After watching Mr. Holland's Opus and Music of the Heart I began to remember how much of an impact teachers have on their students' lives. Both Mr. Holland and Roberta had troubles at the begining. He was a composer who used teaching as a fallback, and she was a divorced, navy wife, violinist who had only taught her kids to play the violin. She wanted to be a famous violinist but one of her professors told her not to and she decided to fall back on teaching.
Amazingly enough, these two real life people turned out to be outstanding teachers. It may have taken them a while to get to their greatness as teachers but they were. It was great how they both made something interesting by relating what their students know to what they are learning. They made their students love what they taught because both teachers had passion for their music.
I also had a teacher who impacted my life just as much as they did for their students. He had so much passion that I loved listening to him talk and watching how he would teach and get us involved in our learning. He teaches becuase he loves it- which is an amazing thing.
As a future teacher, I hope to impact my students in the way that my teacher had and the way that these amazing teachers did.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What about those other subjects?
Standardized tests are extremely controversial in the education world. Some people think they are great because they can show us how our students are doing in these subjects and also how are teachers are doing. It can show the rate of improvement of our students each year. Although these are great, I don't think the standardized tests are worth it in the long run. If students aren't doing as well as society would like, schools will be forced to teach to the tests. Although, our society would benefit, I don't think it would be the beneficial for our students.
As a future Music Educator, they don't really apply to what I would be teaching or what my students would be learning. If all students only focused on science, math, reading and writing, everyone would be the same. Without music, the arts, sports, languages, etc., our kids would not get the chance to be well-rounded and be creative. Yes, I know you can be creative in science projects and by writing stories, but not the way you can with music and arts.
So why don't we test on music, arts or other languages? Aren't they just as important? I know that those subjects tested are important but I think we can find a better way to combine these subjects with those like music.
As a future Music Educator, they don't really apply to what I would be teaching or what my students would be learning. If all students only focused on science, math, reading and writing, everyone would be the same. Without music, the arts, sports, languages, etc., our kids would not get the chance to be well-rounded and be creative. Yes, I know you can be creative in science projects and by writing stories, but not the way you can with music and arts.
So why don't we test on music, arts or other languages? Aren't they just as important? I know that those subjects tested are important but I think we can find a better way to combine these subjects with those like music.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Two roads. One choice.
Every once and a while I start to wonder if I am making the right decision. I constantly battle between Music education and Music performance. Honestly, it doesn't really matter what "major" I declare because I can always continue the other at a later time. But I suppose this is the real question: What do I want to do after Luther College? Should I go to grad school or go into teaching right away? I know that I want to teach, at least at some point in my life. It is something I have always wanted to do. However, I also would like to achieve my dream of being a well-known singer/performer. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, since many people have double majors or minors. But these two do not go together extremely well.
Basically, I am given to different roads and it seems I need to choose. I know it's still a few years away but it is worth the thought. They are complete opposites in the professional world and cannot have them both at the same time. As much as I DO want to do them both, it just doesn't work that way.
Then there are my other hopes and dreams; one being having a family. I want to have a family more than a job. I can't see myself in this world without having my own children and husband. I know I can do this with both roads, but one has more benefits and encourages family life more than the other. But I guess that can also depend on what I choose to do.
It just seems so dificult. Do I follow the life-long dream that may be unreachable or the dream that is right in my reach? After all, we are told to dream big. But how far am I willing to go?
Basically, I am given to different roads and it seems I need to choose. I know it's still a few years away but it is worth the thought. They are complete opposites in the professional world and cannot have them both at the same time. As much as I DO want to do them both, it just doesn't work that way.
Then there are my other hopes and dreams; one being having a family. I want to have a family more than a job. I can't see myself in this world without having my own children and husband. I know I can do this with both roads, but one has more benefits and encourages family life more than the other. But I guess that can also depend on what I choose to do.
It just seems so dificult. Do I follow the life-long dream that may be unreachable or the dream that is right in my reach? After all, we are told to dream big. But how far am I willing to go?
I want a balance...
This semester, I have become very frustrated with the classes I am taking. Some are general requirements and some are for my degree. I feel that in some of my classes I have not learned much from the actual class material.
In one class, I felt that, as students, were we being taught as if we were in fifth grade. But, newsflash, we aren't. We are college students. And even though the class may not be an upper level class, we still wanted to be treated as if we actually know something. For this class, a lot of the things we have been doing, many of us did in high school, so we have a general idea. But it seems that in an attempt to make an idea easier, it is actually confusing us more.
On the other hand, one of my other gen. ed classes feels like an upper-level class. I feel intro classes are meant to cover the basics of a subject. In the class I am in, I don't really know the basics. We have been doing and talking about things that one would discuss in a 300 or 400 level or even grad school. Plus, it is very difficult to understand when you have no idea what to base it on. We have also had extraneous assignments that take more time than given. It would be different if this were the only class I was taking, but alas, it is not. It would also be different if everyone in the class chose to be there and was majoring in that subject.
