Let’s talk Technology

Technology is important in schools from elementary to high school. Teachers have to prepare students for careers beyond their high school education. Now, with technology becoming more wireless it is more important than ever for teachers to have integrated technology-based projects in their curriculum.

It helps create a learning environment in which students are more confident and productive as they engage in projects that empower them to take ownership of their education.  It is a vital skill in the new digital world giving them the ability to work collaboratively on projects with others who may not be physically close.

It allows students to reinforce ideas by pulling the necessary materials and experiencing for themselves.
Lets face it technology is everywhere,students are sure to be interested in learning if they can use the tools they love. I believe it is very important that students are tech-savvy.
Please understand that technology is not a substitute for our new or veteran teachers.

Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many

http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

T E A C H E R S

Teaching is a profession that can yield something truly amazing when the right ideas are implemented in the classroom. I believe that the purpose of teaching is not to teach students to memorize or know the correct answer, but to get students to have a clear understanding of the concept that is being taught. As a educator you are to provide students with knowledge and skills needed for them to excel not only academically, but in their personal lives as well. When you are a educator of course it is teaching a set curriculum to students, but it’s also caring for students, respecting cultures and diversities, encouraging, communication, and so much more.

Having a positive attitude is a quality that is important to have as a teacher. Teachers should be optimistic always teaching students to see their glass half full instead of half empty is vital; teach students to met all their challenges. Listen skills are essential in the teaching profession. Listen to the students, as well as getting to know them and how they learn whether they are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learns.   Showing care and compassion to students is imperative. I want to be able to provide a positive learning environment for students to come have fun and learn.

A teacher is defined as some that provides instructional education and communication for students, but is more than just teaching; it’s learning. Becoming a teacher is to become a life long learner.

Plan-Do-Review

The plan- do-review system in used in the High/ Scope curriculum, and it is to encourage children learning and evolvement in their education. The sequence of the plan- do- review is designed to meet various learning goals. This specific system fosters various benefits of Bloom’s Taxonomy for children and their development rather than having free choice centers each day.

During the “plan” the teacher and student come together before students go to their center of choice and discuss a plan. A plan of what they are going to do, how they will do, what they’ll use to do that specific task, and make predictions of their outcome. During this process children learn to be more cautious and active when they are able to direct the course of their learning. The planning phase also promotes high order thinking skills as well problem-solving skills for the students.

While all centers offer children free choice time , High Scope takes it to the next level for its students by placing emphasizes on intention, thinking ahead, discussion of ideas, and planning. Next is “do”, at this time children are encouraged to be deeply engaged in their chosen activities and extend their plans and work progress. This allows student to have ownership, which in turns promotes independence, initiative, and productiveness.

Last it is “review or reflect”, when it is time to wrap up students and teachers come back together for a discussion to recap experiences, reflect on predictions and outcomes, and share the excitement. To do this teachers ask the children questions that will promote  dialogue such as asking opened questions, connecting to prior knowledge, compare and contrast different student activities, and etc. While discussion is only a part over the review children are also asked to represent their experiences, whether it’s a story, journal, or even a drawing it allows students to analyze.

With the active learning experiences, opened materials, responsive interactions, and personal goal setting, children’s learning is supported on their own level and at their own pace.

Get to know the High Scope Curriculum

Let’s Play!!

I believe that the mind of a child is powerful and virtually unlimited. With imagination a child creates whole new world of their own this will allow children and learn through exploring through play. Children should be allowed to tap into the imagination and unlock their creativity.

Imagination and creative play in important to a child cognitive development. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play important to a child having healthy brain development. It is through play that children are able to engage and explore in the world around them. Play allows children to create and develop a world they can master during play, their own worlds. Allowing children to act on their imagination and creativity is also important to their social competence and emotional maturity. Having enrichment activities and free time center are great to things to have which can foster a child creative imagination. Creative paly also allow parents and guardians to full engage with their children allow the adult to become apart of their world.

“Dreams are the language of creation.” -Bernie Sigel

Click the link below to learn more about The Importance of Play

Say YES!!

(Yes Prep North Central Campus)

Yes Prep Public Schools opened it’s doors in 1998, and since has been refining possibilities for students and their families. Having several schools in the Houston area. Yes is serving more than 7,000 students, grades 6-12. Yes, public charter school systems severs students that are in low socio-economic communities.

(Yes Prep North Forest Campus)

Yes lays foundations for its students having high expections and innovations. “The Yes story is a unique one, we are making college an accessible goal for our students.” stated by Cliff Claffin the Senior School Director. Yes is refining what is possible for student of low socio- economics status.

Yes has earned various awards including Best Place to Work, Most Outstanding Charter School, one of the top schools in the nation, and even having every school rated “Exemplary” by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Yes is going against statistics, showing that regardless of race or socio-economic status you can achieve mote than what’s around you. “Yes is changing kids lives and a community in the process”

To get more information on Yes School visit the link below

http://www.yesprep.org