Field Trips

     My favorite field trip I went on was when in the third went to the planetarium. We were studying stars, their different patterns, the shapes, and how they line up in the sky. When we went to planetarium we had a presentation that showed us the stars above our head, and the people who worked at the planetarium told us about the different stars that were less known.

     I remember being totally entranced in the show, and loving every second of it. The screen above us made it feel like we were sitting under the stars. And when they'd focus on one star, or constellation, the screen would zoom into it, and it felt like you were in a spaceship flying through space.

     What made this trip so memorable to me was that it a lesson I had never done before. When we had talked about the stars in class, we'd look at pictures in books, or on the internet. But it always felt like we were in the classroom. This gave us a kind of out-of-body experience and made us forget that we were learning, and all we had to enjoy the field trip.

Ethical Dilemma

                    Decision Making

An ethical dilemma is when you are faced with a problem or decision, in which you question your ethics and beliefs. You are stuck between doing what is popular, or doing what you believe is right. An ethical dilemma can be prevented by being very strong in your morals and ethics, and learning that in some situations, there is no grey area. By learning that most things are black and white.

In the ethical dilemma that Mark faced, many different conflicts arose, that would sway what he would do. He wanted to be popular, but not a snitch. He wanted to maintain his social standing, but felt as if Christa was being subject to cruel bullying. He was put in a very awkward and unfair position, and was then faced with a decision he shouldn't have had to made. 

The Facebook page on was private, and in a ideal world the postings shouldnt have had to be monitored. Yes, they have to freedom to post whatever they want. But that does not mean they have the right to degrade a poor girl's reputation for laughs. That's where the morals of the members of the page would have to come into play.

     Often times we all feel the small feeling in our gut to alert us that something isn't quite right. Call it our conscience, call it intuition, call it God; call it whatever you want. But it's that warning, that feeling that something is about to go terribly wrong, and you're caught in the eye of the storm. I have been in this situation many times. Personally, I deal with it in many ways. I ask for guidance, by God or by trusted adults, then I try to slow down the whirlwind of events and problems by slowing down myself; taking a breath, and letting it be.

     If the rest of the community had gained access to the Facebook page with Christa's distorted picture, I think the school should discipline the students who posted and encouraged the photo. Though the students who did nothing, are as wrong as the others, they were not encouraging it. I believe it's a school issue because parents entrust their child's safety with the school. Mental safety, as well as physical safety. The kids who put that in jeopardy should be punished to discontinue copy cat situations in the future.

     When using the internet, we all have responsibility. Think of the amount of young, impressionable children who spend a lot of time on the internet. We need to exercise the correct morals and ethics that we wish the future generations to maintain.

     Mark has many options. He could either...

                      1. Tell the administration of his school.

                      2. Confront the students who posted the picture, and tell them to take it off.

                      3. Make a post himself, about the picture and ask for it to be taken off.

                      4. Ask his parents for guidance.

                      5. Do nothing.

If I was in Mark's shoes, I would confront the students who posted it, and ask them to take it off. I would tell them that it was highly inappropriate and completely unneeded. I would then, give them an ultimatum. If thy did not take it off the Facebook page, I'd go to administration and turn them in.

Lesson Planing 101 Blog

Useful websites for Lesson Planning!

http://havefunteaching.com/tools/lesson-plans/
The link above is a great link to use for many different types of lesson planning, discipline charts, word walls and organization! 

http://www.personal.psu.edu/scs15/idweb/lessonplanning.htm
The link above is a great link for first year teachers because it lays out lesson planning step-by-step, and clears up any confusion the reader may have.

http://www.lessonplans4teachers.com/templates.php
The link above is a awesome link for teachers looking for templates! 


In my experience when I shadowed another intern student, Skype is an awesome tool to use in the classroom. In the theatre class that Apryl DeLarosa was interning in, they were discussing the many type of technical roles you can participate in for a production. She used Skype with a family friend of mine, Brian Stuart, who has his own lighting company, and has worked on many productions. It also came in handy when she Skyped with the theatre director at Richland High, asking him about technical sound, lighting and other things. It's an awesome tool to use, because you don't have to deal with the stress of booking a guest to come in your room, you don't have to schedule a field trip, and your students love the use of technology in the classroom!

Reflection

     In this past year, I've learned many things. Some of the things that I have learned, will escape my mind as quickly as it was taught to me. Some other things, however, will continue on with me throughout life. Some, to help me figure out my budget savings, tell time, or even be able to recite the Preamble to my future children. In my adult life, I will probably never use the Pythagorean Theorem, never have to explain to someone the highlights of JFK's presidency, and never have to explain why molecules react with others. But the things I have learned in Ready Set Teach, will continue on with me forever.
     This year, I've changed. I've changed habits, people I've hung out with, and things about myself. And a lot of that has coined from not only me growing up, but also from Ready Set Teach. I've learned that kids look up to me, and I have to be a role model in and out of the classroom. In the beginning of the year, I was so afraid of making mistakes in front of my kids, looking dumb, and them thinking of me as a joke. Now, I'm not scared to take risks, do things that might be considered a little crazy, and having fun having fun. I am a lot more enthusiastic to become a teacher, mail because of the kids. My kids and I this year have bonded so much. I can't wait to create more life changing relationships with my future students. I brought closure to my students by talking to them about how much they've changed me for the better, and hugging each student and telling them something that was special about them.
     Mrs. Stevens is the best teacher ever. Her beauty, charm and wit surpasses all. I want to be just like her when I grow up. Many people come up and ask me, "Taren, why is Mrs.Stevens so awesome?!", to which I reply, "She just is". Then they ask me, "Taren, how did Mrs.Stevens become so awesome?!", to which I reply, "How did the sun get in the sky? Because it wanted to. Mrs. Stevens wanted to be awesome.... So she was."

My Animoto Video! :)

Better late, then never? :)
My Animoto Video

The High Cost of Education.

     I plan to pay for college by my grandparents, along with as many scholarships and loans as I could possibly recieve. I feel though I have not fully done my best with preparing for college, I have done well. I have not applied for FASFA.

    

Financial Literacy Can Pay-Off!

           


     In my years of being a student in public school, something I have felt that has been greatly missing is a teaching of foreign language at a young age. Studies have shown that children learn language the best at a younger age. But yet, most public schools only offer foreign language opprotunities, as late as 7th grade.
     When asked if I feel capable enough to manage money and finances on my own, my answer would be no. Though I understand the importance of saving money, and being responsible for it, I feel it hasn't been imbedded in my brain.
     I would definitely feel more secure in my future finances if I had taken a class over. It would teach me the right way to spend and save money. While also, keeping the subject in the front of my mind.

Here is an article about one school's ability to make real world connections relevant for students.