I have to admit that at first, I was somewhat skeptical about the idea of having a blog. I didn't think I would take interest in it and I didn't think that I would really use it all that much. However, all of that changed after the first couple of times that I posted on my Blog. For one, it is somewhat addicting... updating your own blog and then logging onto other's blogs to see what's new with them... and the cycle continues. Most importantly though, I have really come to enjoy how freely and creatively I write when I am posting on my blog. I want to make my posts informative but also enjoyable to read. Anyway, I promise that I am going somewhere with all of this... the point I am trying to make is that if the blog has proved to be this useful for a skeptical college student, I can only imagine how fun and enjoyable younger students would find blogs. Especially if they were introduced to them at a young age!
So my idea for how to use a blog as a "Worldwide Collaborative Tool" for my future students is to have them become "virtual pen pals" with students of the same age from a school in a differnt state, or possibly even a different country. Depending on the grade level that I teach, I have a couple of things in mind for how the system would work. For lower elementary, I would have the students simply communicate back-and-forth, with a student of the same age, about a variety of things such as the weather, their likes/dislikes, what they are learning about in school, what was served for lunch that day, what field trips have the been on, do they have any pets/siblings, etc. If I was teaching upper elementary, I might have my students post their favorite writing pieces and then provide feedback back-and-forth for the writing of a student their same age. These are just a few ideas but I think that the opportunities are endless!!!
Monday, November 17, 2008
"Learning Journal"
I think that creating a classroom blog that served as a "Learning Journal" for my students would be a great idea and a very useful tool for them, as well as for me! I have always loved the idea of having students reflect every day (well okay, maybe not EVERY day but it's worth a shot, right?) about their thoughts/feelings, what they have learned, what they are still confused about, what connections they can make to the topic that we covered that day, etc. So, I could utilize that idea while also incorporating technology, by creating a blog and posting a thread for the students to reply to that includes a few of the following prompts for them to respond to:
*One thing that I found interesting about today's lesson on was because...
*Today I am a little confused about...
*Today I am feeling...
*When we learned about it reminded me of...
*My favorite part of today was...
*My least favorite part of today was...
After the students had all been given the chance to respond to one (or a few) of the prompts, I would access the blog and provide feedback to each of them and address all questions/concerns. This would be a great means of communication and would build the relationships between my students and I.
*One thing that I found interesting about today's lesson on was because...
*Today I am a little confused about...
*Today I am feeling...
*When we learned about it reminded me of...
*My favorite part of today was...
*My least favorite part of today was...
After the students had all been given the chance to respond to one (or a few) of the prompts, I would access the blog and provide feedback to each of them and address all questions/concerns. This would be a great means of communication and would build the relationships between my students and I.
How I Began My Journey Towards Becoming a Teacher... and My Hopes as a Future Educator
This is my STAR Form and I am using it as an opportunity to "Tell a Story". While this is brief, I think that it gives a clear discription of where my journey as an educator has taken me thus far, and provides insight as to where I hope my future journey will take me. Enjoy!
My name is Ashlee Davis, and I was born and raised in Wamego, Kansas. In May of 2005, I graduated from Wamego High and began pursing my dream to become an elementary education teacher. I was eager to begin my college career for two reasons in particular. For one, I will be a first generation college graduate, which is something that I take great pride in. Secondly, I have known that I wanted to teach since I was eight years old, so I was ready to finally put that process into motion.
My decision to become a teacher was an easy one. I was inspired by my second grade teacher, Mrs. Nancy Wagner, a dedicated, patient, and encouraging role model. Along with that, I developed a passion and excitement for working with children through numerous classroom experiences over the years. A few of those experiences include teacher aiding in a first grade classroom during science instruction, tutoring third and fourth grade students in mathematics, and serving as a paraprofessional for a 4-year-old, nonverbal child with autism.
Each of these experiences holds a special place in my heart and has helped me grow as a future educator. I am well aware of the growth that my student teaching experience will provide me, and I am extremely excited to begin this final step in my education. It is my goal to enter the field immediately after graduation in order to continue gaining hands-on experience in the classroom. I then plan to return to Kansas State University to complete my master's degree in Reading Instruction or Special Education. My ultimate goal is to reach the minds and touch the hearts of as many children as possible by being the most engaging, inspiring and motivating role model and educator I can possibly be.
My name is Ashlee Davis, and I was born and raised in Wamego, Kansas. In May of 2005, I graduated from Wamego High and began pursing my dream to become an elementary education teacher. I was eager to begin my college career for two reasons in particular. For one, I will be a first generation college graduate, which is something that I take great pride in. Secondly, I have known that I wanted to teach since I was eight years old, so I was ready to finally put that process into motion.
