, Nov. 27

Taking Initiative

 

Definition

in·i·ti·a·tive

iˈniSH(ē)ətiv/

noun

noun: initiative; plural noun: initiatives; noun: the initiative

1.

the ability to assess and initiate things independently.

"use your initiative, imagination, and common sense"

2.

the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
"we have lost the initiative and allowed our opponents to dictate the subject"

Assignment

Year 1:  You are now beginning your third week as an EAT intern.  You should begin to get a feel for what needs to be done in your classroom.  You should begin to show initiative in your classroom. 
Year 2:  You have been in the classroom as an intern for over a year now.  This is a refresher for you, answer the following questions below about initiative.  Do you think you are showing more initiative in your second year than you did your first year?

The assignment this week is as follows:

1.  What does initiative mean to you?  In your own words please!

2.  Make a list of at least 10 ways you can show initiative as an EAT intern in your field site classroom. (whether you have actually done them or not)
3.  Find at least five words that are synonomous with initiative.  List them.

3.  Write a paragraph that indicates some actual things you did during the week to show initiative in your classroom.  How did this impact your mentor teacher or students? 

4.  Why is initiative such an important characteristic for a teacher to possess?

This blog is due on Monday October 30.  Follow the rubric for best results. 

Blog Due on Friday, October 13

Title:  What Would You Do?

Read the scenarios below.  Choose ONE of the potential situations you could encounter in your internship.  Post an entry on your blog that reframes the outcome by generating a solution that would be an appropriate and professional way to handle the situation as an EAT intern.  Your response should have clarity while avoiding vague recommendations.  Be sure you state which Scenario you are writing about.  

Scenario 1

You left campus for lunch and when you returned to campus you missed the bus that transports EAT interns to your field site campus.  You don’t have a car, but your boyfriend (girlfriend) said that he (she) could take you to your field site.  You took him (her) up on the offer.  When you boarded the bus to return to your home campus, another intern asked why you weren’t on the bus earlier.  You asked the intern not to point this out to your EAT teacher, Mrs. Crabapple, since no harm was done.

Scenario 2

You are at your EAT field site.  Although you know you are supposed to have your phone put away at your field site, you check it and see that you have a message from another intern in your class.  He said that he had an early dismissal and left the field site campus just a little early, but when he did, he forgot to sign out.  You think this is a bit strange because you never saw him ride the bus to your field site in the first place, but you agree to sign him in and out because you want to let him know he can trust you.  After all, Mrs. Meddlesome, your EAT teacher, stressed that it is important to establish relationships with your students and others with whom you work.

Scenario 3

You have just arrived at your field site.  Your teacher is absent and you have a substitute.  Previously, you have been in charge of monitoring the reading groups each day, and even though you were not aware that your mentor teacher would be gone, you know that you need to follow the routine so the students will progress. The substitute tells you that she has everything under control and you may leave because there is nothing for you to do. You decide your field site mentor will have plenty of time to get the reading groups caught up tomorrow so you go to the classroom next door where your EAT friend is interning.  The two of you move to the corner of the room and work on homework the rest of the period so you won’t disturb anyone.

Scenario 4

You are about to change into your field site attire and realize you have forgotten your field site shirt and name badge.  The bus will be leaving in three minutes.  You have on jeans with holes, and a low cut top.  You saw Mrs. Picky, your BCTAL EAT teacher, at your field site yesterday.  Since you think she will not be stopping by to visit interns at your field site, you hop on the bus without your EAT attire, taking your chances that you will not be discovered.  After all, if your field site mentor teacher and principal don’t say anything, there is no harm done, right?

Remember all blog rules:  Reference original post, 3 variety sources of media (links, images, video, etc.), writing conventions and more.

Blog Due: Sept. 27

Title:  My Learning DNA

Create a post that includes the following elements of information that will affect your future classroom.   Remember to refer to this blog prompt in your post.

Characteristics That Add Value to my Teaching (7-10)

Identify 7 - 10 characteristics or personality qualities that you feel you possess in a high degree that will influence your teaching positively on a regular basis.  Describe how each characteristic will influence your classroom.

My Multiple Intelligences (2-4)

Discuss your top 2 - 4 Multiple Intelligences.  Describe how they will specifically influence your classroom management, planning, and environment.  Embed a screen shot of your results to the multiple intelligence quiz.





My Learning Preferences (Dunn and Dunn) (3 - 15)

Identify those learning preferences that will affect the decisions you make about how your classroom looks, sounds and operates.  Be specific in your descriptions.  Add interest with images of your learning preferences.


