TE+804+09+Planning+for+804

What are your ideas to maximize the value of 804? Please respond to any of these topics or add your own ideas. Be sure to sign your posts.
(You could add your comments underneath the appropriate topic.)


 * Who do we tell about our CPR/First Aid certification? I have tried several different routes to find this out, but have no idea how to get an answer!?! user:litwins5 Later in the semester they will ask for all of that information. You will need 2 copies (I think) of the cards, front and back. They won't ask for the information until March probably. You will turn them in with a whole packet of information that includes info about your actual teaching certificate user:emilylewis

Assignments:
a) Job application materials -- resume, cover letter, portfolio, teaching philosophy statement, etc.

- Anny, We may have already discussed this, but is a portfolio required in our class? I am still doing one, just wondering if it is a requirement? Our 803 instructor has already stated that he is not going to require it from us, but will give feedback if we do one. user:litwins5

-I think this a a GREAT idea. We need to be able to sell ourselves when we walk into an interview...and having a year-long internship only goes so far! I am so excited to start making a portfolio! user:ZirollerCoaster

-Anything job-search related I think will be really helpful. For the portfolio, I'd like if we could talk about key components early on and work on it periodically throughout the semester as things come up that we would like to include, if that makes sense. user:hether12

-isn't the binder that we keep with everything (lesson plans, unit plans, assessments, etc.) our portfolio?? user:maestraH

- Can we also discuss when all of this needs to be done by. I have friends in the elementary program who have been told that in order to apply out of state that they need to have this stuff done by the end of January. user:burhopam

-Agreed! I would want to do this project/assignment first!user:pumer30

- I'd like to work on materials/resumes, etc, but I'd prefer that a final portfolio not be required, though I'm sure many/all of us will make them anyway. Portfolio ADVICE, though, is greatly appreciated. --Katieuser:la_profesora

- Any advice on interviewing, when and how to go about applying, etc. And is it true like what burhopam said about needing to apply by the end of January if we are looking out of state?! user:kendal53 You might find the links on this page helpful--they contain sample interview questions and tips from previous interns, deadlines for out-of-state certification, etc. http://languagelinks2006.wikispaces.com/Getting+a+Job user:chericem1

- I agree that having the portfolio as a required part of the class is not necessary, but it could be helpful to get tips throughout the semester on what to put in it. If it is going to be a requirement, please let us know the requirements ASAP! user:Jadehuff There are some examples from previous interns posted here http://languagelinks2006.wikispaces.com/Professional+Portfolios user:chericem1

-YES! Absolutely. I want to spend as much time on this as possible. user:KathrynHin

-I think it will be helpful to organize this stuff now. I know my TE 803 course will be doing interviews and working on similar stuff, but the more preparation, (probably) the better :) user:doren

b) Teaching demo - model a lesson/activity (about 20 minutes) for the class or part of the class in the target language; get feedback

- I feel as though this could be accomplished better if we did this in groups. This way, we can have 5 groups of 4 (or vice versa) and get through all of the models in one day. We shouldn't have to recreate the wheel though - this is something that we should have already taught or are planning on teaching. Also, I'm a big advocate for this to be cross languages - I would love to see other languages do their lesson. user:litwins5 At the risk of complicating an already complicated situation. . . would any of you be interested in videotaping your lessons and sharing them with the student teachers in my methods classes? We only have a 4-year program and I am having a hard time fitting everything in. I think it would be useful to them to see what you're doing, and could be useful to you to demo for a more "real" audience than just your colleagues? user:chericem1

I know that I would definitely be willing to videotape. I know that I can speak for some of my colleagues whom I'm sure would not mind either. We can discuss on Friday, 1/16. user:litwins5

- I agree with Kerry in that this would be done better in groups I also however feel like we have done a lot of this in 407 and 408 and that we could spend our time differently this semester, I think I benefit more from just lesson plan sharing and boucing ideas off of eachother in small groups. user:LRobertson1386

-I agree with LRobertson that we would benefit more from just lesson plan sharing. Now that we all have textbooks and a curriculum/time restraints, it is hard to teach a lesson that might not be applicable in real classroom situations. Not to be a debbie downer, it is just that so many things go into how well a lesson goes such as student motivation, relevance to student lives, level of engagement, amount of material, time of the year, etc. I think discussing all of these factors with other interns as well as specific issues we think we might run into would help us out more. Perhaps we could use a real lesson for the upcoming week and discuss it in groups? They could be mixed language ones. What does everyone else think? user:ZirollerCoaster

-I think this is something that we did in 407 and 408. We all have done lessons so far and know what works. Maybe instead of planning a lesson is in groups come up with crazy out of the box ideas and then see if it would be possible to implement them in our classroom through feedback from other groups.user:gerouxje

