Lesson 8 Assignment

Now that you have created your own blog and used it through the previous eight lessons, describe in detail how you will use your blogging skills in your classroom.

I will use my blogging skills in the classroom, perhaps by posting assignments each night for what is assigned.  Also, I can post instructions and directions for each mathematics assignment.  Also, I can post newsletters for parents, so that they can know what is going on in the classroom.  I can also post resources, such as khanacademy.org, and I can find other ways to use Blogger for the classroom.

Lesson 7 Response

After reading and pondering the debate about teens lacking adult reasoning capacity, yet being held to adult consequences, what do you think this means for you as a teacher?

I think, as a teacher, I need to teach students how to be mature, adult learners.  I need to allow students to accept responsibility.  Especially since I teach seniors for the most part, I think that I need to show them what it means to be as an adult.  I also need to teach them reasoning and logic skills to some degree.  I believe, in the second semester, that I need to be more strict about student deadlines.  Rather than accepting late work, I need to, to some degree, have students turn things in on time.  I need to determine; however, how to make consequences for student actions.  I deal with Title I students, making these students a different population of students.  Mainly, I am going to make sure these students learn responsibility and allow them to develop in their adult reasoning capacity.

Lesson 6 Response

After watching the videos on Math and Music, how does this information impact you as a teacher?


This information about math and music impact me as a teacher, because I find math and music more useful.  Being a math teacher, I believe I can try to relate math concepts more to everyday life.  I believe this can help the students learn and be a part of the process.  I also believe that I can integrate music in the curriculum.   I will try to find ways to integrate music within the curriculum.  Making connections may help students to find interest in the concept being learned.  I believe I have a lot to look into regarding music and math, so that students may be more interested in learning the material.

Lesson 5 Response

After watching the videos on Language and Reading, how does this information impact you as a teacher?

I believe that this information helps me as a teacher, because I truly believe that a lot of these students did not receive good training on reading, as well as language.  A lot of times, students do not seem to understand what I say the first time, so I have to repeat myself.  I believe that they did not receive good training, or for some reason, many struggled.  I believe some received the proper training; however, I believe a good number did not.  I believe that I can help them in certain aspects.  I am able to be patient with them, and explain to them what something means.  I also can try to help develop their skill sets (in at least limited fashion).  I believe that I can ensure to be there to help them, and understand that they are not coming from a place where their brains are fully developed.  While I believe it is possible, I believe that they did not have life easy (especially since I work with Title I students).

Lesson 4 Response

What does it mean to be relational as a teacher? How will you interact with your students to accomplish this?

According to Martin Haberman, in the book Star Teachers, connecting with kids (or being relational) is about "establishing a positive relationship with the students" (2005, p. 9).

I will interact with my students each day with students in mind.  I will do my best to always try to connect with them, each day.  I will teach; however, I will also attempt to make connections.  According to the lesson, that is really important.  I especially find this true in Title I schools.  Being relational is about maintaining and establishing relationships.  This means being relational with other teachers, with administration, with students, and with all others on the school campus.  I will do my best to always care for the students.  I will do my best to look after them, and make sure that their best interests are in the forefront of my mind.

Lesson 3 Reflection

After watching the videos on Attention, Emotions and Learning, describe how this information impacts you as a teacher.

After watching the attention video, I was very surprised to find out that a lot of students' attention is due to how they were raised.  I also found that stress does a lot on the brain.  I think that I need to try to help them concentrate for longer periods of time.  I think it also makes my job more difficult.  I think that I have a lot to do above and beyond my duties, which I find extremely difficult.

After watching the emotions and learning video, I found that stress has a lot to do with emotions and learning.  I believe that a lot of the students I teach have difficulty with home lives.  I also believe that some of these students have had interactions that have been toxic to their brains.  While I believe that they can overcome this, I believe that it is difficult for some.  I think that I need to really do my best to provide a nurturing and non-stressful environment in the classroom, which I do not know how to do.  I believe I have taken a difficult teaching job, and I believe that even the seniors in college algebra have a lot of difficulties with math.

Lesson 2 Response

After watching the videos on Vision and Hearing, describe how this information impacts you as a teacher.

After watching the videos on Vision and Hearing, I find that this helps keep things in perspective.  I believe that it gives me reason to be patient with students.  While it is hard at times, I believe that I need to recognize that some students have vision and hearing issues that have not been seen for a long time.  Instead of detecting problems early, the students may have had to deal with those problems for a long period of time.  It helps me feel more compassionate towards students.

I also believe that the videos were good information.  I believe that if I ever choose to work with younger kids, it would help me detect these early warning signs.  I can advise the parents to get the vision problems looked at, or refer the child at the school to those types of specialists.

Lesson 1 Response

After watching the videos on brain architecture, plasticity, and understanding the impact of the environment on a child, how does this information impact you as a teacher?


As a teacher, I think that these videos on brain architecture, plasticity, and understanding really have a strong effect.  I feel that sometimes, I may not offer the most nurturing environment.  I do my best to encourage students; however, I believe at times that the students give me attitude.  Rather than taking it as something that they cause, I may need to think about how I can give the students a nurturing environment.  Also, at times, there is a lot of talking amongst students.  Potentially, maybe I am not creating enough of a learning environment.  At the same time, I find it difficult to design interesting and unique lessons, especially when it comes to college algebra and advanced algebra 2.

I am going to do my best to focus on fostering learning, and I am going to do my best to create a culture of learning within my classroom.  Rather than being frustrated with the students, perhaps I can ask them how we can make class more interesting and cultivate a culture of learning.  However, I will have to take their suggestions with a grain of salt.  Also, I need to better figure out what battles to fight, in regards to classroom management.

I believe that my biggest goal will continue to be that I would engage the students each day.  While this goal is big, I need to show the students that I care.  Also, I need to get all the support I can in teaching.  I am going to do my best to structurally help build the students' understanding as I "build a house" of learning.  I did not realize that students still have a long way to go before reaching full adulthood.  That helps me realize why even 17 year-old students are still kids, in a certain way.  Also, I believe that many of my students did not have a pleasant environment growing up, which creates difficulty for when they come to college algebra.  I am going to do my best to develop trust with them, as well as confidence.