This is my last blog, I promise!

Today, we complete a mock interview in class.  This was an amazing experience for all of us.  It helped us learn what type of questions are asked at educational interviews.  The experience also helped me see what administrators go through in order to prepare for interviews.  Matt was the best teacher candidate for Cynthia, Steve, and I because he was professional, answered the questions confidently, and knew educational material and content.  In the future, I will make sure to research all types of interview questions so I can make sure I am prepared.  I will also not stumble when I am answering questions.  The interviewer should never see you stumble or get nervous.  Be confident, be your best!

My last blog

For my last blog I created an iMovie, but unfortunately it will not upload to my blog or to You Tube.  So instead, I will just talk about my overall experience in social studies methods.  I have learned so much from this course from technology to several teaching methods for the social studies curriculum.  Going into the course, I was afraid of what was to come.  Although the class was a lot of hard work and dedication, I believe it has prepared me to be the best teacher I can be.  I was able to experience how to collaborate with other teachers, how to co-teach, and how to create and present three different forms of lessons: Direct instruction, inquiry, and cooperative learning.   I have also shared my personal favorite song with everyone because I love the overall message of the song for myself, others, and students.  Always go after your dreams, no matter what!! You can do whatever you put your mind to and you should never listen to what others think!  Teaching is a dream of mine and I will continue to reach for the stars with this profession no matter what obstacles are placed in my path.  

My Blog Comments:
Rachel's blog
Matt's blog
Meghan's blog
Marissa's blog

My Educational Philosophy

Hello everyone! My name is Chelsea.

I am currently working towards a major in history and a minor in Spanish with a certification in Elementary school education and special education, grades one through six.

My educational philosophy: Cognitivism/Constructivism & Humanism

Cognitivism/Constructivism= The learner actively constructs his or her own understandings of reality through acting upon and reflection on experiences in the world.  When a new object, event, or experience does not fit the learner’s present knowing structures, a conflict is provoked that requires an active quest to restore balance.  Teachers facilitate environmental conditions and mediate experiences to support student learning.

Humanism= Humanist educators learning from the perspective of the human potential for growth, becoming the best one can be.  The shift is to the study of affective as well as cognitive dimensions of learning.  Beliefs include: human beings can control their own destiny; people are inherently good and will strive for a better world; people are free to act but must be responsible; behavior is the consequence of human choice; and people possess unlimited potential for growth and development.  There are natural tendencies for people to learn, which will flourish if nourishing, encouraging environments are provided.

I do believe my results on the educational philosophies self-assessment are accurate with describing how I truly feel about teaching.  I am a firm believer that everyone has the opportunity to be the best they can be.  With hard work and dedication, anyone can reach their greatest goals and dreams.  I will be a teacher that creates a positive learning environment where everyone feels comfortable in the classroom and welcomes every student that walks through the door.  I will establish a classroom that makes children excited to go to school.  Each day will be a new day for exploration, learning, discoveries, and educational and personal growth.  I believe students should learn through real life situations because when they are out of school that is what they will face.  I will encourage all of my students to work hard in school and become the person they hope to be.  Every student in my class will feel welcomed and feel like belong.  I will establish a class and will supply where every student feels confident to learn and is not afraid to make mistakes.  As humans, we learn through our weaknesses, strengths, defeats, and accomplishments.  I will always support each and every one of my students them with as much guidance as they need to grow as learners and individuals as well.

Artifact Bag

     Today, we had the opportunity to explore each other's artifact bags.  My personal artifact bag was on the Walt Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  I was able to find an authentic picture of Walt Disney himself, a play bill when the movie first came out, and a photograph of the premiere of the movie.  I also included a picture of my sister and I with Snow White at Disney when I was five.  Rachel's artifact bag was about economics and movies.  Her bag showed the relationship between money and movie making.  Joe's artifact bag dealt with the Wizard of Oz movie.I really enjoyed being able to create my personal artifact bag.  I love Disney and this project allowed me to learn about the history of the company and its movies.  Snow White is one of my favorite princess from the collection of Disney movies.  When I was little, Cinderella told me I looked like her really good friend, Snow White, and since then I have absolutely loved her.  When I was in third grade, I dressed up as Snow White and read the fairy tale to the kindergartners and they really believed I was Snow White.  These experiences have stuck with me my whole life and that is why I wanted to learn about the history.

Native American Jigsaw

     During the last week, our class has been learning about Native American tribes.  To do this, we completed a cooperative learning jigsaw activity.  I personally, was a part of the Lakota tribe expert group.  I actively searched and analyzed various websites to learn about the history, culture, lifestyles, hoes, language, and religion of the tribe.  I honestly learned so much about the Lakota tribe because i was actively engaged in locating the material.  Although i did learn some knowledge about the other tribes from my classmates power points, i did not learn thoroughly.  I was quickly exposed to a lot of information.  I wish i had more time to work in our base groups.
  Lakota tribe: PowerPoint
     Today, we were pirates while exploring Native American tribes.  We completed a treasure hunt that required us to race against each other by answering Native American questions.  My group worked so well with each other.  I did the recording, while Kathryn did the scanning of the questions.  Our group as a whole worked together to answer the questions and looked them up on the Internet when we didn't know them.  My group was able to finish first in the entire class and we received Native American expert certificates.  The treasure hunt kept us motivated and determined to do our best on the hunt because we wanted to win.  I will definitely incorporate treasure hunts in my classroom because they transform the classroom into an engaging and positive learning environment.

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is an essential component to use in the classroom.  The six elements of cooperative learning are positive interdependence, individual accountability, group processing, social skills and face to face interaction, and lesson planning.  When teachers use cooperative learning, they are encouraging a positive learning environment that connects each and every student. If you click my link below, you will be able to learn more about cooperative learning and read my personal responses to some of the activities that are presented.

SIM !!!!