-I feel like we've really done this a lot already, and whether a lesson works or not depends on the kids in the class, the atmosphere in the classroom, and the kids' attitudes that day... not something you can really plan for, just something you have to adapt to... user:maestraH

-I agree that we have done this already, but I would like to do some more lesson plan sharing and critiquing in class.user:pumer30

-I'd prefer lessons we haven't already done (though more casual than the mini-teach things in 407), since I really like the feedback and the ideas from everyone user:la_profesora

- I don't think it necessary to repeat what we do everyday in class. I don't think this will be helpful with everything else we are expected to do this semester. user:Jadehuff

-I feel like we did this all year, and although it was great to practice, we are doing enough of this in our internship. It's almost like going from doing the real thing, to going back to rehearsing it, and taking a step down. user:KathrynHin

-I agree with what a lot of you are saying. We are supposed to be teaching everyday (during our Lead Teach time), so preparing another lesson for us to see seems to be unnecessary. However, I do like the Swap Shop, where we share lesson plan //ideas// as opposed to an actual lesson. Same thing, perhaps, just no teaching. user:doren

c) Video assignment -- follow up on what you noticed in your fall video with an emphasis on students

I feel as though we should require the video assignment again, not just relook at what we did in the fall video. We have grown 100% from then! I know some people might not like that, but it is SO important! I was actually thinking about having my mentor videotape me next week. user:litwins5

- The only thing with the video assignment is I feel like my students and I change because we know we are on video. I definately think it was beneficial and eye opening and will probably do it again anyway just to notice any changes or differences. user:LRobertson1386

-I was also planning on taping myself again anyway. I think it would be good to look over a tape with a particular emphasis in mind, to give us something to focus on (e.g. look primarily at your TL use, or classroom management, or something else), while still leaving room for other observations we think are important. user:hether12

-I agree with LRoberston, my kids were a LOT different being on camera. I didn't find it to be necessarily more beneficial than just writing a reflection right after I do a lesson. user:maestraH - I liked the video assignment. My kids didn't change how they acted at all and I really got to reflect on what I was doing. I would be happy to do this again. user:Jadehuff

d) Swap shop - What are your thoughts on format? Should we do it the same as last semester or try something else? For instance, we could just post on the wiki, share in small groups to increase the frequency and amount of resources, etc. Thoughts?

- I like the swap shop & think it's an awesome idea. What if we were to have 5 people at a time go, and instead of spending so much time on each person, put us into learning centers for 5 minutes per person - that way they would have to have enough material to cover the 5 minutes. I also think that handouts should be required. user:litwins5 It would have been more helpful last year if we not only had handouts, but an explanation to accompany the handouts - because now I can't remember how they were used or who created them! user:emilylewis

- I really like swap shop and have gotten many great ideas from seeing what other people have done!!! user:ZirollerCoaster

-I also really like the swap shop and I know that even if it isn't for my language, some of the stuff I can really use in my classroom! But the downside is for those items that are swapped that are specific to that one language. That really helps those who teach that language, but for the rest who don't, it does not pertain to us. Maybe swap items/ideas that could be universal? That way every benefits from it. user:alyxx

-I like the way swap shop is done, I like how we post on our page and it leads to a more fitting topic (like games, etc.). I wouldn't change anything about it! user:pumer30 - I agree and like the swap shop. Its a neat way to do and try new things. It also pushes me to be more creative. user:Jadehuff

- Shop swap = great as is! I love any opportunity to see exactly what my collegues do in the classroom. But maybe we could have a swap shop discussion board or something. If you have a lesson that goes particularly well that you think we'd like, post the topic and some comments of how it went. Then if you've already done your swap shop, we can hear about the good idea/materials still. user:la_profesora If you decide to do this, I would love to share the link with my student teachers! user:chericem1

-Swap shop is my favorite!!! The only thing that I would change is that we do it MORE! user:KathrynHin

e) Discussion board postings -- I think this is important, but some people find it more valuable than others. Should we form smaller discussion groups perhaps based on the classes you teach? Any other ideas?

- I don't want to have to go in and search for something that I'm interested in - I like the fact that I can go to the discussion board, post, and know that everyone is looking at it (not just a certain group of us.) Also, I like feedback from everyone, again, not just a certain group. user:litwins5

- I find discussion boards to be less helpful as a requirement, but they are nice every once in a while. Maybe postings can be optional? I'm sure most people will continue to post, including me. user:L2teach

- I like just being able to post in one area and read what others said without having to worry about searching for specific groups. I think everyone being able to chip in is a lot more helpful than just a few select people. user:ZirollerCoaster

-I like getting feedback and ideas from others. I wonder, though, if there might be a different way to organize it- maybe based on topics, so that we can keep discussions ongoing without having to sift through past dates. user:hether12