So the question is, where do you find the right balance on how to teach students? No student wants to be treated like they don't know anything, but students also don't want to feel like they don't understand because they were not given basic concepts. I guess I don't have enough experiences of how it should be done. Ideas?
In one class, I felt that, as students, were we being taught as if we were in fifth grade. But, newsflash, we aren't. We are college students. And even though the class may not be an upper level class, we still wanted to be treated as if we actually know something. For this class, a lot of the things we have been doing, many of us did in high school, so we have a general idea. But it seems that in an attempt to make an idea easier, it is actually confusing us more.
On the other hand, one of my other gen. ed classes feels like an upper-level class. I feel intro classes are meant to cover the basics of a subject. In the class I am in, I don't really know the basics. We have been doing and talking about things that one would discuss in a 300 or 400 level or even grad school. Plus, it is very difficult to understand when you have no idea what to base it on. We have also had extraneous assignments that take more time than given. It would be different if this were the only class I was taking, but alas, it is not. It would also be different if everyone in the class chose to be there and was majoring in that subject.
So the question is, where do you find the right balance on how to teach students? No student wants to be treated like they don't know anything, but students also don't want to feel like they don't understand because they were not given basic concepts. I guess I don't have enough experiences of how it should be done. Ideas?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Stickers and grades...effective?
Monday night was probably one of the most interesting and engaging classes to date. We were all told to close our eyes and someone came around and put stickers on our foreheads. Then we had to find our groups and of course, we all assumed we had to find them by colors. We then were told to sit in certain parts of the room and given cookies. The group of three got maybe 40ish cookies; the group of five, 10; the group of 20, 5. Then those left began their presentation on the Last Lecture. During the lecture, we were told to write our failed dreams from when we were young. We were all given sheets of paper but the group of three was given crayons to use and treated better.
After the presentation, we discussed grading and how our students are affected by it. Typically, students that sit toward the front of the class get better grades because they are put in the spotlight at all times and they are in constant view of the teacher. On the other hand, students that sit in the back of the classroom will usually not earn as high of a grade. The main reason seems to be that they feel they can chat and not pay attention because they are usually not in the view of the teacher and are futher away from the action of the classroom. So then why do we have assigned seats? If we wanted to give every student a fair chance to succeed, a teacher should not assign seats. That way every student has the chance to be in the front and focus more. However, I do understand we students are assigned to sit in a certain area. More often than not, it is for the teacher to connect faces with names. Sometimes they may sit a certain student by another so one can help the other focus in class.
I think this activity made us think about how we could organze a classroom. However, I think every classroom is different and each teacher should find what works for him or her.
After the presentation, we discussed grading and how our students are affected by it. Typically, students that sit toward the front of the class get better grades because they are put in the spotlight at all times and they are in constant view of the teacher. On the other hand, students that sit in the back of the classroom will usually not earn as high of a grade. The main reason seems to be that they feel they can chat and not pay attention because they are usually not in the view of the teacher and are futher away from the action of the classroom. So then why do we have assigned seats? If we wanted to give every student a fair chance to succeed, a teacher should not assign seats. That way every student has the chance to be in the front and focus more. However, I do understand we students are assigned to sit in a certain area. More often than not, it is for the teacher to connect faces with names. Sometimes they may sit a certain student by another so one can help the other focus in class.
I think this activity made us think about how we could organze a classroom. However, I think every classroom is different and each teacher should find what works for him or her.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Michelle Rhee... "Can She Save Our Schools?"
Recently we read an article about a school district in Washington D.C. that now has Michelle Rhee as a superintendent. She is a women that believes in producing the best students possible and making a change throughout the rest of the country. She is doing this by finding the best teachers in the Nation. We were asked whether we would like to work under her as a teacher in one of those schools. Some said yes, some said no. I, on the other hand, wasn't sure.
I completely agree with wanting to have the highest achieving students. I think it is a great thing to do in society as it will definitely improve the way education is in the US. I, in turn, want to be the best teacher I can be. I understand that excellence is important and I want my students to learn and do great things. What teacher wouldn't want that? However, I also think that there is more to teaching that just looking good on standardized tests. That is where I'm torn.
Rhee was married and had two young girls. However, her marriage didn't last. I can't help but wonder if this happened because she was not devoting enough time towards her family. In the article, it said these teachers who work for/with her work around 80 hours a week. If this is true, the ideal teacher would be one that is single and has all the time in the world to devote to their job. But that's where the real world comes in. Many teachers have families and want to spend time with them. After all, if they don't, what kind of example are the setting for their students? Would that end in divorce like her marriage did? As a child, I was raised in a family that always did things together. It is important to me that I spend time with my family and future children. But here's the catch: How can you balance the two in a school Rhee is asking for?
I am still unsure if I would work for her at this point. I feel teaching is very important, but my priorities are also different than hers. Family comes before my career and I think it always will. I just need to find a way to healthily balance work and personal life- something I think all professions struggle with.
