Motivation

Motivation... It seems like a challenge that all teachers face and I have read mean of my classmates blogs that have this same topic for their blogs as well. I think motivation is something that we have to work hard, as teachers, to get students engaged and keep them engaged.

I have certain classes that are really great, and then others where students are continually complaining. They complain even if they have to get out their pencil in class. Other classes (usually 7th period- last class of the day) that doesn't seem to want to work or do anything at all.

I sometimes struggle trying to get them to take notes and write things down even if I say, you will turn in your notes to be graded. I know there are ways to motivate, such as candy/rewards/games; however are these appropriate to always use to motivate students? I guess the biggest thing is trying to relate to students on their level. So possibly I should work harder at figuring out how to turn the lesson on "boring" (to them) mutual funds in personal finance class and try to spice up the lesson with different activities to get them moving around...

Any suggestions?

Business Simulations

During my first placement, our students were just finishing up the word, excel, and publisher units. My cooperating teacher and I decided to do a project that would integrate all three. The students were hired for a company where they were basically hired as the office assisant. They were required to keep a time card for their hours of work and their tasks were to create business documents, such as memo's, invitations, letters, emails, flyers, and etc for their boss.

There were two different simulations, one was more challenging then the other; however the students didn't know this. The students who were usually finished with work early and needed challenged were assigned to the harder simulation and the other students were assigned to the other. We assigned students to simulations the class according to their learning styles. They had a list of task that they were to complete and were allowed to go at their own pace.

The project/simulation was really good for the students to put to work what they learned into a real life office procedures job. It was a good way to integrate all the material that was previously learned.

The students really seemed to enjoy this activity and took ownership and pride for their work. I suggest other business students to try this in their classrooms as well!

BLOGS in the Classroom

When we first got this assignment, I will be honest, I kept putting it off and off, because it just seemed like a lot of busy work; however I am really enjoying reading everyone's different strategies and posts. I am planning on using some of them in my classroom!

Also, Steve was telling us in our Business Methods class about using blogs in his classroom for his students. He had each student create a blog and then respond to a prompt or current event. Then each student would respond to some of their classmates blogs. I think this is a great teaching tool and it integrates technology that most of these students love to do!

I am going to try to set up BLOGS for the students in my classroom!

Strategy Observation

I have enjoyed doing observation of other teachers at Imbler High School. I have really enjoyed seeing the difference in teaching from classroom to classroom. I sat in on a Advanced Math class and really enjoyed it. (I actually LOVE math!)

Anyways, after going through problems, the students were told to work on their homework assignment until the bell rang or they were given the option to work on their project. Immediately most students pulled at these blue print (their project) and begin working on that. I was curious what they were working on, so I asked the teacher what their project was. They were designing a bridge by finding angles and many other things. It was a real life bridge that the actual teacher had built that summer and when they finished he would show them his blue print and compare. This was an extensive project that was going to be going on throughout the entire semester and they only had their free time to work on it. It was a really neat project especially since the students were actually related math to what they would possibly use what they are learning during that class in a future job.

Haven't tried it...Fishbowl Discussions

I would really like to try the fishbowl discussions. I haven't tried it, but when we do this in our EOU classes they go over really well. I think that getting students to cooperate at times would be hard, but I think overall this is a great way for student to learn. Not only learning is taking place, but students are able to use communication skills with their neighbor and then as a group.

I think this strategy would add something new to the classroom and there are many issues that need to be discussed throughout the semester in Business.

Failed...SMART BOARD

I decided to intergrate technology into the classroom. I know the students love working with the interwrite electronic whiteboards (Smart pad). So I came up with a lesson working on proofreading where students would go around and correct sentences. This class had about 25 students.

I didn't realize how long it would take each student to correct one sentence and it took about the entire class period to let every student correct one sentence. I hadn't planned for this and the task got tedious and boring. After students were done with their turn they didn't want to wait as each student was able to use the smart pad. It also put students on the spot to be able to perform using the technology that they hadn't had much practice with.

If I could do the lesson over again, I would have 5 to 10 student volunteer to make corrections and come up in front of the class and make the correct changes, still using the smart pad. Students that dind't get called upon would have a chance the following day and so on. I think this would have worked better.

Live and learn right?

CIS Jr.

I have taught CIS (Careers Information Systems) to my careers class and they have created profiles, interest, and research using the CIS website. It went really well and there is a lot of useful information on the site for the students to use and document. The CIS actually keeps their account active 5 years after they graduate. It creates personalized resumes which is a neat feature the students can go back into and edit information and still have their resume that they create in high school on file.

So, I heard about this pilot program with the CIS "Jr." that was being created and tested this year for middle school students. I thought it would be great to pilot the program and try it with the 7th and 8th grade classes. I sat in a web conference and I am really excited about starting it. It is going to be my work sample for this placement and I will be starting in two weeks after spring break!

I will let you all know how it goes!