YOu decide
Instructions:
1. Read You be the Judge: A Teaching Career found on pages 5-7 of your Teachers, Schools, and Society textbook. In short answer format, respond to the reflection questions after reading the article:
Which of these arguments and issues are most influential in determining if teaching is a good fit for you? I would say the first argument is a strong one that resonated with me, the “You are not working alone…” I hate being stuck in front of a computer with minimal human interaction. The next two arguments that really hit home where that teachers are “constantly involved in intellectual matters” and “…to make a difference.” I love learning and really wish to pass on that love to the children I’ll teach.
Is there a particular point made that is more persuasive than another? Were there any aspects of teaching described that you had not thought of and may dissuade you from the field? What does that tell you about yourself? There were many persuasive points, like the ones I mentioned above plus long vacations, but the one I liked that I hadn’t thought about was a “teacher as an artist.” Aspects of the paper that where a dissuading were parts like the “Bog of mindless routine.” I understand that routine is important in the classroom, so day to day routine is something I’m expecting but I haven’t give much thought of what that would feel like year after year. But I think there are things one can do to cut down on the bog, like switching grade or subjects. I think what this tells me about myself is that I need change every once in a while.
On a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 is "really committed" to teaching, and 1 is "I want no part of that job," what number are you? I would say I’m an 8 in a scale of one to ten because even though I really want to be a teacher, I feel a little overwhelmed at times with all the things I still have to learn.
Remember that number as you read the text and go through this course - and see if you change that rating in the pages and weeks ahead.
1. Read You be the Judge: A Teaching Career found on pages 5-7 of your Teachers, Schools, and Society textbook. In short answer format, respond to the reflection questions after reading the article:
Which of these arguments and issues are most influential in determining if teaching is a good fit for you? I would say the first argument is a strong one that resonated with me, the “You are not working alone…” I hate being stuck in front of a computer with minimal human interaction. The next two arguments that really hit home where that teachers are “constantly involved in intellectual matters” and “…to make a difference.” I love learning and really wish to pass on that love to the children I’ll teach.
Is there a particular point made that is more persuasive than another? Were there any aspects of teaching described that you had not thought of and may dissuade you from the field? What does that tell you about yourself? There were many persuasive points, like the ones I mentioned above plus long vacations, but the one I liked that I hadn’t thought about was a “teacher as an artist.” Aspects of the paper that where a dissuading were parts like the “Bog of mindless routine.” I understand that routine is important in the classroom, so day to day routine is something I’m expecting but I haven’t give much thought of what that would feel like year after year. But I think there are things one can do to cut down on the bog, like switching grade or subjects. I think what this tells me about myself is that I need change every once in a while.
On a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 is "really committed" to teaching, and 1 is "I want no part of that job," what number are you? I would say I’m an 8 in a scale of one to ten because even though I really want to be a teacher, I feel a little overwhelmed at times with all the things I still have to learn.
Remember that number as you read the text and go through this course - and see if you change that rating in the pages and weeks ahead.
2. Go to Teachers.net and visit a teacher chat room and read a few postings. There are many topic areas to choose from and you can select one that reflects your particular career interests -- perhaps a specific subject or grade level. To begin, I suggest Latest Buzz on the Student Teacher Chat board or Master Teacher: Teachers who teach other teachers
As you "listen in" on the discussion, you construct a You Decide two column organizer formatted like page 5-7 (The Good News and The Bad News) of your text. Include at least one teacher quote to support each advantage and disadvantage you identify. Can you detect any differences between the comments of first-year and veteran teachers? How do their attitudes differ? Do the reflections made by veteran teachers change your initial thoughts on teaching?
As you "listen in" on the discussion, you construct a You Decide two column organizer formatted like page 5-7 (The Good News and The Bad News) of your text. Include at least one teacher quote to support each advantage and disadvantage you identify. Can you detect any differences between the comments of first-year and veteran teachers? How do their attitudes differ? Do the reflections made by veteran teachers change your initial thoughts on teaching?
The Good
Lesson Plans Each district has them and requires teachers to have a lesson plan for each class. The good thing is that as a teacher, you make sure your students are getting what they need because you planned ahead. Quote: You need to be very clear about what, exactly, you are teaching that day. The topic is not what you are teaching--you need to know what standard(s) you are working on and how you will determine whether students are understanding. Quote: As you gain experience, they(lesson plans) will come faster, but you can definitely expect to write detailed plans when you are student teaching. |
The Bad Lesson Plans It can get tedious having to write out lesson plans for every class. It can be very time consuming, especial for first year teachers. Quote: One principal requires a monthly unit submitted a month prior to when you'd teach it! In my area we don't do monthly units; it's just not feasible. Is it unrealistic to want a job where I can just plan as I see fit and teach? I am NOT saying we should(n’t) be accountable, but not every single plan really needs a full blown lesson plan. Quote: Even as a rookie "real teacher," I was required to submit a week's worth of lesson plans in advance, and administrators would walk into your room and demand to see your lesson plan. Woe unto you if you did not have it sitting out in plain view. Also, it was strictly forbidden to collaborate with fellow teachers on writing lesson plans, because "you are being evaluated on your lesson plans," and heaven forbid you should be trying to deceive them about your capabilities in order to keep your job and escape being nonrenewed at the end of the year. |
My thoughts: I can understand that having a detail lesson plan for each class is time consuming, but I do feel they are important. Like the first quote on the good side says, you need to know what standards your teaching and how to evaluate that students are understanding. You can’t just say, “Everyone understand?” have the class say yes and move on.