What?
Learning differences. We all learn differently so it's important for us as educators to be aware of the many different styles and methods to teach concepts. If we know a student in our class has a disability of some type, or that a student learns best in a specific way, we should do our best to prepare our materials in a way that will be beneficial to them as well as the other students. I know that it would be impossible to cater to the learning needs of every single student, but in an ideal situation we will have many aids and teachers in our class who can help us to teach concepts in many ways.
So What?
This is so important because there are endless possiblities for students and their learning needs. The more aware we are of these abilities and learning styles, the more equipped we will be to educate these students in the most effective way for them.
Now What?
Now I will do all I can to familiarize myself with different disabilities I will most likely be faced with in my classroom. In one of the classes I am an aid for now, we have several disabilities that I am able to be exposed to. I really feel it has been beneficial because I have learned so much about students and their abilities that I would not have otherwise known. The more time I spend with these kids and learning about them, the more I love them.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
09-21-2008 IQ & Multiple Intelligences Test Results
IQ Test Results
I scored 115 on my IQ test.
My IQ test results actually surprised me. I was slightly above the average person (who scores about 100). I actually thought I would be well below the average because I don't think I am very intelligent. I guess if intelligence is measured by how well you can pick out patterns in numbers and determine what shape will come next, then I may be more "intelligent" than I thought.
I don't know what I thought about the intelligence test. I hadn't imagined intelligence as being measured by the things the test asked. I always thought it was measured by the amount of "book smarts" and overall knowledge a person has, versus being able to determine what number will come next in a sequence. Although the test is probably not very accurate, it was still entertaining to take.
Multiple Intelligences Test Results
The multiple intelligences test I took showed me scoring highest in the naturalist intelligence. Interpersonal and intrapersonal were almost a tie for 2nd and 3rd place.
According to Gardner, someone who scores high in the naturalist intelligence has the ability to recognize patterns in nature and differences among various life-forms and natural objects. A relevant behavior would be identifying members of a particular plant or animal species.
Someone who scores high in the interpersonal intelligence has the ability to notice subtle aspects of other people's behaviors. A relevant behavior would be detecting another person's underlying intentions and desires.
Someone who scores high in the intrapersonal intelligence has an awareness of their own feelings, motives, and desires.
I found these results interesting. I wasn't surprised that I scored high in the naturalist intelligence because I have always been someone who loves animals, plants, and nature.
However, I was surprised that I scored high in both the inter and intrapersonal intelligences. At first I didn't see how someone could score high in both categories. But the more I thought about it, I realized that being someone with intrapersonal intelligence means I have an awareness of myself and my thoughts, feelings, and motives. So if I'm able to read my own emotions, it would make sense that I am able to read those of others as well.
I thought the test was interesting. It was very quick and from what I can tell, pretty accurate.
I scored 115 on my IQ test.
My IQ test results actually surprised me. I was slightly above the average person (who scores about 100). I actually thought I would be well below the average because I don't think I am very intelligent. I guess if intelligence is measured by how well you can pick out patterns in numbers and determine what shape will come next, then I may be more "intelligent" than I thought.
I don't know what I thought about the intelligence test. I hadn't imagined intelligence as being measured by the things the test asked. I always thought it was measured by the amount of "book smarts" and overall knowledge a person has, versus being able to determine what number will come next in a sequence. Although the test is probably not very accurate, it was still entertaining to take.
Multiple Intelligences Test Results
The multiple intelligences test I took showed me scoring highest in the naturalist intelligence. Interpersonal and intrapersonal were almost a tie for 2nd and 3rd place.
According to Gardner, someone who scores high in the naturalist intelligence has the ability to recognize patterns in nature and differences among various life-forms and natural objects. A relevant behavior would be identifying members of a particular plant or animal species.
Someone who scores high in the interpersonal intelligence has the ability to notice subtle aspects of other people's behaviors. A relevant behavior would be detecting another person's underlying intentions and desires.
Someone who scores high in the intrapersonal intelligence has an awareness of their own feelings, motives, and desires.
I found these results interesting. I wasn't surprised that I scored high in the naturalist intelligence because I have always been someone who loves animals, plants, and nature.
However, I was surprised that I scored high in both the inter and intrapersonal intelligences. At first I didn't see how someone could score high in both categories. But the more I thought about it, I realized that being someone with intrapersonal intelligence means I have an awareness of myself and my thoughts, feelings, and motives. So if I'm able to read my own emotions, it would make sense that I am able to read those of others as well.
I thought the test was interesting. It was very quick and from what I can tell, pretty accurate.
Monday, September 15, 2008
09-15-2008 Chapter 4: Group Differences
What?
Group/Gender Differences
As we grow up, we are taught that there are certain things that are more appropriate for boys than for girls and more appropriate for girls than boys. For instance, we typically think of those with occupations like nurse or teacher as being women. We would imagine fire fighters and construction workers to be men. Now it is beginning to be believed that we should not plant these ideas or images in children's heads because men and women are crossing these "boundaries" all of the time. We do not want to restrict children by making them believe there are things that only men, or only women, can do.
So what?
So we need to teach children that they can do whatever they want without a fear of being ridiculed or exiled. We need to do what we can to eliminate these pre-conceived notions they may have of what is and is not okay for the different genders. There are increasingly more children who may even have questions about their own gender, so we need to do all we can to ensure they are comfortable being who they are.
