Lake Stevens High School is privileged to have many technological tools available for teachers and students. Each classroom I’ve observed has at least three computers available for student use; students may also use one of the many computers in the school’s library or computer lab before and after school.
Mrs. Tilley’s English 10 class worked in the library for two days to gather information for an upcoming research paper about the ancient Roman Empire. LSHS has subscriptions to online scholarly journals that give students the opportunity to work with programs that will be beneficial once they enter any sort of higher education program. Non computer technology available for students and staff includes the regular use of the Elmo, a digital projector used in many professional instances, as well as Blackboard, an online space for teachers, students, and parents to keep track of grades and assignments.
Teachers are given paid training for these tools in order to be able to receive optimal use of the tools. Students are offered several technology based classes, from digital and web design, to programming and video production. Students run their very own Student Viking Website, as well as a daily morning announcement show, Viking Television.
Since there are so many opportunities for students to use these tools, and they are easily available, students are required to take advantage of them and complete typed papers and assignments, as well as regular PowerPoint projects. Teachers give some in-class time to use computers, but students are also urged to use their own time as well.
In my future classroom, I will have to take the community as a whole into consideration before deciding how much “technology time” is necessary for a class. Lake Stevens HS is fortunate to have readily available technological tools for their students and staff, but not every district will have the same advantages.
Friday, May 22
Thursday, May 21
How Students Learn
Teachers may work towards creating a diverse learning environment, but what is of utmost importance is that educators find what works best for not only students as individuals, but students as a group. Mrs. Tilley and the other teachers at LSHS have created a happy medium that benefits their students greatly.
Mrs. Tilley's English 10 classes can be a hand full, but what I've noticed is that since she changed up their routines on a daily basis, they maintain focus and interest. For the past couple weeks we have been reading Julius Caesar, and by allowing group, silent, and whole-class reading, students do not complain of always having to do one thing. If they prove themselves capable of working with partners that day, Mrs. Tilley gives them the opportunity to do so. If not, then they work silently.
Analyzing Antony's speech from Julius Caesar was a helpful lesson for every student in English 10. Yesterday we read the scene as a class, and I stopped at important parts to explain what was going on and to give students a chance to ask questions. Today Mrs. Tilley had the kids break down the speech in regards to persuasive and ironic tactics. After Mrs. Tilley gave a mini-lesson on what exactly irony was and how it is positively influential in persuasive speeches and essays, students went through the entire speech and marked every example of irony. Students were given the chance to prove the significance of irony by giving specific examples, thus better understanding the play.
I am impressed with the methods that Lake Stevens High School faculty uses, and have seen many great techniques that work well both in theory and in practice!
Mrs. Tilley's English 10 classes can be a hand full, but what I've noticed is that since she changed up their routines on a daily basis, they maintain focus and interest. For the past couple weeks we have been reading Julius Caesar, and by allowing group, silent, and whole-class reading, students do not complain of always having to do one thing. If they prove themselves capable of working with partners that day, Mrs. Tilley gives them the opportunity to do so. If not, then they work silently.
Analyzing Antony's speech from Julius Caesar was a helpful lesson for every student in English 10. Yesterday we read the scene as a class, and I stopped at important parts to explain what was going on and to give students a chance to ask questions. Today Mrs. Tilley had the kids break down the speech in regards to persuasive and ironic tactics. After Mrs. Tilley gave a mini-lesson on what exactly irony was and how it is positively influential in persuasive speeches and essays, students went through the entire speech and marked every example of irony. Students were given the chance to prove the significance of irony by giving specific examples, thus better understanding the play.
I am impressed with the methods that Lake Stevens High School faculty uses, and have seen many great techniques that work well both in theory and in practice!
Wednesday, May 20
Teaching Methods
Lake Stevens High School's staff works hard to provide students with a wide range of learning techniques. Depending on the grade level, as well as the individual classroom's overall attitude, Mrs. Tilley allows for more partner and group work knowing that students will not waste time. Another main goal at LSHS is to stray from lecture and create a more student based environment. Socratic seminars are an efficient way to get students involved in the material, as well as a form of practice for speaking and being able to back up what one believes.
Hands-on projects have been performed in many of the classes as well. Mrs. Tilley has her English 10 students act out select scenes from plays, and for her AP literature students, assigns an oral essay filled with demonstrations and skits. She also created LSHS's Literary Club, in which students create a literary journal, The Valkyrie, every year.
I plan on using similar judgment as Mrs. Tilley in my future classroom. Depending on each class and their attentiveness and behavior, more freedoms will be awarded through group work and "noisy" activities. Also, I am prepared to give my specific attention to accommodate students in need. For example, Mr. Alderson allows one student who struggles with fine motor skills to take an oral exam rather than a written one. Today Mr. Alderson explained to me that although this student is incredibly smart, he has difficulty showing it, and even believing it himself, because he has been forced to write his knowledge rather than say it.
