Virtual Field Trip

My Education and Training Class recently went on a field trip to The Perot Museum of Nature and Science to be inspired by some of their exhibits to create lesson plans and activities. Below is my virtual field trip for kindergarten science about different animals and their characteristics inspired by the Perot Museum.

Learning Activity

In response to Mrs. Steven's Wiki, I created a learning activity.

Kindergarten Math-  Counting

The Math Turkey












Students will:
       - recognize numbers
       - understand the amount of numbers
       - match corresponding number to amount

How do you make a Math Turkey?

Turkey:
1. Get a paper plate and cut the outside trimming off, leaving a flat circle remaining
2. Paint plate brown
3. Once plate has dried completely, use a straight edge to cut 5 slits along the outside boarder of the turkey for feathers to be placed in
4. Cut colored construction paper in long oval shapes to be used as feathers
5. On each feather, write a number on the back ranging from 1-10
6. Place paper feathers in the slits in the plate
7. Use left over construction paper to give your turkey a face

Game Paper:
1. Use Microsoft Word to create a table
2. In each section of the table, have a certain number of items (ranging from 1-10)
3. Make sure you have the correct number of each item (if there are 5 feathers with the number 3 on it, make sure there are 5 sections in the table that have 3 items)
4. Laminate papers

How to Play?
Students will take turns picking a feather off the turkey. They will flip the feather over and look at the number on the back. They will look at the game paper and find the section that has the corresponding number of items. Once they find it, they will put an "X" over the box.

What do you need to make it?
           -paper plate
           -different colors of construction paper
           -brown paint
           -scissors
           - straight edge
           - computer (to make game paper)

Taking an Initiative

In response to Mrs. Steven's blog, the word initiative means thinking ahead and seeing a need before it is spoken.

10 Things ways I can show initiative in EAT classrooms:
1. Helping a student struggling in the classroom
2. Tie a students shoe lace
3. Assist students struggling to type in their password
4. Make sure students are following rules
5. Walk students to water fountain when coughing
6. Watch that students are fair at recess
7. Lead the line to there next rotation
8. Carry the walkie-talkie when necessary
9. Partner up with a partner less person
10. Make sure students walk quietly in line

5 Synonyms:
1. eager
2. drive
3. resourcefulness
4. adventurousness
5. ambition

In the classroom this week, a student in my classroom could not stop coughing, so I took the initiative to walk her to the nurses office to make sure she didn't have a virus. The next day, a student had an accident in class. I watched the class as they played a game to keep them quiet as the teacher went to a different classroom. Once the teacher returned, I had to help the student find her teacher so we could get keys to get an extra pair of clothes. Doing these things helped my teacher out big time because she was able to stay with her class while I helped out one student that had a problem.

Having initiative is huge in becoming a teacher because the students may not always be straightforward with you, so it is good to be able to view the situation and do something without being told to do so.

My First Day as a Teacher

In response to Mrs. Stevens Blog

Gail Stewart teaches kindergarten at North Ridge Elementary School. While I am there, her students have math, recess, and specials (music, computer, P.E.). On my first day I was extremely nervous, but the hardest part was walking in for the first time. Once I was in the classroom, the students were working on math stations. As I walked around the room, each student was so excited to see me and wanted to show me all they were learning in math. The students asked me many questions because they were curious. Not only did I get to interact with them in the classroom, but also at recess and in their special classes. I got to have fun with the kids and I'm looking forward to understanding young children more as the year goes on. I am also looking forward to learning different teaching techniques from Mrs. Stewart.

What Would You Do?

In response to Mrs. Steven's Blog this week, I am writing about scenario 2.

In scenario 2, one EAT student texts you asking you to sign him in and out because he forgot to do it before he left for an early dismissal. You don't recall seeing him on the bus. Would you sign him in and out without talking to your EAT teacher?

If I was at my field site and someone in my EAT class texted me asking if I could sign them in and out because they had an early dismissal, I would probably tell them to talk to Mrs. Stevens about the situation. I would not feel comfortable signing in for someone else especially if I didn't see them on the bus earlier that day. Even if my classmate was indeed there and got an early dismissal, I would feel better if they told Mrs. Stevens, so I could stay out of that situation.



Also, since we are not supposed to be on our phone at the site school, a student in the EAT program should not rely on me to sign them in by texting me because I shouldn't see the text in the first place.

Significant Relationships

In response to Mrs. Steven's Blog, I have had several teachers that have taught me a lot of information, but few of them have actually cared to have a relationship with me. One that did was named Ms. Payton, and is now Mrs. Henderson because she got married
. She did teach me very valuable skills, but the reason was because she cared for her students so much that she did whatever it took for each person to understand.

Ms. Payton was my 5th grade teacher at North Ridge Elementary and I truly believe I was not in her class by mistake. She loved and cared about each and every student and we all knew it. That is why each student tried so hard everyday, because we didn't want to let her down. She pushed us to our limits and made assignments very difficult on us because she knew what we were capable of and wanted us to reach our true potential.