My decision to become a teacher was an easy one. I was inspired by my second grade teacher, Mrs. Nancy Wagner, a dedicated, patient, and encouraging role model. Along with that, I developed a passion and excitement for working with children through numerous classroom experiences over the years. A few of those experiences include teacher aiding in a first grade classroom during science instruction, tutoring third and fourth grade students in mathematics, and serving as a paraprofessional for a 4-year-old, nonverbal child with autism.
Each of these experiences holds a special place in my heart and has helped me grow as a future educator. I am well aware of the growth that my student teaching experience will provide me, and I am extremely excited to begin this final step in my education. It is my goal to enter the field immediately after graduation in order to continue gaining hands-on experience in the classroom. I then plan to return to Kansas State University to complete my master's degree in Reading Instruction or Special Education. My ultimate goal is to reach the minds and touch the hearts of as many children as possible by being the most engaging, inspiring and motivating role model and educator I can possibly be.
My Resume ( Unformmatted)
Permanent Address Current Address
2101 CatCreekDrive 803 Bluemont Avenue
Wamego, KS 66547 Manhattan, KS 66502
OBJECTIVE
Seeking a teaching position in a Kindergarten through sixth grade classroom where I can fulfill my passion for working with children and provide them with instruction and opportunities that will aid in their future success.
EDUCATION
Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Anticipated in May 2009
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
• Area of Concentration in Special Education to be incorporated into regular classroom teaching.
• Cumulative GPA: 3.8
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Practicum Experience Ogden Elementary Nov. 2008-Dec. 2008
· Design and utilize a social studies instructional unit to teach six economics lessons, for 20 4th graders, with one of my peers.
· Evaluate the students' comprehension of the unit objectives throughout each of the six economics lessons.
Clinical Experience Lee Elementary Feb. 2008-May 2008
· Plan three Standard-Based math lessons and three Standard-Based science lessons, for 17 2nd graders, with two of my peers.
· Teach and evaluate the students' comprehension of objectives for each math and science lesson.
Paraprofessional Stonehouse Preschool in Manhattan, KS Jan. 2008-May 2008
· Facilitate a 5-year-old, male with autism’s use of a PECS system for the following of daily routine, snack time, and free play.
· Provide Direct Instruction to a 5-year-old, male with autism.
Volunteer Teacher’s Aide Northview Elementary in Manhattan, KS Aug. 2007-Dec. 2007
· Aided with the following of the daily routine and compliance skills of 16 1st grade students.
· Observed the instruction of mathematics lessons to 16 1st grade students.
Early Field Experience Sheridan Elementary in Junction City, KS Jan.2006-May 2006
· Aided in the following of the daily routine and work schedule in a classroom of 18 1st grade students.
· Evaluated the basic vocabulary and reading comprehension skills of 18 1st grade students.
Volunteer Tutor Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Manhattan, KS Sept. 2005-May 2006
· Facilitated the after-school work of three 4th grade students in the areas of mathematics and spelling.
· Evaluated the mathematics and spelling assignments upon completion.
Assistant Cat Creek Club Daycare in Wamego, KS May 2005-Present
· Supervise inside and outside play.
· Assist with meal time and nap time routines.
ACTIVITIES & HONORS
· The Kappa Alpha Chapter of Chi Omega Aug. 2005-Present
· Wildcats Forever (Student Alumni Association) Sept. 2005-Present
· Adopt-a-School Volunteer Sept. 2005-Dec. 2007
· Dean of Education’s Honor List Dec. 2005-Present
· National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) May 2007-Present
· Kansas National Education Association, Student Program (KNEA-SP) Aug. 2007-Present
2101 CatCreekDrive 803 Bluemont Avenue
Wamego, KS 66547 Manhattan, KS 66502
OBJECTIVE
Seeking a teaching position in a Kindergarten through sixth grade classroom where I can fulfill my passion for working with children and provide them with instruction and opportunities that will aid in their future success.
EDUCATION
Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Anticipated in May 2009
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
• Area of Concentration in Special Education to be incorporated into regular classroom teaching.
• Cumulative GPA: 3.8
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Practicum Experience Ogden Elementary Nov. 2008-Dec. 2008
· Design and utilize a social studies instructional unit to teach six economics lessons, for 20 4th graders, with one of my peers.
· Evaluate the students' comprehension of the unit objectives throughout each of the six economics lessons.
Clinical Experience Lee Elementary Feb. 2008-May 2008
· Plan three Standard-Based math lessons and three Standard-Based science lessons, for 17 2nd graders, with two of my peers.
· Teach and evaluate the students' comprehension of objectives for each math and science lesson.
Paraprofessional Stonehouse Preschool in Manhattan, KS Jan. 2008-May 2008
· Facilitate a 5-year-old, male with autism’s use of a PECS system for the following of daily routine, snack time, and free play.
· Provide Direct Instruction to a 5-year-old, male with autism.
Volunteer Teacher’s Aide Northview Elementary in Manhattan, KS Aug. 2007-Dec. 2007
· Aided with the following of the daily routine and compliance skills of 16 1st grade students.
