Teaching

[Lionheart_0]

Well then, this post serves two purposes. One discussion, and one a favour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First the discussion part. Has anyone else here wanted to become a teacher? I've wanted to be a science teacher for a highschool for the past 5 years. I have set my whole career on this future, and know how to make it happen.

 

 

 

And if anyone else isnt keen on being a teacher, what do you think of them, and their job in todays society?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the favour part. I take a peer tutoring class in which i am a "Mini Me" teacher. WE have to do a bunch of stuff that a teacher does, just not the administrative stuff. So my final project is coming up this week, and that is to teach a lesson in the class. One main thing about this though is that a lesson plan must be created. So i have created one and am asking all of you to comment on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson Plan on Asteroids, Meteors, and Comets.

 

 

 

Lesson number 2, to be taught on Thursday, January 11th, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Points to cover:

 

 

 

-Teach structure of asteroids and comets.

 

 

 

-Show the difference between an asteroid, meteor and comet.

 

 

 

-Show what an asteroid is capable of.

 

 

 

-Give the theory of the reason that the dinosaurs died.

 

 

 

-Give the theory of the reason why the earth has a tilt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mediums to teach:

 

 

 

-Overhead

 

 

 

-Blackboard

 

 

 

-Fill in the blank sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to use each medium:

 

 

 

-Blackboard

 

 

 

1. Ask the students to help create a word web to help them think about what they have learned previously about the topics covered.

 

 

 

2. Ask specifically if students know of any large previous problems occurring because of meteorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Overhead

 

 

 

1. Use the same sheet that the students have to help them understand the difference between a meteorite, meteor, asteroid, and comet.

 

 

 

2. Fill in information pertaining to the differences by asking students to attempt to fill in the blanks. Note fill in if needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Fill in the blank Sheets

 

 

 

1. Allow students to fill in while using overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific Details of time line and content:

 

 

 

1. Ask for students to get out a piece of paper and pencil/pen in order to copy stuff from board.

 

 

 

2. Draw the two categories of asteroids and comets

 

 

 

3. Ask students to give ideas on two categories. The students should learn from this if they do not previously know.

 

 

 

4. If students donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t know anymore, or if time passes, ask about the past effects on the earth.

 

 

 

5. Afterwards, get out the overhead and get the students to read along to answer the fill in the blank sheet.

 

 

 

6. Ask students to if they have any other questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind that this lesson only has to last for about 15 minutes, and that this is a grade 9 applied class that has the attention span of a gold fish. (Yes yes this is a science class...not a sience class)

[warri0r45]

Firstly, I admire you greatly for wanting to become a teacher. The job is crucial in the world today and in my opinion, we dont have enough good teachers (that make learning something to look foreward to). I also admire you for wanting to become a teacher as I would never do it, it's definately not for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the lesson plan, I'm no expert but it looks fine to me. Good variety for 15 mins. :thumbsup:

[rushrock]

Firstly, I admire you greatly for wanting to become a teacher. The job is crucial in the world today and in my opinion, we dont have enough good teachers (that make learning something to look foreward to). I also admire you for wanting to become a teacher as I would never do it, it's definately not for me.

 

 

 

+1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lesson plan sounds great! :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although, I'm not learning to be a teacher. :roll:

[deloriagod]

I'm thinking of possibly becoming an English teacher. I've got a few other careers in mind and English teacher is currently #3 on my list. I'm not sure what all I'll have to do in order to become a teacher but I'm still only a sophomore in high school. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for your lesson plan. It looks boring so you're doing something right ;) I don't know what you're getting graded on but if you can, make the class more interesting (and keep your students interested) by making jokes. I'm sure there are jokes to go along with asteroids/ect. Good luck! :thumbsup: :

[Lionheart_0]

I'm thinking of possibly becoming an English teacher. I've got a few other careers in mind and English teacher is currently #3 on my list. I'm not sure what all I'll have to do in order to become a teacher but I'm still only a sophomore in high school. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for your lesson plan. It looks boring so you're doing something right ;) I don't know what you're getting graded on but if you can, make the class more interesting (and keep your students interested) by making jokes. I'm sure there are jokes to go along with asteroids/ect. Good luck! :thumbsup: :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also meant to say that these Students probably have an initiative level that would equal the amount of o2 in space. From past experiences ive seen the class respond well to the first part of the lesson, but the later part is kinda experimental. I could try jokes... but i doubt they will care or know enough to even pay attention to them.

[Barihawk]

I start student teaching tomorrow, and within 2 years I will be teaching on my own.

[Lionheart_0]

I start student teaching tomorrow, and within 2 years I will be teaching on my own.

 

 

 

:o Very very cool! Are you aiming for elementry, middle, or highschool?

[Bufoman]

I dont know how your going to fit all of that in a fifteen miniute class. and you seemed to have forgotten the all importent test to make sure they understand what they have just been taught.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the over head Idea to make sure they know it all should only be done after they have taken the test. try to make sure they have all the informaiton required to pass the test before you give it of cource.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or alternitively give them a test a week later on the matter to see how much they reely rememberd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at any rate those are my suggestions.

