21 Things for the 21st Century Teacher

Cool Technology Resource for Social Studies Teachers

I finally put together a lesson I was proud of. Most students were engaged and interested and I had fun teaching the lesson. I learned as much from the lesson as my students. And I incorporated a website into my teaching that wound up being an awesome weapon in my arsenal. I taught the lesson on Black History Month and its significance in our history as a nation and our history as individuals. To aid in my lesson we went through a time line from the History Channel.

http://www.history.com/content/blackhistory/black-history-timeline

This time lines was awesome and I recommend it to all teachers of any grade. These resources can be worked into most classrooms regardless of age and, in some instances, even content.

Teaching so Far this Semester

Getting to know my students on a daily basis as opposed to only a few days per week has been an interesting experience. I believe being there everyday has helped to establish my presence as one of authority, but I still fear classroom management issues; though, I suppose, most new teachers fear management as I do.

I have realized that I do like teaching and it is a good fit for me. I know it will be years before I am a good teacher but I know that I can be. I am looking forward to starting my lessons and unit plans with the students. I think that is when I will truly feel like a teacher.

The Three Doctors and Their Pact

Tuesday was a professional development day at Forsythe Middle School, where I am placed as a student teacher. The professional development was centered around equity in the classroom and stressed the importance of clearly making sure to include minority students in the classroom without making it known to the students what we as educators are doing. Within this development day there was a movie presentation which introduced me to "The Three Docrtors." These men have been added to my list of heroes. They are brilliant amazing success stories from Newark. They also emphasize the theory that people from these areas should not strive to "get out" but should become educated and stay "within" their communitites to make better the society there. I encourage all educators to watch their documentary and read their books and I encourage all educators to share their story with their students.

http://www.threedoctors.com/