Blog #2

The phrase "emotions trumps learning" means that the first and foremost feeling that people need to feel is safety and comfort. If a person feels safe and comfortable in their environment then they will be open to many opportunities. Creating a safe and comfortable environment falls into this phrase when teaching. If a child feels threatened with their environment then all ability to learn will shut down. Their instinct turns to surviving and not to learning anything new.



How does this affect me and my views on teaching? I think that it will be extremely important for me as a teacher to create a very welcoming and enjoyable environment from the first day of school. That would be the first step for creating a productive and safe learning environment. If a child starts their first day of school in a warm, safe and welcoming class, their ability of learn will increase. A teacher needs to not only have an inviting class, but they also need to make contact with each student on a daily basis acknowledging their presence in the class and making them feel wanted, needed and safe within the classroom. As I become a teacher, making sure that my students feel safe and happy within the class will not only help to increase their learning ability but it will also create a situation where they will want to be at school learning.

Appealing Statements

1. "Effective teaching defies any set of "rules for practice": this statement is so true and I feel that going by a distinct set of rules and guidelines when teaching does not create a teacher that will have any life changing effect on a student. There are so many diversities that come into play in a classroom, that as a teacher you need to be able to examine them and find unique and interesting ways in which to connect with your diverse classroom. If you follow a set pattern for teaching then you will lose most of your students and they will now learn effectively.

2. Purpose like power and contribution, is a factor in developing a sense of self-efficacy: People need to feel that there is a reason why they should be doing something. Whether it is learning or working. If you feel that there is not a purpose in what you are doing then you will feel powerless and not be able to perform effectively. Students need to feel what they are learning is important. To do this a teacher needs to put excitement into their learning to make their students feel excitement and the want to learn.

3. Opportunity means enlivening the classroom: I love this statement! This is what I want to do in my classroom. Give my students the opportunity that I did not have. Get away from the textbook learning. Add hands-on activities. Learning that does not always mean sitting at your desk. Make it interesting and fun, so my students want to learn and they will jump at the opportunity to learn. That is my goal as a teacher in the classroom.

Blog #1

1. My favorite book for children is "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White. I would like to use this book in my classroom because not only is it a classic, but it is a great teaching tool for all ages. Reading this story in class helps students to understand the importance of friendship and trust as well as creating a love for animals.
2. My 3 favorite T.V. shows are The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Weeds, and Seinfeld. I do not watch much T.V. and prefer movies when I get a minute.
3. I collect heart shaped rocks. I have a large collection that I have acquired since I was a little girl. The Native Americans believe that heart shaped rocks bring good luck to the finder, just like a four leaf clover.
4. I have not kept many journals in my life. I love pictures, but I do not write much. My journals that I have started never acquired much writing.
5.My first choice for an after school group would be a book club, second would be art or music appreciation, and my third choice would be world peace.
6. My only art class I ever took was a pottery class. I loved the class and have always wanted to take more. I find that my time is very limited right now and I am hoping that I can return to this sometime very soon.
7.My only musical experience was when I was in elementary school and I took piano lessons in the evening. I never found my musical talents, but I admire anyone with musical talents and would love so much to have them myself. Because of my inability to play or learn I do go see many types of music whenever I get a chance. In the near future I would like to try the guitar and see if I can figure that one out.
8.My dance experience include ballet when I was 3years old and dancing whenever I go see music. I also love to take my family to the ballet and we see 1-2 shows every year.
9. I have never taken any drama or theater. 10. I think it was when and how I grew up that I have missed out on the arts. Because of this I have my children take art classes, dance classes and music classes. And they do love them. I also make sure that I give them every opportunity I can to take them to any artistic performances as I feel that the enjoyable and pleasing.