Click here to view Mrs. Henderson's webpage. Just by glancing at it, you can see how much she loves her students by all the pictures she has of them and with them.

She gave us a lot of homework and projects, which not only helped us become more creative, but also taught us time management because we had our daily homework on top of our projects. She gave us life lessons throughout the year during school days because she understood the major impact she had on our life. She taught me to be content with my best, time management skills, how to be kind to all people, and most of all, the grade you earn in school isn't the most important thing in life, but it's how
school builds your character that will go with you the rest of your life.

Mrs. Henderson was one of those people that always had open ears. She would listen to whatever you had to tell her. I could talk to her about school related things and life related things. She was there for us to make us be better students and people and she did everything in her power to do so. She would always verbalize that she was proud of us and she made us feel like we were important.

I didn't realize the impact Mrs. Henderson had on my learning and my life until I got into middle school. I had the knowledge and skill to be successful in all of my classes. She pushed me which made my work ethic how it is today. She helped me to be proud of myself for the work I put into something not the outcome of it. Most of the things she taught me have stuck with me even to this day.

In the process of becoming a teacher, I would strive to be like Mrs. Henderson. I would be available to all students for both school and life. Once students are done with high school, they will be on their own, so it is important to teach them things they will need in the real world as well. I would make sure I am organized and spend the time I have with my students well. I would balance encouragement and feedback. I would set an example to my students on how to be a caring and loving person to all. I would push my students further than they imagined they could go. Sometimes my students might not like me for all the hard work I would be giving them, but they would learn to appreciated it once they realized how much they have improved throughout the year.

Becoming a Physical Therapist and Teacher

In response to Mrs. Stevens blog I did some research on some colleges sports medicine programs because I am wanting to be a physical therapist and this is what I found.

Two possibilities for my future school would be Hardin Simmons University and Dallas Baptist University.

 Hardin Simmons is located in Abilene, Texas. It's tuition costs $745 per semester hour. With another $1,760 for a normal meal plan. They have a sports medicine and athletic training program. And they have financial aid and scholarships that you can apply for within the department.

Dallas Baptist University is located in Dallas, Texas. It's tuition costs $735 per semester hour. Plus $1,740 for a normal meal plan. And anywhere from $1,030-$1,635 for dorms. They have Kinesiology major as well. Scholarships are available for Christian leadership, academic excellence, ministerial scholarships, plus many more.

If I change my mind in becoming a physical therapist, I would consider a coaching career which will include teaching, so here are a few helpful tips in becoming a teacher:

1.Education: must have at least a bachelors degree

2. Earn Teaching Credential: differs from each state, but passing a standardize test is involved

3. Find a Job: certain teaching websites like http://teach.com/ have certain links to help you during your job search

4. Your Teaching Career: your career will develop over time, but by staying involved, keeping current, and using new teaching methods and technology, will help you be successful

Optional
5. Receive Higher Levels of Training

If teaching in Texas, the average elementary school salary in $51,090, the average secondary school salary is $53,160; if you have a masters degree you will have a high salary and the chance to get a higher position like principle or counselor. You can get 15 weeks of vacation per year; if you have a teaching credential from another state, you can be eligible to earn a Texas teaching credential as well; and you must complete 300 hours of coursework and student teaching combined. With a minimum of 80 hours coursework and a minimum of 30 hours student teaching.

I would definitely consider teaching abroad if I indeed pursue a teaching career because of the benefits it provides. You will learn and understand different cultures by experiencing them. And you can observe how educators from different countries teach their students, which will in turn help you gain more teaching methods. Certification may vary depending on where you are teaching abroad, but some countries do not require any teaching experience at all. Though some people, who have already graduated, decide to teach abroad so they can figure out where they are wanting to teach permanently.

Helpful Links

Click here to view a really helpful website that shows different apps that teachers can use in the classroom. For example, by using storyboard and animating students will be able to be creative and use their imagination. Or by using the interviewing and presentation app, so kids can use what they learn and apply it by using the app.

Click here to go to a website that shows a helpful iPad app that will help children with their grammer skills. The game has multiple levels that increase in difficulty. Not only does this app help kids recognize words, but kids are required to match the word to the correct part of speech in the sentence, so they must be able to understand the part of speech.

Click here to view a website for physical therapist that shows many helpful tips for fun exercises. Scooter boards are a fun tool used for people of all ages because they are versatile. They help rehab hands and arms when people push themselves only using their arms. Also, clothespin games are created for people that are needing help with their fine motor skills.

Intro to Me

My name is Jennifer Strawn, and I am a junior at Richland High School. I play volleyball almost all year and plan on becoming a physical therapist. I enjoy spending time with my family and youth group. I have one older sister and three cats. I hope to play college volleyball at a small, Christian school.