-I think it is hard to keep going week by week - it would be easier if there was one page with all the discussion boards. There have been times that I went searching week by week because I remembered seeing something but couldn't remember which week it was and I wanted to read the responses.user:gerouxje For whatever it is worth, my student teachers felt the same way. We decided to use the main class page for general discussions, and the week-specific page for questions about specific assignments. user:chericem1

-I also like that we get feedback from everyone and also that is feedback from people who are willing and interested in responding. I think this makes a big difference in the types of responses that we receive. I also agree that I don't find it so helpful as a requirement. user:burhopam - I don't really find the discussion boards helpful. Its the last thing on my list of things to do each week. They are nice to read but I often don't have much to say. user:Jadehuff

-Although I did see the benefit of posting on the discussion board, I was the one who forgot to get on the darn thing. If it is a requirement, I will do it. Whether or not it's required, I do think it is helpful and I like it when someone can post and everyone can see. Like someone wrote earlier, it is comforting to know that you are not alone in the issue or that you have someone that has your back when they reply to your post. :) user:doren

f) Learning centers lesson plan -- create two lesson plans to try learning centers at least twice during the semester

You know I love this idea! user:litwins5

This is already one of my goals this semester!!! user:LRobertson1386

I think this is a great idea as well!! user:ZirollerCoaster

I like this idea a lot. user:maestraH

I would love this! I have been wanting to do more of this! user:burhopam

YES!!user:pumer30

I'd LOVE to do learning centers...this might make me actually do it :)user:la_profesora

Sounds great! user:kendal53

- Aren't we doing this already? user:Jadehuff

-Im sorry...what are these?? user:doren The info./ideas on this page might be helpful: http://languagelinks2006.wikispaces.com/Learning+Centers user:chericem1

g) Some other unit/lesson planning task that leads to some kind of a "tournament." This is an area I struggle with. I feel that it is really important for you to get support and feedback in your planning, but I'm not sure the best way to do this. Any ideas? How did it work for you with the last unit plan (where we had partners and posted on the wiki)? Would it be useful to allocate some classtime to specifically conference about your teaching plans?

I personally hated unit planning, but it helps me out so much. Because it was required, I had to do it, and I'm afraid that I'd be lost if I didn't do it again (so I'm doing it for the rest of my life.) I think this is a very NECESSARY part of being of being a successful and organized teacher, especially by having us include standards and benchmarks. Plus, administration will be very impressed with us! user:litwins5

Class time is a big "yes" for me. Even if the partner schedules don't line up exactly, it'd be nice to get some new thoughts on how to schedule and pace a unit. I personally still struggle with pacing and how much time to allocate to each topic. user:la_profesora I struggle with providing adequate feedback on lesson plans as well. Would anyone in this class be interested in pairing up with someone from one of my classes? This might be an interesting way to get (and share) some new perspectives since your class is coming from a completely different set of experiences than mine. No pressure--just a thought. We could do it via e-mail, the wiki, Skype, or Google Video Chat. Mine are required to do a unit plan as part of their Teacher Work Sample (similar to the common case study assignment you have to do in TE 801/803, so they'll have until mid-Feb. to plan). user:chericem1

- Unit plans are good because well we do them anyway. I don't think working with a partner will be very beneficial. My unit was always already over before I got feed back anyway. user:Jadehuff

h) Issue presentations -- continue with the second half of the class - What ideas do you have for increasing the number of people who participate in the discussion? It's tricky to have a whole-class conversation since we're so constrained by time and such a large group.

I think we should keep it like it is. Maybe have a follow up online? user:litwins5

-I like the idea of an online follow-up, since we always seem to run short on time in class. user:hether12

I like it as a whole class discussion format. To be honest I look forward to the issue presentations the most so I can give my own input! user:ZirollerCoaster

I liked the format that we had before, but it might be better to allow more people a chance to talk. It also might be a better discussion if the groups were smaller. user:maestraH

I think we should allocate more class time for these, and maybe also an online follow-up. The person giving the presentation should maybe start the discussion by posting a short summary of the issue, and then people can post if they didn't have time to say what they wanted to say in class. user:sarahew

I vote small groups. user:la_profesora

- I agreed with groups. Having two groups so that each person can really get response to the issue would be more beneficial. user:Jadehuff

-I agree with most of you - creating Unit Plans is the last thing I want to think about, because lesson planning is so much easier!! But it is helpful and helps us to look at the "bigger" picture and have actual goals rather than following the book, chapter by chapter. I never had a partner from last semester that chatted with me about a unit plan though. Did all of you? user:doren

i) Observe another teacher -- this should be happening anyway after you finish your lead teaching in the spring -- I just want to formalize the assignment to make sure you do get to see at least one other teacher teach (besides your mentor).