My Learning Styles (1-2)
Are you a visual, auditory or kinesthetic learner?  What do your scores say?

Cone of Learning
Discuss your revelations from the Cone of Learning presented earlier.  How does this relate to you and the way you best learn?  How will you apply this to your future classroom?

My Gallup Significant Themes (5)

Add the 5 significant themes from your Gallup StrengthsFinder instrument to your blog post.  Use a one sentence description to explain what or how each theme applies to you.

Word Cloud
Embed your word cloud consisting of at least 20 - 30 words related to your learning DNA.  Be sure to add your name in your word cloud.  To keep your first and last name together, insert a "~" between the words.

Use Worditout.com or WordClouds.com to create your cloud.

Blog Comment Due Sept. 22

Classroom Computer Protocol and Technology Update

The beginning of the school year was hectic and there were several issues with technology during the first two weeks. Because we were "behind" so to speak, we didn't go over usual technology protocol for use and care of tech tools.   Please read the entire blog and follow directions at the end.  Reading and commenting will count as a blog grade.  After you have read the blog, make a comment at the end of this post.  If you don't comment, I will assume you didn't read it.  Your comment should include this statement:  "I have read the classroom computer protocol and technology updates and I will do my best to abide by them.  Include one other statement from the blog that you learned.  Sign your name.  Due by Friday, September 22.    

• Check the number to assure you have the right computer
• Make sure it is fully charged and ready to go. 
• Although we will not use the Macbooks every day, we will use frequently, have it already opened or immediately pull it up when you get into a class, this will help save time.  
• When you return your Macbook to it's tray at the end of class, be sure it is in the right tray and the charger lights up.  This is a courtesy to others.
• Do not carry your laptop by the screen.  This will harm the built in camera.
• Clean the screen with wipes that are provided and never spray anything on your computer.
• Keep drinks and food away from your computer.

1.  Screens Down – Anytime someone is speaking (teacher, speaker or other students), screens will be tilted down.  Nothing is more distracting to you or to others around you than someone surfing the web.  Putting the screen down will help bring attention to the task at hand.
2. Tech-Tips – It is required for you to have a Chrome toolbar set up on your computer. Always make sure you are logged in to your Chrome toolbar.  Your name should appear in the top right corner of your screen.  The minimum bookmarks you should have at this time are Canvas, BISD, My Blog, Your Blog and additionally you should have the goo.gl URL shortener as an add on.  Others will come at a later time.  Bookmarks are a HUGE time saver.  
3. Sound – All laptops will be muted during class time.  If you are working on an independent project, you may listen to music with your headphones.  Do not assume you can leave headphones in when you enter the classroom.  When I begin speaking, remove your headphones. Do not charge your phones from the laptops. 
4. Camera Use – Your laptop is equipped with both a digital camera and digital video recorder. With these tools, we will create a multitude of projects from footage and photos you take. There are expectations that the photos and videos taken are appropriate and in good taste. The subject should always be asked before an image is taken of them. Privileges of these two tools will be revoked if used inappropriately. Please refrain from taping video and snapping pictures of people without permission.
5. Self-Management – If it is not related to the task assigned, you should not be doing it during class. This includes email, Googling, and social networks. Self-Management of digital access is a lifelong skill that relates to productivity.  Do not change the home screen on your computers. Manage your files and keep desktop clutter to a minimum.  
6. Saving work – You should be saving your work.  Everyone has a Google Drive.  You should save all of your work in your own drive.  You can drag all types of files into the drive, even if they are not google files.  Word, Excel, PowerPoint, jpg, png, PDF..

Thanks for reading.  Now comment!  

Blog Due September 8

You watched The Ron Clark Story recently.  Ron Clark founded The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA. Please click here and explore his website.   If you are on social media such as Twitter and Facebook, consider following him to see what exciting things are going on in his model school.  

If you missed the movie, it is on YouTube, watch it!

Your assignment is this, address the following questions in a conversational dialogue. Remember, you will need to follow the rubric for best results.  Refer to the prompt in your blog.  

Written content on blog:

• Why are rules important for learning? 
• How can rules help to keep a classroom running smoothly?
• What often happens in a classroom that is void of rules?  

Google Doc with pictures:

• Create a Google Doc of your rules, then Hyperlink your Google Doc Link of the classroom rules you made.
• Include the consequences to your rules.  Rules are nothing but words, without consequences.  

Due Friday, Sept. 8 before class begins.
As always, you will need to follow the rubric.
Have a great week!