First Class

1. First Class Haley Atkins

2. What is the potential effect on you as a teacher of students who lack motivation? • Decreased motivation • Unequal attention given to students • Failed teaching processes

3. What fears do you think your students have? • Not understanding the material • Not liking the teacher • Getting behind in the class or in school • Letting themselves, their parents, their peers down • Not providing well for their own future • Prioritizing

4. How will you mitigate these fears? • Try to allow for extra homework time in class • Ample time for questions • Set aside time with individual students • Friendly classroom environment • Providing encouragement via feedback, rewarding students, and constructive criticism • Staying in touch with the students’ parents

5. Why are student feedback mechanisms important? • First-hand feedback plays a positive role by: • Allows for positive environmental change • Provides teacher with constructive criticism • Engaging students in the learning environment • Gives the student a foundation to build upon

6. Describe the student feedback mechanisms you will build. • Anonymous box • An outlet for students to speak their minds about certain things without criticism or recognition • Individual evaluations • Teacher provides feedback on the assignment for individual students and discusses it with them individually • Discussion board • Students discuss the positives and negatives of various projects or assignments in an open forum

7. What specific actions will you perform to consistently motivate your students? Be specific. • Consistent feedback through prior-mentioned outlets • Occasional peer review sessions • Individual meetings to discuss student success • Incentives based on improvement • Enthusiasm for the topic at hand

8. Explain why establishing good communication with the parents is crucial. • Support system for teachers, parents and students • Involvement in students’ education • Beneficial to students who want to show success • Inform parents of problem areas • Ease worries about students’ involvement

9. How will you communicate with their parents? • E-mails • Letters sent home • Parent/Teacher conference • Phone calls • Progress reports

10. Describe your first lesson. Outline the sequence in as much detail as you can. It’s a 45 minute class. • This class will be 7th grade Pre-AP English. • Take attendance • Have each student answer: What is your favorite book? • Bell ringer activity: • How do you use English in your daily life? • Split students into groups of 3- review answers • Then generate a class list of the top 5 uses of English in our lives • What is English? Ppt. presentation • The History of the English Language and it’s evolvement over the years • Discuss application of the field in daily life • Review Syllabus

11. Describe your first lesson. Outline the sequence in as much detail as you can. It’s a 45 minute class. • Have students write down their email address, parents email and phone number on a note card • Watch video: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOVKJlgJYxU • Write down one fact that shocked you from the video. • Split students into pairs- review video • Discuss as a group the video. • Why did these facts shock you? • What do you think of the English Language after watching the video? • Discuss the long-term journal (from syllabus) • Have students free write for 5 minutes

12. Why is mastery of your course content relevant to them beyond their formal schooling? • Real world view of content • Real world application of content • Shows knowledge in content area • Well rounded discussion in class • Pros and Cons • Benefits and Costs • Enthusiasm for the content area