Cam & Chris' AOW

Pre-Reading

Do you think there is a connection between physical education and literacy? Do physical educators need to revise the way they currently teach?

I do believe there is a connection because they both have things that the student must learn to be a productive and healthy human being. I think that PE teachers should make their class time more interesting and relevant to each student's needs. Many students (me for example) hated their PE class, especially since mine was in the middle of the school day, and I would be all sweaty after. 

Post-Reading

What would be different about physical education if it became a core subject? What is there was a PE program that emphasized heath-related fitness, moving and learning connections, and character development in addition to the motor skills component P.E. is typically known for?

If PE became a core subject, more time would be given to the time spent in the subject itself. I think students would become healthier. If there were such a classroom, which I hope there will be in all schools, the students will extremely benefit not just health-wise, but as a person. They will also be able to make connections across different content areas. I think the attitude of the students would be better and the staff would also be more of a team rather than the PE teachers feeling like their own group. 

Choice Reading #10

Summary: Non-traditional communication is changing the way we interact.

I am a follower of a literary blog on Tumblr. When I came across an exert they posted from this article, I was immediately drawn to what the article was saying. It also reminded me of the first AOWs we did relating to Facebook.

Previously, I would consider myself to be one of those people whose main communication style was texting and Facebook Chat. Fortunately, I have realized that although my relationships online were being genuinely being developed, those relationships were inauthentic. In high school (and sometimes in college), this type of communications happens all the time! For example, I found that if I texted someone who lived at a distance and got close with them via texting and the Internet, the relationship we had before the summer remained the same after we returned to school, yet the online relationship continued to happen. It's an odd phenomenon.

In schools, teachers should make sure they talk with their students about this type of communication. They should foster healthy communication and relationships inside of the classroom because school may be the only social interaction students get before they go back to their homes and run to the computer/phone all night. Students should never feel like "no one is listening", which is what the article says they're saying.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-conversation.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Tovani Ch9

Summary: Tovani shares her struggles and encourages us to keep on keepin' on.

I loved the following quote: "This is not the only place such an opportunity has been gathered / but it was one place / And you weren't here". We need to take advantage of the short time that we are given with our students and give them the best education possible. We need to help them realize that the classroom is a place in which great things can happen. We need to make their time feel and be worthwhile.

The comment that the veteran teacher made to Tovani was very interesting to me. She told Tovani that a great teacher will be disappointed with his/her work every year--that the will never be happy with what they have. Although I know we should modify our lessons each time, I believe this is the first time I have heard that this is the reaction I should have. It makes sense, and although a teacher may feel disappointed with their previous work, their heart is in the right place, and the students will benefit tremendously from this type of teacher. Sometimes someone's success comes from the distress of another. <--You may quote me if you'd like. ;)

We should strive to be "thinking teachers" and not "distributors of worksheets". This thought is what I aim for. I really do want to put the ideals of Tovani and others into action. I know the impact I can make on students and their attitude towards learning both in school and in life. 

Tovani Chapter 7

Summary: Small group instruction is important, and it can be used if the students know what they're doing.

Tovani hits on the trials and tribulations of using small group instruction in the classroom. Although it can be a challenge at times, the benefits of small groups can outweigh the odds.

In order to have a more effective time, Tovani gave many helps, such as showing students a discussion model, giving timely feedback, and making the topics interesting, which I plan to do in my own classroom. Doing these three things alone will automatically create a more manageable classroom.

Some emphasis should also be on students' thoughts and what they want to see with the lesson.

Khelon & Brad's AOW

*Article wasn't opening for me on Angel.*

Kara and Michelle's AOW

Name some ways you can use this idea for a game and put it into your content area?

Spelling Bees are a good idea for English classrooms. They help build spelling and vocabulary skills, and they give students an opportunity to use social/public speaking skills. 

Why do you think games like these would be successful in motivating kids to succeed?

The teacher is making learning fun. When students equate learning and fun together, it will boost their interest in learning the material. 

How will you meet the learning styles of different kids in your classroom?

Figure out their different learning styles, and be sure to integrate disciplines of each learning style wherever possible. 

Choice Reading #9

Sorry, there's no such thing as "correct grammar".

Summary: Grammar is changing and so are the rules.

Interesting... As a teacher, what am I to do with a language that is ever-changing when teaching grammar? As the article mentioned, teachers can state the "facts" about the language, but those facts are just rules the teacher chooses to claim to.

I know how people feel currently, for I prefer some of the British grammar versus the way Americans do some things. Which is right and correct? Both? Neither? I have a feeling the answer is "Yes" to the questions. Of course, there are traditions of how the language was and is and should continue to be. But ARE all Oxford commas needed? Does the period go inside of a quotation mark, or does it go on the outside? There are people on both sides.

It appears that grammar and language traditions and conventionality are slowly declining with the convergence technology (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, and texting). I read another article recently about how people are easily accepting "Internet terms" and styles of language. It will be interesting to see where we're at in the near future!

Rosen, M. (2012, March 2). Sorry, there's no such thing as "correct grammar". Retrieved from: http://apps.facebook.com/theguardian/commentisfree/2012/mar/02/no-correct-grammar-martin-gwynne