Then while reading the article, I wondered how she would treat Music classes. Music isn't something you can be tested on using a standardized test; yet it is a subject that can help to improve test scores. Music and other art classes call for creativity- which is impossible to use on the tests as well. If, as teachers, we are only supposed to teach to the test, where will students be able to find and use their creative juices? If we don't offer these classes, will our students just be dull and not well- rounded?
I completely agree with wanting to have the highest achieving students. I think it is a great thing to do in society as it will definitely improve the way education is in the US. I, in turn, want to be the best teacher I can be. I understand that excellence is important and I want my students to learn and do great things. What teacher wouldn't want that? However, I also think that there is more to teaching that just looking good on standardized tests. That is where I'm torn.
Rhee was married and had two young girls. However, her marriage didn't last. I can't help but wonder if this happened because she was not devoting enough time towards her family. In the article, it said these teachers who work for/with her work around 80 hours a week. If this is true, the ideal teacher would be one that is single and has all the time in the world to devote to their job. But that's where the real world comes in. Many teachers have families and want to spend time with them. After all, if they don't, what kind of example are the setting for their students? Would that end in divorce like her marriage did? As a child, I was raised in a family that always did things together. It is important to me that I spend time with my family and future children. But here's the catch: How can you balance the two in a school Rhee is asking for?
I am still unsure if I would work for her at this point. I feel teaching is very important, but my priorities are also different than hers. Family comes before my career and I think it always will. I just need to find a way to healthily balance work and personal life- something I think all professions struggle with.
Then while reading the article, I wondered how she would treat Music classes. Music isn't something you can be tested on using a standardized test; yet it is a subject that can help to improve test scores. Music and other art classes call for creativity- which is impossible to use on the tests as well. If, as teachers, we are only supposed to teach to the test, where will students be able to find and use their creative juices? If we don't offer these classes, will our students just be dull and not well- rounded?
Cooperative Learning
This is, in my opinion, one of the hardest concepts to grasp as students. In a perfect world every student would put in the same amount of time, effort and work into each group project they do. However, our world, for whatever reason, does not work in that way. I, as a student, have had many group experiences. Some were great. Everyone participated and put in the everything they could. Others were not so great. In those cases, one or two people would end up doing basically the entire project.
For the i-movie project, I'm not quite sure how to classify it. Everyone contributed their ideas and we are all in the video. However, when it can to combining ideas into a single concept, it became difficult. We each had our own ideas and we had a difficult time trying to come up with something we would all be happy with. We finally settled on the idea of a "blog video". However, I don't think we all had the same general concept in mind. All of our individual blogs turned out differently, which is good. It shows personality. But maybe not the way we eventually wanted it to look.
I think our biggest struggle was communication. I felt that we all had trouble trying to get across our ideas and what we thought the video should represent. There was miscommunication about who was going to get the video camera when and what we actually wanted to do.
Another big issue was that we didn't do the video as soon as we should have. We were all busy with other things and it seemed to be the last thing on our minds. But when the time came around, I felt we didn't get to do as much as we might have wanted. Plus, we were all stressed so our stress levels were high and we all become very argumentative. I know that I became kind of mean because I just wanted to get the video done.
Eventually, we finished and our final project is pretty good and gets the points across. I, however, have realized that working with other people doesn't get any easier as you go along in life- especially if you like to have it done a certain way.
For the i-movie project, I'm not quite sure how to classify it. Everyone contributed their ideas and we are all in the video. However, when it can to combining ideas into a single concept, it became difficult. We each had our own ideas and we had a difficult time trying to come up with something we would all be happy with. We finally settled on the idea of a "blog video". However, I don't think we all had the same general concept in mind. All of our individual blogs turned out differently, which is good. It shows personality. But maybe not the way we eventually wanted it to look.
I think our biggest struggle was communication. I felt that we all had trouble trying to get across our ideas and what we thought the video should represent. There was miscommunication about who was going to get the video camera when and what we actually wanted to do.
Another big issue was that we didn't do the video as soon as we should have. We were all busy with other things and it seemed to be the last thing on our minds. But when the time came around, I felt we didn't get to do as much as we might have wanted. Plus, we were all stressed so our stress levels were high and we all become very argumentative. I know that I became kind of mean because I just wanted to get the video done.
Eventually, we finished and our final project is pretty good and gets the points across. I, however, have realized that working with other people doesn't get any easier as you go along in life- especially if you like to have it done a certain way.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Three Cups of Tea
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWPwLv4N3Bg
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oww8LxbwGQ&feature=related
Above are the links to a video my ed. psych group made for the class. The point was to create an i movie based on a book and it's ideas. Our group did Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Greg Mortenson is a man who was more than willing to help anyone that needed it, especially when it came to education. He built schools throughout Pakistan and helped to improve the education of many young children. It is something we should all strive for as people. We need to realize that we can change the world, one step at a time- or in Greg's case, one cup of tea at a time. We, as teachers, can use the idea that one person can change the world in our classrooms. We should encourage our students to dream big and do something for the good of others, not just themselves.
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