"Wise Teachers Make Learning A Joy"
-Chinese Proverb
-Chinese Proverb
Assignments:
- Read the introduction and through page 11 of the text.
- Please reflect on any ahas or main points.
- Share what you are already doing in your classrooms or daily lives that foster a "Fun-damental" Attitude.
- After going over the Pop Quiz on pages 10 and 11 reflect on your personal results.
Click on comments to add your thoughts, feelings and ideas
12 comments:
The text is very upbeat and easy to read, which is fitting for the topic! Although I'm sure we've all heard it before, I like that the beginning of the book stresses the fact that the way we act is contagious! If we are smiling, laughing, and approaching what we do with joy, it will be nearly impossible for students not to join in...even in middle school... The quiz really hit on some main points about how we approach our careers. I felt like my score reaffirmed that I do enjoy teaching (or maybe it's skewed because I took it during the summer?!) and that I'm on the right "laughing" track for the most part. One item that I think I really need to work on, however, is comparing classes from year to year. I have all of the students (6th, 7th, and 8th) for six weeks each year, and I am really bad about comparing them. If I really enjoyed a group as 7th graders, I get really excited about having them again as 8th graders. If they weren't so great, I tend to let that dampen my enthusiasm, when really that's the time I need to find ways to heighten my excitement. The best part of the quiz is definitely number 48--it is OUR choice what we make of it!
The text begins with a refreshing reminded that despite all of our challenges and struggles, we have a special opportunity to positively influence the lives of young people. When you are able to step back from the daily stresses of a teacher, it's nice to be reminded of this opportunity we have.
As a likely preview to the remainder of the book, the text states that creating a positive, engaging, and enthusiastic classroom is a choice that we all have. Teachers who are able to utlize this positive attitude will likely have more of an impact on their students. I would agree with this statement and tried to remember some of my favorite teachers...the ones I could remember were definently unique, "real", and had great senses of humor.
I try to develop great working relationships with my students, give them freedom to be creative, allow them to work with their peers to share ideas, encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions, and try to plan engaging activities for them to participate in. I also try to take time to discuss things that students are experiencing outside of class...many funny moments stem from these conversations and I know they appreciate that I take an interest and concern in their lives outside of the things we do during class time. I think that this sense of comfort and joy in the classroom is contageous as more and more students share suggestions, opinions, funny thoughts etc.
I scored well on the quiz, good too see I am not burnt out yet as this was only year one.
I like the following statement found on page 6, "It is my goal to get them so involved in the learning process, they won't have time to misbehave." In my experience, this is very true. The first year at the current school that I am at was not a great year for discipline. It is true that the students didn't have a great reputation that year, but I think the discipline problems were more of a result from my lack of knowing the curriculum. The activities were more mundane and I was more hesitant. Also, because I was stressed out, I wasn't creating a laughing classroom. At least not the type that I wanted. :-) The glass was definitely half empty that year. However, now I have a better handle on the curriculum and have stuck to that statement mentioned above a lot better. As a result, I have scored pretty well on that quiz, but I don't want to brag too much. :-)
The text is great reading and it was interesting to read about the 2 teachers. I feel bad when parents hear that grumbling, moaning teacher. We need more of the 2nd teacher. I'm looking at it from a teacher and parent's point of view.
As far as the quiz, it was neat to see where I fell in after 20 years of teaching. I scored well on the quiz and have a bight outlook. My one area is sometimes I get let others pull me in and I find myself complaining or criticizing about the educational system. I usually try to stay away from certain people and focus on what I can't change. I also realize that certain days or parts of the year are better than others. I'm sure that's true with everyone.
Someone did mention that maybe we scored higher because it's summer, we're feeling good, there's less stress, no classroom teaching with children, . . . but I also feel that our basic beliefs are still what they are!
I, similar to Jesse, like how the opening of the text reminds us that we have an opportunity to influence the lives of others every day. As teachers we impact the lives of our students every day, and in every class, whether it's positively or negatively. It's hard for students to be impacted in a negative way if we are smiling, laughing, and happy. A positive attitude is just as contagious as a negative one... The quiz highlighted a few things that I do well, and some things that I need to work on. I tend to measure success often by the students results and performance. I need to do a better job of seeing where students came from and where they are going, along with the process along the way. I also need to be more accepting to "receive love." I tend to stay emotionally distant from some of my students. I do feel that I do a good job of complimenting students and being open to new teaching methods (like taking this class). Over all, I think i need to keep the play full ball rolling, but maybe rolling on a more consistent basis.
I did not do well on the quiz. I knew I wouldn't. This was a very tough year for me. My department has become extremely negative (I spent as little time in the math office as possible and also resigned as department chair). The students were very apathetic, and beleive it or not, so were some of the parents. Someone asked me if I see myself retiring from teaching. I said I would be surprised if I lasted 10 more years. It seams teaching is no longer about teaching, but performing well on the WKCE.