It is crucial for every good teacher to create a diverse learning environment that reaches out to every student who enters the classroom. Lake Stevens High School's English department has done an excellent job in demonstrating positive teaching techniques and learning environments that I can learn from myself.
Hands-on projects have been performed in many of the classes as well. Mrs. Tilley has her English 10 students act out select scenes from plays, and for her AP literature students, assigns an oral essay filled with demonstrations and skits. She also created LSHS's Literary Club, in which students create a literary journal, The Valkyrie, every year.
I plan on using similar judgment as Mrs. Tilley in my future classroom. Depending on each class and their attentiveness and behavior, more freedoms will be awarded through group work and "noisy" activities. Also, I am prepared to give my specific attention to accommodate students in need. For example, Mr. Alderson allows one student who struggles with fine motor skills to take an oral exam rather than a written one. Today Mr. Alderson explained to me that although this student is incredibly smart, he has difficulty showing it, and even believing it himself, because he has been forced to write his knowledge rather than say it.
It is crucial for every good teacher to create a diverse learning environment that reaches out to every student who enters the classroom. Lake Stevens High School's English department has done an excellent job in demonstrating positive teaching techniques and learning environments that I can learn from myself.
Tuesday, May 19
Routines and Organization
The English department at Lake Stevens High School has displayed positively functioning, yet diverse classroom routines and organizational methods.
Mrs. Tilley consistently follows her routine with each class. She normally starts off the period by greeting the students, followed by the request to retrieve all the materials needed for that day, such as literature books, pencils, and paper. Mrs. Tilley explained that in order to keep students engaged, she tries to have about two solid activities planned for each class, that way students will not loose concentration with an hour long activity. She also believes that it is very important to give students time limits for their work so that students do not put off work until the bell or the next day.
Mr. Alderson also works towards maintaining a meaningful class day, and makes sure to allow students to be actively participating throughout the hour. Today he and his Creative Writing students mapped out due dates for the next few weeks. He allowed his students to talk amongst themselves and determine which days would be best to have tests, assignments due, and when to have work days at the library.
Some teachers that I've observed silently take attendance during free time, while others use the first few minutes of class to call out each student's name. Every teacher that I've worked with, however, is a firm believer of teaching from bell to bell--something that I too will enforce. Also, depending on what the class is doing, teachers will either answer the phone or let it ring, and if students are busy with a major assignment or test passes from the office will be held on to until the student finishes.
I'm learning a variety of teaching approaches in which I can continue to grow and find out what will work best for me and my future classroom.
Mrs. Tilley consistently follows her routine with each class. She normally starts off the period by greeting the students, followed by the request to retrieve all the materials needed for that day, such as literature books, pencils, and paper. Mrs. Tilley explained that in order to keep students engaged, she tries to have about two solid activities planned for each class, that way students will not loose concentration with an hour long activity. She also believes that it is very important to give students time limits for their work so that students do not put off work until the bell or the next day.
Mr. Alderson also works towards maintaining a meaningful class day, and makes sure to allow students to be actively participating throughout the hour. Today he and his Creative Writing students mapped out due dates for the next few weeks. He allowed his students to talk amongst themselves and determine which days would be best to have tests, assignments due, and when to have work days at the library.
Some teachers that I've observed silently take attendance during free time, while others use the first few minutes of class to call out each student's name. Every teacher that I've worked with, however, is a firm believer of teaching from bell to bell--something that I too will enforce. Also, depending on what the class is doing, teachers will either answer the phone or let it ring, and if students are busy with a major assignment or test passes from the office will be held on to until the student finishes.
I'm learning a variety of teaching approaches in which I can continue to grow and find out what will work best for me and my future classroom.
Monday, May 18
Classroom Management and Disciplinary Procedures
Each teacher has his or her own unique teaching style, and at Lake Stevens High School teachers reflect their style in their classroom management. LSHS has school-wide regulations that students are urged to follow and that teachers are urged to enforce.
