Blogger Journal

 Anna Stricklin Teaching Trends One current trend in teaching that is exciting yet also challenging is "approaches to learning" the focus is student-centered learning such as self-directed learning and inquiry based learning. This is significant because schools in recent years seem to not be very student-centered in the past with the majority of lessons being based on memorization and test prep this new direction is based on critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills or in other words things that will help in the real world. Approaches to learning allow students to have a sense of independence in their education and reflect on how they learn best. While this is the best for the students I could have some challenges. The main challenge I believe I would face would be balancing giving students the independence they need while also keeping them on track by meeting standards. It will be difficult as some students will not automatically be comfortable with self-d...

 Student diversity is of course a gift, this being said I can expect that my students will be different from me in ways such as family structure, socioeconomic status, family structure, learning styles, religious beliefs and the list goes on. To better understand my students in order to help each student learn as best as they can I will work on building friendships with them, with the end goal of obtaining respect and trust. My goal is to make my classroom as comfortable and safe as possible, when students walk in they should not be full of dread, feeling a bit nervous for a test in normal but feeling uneasy about going into a classroom every single day in unexceptable. When I speak to my students I will allow for plenty of time for them to reflect and respond, during instruction I hope to build enough respect with my students that they want to listen and do not feel forced or trapped. If needed I could also learn more about specific students through family communication but I woul...

 Anna Stricklin If I were to teach a lesson on one of my favorite hobbies, it would be the gym. Lessons on why the gym is beneficial and should be a stress-free outlet would be the window as it gives students knowledge on experiences and lifestyles that they may or may not be familiar with. Some student may have no clue what the physical and mental benefits of exercise are. Through my lesson students would have the opportunity to learn about health, goal setting, and mental discipline. All in which would help in an academic setting. This lesson would also allow students to see their experiences reflected working as a mirror. Many students may already be active/athletic by playing sports so this topic may spark or validate their interests. When students are feeling seen/validated and understood they are more likely to engage in class so it is important to incorporate benefits and reason for all student students.

 In school the two standardized tests that stuck out for me was the SAT and of course the ACT.  I distinctly remember the moment in middle school when I was told that the ACT had everything to do with my college success. My first thought was how is this fair, one test determines rather each of us get equal opportunities to go to college? As I have gotten older I understand why these tests are in place but I do not think it should be such a stressful subject. Each school wants to have the highest combined ACT and SAT scores for the area, I believe that fact should not be shared to the students as it was made obvious to us as students leading us to feel the pressure of not only our future academic success but also the pressure of disappointing the school leaders proud (like the principle). In my personal experience it felt like the reason test prep was pushed so heavily was because our school just wanted to "win". I do think the ACT is somewhat necessary considering it is our o...