Teacher Cadets

Writing tips

Ideas

• focuses on a specific experience or event
• provides the reader an engaging picture of what is happening and who is involved
• lots of specific details and dialogue
• makes readers want to know what happens next

Organization

• has a clear beginning that hooks the reader
• includes ideas in an organized manner
• uses transitions to link sentences and paragraphs

Voice

• speaks knowledgeably and/or enthusiastically
• makes it apparent that you, the writer, are interested in the topic

Word Choice

• specific nouns, vivid verbs, and descriptive adjectives

Sentence Style

• flows from one idea to the next
• varies sentence structure and length

Spelling

• Accurate!

Proofread!

Think-about #1

I thought I'd toss out a thought I had about teaching and learning and invite your responses. I'm going to call these thoughts think-abouts. So as we do this, if you have a "think-about" share it with me and perhaps you can be a guest author on the class blog. So here goes my first "think-about".......

Once you enter your classrooms, if you are trying new things, you can expect to have lots of learning experiences.There is much to learn!  You are starting out knowing very little about how each student thinks and learns. The odds are that you won't successfully hit every student's communication and learning strategy the first time so not all your results will be successful. Don't view these experiences as failures. View them as feedback.You can say, "Wow! I sure learned how not to do it that time!" or "Hey, I really didn't do that so well so what can I learn from this experience?" You can re-think the meaning of the word failure, and replace it with the word lesson or gift.

So remember: There are no failures in learning : only outcomes and feedback.
                                           and
Feedback is critical to successful teaching.

What are your thoughts?

First Observations

Take a glimpse at the initial observations of the elementary school classrooms.

Alexandra.....

I only go there for about an hour but I have already graded papers, made worksheet packets, taken lot of kids to the nurse, and given out tests.

Jan.....

I have recently learned that even if you have a really bad week, you can't let your personal problems affect the way you work or teach.  It was hard for me not to get down on myself, but the kids in the class sometimes helped me to not feel as bad. 

Jeleysa.....

My classroom is very colorful and attractive.  It was very cute how they all had there little coat rack and how everything was organized in a fun way.The kids are so cute.  They are so smart, too.

Karen.....

First impressions are always very important! Especially when you are new to a school with kids 4 or 3 years younger than you.

Mary.....

When I first walked into the classroom I noticed that it was very bright and had a lot of posters all over the room. I also noticed that  the teacher had labeled a lot of things so that the children would know what it is and also how it is spelled.

Nicole.....

A lot of the students have surprised me with their journals. At a kindergarten level, some of the kids are writing complete sentences on their own. There is a wide rang of skills in the class. Some students are still learning to write their letters, and some of the students are writing full sentences. All of the kids I am working with are all very different, but they are very enjoyable.

Tiffany.....

I get to read to the kids at the beginning of reading and I learned when they don't like the book you will know. I had a great time at the school and I now I'll have more. What can I do to get the kids more interested in the books?

Spotlight on Tiffany!

Wow! What a way to begin the new year! I arrived at the class and Mrs. Stamps, the classroom teacher, shared this great email from a principal at the elementary school where Tiffany was assigned. The spotlight was on Tiffany! And for what a good reason! You will love this story!

Tiffany found $700 in cash in the school parking lot! Tiffany turned the envelope in to the school bookkeeper. The principal thought Tiffany's teacher and her parents should know about this and wanted the teacher to share this wonderful example of honesty and integrity. What a role model she is for all of us.

She deserves this blue ribbon! We are so proud of her! Our young people do so many good things and often times are not recognized for them as much as we would like. So we want to take the opportunity to recognize Tiffany on the class blog.  Be sure to read her blog post about her first experiences at the school She exhibits other good character traits like kindness, caring, concern and helpfulness. Just read her final quote in her post:

What can I do to get the kids more interested in the books?

Many good things go on with all the students in this class. The younger students you are reaching out to will teach you many good things as you try to help them and their teacher. Keep up the good posts and remember to be on the look out for the good things your "younger students" do and recognize them on your posts! Comment on your friend's blogs who are working in other elementary schools. You are quite a team!

Happy New Year

Hello Teacher Cadets! I know all of you are scattered here and there and have received your placements for your classrooms. I can't wait to hear all about it. It is an exciting time. You get to be in real classrooms - let the real learning begin!

I hope you all had a very restful and wonderful holiday season. Isn't it nice to have time with family and friends! I know you came back ready to participate in your teaching experience.

Be thinking about your reactions and what you have been learning from your teacher and the children. I'm sure we'll be blogging away as soon as we can get to the lab on Friday. I can't wait!  See you then!