Group/Gender Differences
As we grow up, we are taught that there are certain things that are more appropriate for boys than for girls and more appropriate for girls than boys. For instance, we typically think of those with occupations like nurse or teacher as being women. We would imagine fire fighters and construction workers to be men. Now it is beginning to be believed that we should not plant these ideas or images in children's heads because men and women are crossing these "boundaries" all of the time. We do not want to restrict children by making them believe there are things that only men, or only women, can do.
So what?
So we need to teach children that they can do whatever they want without a fear of being ridiculed or exiled. We need to do what we can to eliminate these pre-conceived notions they may have of what is and is not okay for the different genders. There are increasingly more children who may even have questions about their own gender, so we need to do all we can to ensure they are comfortable being who they are.
Now what?
Now I will take what I have learned about gender differences and equity and apply it to my own classroom. I will do all I can not to stereotype certain genders into specific categories or areas. I think watching my vocabulary and not using policeMAN, fireMAN, and mailMAN but rather police officer, fire fighter, and mail carrier will make a differences. It's a small thing but it may help to eliminate some of those gender schemas the students may already have.
9-15-08 Chapter 1: Ed Psych. & Teacher Decision Making
What??
There are several things an educator should keep in mind at all times:
- What we say and do will have an impact on students.
- Addressing social-emotional aspects is not separate from the core.
- All students enter shcool wishing to learn and succeed.
- Students will be more responsive if basic needs are met first.
- Parents are our partners, not our adversaries.
So What??
I can take these 5 statements and incorporate them into my thoughts. If I wake up every day and repeat these to myself, I will keep them in the forefront of my mind and I can use them. If I am constantly reminding myself that all the students want to learn and succeed, and that they will be more responsive if I am meeting their basic needs, it will improve my teaching and their learning.
Now What??
Now I need to put into practice repeating these 5 statements to myself. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to start trying this now, rather than waiting until I am actually in a classroom. I really believe in these statements and think that if all educators believed them, there would be more success in classrooms.
There are several things an educator should keep in mind at all times:
- What we say and do will have an impact on students.
- Addressing social-emotional aspects is not separate from the core.
- All students enter shcool wishing to learn and succeed.
- Students will be more responsive if basic needs are met first.
- Parents are our partners, not our adversaries.
So What??
I can take these 5 statements and incorporate them into my thoughts. If I wake up every day and repeat these to myself, I will keep them in the forefront of my mind and I can use them. If I am constantly reminding myself that all the students want to learn and succeed, and that they will be more responsive if I am meeting their basic needs, it will improve my teaching and their learning.
Now What??
Now I need to put into practice repeating these 5 statements to myself. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to start trying this now, rather than waiting until I am actually in a classroom. I really believe in these statements and think that if all educators believed them, there would be more success in classrooms.
Monday, September 8, 2008
9-8-08 Motivation
1. Why are you here?
- I am here because I want to be someone who makes a difference in children's lives. I have had several people in my family who have been teachers and I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for them because I have been able to see what they have done, and how they have helped others.
2. What motivates you?
- Success is one thing that I know motivates me. Everyone wants to do well and succeed in what they do. Money is also a motivator for me. I am much happier about going to work when I know there will be a pay check in 2 weeks.
3. Why do you succeed?
- I have found that I am much more likely to succeed when I put lots of time and effort into things. It's been really difficult for me in college classes because in middle and high school I didn't have to put in any effort. School has always come easily for me so I never really had to study. Now that school is actually difficult, I have found I have to put an immense amount of time and effort into things in order to succeed.
Also, having support from family and friends has helped me. When my husband encourages me to get my school work done, rather than suggesting we go out to dinner or to a movie, it really helps me feel motivated to succeed. My mom has also helped me a lot already this semester with homework which has contributed to my success.
4. Why do you fail?
- I fail when I feel I can't do something or that trying would be a waste of time because I won't succeed or do well anyway. I find myself getting very stressed and overwhelmed with everything that is going on in my life, and I give up.
5. How do you need to change your perspective and/or motivations in order to succeed in the elementary education program and become a GREAT!!!!!!! teacher?
- I need to prioritize and not procrastinate!! I am always finishing today, what is due tomorrow. Life would be much less stressful if I stayed on top of things. I really need to use my time over the weekend to complete school work, instead of just play!
- I am here because I want to be someone who makes a difference in children's lives. I have had several people in my family who have been teachers and I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for them because I have been able to see what they have done, and how they have helped others.
2. What motivates you?
- Success is one thing that I know motivates me. Everyone wants to do well and succeed in what they do. Money is also a motivator for me. I am much happier about going to work when I know there will be a pay check in 2 weeks.
3. Why do you succeed?
- I have found that I am much more likely to succeed when I put lots of time and effort into things. It's been really difficult for me in college classes because in middle and high school I didn't have to put in any effort. School has always come easily for me so I never really had to study. Now that school is actually difficult, I have found I have to put an immense amount of time and effort into things in order to succeed.
Also, having support from family and friends has helped me. When my husband encourages me to get my school work done, rather than suggesting we go out to dinner or to a movie, it really helps me feel motivated to succeed. My mom has also helped me a lot already this semester with homework which has contributed to my success.
4. Why do you fail?
- I fail when I feel I can't do something or that trying would be a waste of time because I won't succeed or do well anyway. I find myself getting very stressed and overwhelmed with everything that is going on in my life, and I give up.
5. How do you need to change your perspective and/or motivations in order to succeed in the elementary education program and become a GREAT!!!!!!! teacher?
- I need to prioritize and not procrastinate!! I am always finishing today, what is due tomorrow. Life would be much less stressful if I stayed on top of things. I really need to use my time over the weekend to complete school work, instead of just play!
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