TE+804-09+April+24

=TE 804 - April 23, 2009= Also remember that we'll have class on April 23rd instead of April 24th in Baker 455.

9:10 - 9:30 - Good News and Questions -
Post discussion items below and sign your posts:

9:30 - 9:45 - Finishing the year

 * How to say good-bye and leave your internship gracefully and professionally
 * Written thank you notes to principal and mentor
 * Thank you to field instructor and any other faculty, staff
 * Clean up your stuff -- leave the room, desk, etc. better than you found it, return the key

9:45 - 10:15 - Interviews

 * Tips for making a good impression during an interview
 * Making the most of the job fair
 * http://languagelinks2006.wikispaces.com/Interviewing
 * Pre - learn about the school, review your teaching philosophy, do something relaxing, prepare 2-3 questions for the school, practice most likely responses (tell me about yourself, management philosophy, diverse students, language teaching, extracurricular interests), look professional, make sure you can find the school and allow extra time, when you make the appointment, ask "what should I prepare?"
 * During - firm handshake, eye contact, use formal titles, address each person in the room, if you're stumped - ask for additional information, restate the question or ask for clarification, be confident, but open, don't be afraid to stop and think, use your portfolio as a tool, don't talk too long, be sensitive to audience, don't over-answer, ask a question)
 * After - send a thank-you within 24 hours, check back in about a week if appropriate, evaluate, celebrate

10:25 - 11:25 - Looking ahead: Getting a new school year off to a great start

 * Below, please post questions you have about setting up your own classroom, establishing yourself in a new school, having a successful first week

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A Student's Perspective
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__Considerations for the First Days of School__

 * **Physical Space** -- http://languagelinks2006.wikispaces.com/Classroom+Management
 * How do you want your room to //feel//?
 * What does the arrangement of your room say about your philosophy of teaching?
 * What //informal learning spaces// will you provide in your classroom?
 * **Cultivating Relationships**
 * Learning names -- think of the principle of contextualization
 * Notice which students you sense are going to challenge you (consider it a challenge, not a problem). Make a point of having a positive, personal interaction with these students within the first week.
 * Relationships are built on shared experiences -- How can you design learning //experiences// versus "sit and get" activities?
 * Consider starting learning centers early while students are still on their best behavior. Use teacher centers to connect with students.
 * Establish norms for communication in the classroom. Take a strong stance on disrespectful or unkind language.
 * Share something of yourself with your students
 * **Building on and Establishing a Desire to Learn**
 * Teach high quality content right away. Be busy learning and teaching the first day.
 * Engage students' minds, hearts, and bodies with the curriculum
 * Provide opportunities for academic success early on (in-class work instead of tied to homework)
 * Have high expectations for student thinking and work (with plenty of scaffolding)
 * Establish target language expectations from the first day (there will be some business you can't do in the TL, but let them know this is an exception)
 * Plan TL lessons that are very structured and likely to produce student success. This is a good time for TPR or TPRS type activities. Focus mostly on helping students to understand you. Make sure language production activities are low-risk.
 * The first two weeks must be your very best teaching and preparation, but also remember that you'll need to be flexible and adapt your plans as you get to know your students.
 * **Establishing Procedures for Productive Learning**
 * Spread out the classroom rules and procedures over the first week (Students won't remember or internalize a rules lecture.)
 * But do choose 2-3 issues you really care about to discuss the first day
 * Emphasize principles and procedures instead of policies
 * Insist that students listen to you from the first day -- (stop, wait, smile and watch the clock, if necessary)
 * Fairly and firmly enforce minor infractions of the rules with minor (but memorable) consequences from the first day (From NYPD: If you stop minor vandalism, the number of felonies drops dramatically)
 * Post the day's agenda in a visible place so students can see what's going to happen and sense the need to be productive
 * Be willing to make adjustments to your plans and procedures as you get to know your students

11:25 - 11:45 - Preparations for our final hurrah on May 1

 * Report from committees

Committees for last day celebration: Video: Mara, Kerry, Amy, Erich ** We really have to do video footage tomorrow, because I can't convert the footage that we got from last week :( Awards: Julia, Lauren, Laura, Lizzie, Katie H. Food: Alex, Aubrey, Melissa, Linda, Jade, Heather Reminiscence: Lisa, Lindsay, Alison, Jessica, Doren, Chelsea