Others Influencing Others

To see other insights visit my classmates and their blogs.

Nicole
http://busybeeblog-misshare.blogspot.com/

Tracy
http://tracyperry97.blogspot.com/


Lisa
miss-greene.blogspot.com

Bethany
http://miss-jacobson.blogspot.com/

Kristi R.
http://missraysblog7.blogspot.com/

Cassie
http://mrsprestonsblog.blogspot.com/

Literature to Create Learning

Throughout school we were constantly told to read this and read that, but the connections were never really made. The enjoyment wasn't really there. Though in the beggining it seemed very demanding, we were assigned multiple books to read. In the end though it was enjoyment, and it got me hooked on new books.

Our professors were able to give us books that we could use in the classroom, they're elementary appropriate level. They are currently popular in that age group. But best of all they were able to connect them to other things to learn.

The best thing about the group I am in in Blocks is that our group is great at having Grand Discussions. We all have our own view on things and respect eachother and sometimes even change our views after hearing other's thoughts. But it is through discussion that we learn that you can make it meaningful. I might see one point, but because of our conversations I can see ways my students may see things.

Integrating Activities and Ideas

It is constantly being mentioned that a good lesson can easily connect to other ideas and subjects. Through this semester we have been shown this multiple ways. Though not everyone in our block is currently in my Music class, but beleive it or not my Music class has been one of the best supporters of integration. It has been from someone with great passion for what she does that she tries to keep it alive as much as possible in school, and she has learned that to do this integration works. Last week in Literature we began to talk of the Under Ground Railroad, at this point a select few of us in class began to giggle a bit. Not because we thought the subject was funny, but because just the Tuesday before when we were in music our teacher had just taught us all of this. Of course both teachers then connected the lesson to Social Studies.

It has also been shown to us multiple times through the semester in the stories we read. Even though we read Esperansa Rising in one class for one teacher, we were able to bring it up in conversation in our other class.

So why do we not have the time to teach all subjects in school?

It is through integration that you connect learning so that students receive more from it. Nothing is Black and White.

Where Do You Belong?

Through a fun filled group project my Social Studies class divided into multiple groups and all picked a decade to represent. It's is phenomenal how much the decades influence each other and have such a vast difference within those ten years of itself.

My group that was pretty awesome to work with focused on the 80's. It was very interesting to see how the fads have been drifting in and out in the last twenty or so years. Some in our group were able to find their outfits in their parents' closets where some of us were able to go to Meijer and by brand new clothes that looked like they came from the 80's.

We can still constantly heat music from the 80's, but it was one song individually that influenced our presentation. Sweet Child of Mine is the song that any girl dreams of her daddy singing, so we transformed that into Sweet Child of the 80's to represent the things that a child in the 80's would be living through.

Though I very much enjoyed this project if I were to do it in a classroom there would be much to change. Students in my future classes may not be as dependable in finishing with so little instruction, and I can already assume that they will not have the extensive resource that our group had. Each member of my group was easily able to go to family for ideas, whereas my students may not have that support at home.Also my group is made up of individuals all able to go out and spend a little money to have what they want, whereas that will not be an option for my students most likely.

Community Resources

What a great way to connect students to the world around them than using close to home resourses.

Our class took a field trip, yes we're in college, and yes we're still young enough to go on field trips and yes we still have to sign permision slips.

On the Westward side of South bend you can find this little area of History that is complete with knowledgable adults to guide you through it. Our class broke into groups allowing us to venture where our interests wanted. Which is also another great option in trying to get your students to learn more. Interests guided learning becomes more personal and less academic. If the students have choice then they have less are to complain because they had that freedom. The only challenge in this is making sure that students are truely going where they would like and not just with their friends.

Shoe Box Activity

What a great way to learn about the people in your new found community? Give them the the instructions to bring in a Shoe Box filled with items that are precious to them, items that mean something, or just items they can't live with out. Now you can get a wide variety of box sizes, but it'll be interesting to see what you'll find inside.

For mine I have a good little collection, and there are a few items that can have different meaning. For instance in the lower portion of the picture there is a toy cake knife. I love to cook. But also I love to play with my daughter and she loves to play in her kitchen. But then there is also the connection that a knife could mean protection.

In order for you to get the full affect of the items you would need for each person to explain their items.

A lesson to learn early in life is to never assyme something of a person just because of one item!