Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom

In chapter 1 the focus to me was on the idea of connecting with your students. As teachers we need to let our students know that we care and that they are in a safe environment. The focus was also treating kids as individuals and not as a group. We need to know the students and try to teach the best way that each of our students learn. This can be difficult but we can learn to reach all of the students.
Chapter 2 starts out talking about Maslow's hiearchy of needs. We need to make sure that basic needs are met so that the students can learn and are ready to learn. This chapter also goes into connecting to your students.

Hallmarks of a Differentiated Classroom

The first one I chose was; Absolute Clarity about what he or she wants the students to know, understand, and be able to do -about what is truly important to learn in this unit. I chose this one because if students understand what you want they will preform and do better in your class. The students will not be confused and trying to figure out what is going on.
The second one I chose was; Flexible use of time, space, and materials. I chose this one because it makes learning easier for the teacher and the students. The teacher can engage all of her students and can keep her/his sanity.
The third I chose was; Teacher's sights are high, just as student's sights are high. This I chose because I believe that the more we expect from our students the more they will do. Same thing if the students sights are high. They will push themselves to do more.

Morning Meetings

While reading the morning meeting packet I found that I want to do morning meetings. I kept thinking as I read that it is a good way to calm students down and get them ready to learn. I believe that it helps children get their wiggles out. They can then focus on doing the work. I know that it builds life long qualities they need.
I loved that the teachers invited the parents to come and observe morning meetings. It lets them know what their students are doing and gives them the chance to be part of the childrens lives at school.
I love the different parts of the morning meeting the greeting, the sharing and the group activity. The sharing is great for students to talk and learn more about each other. This also teaches them to listen to others and build a community. The group activity does the same thing you are connecting the children in an activity. They learn life skills that will always be useful.

Help Me Get to Know You

1. Talent: Good at organization
Interest: Reading, movies, books, and volleyball
Ability: My ability to connect with children

2. In school good grades motivate me.

3. I have loved the program and it has given great experiences.

4. Yes I can do the work and all the heavy reading.

5. I relate to my Professors very well and love the cohort I am in, everyone is amazing.

6. Social abilities is one of my biggest weaknesses I struggle with getting to know others but it is something I have been working on.

7. I don't think I have any major physical weaknesses, although I do tend to get low blood sugar and will probably eat while in class.

8. Work and family are my biggest stressors.

9. 1. I want to pass on my love of learning to all of my students or at least the majority.
2. I want to make sure that my students know that I want them to be in my classroom.

10. The qualities I love best about myself are how well I connect with children, love of education, and drive to get things done well and on time.

Mrs. Mack's 4th grade third week

So this week was slightly depressing because it was the last week. Kim and I had one lesson on Monday and then we were done. We used a venn diagram to review Shoshone and Navajo Indians. It was very fun and interesting for the students. The students were very sad on Friday because it was our last day. We brought in cookies to say goodbye and thank them for being such good kids. It was so exciting we enjoyed every minute we were there and was very sad to leave.

Teaching Mrs. Macks 4th Grade: 2nd week

So this week we were able to teach three lessons. The first one was continuing with the Navajo Native Americans and our focus was on legends. We had the kids review legends and why they are created. The students were then put in groups nad they wrote their own legends. The second lesson we were focusing on the Shoshone Native Americans. We created a powerpoint that we showed to them and discussed different things about the Shoshone. After the powerpoint we had them fill out a worksheet to help recall what was learned. The third lesson we talked to the students about pictographs. After teaching that we had them create their own pictographs and carve them into paris of plaster (Thanks to whoever did that in class, the kids loved it). it was a busy week but it was so fun. Hope everyone else is enjoying their classes.

Teaching Mrs. Mack's 4th Grade

This week was interesting. I loved getting to know the kids. It took a few days to learn the names but was fun to do. You figure out really fast who the troublemakers are and everyone else's personalities. Kim and I taught our first lesson. We did the lesson on the Navajo Indians and focused on one of there legends. We tried to use are video for teaching we had a few problems with the sound but other than that the digital story worked well. The students were very attentive and participated when appropriate. Some of the students in the class were in a play and Kim and I got the chance to see them present. They did an awesome job. It was amazing.