I've already done this and it is a GREAT way to see what you can change in your own class and how!! I take notes while I observe so I can critique as well as ponder. Obviously you have to set up plans with the other teacher prior to observing him/her. user:ZirollerCoaster

I also REALLY want to do this! I think sometimes I get stuck in the little bubble of my mentor teacher's classroom that I get tunnel vision a little. It would be really nice to get some fresh ideas from other teachers. user:burhopam

This sounds great! I've already observed a math teacher (in my minor) and a higher level Spanish teacher. It was neat to see the higher level since I've been teaching just 1 and 2...it was exciting to see what the level 4 and 5 kids can do with the basic language we' ve been teaching! user:kendal53

- This would be nice. But when do are we supposed to do this? Is there time in the semester? Will we have time after our lead teaching to do this? user:Jadehuff

-I also have already done this and have learned SO much! I never saw a teacher use the TPRS method and I finally have. It was fun! I think we all should do that. It will be the last year we can have that excuse of being the "intern" who can wander into other teacher's rooms to observe. We might as well take advantage of it as much as possible! user:doren

One of my student teachers today said that her mentor had required her to go observe some of her Spanish students in other teachers' classes for the whole day. She said that at first she thought it would be a waste of time because she has already done so much observing and is anxious to teach, but reported that by the end of the day, she had a whole new perspective on the students in her classes. Just another option to consider. user:chericem1

j) Personal project/goal -- Based on your findings from your inquiry project, set a goal to implement something you've learned. Try it and report back (the reporting won't be a major task -- just enough to provide incentive to really try something)

Not sure I really agree with this, but don't know another way to describe it. Basically, my inquiry project was very successful in the actions that I've taken, but it's done and over with. So, I would like there to be another option for those of us who feel as though this issue is finished in our lives, such as another inquiry on a smaller scale (please don't hate me, guys!) or something to this effect. user:litwins5

My inquiry project was based specifically on 2 students and unfortunately I do not have those students next semester and I have already successfully helped them :) so I am kind of in the same position my issue is "over". user:LRobertson1386

Maybe instead of your paticular issue - implement observations and other ideas that were brought up by the issue presentation. Like chose 2 or something. I don't know if that makes sense...user:gerouxje

I kind of agree - not that my issue is "over" per say, but I feel like I would want to explore a different issue - not necessarily do a whole other inquiry project or anything, but I'm just maybe, not quite as interested in my topic as I was when I chose it? If that makes sense....? user:sarahew

-I don't think this is necessary. After all, at this point, we are all struggling teachers trying to find out who we are in the classroom and figuring out how to balance lesson plans, kid's troubled lives, and our own lives. I think what we should devote a lot of time on is preparing ourselves for the future and the steps to get us there. I really like lesson plan sharing :) user:doren

Topics for discussion in class: What's on your mind? What would you like us to address? Here are some of my ideas:
a) Grammar teaching - I would like this if it's done for SPECIFIC grammar concepts, divided by language? (Spanish divides to smaller groups, and all ideas converge on the wiki). Then if we each presented one or more great grammar teaching lessons, we'd have a lot of really specific ideas.user:la_profesora b) Heritage language speakers in the classroom -This would be really helpful for me (I have lots of them, at various levels). user:hether12 - Me too! I have heritage speakers and two native speakers (foreign exchange students) next termuser:burhopam c) Issues related to the job search - I think this is very important because maybe it's just me but I am kind of clueless on the job search topic user:LRobertson1386 - I second this!!!!! user:sarahew - Definately important! user:kendal53 d) Planning effective fieldtrips I really like this idea! I am also thinking that I would like virtual field trips included (maybe I could present this?) I'm trying to organize one for an entire unit for my kids in a month or so, we'll see how it goes! user:litwins5 e) Guest speakers (e.g. other WL teachers) - I like this one too!! user:sarahew -One suggestion would be to have an administrator or high school HR rep come in to talk to you about interview skills, etc.; This would be similar to the mock interviews later in the spring, but you would have time to ask the administrator lots of questions in regards to interviews user:emilylewis f) Issues related to important info. for first year teachers. I know at MIWLA there was a conference that everyone really liked about contracts, unions, finances, etc. that I missed. I feel clueless about this stuff.user:burhopam - I absolutely second this one also! user:sarahew This brings up a good speaker topic! The treasurer of the MiWLA might be willing to come and present what he did at the MiWLA - I could email him if everyone agrees? We could maybe get all interns - from all over the board (every subject) to come to an event like this. I would certainly be beneficial to ALL. user:litwins5 - There is a seminar later in the MSU semester that takes the place of one MSU class (or it did last year) that addresses several issues you have named in regards to your first year as a teacher. Also your peers 1-2 years ahead of you would be somewhat knowledgeable in this area user:emilylewis g) Planning an evening event with class and parents. Any suggestions! Would this better if I tried to do it during the day? user:Jadehuff