[Lionheart_0]

I dont know how your going to fit all of that in a fifteen miniute class. and you seemed to have forgotten the all importent test to make sure they understand what they have just been taught.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the over head Idea to make sure they know it all should only be done after they have taken the test. try to make sure they have all the informaiton required to pass the test before you give it of cource.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or alternitively give them a test a week later on the matter to see how much they reely rememberd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at any rate those are my suggestions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the Suggestion. The test will be about a week later, or not at all. It will definitely be on the exam, but we dont have enough time probably to make a test. The school has screwed with this class alot (1 teacher changed at the beginning of the semester, and the last teacher is now gone due to surgery) and the class is probably the hardest class ever to teach. At this point, its better that they get their credit rather then even knowing it. None of them seem to actually care about science, and would rather go do random crap then even be in the class room.

[MPM]

None of them seem to actually care about science, and would rather go do random crap then even be in the class room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All kids in school are like that, you will see when you start teaching if you decide to continue :\

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm currently working on my major for middle level eduction (math/science). Should be lots of fun :)

[Barihawk]

 

I start student teaching tomorrow, and within 2 years I will be teaching on my own.

 

 

 

:o Very very cool! Are you aiming for elementry, middle, or highschool?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school, although my training will probably be in a middle school.

[Tigra00]

All I can recommend is being creative and fun with the lesson...All my teachers in school were boring except a few, and that's probably why I hated school so much. Teacher's are taught to feed stupid information into our brains (aka force it) and not actually teach us anything. Most people don't learn by being forced information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd say doing things like using gestures to describe things (like an asteroid hitting the Earth for example) and making jokes of some sort...Unless you're not funny by nature, then they'll think you're a dork. :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodluck...If teachers made more money, I'd probably do it myself...But teachers around here haven't set a good example for me, they're all like...A step above hobo's. :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: Talking about the mass descruction of an asteroid hitting Earth is probably good too. Kids like destruction! And don't forget to mention the asteroid that has a 1:300 (currently) chance of hitting Earth in 2036 or whatever. :P Scaring people is fun too.

[Errdoth]

Seems good for getting the point across, though if the attention span of fish is involved, you might want to try to spice it up a bit, maybe cut out scenes from Armageddon and other meteor movies, and show what is fact and made up, just show what couldn't happen and why, or let them guess? Otherwise, looks good.

[Lionheart_0]

:? keep in mind people i got about 15 minutes, and the lesson plan and worksheet is due tomorrow... i just found out yesterday the date of my presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: Id like to say all your suggestions are helpful and i would do them, except i only have limited resources, and the students will probably find my writing (Im a terrible writer) more funny then any jokes i make.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I plan to be the fun/funny teacher when i grow up though.

[Viktorkrum77]

You should teach Russian. Someday it will be vital. :wink:

[deloriagod]

You should teach Russian. Someday it will be vital. :wink:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:anxious: Quit giving away the plans!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:-w O:)

[knives669]

In my opinion, teachers are overworked and underpaid for the stuff that they have to put up with. I say this over and over again because my mom is a teacher. She teaches Special Education in Elementary school (here in America, that's roughly ages 6-12). The kids that she teaches have behavioral and developmental disorders. The oldest kid she has in that class is 14 and still in Elementary school (6th grade for America). She comes home so stressed out every single day. I often spend my free time over in her classroom to help out her kids. They're a wild bunch. She tries to teach them, but they have no attention span and don't really care about their education... Not that they're old enough to realize how important it is anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've asked my mom if it depresses her, that the kids misbehave, and that they just seem to forget the things they learned even yesterday. But, she offered some very profound words to me. She said that even though the children can make her feel unimportant, and though some of them are just there because it's their right, some of them really do enjoy being there, and try their hardest and those kids make her feel good. I then, remembered all the times one of the kids would walk up to me and ask me to help them with their worksheets, or with their reading. ^_^ Though those kids are just there now, they might actually grow up to be something. They all seem determined enough. I can understand why someone would want to be a teacher. ^_^ But, it's not the job for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever taken a public speaking class? If so, you learn many skills in there that can help you with your presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Be congenial, yet tactful.

 

 

 

2. Speak clearly and loudly (but don't yell. :P). If you speak softly, then the kids won't take you seriously.

 

 

 

3. Maintain eye contact with them. Kids can be vicious. It's true that they can smell your fear or apprehension and use it to take control of you. Eye contact can also help them to really understand what you are saying. Don't stare anyone down, but just sweep your eyes across the room.

 

 

 

4. Make sure your body language indicates that you are the boss of the classroom and expect your words to be taken seriously. Don't move as though you are withdrawing from the world. Make your hand motions arm motions. Make them broad and deliberate. Don't be afraid to move around either. Just don't pace back and forth. That can make your audience uncomfortable.