Dress Code: At Lake Stevens High School, "Clothing, personal items, or other medium that promotes the use of tobacco products, alcohol or other drugs, inappropriate language, sexual innuendo, slang or gang slang, or is indecent, too revealing, or too suggestive is not allowed. Shirts and pants must be the type that covers the body in an appropriate and decent manner for school. Pants cannot be sagging below the hips and undergarments must be covered." Sunglasses, bandannas, do rags, or any other articles that school administration deems as inappropriate are not allowed during school or school events. Lake Stevens High School follows steps based on the offense and how often it's occurred. Students will have to change their clothes, wear clothes provided by the school, or call home for a change of clothes on his or her first offense. Second and third offenses call for one day or short term suspension depending on the severity.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD): LSHS is strongly dedicated to maintaining a safe, drug-free environment through the strict and serious ATOD actions. "Any student under the influence of, in possession of, or soliciting for use or sale of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol will face immediate long-term suspension or expulsion." Again, depending on the frequency of the action, students may have a suspension reduction or expulsion depending on what step must be taken.
Cheating/Plagiarism and Closed Campus: Students are reprimanded for breaking the rules placed upon academic dishonesty and leaving campus during school hours with detention, Saturday school, and short-term suspension respectively.
Electronic Devices: Phone and MP3 expectations vary widely throughout each classroom. Overall, students are not allowed to use cell phones nor MP3 players during class time, and may be confiscated for the remainder of the day if used. Some teachers, however, allow MP3 players to be used during individual work time. Other teachers do not enforce the MP3 rule and allow students to leave in one ear bud throughout the period. Personally, I do not think that MP3 players, and especially cell phones, are needed in the classroom and would use the allowance of MP3 players as a reward for those who prove responsible enough during silent work only (i.e. silent reading, individual worksheets). Music players would not be allowed in my classroom during tests, discussions, note-taking, or group work--not even one ear bud in.
Tardies and truency are actions that many teachers struggle with. According to the LSHS handbook, students are sent to in-school suspension (ISS) for excessive tardies or for skipping class. Many educators do not understand why missing class is a punishment for missing class, therefore many teachers create their own retributions.
Faculty and staff are also dedicated to keeping a safe environment free of harassment, intimidation, and bullying and are sure to watch over students during class and between classes in the hallways.
Every teacher that I spoke with today encouraged the use of a stern, consistent disciplinary routine that I follow when I first meet my students at the beginning of the year or semester. Ms. Herron advised that as a new teacher, "we can be friendly without being friends." This mentality will create and maintain a professional yet comfortable environment for all students as well as myself.
Dress Code: At Lake Stevens High School, "Clothing, personal items, or other medium that promotes the use of tobacco products, alcohol or other drugs, inappropriate language, sexual innuendo, slang or gang slang, or is indecent, too revealing, or too suggestive is not allowed. Shirts and pants must be the type that covers the body in an appropriate and decent manner for school. Pants cannot be sagging below the hips and undergarments must be covered." Sunglasses, bandannas, do rags, or any other articles that school administration deems as inappropriate are not allowed during school or school events. Lake Stevens High School follows steps based on the offense and how often it's occurred. Students will have to change their clothes, wear clothes provided by the school, or call home for a change of clothes on his or her first offense. Second and third offenses call for one day or short term suspension depending on the severity.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD): LSHS is strongly dedicated to maintaining a safe, drug-free environment through the strict and serious ATOD actions. "Any student under the influence of, in possession of, or soliciting for use or sale of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol will face immediate long-term suspension or expulsion." Again, depending on the frequency of the action, students may have a suspension reduction or expulsion depending on what step must be taken.
Cheating/Plagiarism and Closed Campus: Students are reprimanded for breaking the rules placed upon academic dishonesty and leaving campus during school hours with detention, Saturday school, and short-term suspension respectively.
Electronic Devices: Phone and MP3 expectations vary widely throughout each classroom. Overall, students are not allowed to use cell phones nor MP3 players during class time, and may be confiscated for the remainder of the day if used. Some teachers, however, allow MP3 players to be used during individual work time. Other teachers do not enforce the MP3 rule and allow students to leave in one ear bud throughout the period. Personally, I do not think that MP3 players, and especially cell phones, are needed in the classroom and would use the allowance of MP3 players as a reward for those who prove responsible enough during silent work only (i.e. silent reading, individual worksheets). Music players would not be allowed in my classroom during tests, discussions, note-taking, or group work--not even one ear bud in.
Tardies and truency are actions that many teachers struggle with. According to the LSHS handbook, students are sent to in-school suspension (ISS) for excessive tardies or for skipping class. Many educators do not understand why missing class is a punishment for missing class, therefore many teachers create their own retributions.
Faculty and staff are also dedicated to keeping a safe environment free of harassment, intimidation, and bullying and are sure to watch over students during class and between classes in the hallways.
Every teacher that I spoke with today encouraged the use of a stern, consistent disciplinary routine that I follow when I first meet my students at the beginning of the year or semester. Ms. Herron advised that as a new teacher, "we can be friendly without being friends." This mentality will create and maintain a professional yet comfortable environment for all students as well as myself.
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