· Observed the instruction of mathematics lessons to 16 1st grade students.
Early Field Experience Sheridan Elementary in Junction City, KS Jan.2006-May 2006
· Aided in the following of the daily routine and work schedule in a classroom of 18 1st grade students.
· Evaluated the basic vocabulary and reading comprehension skills of 18 1st grade students.
Volunteer Tutor Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Manhattan, KS Sept. 2005-May 2006
· Facilitated the after-school work of three 4th grade students in the areas of mathematics and spelling.
· Evaluated the mathematics and spelling assignments upon completion.
Assistant Cat Creek Club Daycare in Wamego, KS May 2005-Present
· Supervise inside and outside play.
· Assist with meal time and nap time routines.
ACTIVITIES & HONORS
· The Kappa Alpha Chapter of Chi Omega Aug. 2005-Present
· Wildcats Forever (Student Alumni Association) Sept. 2005-Present
· Adopt-a-School Volunteer Sept. 2005-Dec. 2007
· Dean of Education’s Honor List Dec. 2005-Present
· National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) May 2007-Present
· Kansas National Education Association, Student Program (KNEA-SP) Aug. 2007-Present
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A Few of My Favorite "Teacher" Websites
For my practicum experience my cooperating teacher asked my partner (McKenzie) and I to teach the fourth graders about economics. McKenzie and I chose to focus on the 3 types of resources and goods and services. These are just a few of the websites I have referred to and utilized throughout my planning and instruction of those lessons...
http://www.kidseconbooks.com
This site has SEVERAL ideas for introducing students to the important topics of economics through the use of literature. It lists a few books for introducing each topic and there are also guided questions and discussion questions included for each book. This is definitely a good site to look into when trying to develop the beginning of a lesson...
www.unitedstreaming.com
This site is AMAZING! It is a site that you have to subscribe to and I am not sure the cost of membership, but I would definitely recommend looking into it for the future. It is funded by, or somehow linked to the discovery channel and it is of very high quality. Basically the site includes videos or short video segments of anything and everything. You just type in the topic of what you are teaching, and the site locates videos that include information about that topic. Again, this is a great sight for finding ideas about how to introduce students to a lesson.
http://www.edhelper.com
I have always been a big fan of this site because it is completely full of ideas and activities for a wide range of educational topics. For example, there are lesson ideas for foreign languages, the holidays, special education, middle school math, pre-K reading, etc. This site is also an excellent place to go if you need to create worksheets, cross-word puzzles, and or word searches.
http://www.kidseconbooks.com
This site has SEVERAL ideas for introducing students to the important topics of economics through the use of literature. It lists a few books for introducing each topic and there are also guided questions and discussion questions included for each book. This is definitely a good site to look into when trying to develop the beginning of a lesson...
www.unitedstreaming.com
This site is AMAZING! It is a site that you have to subscribe to and I am not sure the cost of membership, but I would definitely recommend looking into it for the future. It is funded by, or somehow linked to the discovery channel and it is of very high quality. Basically the site includes videos or short video segments of anything and everything. You just type in the topic of what you are teaching, and the site locates videos that include information about that topic. Again, this is a great sight for finding ideas about how to introduce students to a lesson.
http://www.edhelper.com
I have always been a big fan of this site because it is completely full of ideas and activities for a wide range of educational topics. For example, there are lesson ideas for foreign languages, the holidays, special education, middle school math, pre-K reading, etc. This site is also an excellent place to go if you need to create worksheets, cross-word puzzles, and or word searches.
Links In My Life
Here are links to 5 of the websites that I visit most frequently. I know, I know not that exciting, but it's the true and let's be honest... you have to balance work and play so that's where FACEBOOK comes in ;)
http://www.ksu.edu
http://www.webmail.ksu.edu
http://www.gmail.com
www.usd383.org
http://www.facebook.com
http://www.ksu.edu
http://www.webmail.ksu.edu
http://www.gmail.com
www.usd383.org
http://www.facebook.com
Meet My Family
*** These are just a few pictures of my family and I...***
That is an OLD picture of my mom and I in Las Vegas, a year ago, for my 21st birthday (back when my hair was blonde!) The picture of my dad and I was just taken a couple of weeks ago when my dad came up for the football game on my sorority's Dad's Day. The picture of my brother Kohlten and I was taken this 4th of July at a family friend's lake house in Council Grove, KS... he is only 13 and already taller than me!!! (He has grown a LOT since this picture was taken... he is now 5' 6"!)
That is an OLD picture of my mom and I in Las Vegas, a year ago, for my 21st birthday (back when my hair was blonde!) The picture of my dad and I was just taken a couple of weeks ago when my dad came up for the football game on my sorority's Dad's Day. The picture of my brother Kohlten and I was taken this 4th of July at a family friend's lake house in Council Grove, KS... he is only 13 and already taller than me!!! (He has grown a LOT since this picture was taken... he is now 5' 6"!)
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