Some of the questions on the quiz were hard to answer because I taught three levels of Algebra last year; Accelerated, Average, and the first year of a two year Algebra class. The Average and Accelerated students were very apethetic. However, I always looked forward to the two year Algebra class. We recently changed our curriculum and eliminated our fundamental courses. Every "non-labeled" ninth grader is in one of the three Algebra classes. It is great to see a low level or at risk student doing and understanding algebra.
I like how positive the book is. This class is already changing my attitude!
I prefer to walk on my lunch period instead of being around teachers in the lounge. I know everyone needs a place to vent their frustrations, but when it seems like every day there is a new jerk student, parent, administrator, etc. to complain about, I'd rather just stay away from that negativity. The quiz affirmed that I am indeed in the right career. I can easily do this until I retire. That's not to say that didn't count down the days in a few classes this year. Overall, I look forward to the start of every class and all we can get accomplished. Plus, I hear the incoming freshmen are awesome, so that gives me something to look forward to next year.
Kris, I think it's human nature to compare the different grade levels (btw my son Ryan was a 6th grader Gold Team in your class this year, so I hope that was the positive crew. They're really smart; I don't know about fun, though.)
I definitely failed the #5 Dictating Classroom Rules. What does that have to do with fun? I rule the classroom.
Here's the humor for today. When I finally got the text--- I already have it. I used it in a different class I took about 3 years ago. I have used some of the activities from time to time.
The text was very easy and quick to read. I enjoyed reviewing it again. The affirmation that we do need to make connections with our students, hopefully they will be positive ones. We are the role models for our students - hopefully we set a postive atmosphere for them.
As others have said, the text is a breeze to read. It's very accessible and easy to follow. One of the things that stood out to me is that laughter and humor can extend our life. That's pretty important to me.
The quiz was interesting. I'm sort of a mixed bag. I scored pretty well, but there are definitely things I need to work on. Sometimes I encounter a group of kids that I sour on and my attitude becomes negative. In general I have stong ideals for positivity and success in my classroom. I try to engage my students and have a fun, upbeat classroom. At times of high stress, though, I must admit that I try to find ways to make my job easier rather than making things easier and better for my students. It's a survival technique for me, but I can get in a rut of focusing on my personal job, rather than the jobs of my students.
It is the third of July and I got my book today, so I will try to catch up. I really am enjoying what I am reading. I took the book outside on this beautiful day and ended up reading 74 pages. I agree with Jesse, we have a special opportunity to positively influence the lives of young people. When we make learning fun the result is children who are life long learners. This is my number one goal as a teacher.
I did well on the quiz. It did make me think about areas I can improve on. Like Lori I sometime let the complainers suck me in. Sometimes it is just letting off steam. The one thing I do everyday is laugh with my fellow teachers. Five of us have lunch in one of our classrooms. Everyday someone tells a story or does something that has us all reaching for the Kleenex box to wipe the tears from laughing so hard. We are so lucky to have one teacher who has a great laugh. You can hear her in the morning coming down the hall. You just can’t help to smile when you hear that laugh.
As others have said, this book is easy and fun to read. I took the quiz and was not surprised to find I have a laughing classroom. When I began teaching, I was much more businesslike in the classroom. I focused a lot more on content and less on fun. Through the years, I have had a lot more success making learning fun.
As some others have stated, I have some very negative colleagues. To keep my attitude positive, I have found myself staying away from the complainers. Now, I stay in my classroom during lunch, instead of going to the office to hear all of the other teachers moaning about their slacker students and challenging parents. I have found my days are much cheerier, if I spend them out of the office.
I had a lot of A Ha's reading this text. I really enjoyed it as well. What inspiration these ladies had from some of American's funniest people. WOW!
As I was reading, I thought to myself...I really would love for my family and myself to laugh more...the side splitting laughter! It really is refreshing when that happens!
During my first year of teaching, I was told by some of my students that they always knew when I was in a bad mood or when it was going to be a "bad" day. They informed me that when I wore small earrings, that meant a "bad" day. When I wore big earrings, the class knew it was going to be a "good" day. After I learned that tidbit of information, I decided to wear big earring much more often. I noticed too, that when I wear brighter clothing, I am a much happier person.
I agree with the book, "...our attitude about our students and the learning process.", is definately in our hands.
Our attitude is totally up to us. We can choose to be positive or negative. What we choose to be, does affect our students and their learing. I want to be positive!
My score on the pop quiz was pretty high. Only because the limited teaching style seemed so extreme that I couldn't mark most of those true. My attitudes for teaching with the laughing versus the limiting teaching style is more in the middle of both..
Post a Comment