Laura has a final question about ED348

 

What is your biggest takeaway from having attended this class (ED 348) this semester?   What have you learned?   

Noreen and lesson plans

 After writing three detailed lesson plans, what did you find most difficult about the process? What do you find the easiest? What helpful tips would you like to give the students who are about to be introduced to our School of Education lesson plan template?   

Sarah asks us to think about the ups and the downs of teaching

 As you spend time observing your cooperating teacher and working with students in small groups, what are the aspects of teaching that you find exciting?    What are the aspects of teaching that you find  overwhelming.............at the present time?   How does your cooperating teacher handle some of the difficult aspects of teaching?   Do you find that he/she is a good role model?   What have you learned about facing teaching in a mature and responsible way as you observe your cooperating teacher?   What helpful lessons have you learned about teaching as you finalize your observation hours this semester?    

Laura is concerned about ELL students

 As teachers in a specific discipline (chemistry and music) how would you integrate a student who was an English language learner into your classroom? What strategies would you use to have the student be integrated and engaged in your class? What are some teaching strategies that we have discussed in this class that you might apply to your lessons in order to make the ELL student understand the material and feel comfortable in your classroom?   

Anthony wants to hear student voices

 

It appears to me that class participation is an activity that is not relied upon as much as it should be at the middle and high school levels. Do you agree or disagree?  Do you think that class discussion is an important part of learning?   Why or why not?   Do you believe in giving students a grade for class participation/class discussion?   How much class discussion are you seeing during your observations this semester?  And finally, when you begin your student teaching how do you plan to encourage your students to add their thoughts and opinions to class discussion, in essence, participate more while they are in your class?    

Dr. Ries questions the importance of the reading and writing link

 "Sometimes reading and writing are taught in classrooms as if they bear little relationship to one another The result has often been to sever the powerful bonds for mean-making that exist between reading and writing."

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?   What has been your experience with regard to writing assignments in your classes?   Have these assignments given you an opportunity for "meaning-making?" Have these assignments given you an opportunity to explore, clarify and think deeply about ideas and concepts that you have encountered?  Why or why not?   Give us an example.   

Sarah has a question about political issues in the classroom

 If the topic of the Ukrainian-Russian War came up in your class how would you handle this issue?  If your students wanted to discuss the topic in order to get some answers, how would you proceed?  Would you refuse to discuss the problem because you are not the social studies teacher?  Would you prepare a quick lesson plan in your head and assign some background information for your students to view? Do you think that topics such as this are worth discussing?   And finally, should teachers discuss serious issues in their classes?   Why or why not?