 

 

 

5. Speak with conviction! This is soooo important, I can't stress it enough! I remember a guy who made a speech last year on tornadoes. He cited one of his sources as "The Book of Tornadoes by Ben Dover". He said it with such conviction that no one even questioned him! The truth was, he spent five minutes preparing his presentation, and just stood up there and wasted time. But, he actually talked as though he were believing in what he was saying, and got one of the best grades in the class.

 

 

 

6. Remember who you are talking to. Don't treat the kids as though they know nothing, and don't treat them as if they know everything. Be respectful to them, and they should return your respect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, as for your lesson plan, it looks very well-thought out, especially for just fifteen minutes. Don't lose your cool, and you should do fine. ^_^ Remember that it's good to go by your lesson plan, but don't go by it too strictly. Just be comfortable and you should do fine. :D I wish you luck!

[unknownmasterofnothing]

Doesn't sound like 15 minutes, if you're not directly feeding information, it takes a while.

[stan18]

I'm no teaching expert, but i'm a student, and i can tell you, overheads suck. so do worksheets/busywork. the best way to get something into a kid's head is by giving them the material, letting them work off what you tell them, and then, answering questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tip: use an example for every point you make. introduce it, then explain your point using your example

[irulepoker]

I, also, am a student. But there is one thing I can not stand. Boring teachers. Try to be fun, let it all hang loose. Just have fun. Be creative, give questions, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck!

[Lionheart_0]

I'm no teaching expert, but i'm a student, and i can tell you, overheads suck. so do worksheets/busywork. the best way to get something into a kid's head is by giving them the material, letting them work off what you tell them, and then, answering questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tip: use an example for every point you make. introduce it, then explain your point using your example

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree, that is a good way to teach, but as ive learned from the class, some teaching styles are better suited to certain types of class types.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doing that is almost impossible, as it is a chore to make the kids do the work as you have to go and breath down their necks basically to make them do what you want. Its good to give them some alone time, but the problem is that they end up talking and being off topic so much, that getting them on topic again is too damn hard. Not to mention they wont know what they are doing because they talked so much.

[weezcake]

I applaud you for taking such a noble profession :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am a science major (biotech) right now and I've always thought about being a teacher. Teaching someone something new always brings a smile to my face, but I'm not sure if I'd do it as a profession. Or I may do what one of my high school teachers did -- work at a biotech company then become a teacher as I get older. Then inspire a bunch of high school seniors to become science majors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And being from the public school system, I've seen my share of BAD teachers. More awesome teachers = awesome students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wouldn't want to work with middle school kids though.

[SuziAngel]

Teaching is a great profession to get into, go for it. I've worked in my current school for five years and I love it.

 

 

 

A few tips:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Think about the kind of teacher you want to be. We all had our favourite teachers in school, aim to be like them.

 

 

 

*Before you start reeling off reams of information, you need to establish how much the children already know.

 

 

 

*Don't let the class joker get the better of you. Once you've lost control, it's so hard to get it back.

 

 

 

*If you ask a question, and are given the wrong answer, make sure you praise the child for trying ... i.e. "That wasn't the answer I was looking for, but it was a really good guess".

 

 

 

*Before you try actually teaching a class, try your lesson out on a group of people who will truthfully tell what they think of it.

 

 

 

*If you've made a mistake somewhere in your lesson, make light of it. If you panick, the children will seize the chance to get one over on you.

 

 

 

*The children will probably be at different levels of learning. You will need to think about this in the delivery of your lesson, be prepared to break information down into simpler sentences. Also in any work you set, it pays to have a slightly easier sheet to slip to any children who may be struggling.

 

 

 

*Try not to make anyone feel stupid.

 

 

 

*The children with their hands up, answering all the questions may have understood your lesson. Think about the child who has sat quietly in the back. It's all too tempting to help the children who keep calling out to you, but make sure you check on the quiet ones too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck!!!

[diamanda75]

well, i am a teacher. i used to teach literature classes in an university in my country: Brazil. i studied 5 years and doing my masters of arts now. my reasearch is about literature and RPG.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i like teaching and i hate at the same time. it is difficult here in my country. teachers here are underpaid, we have lots of work and not much recognition. it is a political problem, very complex to discuss here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the thing is, to teach is a gift, u can improve it like music, but u have to have talent. and be prepared to everything, good or bad. and have strong beliefs. and the desire to share the knowledge.

[Lionheart_0]

Well i did my lesson today. The teacher that was marking me said i did very well, but perhaps the only thing i could of improved on was controlling the class a bit more (Two kids threw some paper and turned on the taps) and my hand writing/spelling on the board (Unfortunately, black boards dont come with spell check.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its really not that hard, just get up, and make sure your confident, which i was. Although, ive noticed its a learning experience, even for the teachers. When i gave out the sheets and took out the overhead, the kids said to me "We can see with the over head very well..." Which has taught me that if i was doing a full lesson, it would be much better next time not to use the overhead, and find some other medium.