On Monday night we had three parents from the community come and talk to us.
The first question that was asked was if they were happy with the teachers. One parent said that they were happy with the teachers who were in touch with current practice. They are using new ideas to make the classes more enjoyable. The work that the students were doing seemed more creative. The second part of the question was how do they deal with a teacher they are not happy with. The response was to talk to the teacher. Parents agreed that they don't want to interfere with their childrens school life unless necessary. If their children are not doing well in a class they will talk to the teacher and figure out a solution to the problem. They liked it when teachers were cooperative and willing to make adjustments and give extra help.
They were asked about No Child Left Behind and how they felt about it. The parents response was different than the administration, teachers and school board responses. The parents said that the test scores really don't mean anything to them. Now at conferences the teachers will show the parents a graph and talk about what it means. There is no time for the parents to ask questions about their child and how they are doing. The parents said that they don't know how to take the data and help their children. They said that the test should not determine the funding for schools. Now the tests are the main focus the parents really don't know what to do with that information.
All of the parents agreed that a second language should be taught at a young age. One of the parents said that they took a second language when they were in second grade. They think that knowing that language helped them when they took another language later in high school. They agreed that the language should be started at the second or third grade level.
The parents were asked if they felt the curriculum expectations for students is practical. They said that some of the material that the students do they don't know if they are really understanding it. The material may be better understood if they had waited a few years and taught students. They said that they don't mind getting more content in but if the students are not able to understand the material it is a waste of time.
I think that having the parents last was a good way to end the panel type of discussions. They had good information for us as we work toward becoming teachers. The parents also had some much different input than the others we had come in and talk with us.
It was nice of the parents to take the time to come and talk with us.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Lecture 11/6
The lecture on Thursday night was “Islam and Christian Muslim Dialogue: Theological and Political Challenge and Opportunity.” Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali gave the lecture. It was at 7 in Olin 102.
Dr. Amjad-Ali talked about the Islamic religion and the beliefs that they hold. He said that Islam religion is close to the Christian faith. Islamic religion they believe in Allah which is there God. Their bible is the Qur'an.
He gave us some of the history of the religion. The religion was established in 622. Many people followed the beliefs of the Islam religion and they believed in Allah. Spain was ruled by Islam for about eight hundred years. Then Christianity was developed and some people converted.
The lecture was interesting. It was interesting to hear about another religion and their beliefs.
Dr. Amjad-Ali was a good speaker. He started out his lecture with quotes. He kept everyones attention through out the lecture. He had time for questioning after the lectures.
Dr. Amjad-Ali talked about the Islamic religion and the beliefs that they hold. He said that Islam religion is close to the Christian faith. Islamic religion they believe in Allah which is there God. Their bible is the Qur'an.
He gave us some of the history of the religion. The religion was established in 622. Many people followed the beliefs of the Islam religion and they believed in Allah. Spain was ruled by Islam for about eight hundred years. Then Christianity was developed and some people converted.
The lecture was interesting. It was interesting to hear about another religion and their beliefs.
Dr. Amjad-Ali was a good speaker. He started out his lecture with quotes. He kept everyones attention through out the lecture. He had time for questioning after the lectures.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Teachers 11/3
On Monday night we had teachers who have been teaching for ten years or less come in and talk to us. It was nice to hear from them. They are actually in the classroom and still learning new teaching tools everyday. We had a music, special education, and 5th grade teacher.
The first question that was asked was what surprised them the most about teaching. The answer they gave surprised me a little. Two of them said that sometimes their ideas are not accepted. The teachers who have been teaching for a while have their way and they don't want to change. They said that even if they are told that their idea will not work, they still have to try it and find out for themselves.
We asked them about No Child Left Behind and how they felt about it. They agreed that there is a lot of emphasis on test scores. They didn't have anything negative to say about the process. The test scores are helpful for them to determine where the students are at and where they need help. They also show the teacher what they may need to review with the students and may need to improve themselves. The main focus of the tests is on reading and making the benchmarks that are set.
They were also asked about their education. They are all graduates of Luther College. They were asked how their first semester of teaching went and if they felt prepared by Luther. They all thought that Luther did a great job of preparing them for teaching. What all of them said is that you are never fully prepared until you are in your own classroom with your own students. Each year is a learning experience. You take what you learned each year and apply it to the next. They also said that you need to find what works for you, because what works for others may not work for you.
When asked if there was one thing they know now that they wish they knew the first year. They all said parent communication. Parent communication is a big part of the students education. They said that students come from different home situation. You need to build student relationships and know your students. Take the time to make a connection. It is important to keep in touch with parents either by e-mail or a phone call. The parents want to know what is going on.
It was nice to have teacher come in who have only been teaching for a few years. It was nice to hear their views and surprises they have had.
The first question that was asked was what surprised them the most about teaching. The answer they gave surprised me a little. Two of them said that sometimes their ideas are not accepted. The teachers who have been teaching for a while have their way and they don't want to change. They said that even if they are told that their idea will not work, they still have to try it and find out for themselves.
We asked them about No Child Left Behind and how they felt about it. They agreed that there is a lot of emphasis on test scores. They didn't have anything negative to say about the process. The test scores are helpful for them to determine where the students are at and where they need help. They also show the teacher what they may need to review with the students and may need to improve themselves. The main focus of the tests is on reading and making the benchmarks that are set.
They were also asked about their education. They are all graduates of Luther College. They were asked how their first semester of teaching went and if they felt prepared by Luther. They all thought that Luther did a great job of preparing them for teaching. What all of them said is that you are never fully prepared until you are in your own classroom with your own students. Each year is a learning experience. You take what you learned each year and apply it to the next. They also said that you need to find what works for you, because what works for others may not work for you.
When asked if there was one thing they know now that they wish they knew the first year. They all said parent communication. Parent communication is a big part of the students education. They said that students come from different home situation. You need to build student relationships and know your students. Take the time to make a connection. It is important to keep in touch with parents either by e-mail or a phone call. The parents want to know what is going on.
It was nice to have teacher come in who have only been teaching for a few years. It was nice to hear their views and surprises they have had.
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