A Map That Leads to You!

One of the greatest experiences I was able to do this semester was teach a three part lesson to elementary school children. 

Now, this adventure was a little different this year due to Covid regulations, we were unable to actually see the students in person. I know this was common for schools all around but it made teaching a little harder. 

My group was the second to last to present and teach. The students had just had two weeks off for spring break and the weather was starting to be come absolutely gorgeous.... I mean, who would want to sit at their computer and learn after they just had a full day of school? I most certainly would not and most of the students in our fieldwork did not want to either. 

On our first day of teaching, we had had a few students show up. They answered the questions and got to work. However, as the lesson went on, the students started to dwindle. We finally only had one. Mind you, she was great.. She completed all the work and did a great job presenting, but she was the only one. My group felt awkward and quiet because she was working alone. We kept asking her questions and realized how much we were actually distracting her. We made it through, but our classmates made sure to tell us that we needed to let her work. 

Our second day of teaching was not much different when it came to attendance. We started off with a few and it dwindles to one. This time though, out graduate program classmate stepped in and became out "students." This allowed for a better teaching strategy, but it was still not the same. 

There were many challenges this semester and students not coming to our fieldwork was definitely one to remember.

 

It's the Final Countdown!

 Wow! This semester was intense!!! 

I started the semester off thinking it was going to be a tough semester and I was not wrong. I was anxious and nervous most of the class this semester, but I did it. I made a giant check list and was able to check everything off of it which is such a big weight lifted off my shoulder. 

Throughout this course I learned the importance of using technology in the classroom and how helpful and fun it could be. When class first started in February, I only knew how to use Google Docs (barely). I liked using my Microsoft Word and that was the only thing I would use. However, now that I have learned to use every Google platform, I can't go back. It's so cool that you are able to share everything you need to which whom ever, whenever with just the click of a bottom. This course had taught me to appreciate all the technology that we are not using. Although I thought we were going to be learning more about how to teach Social Studies, I am grateful that I was able to learn everything that I did.

There were definitely many tears and many late nights but they all paid off. Today is the last day I had to hand in all of my work. I spent most of this nice day sitting on my computer making sure everything was as perfect as I could get it so my grade was as high as it could be. I think I did a pretty good job.

This semester was not easy, but I am super proud of everything that I did this semester and can't wait to see what next semester has in store for me!

Artifact Bag Project

When teaching children, it is important to change up the lessons and the way of teaching. Lessons will get boring to the students if all they are given all articles and need to write papers. When teaching, if the teaching utilizes all the senses of the students, they will have a better chance connecting to what they are learning. Doing things hands on activities are a great way to keep the children engaged and interested in what you are teaching.

Looking at the Artifact Bag Project, I found the idea very interested. I would have never thought of creating a bag full of physical artifacts that relate to the lesson being taught. There are many things that children would find interesting to learn about that they get to hold in person.

If I created a lesson based on the unit plan we did throughout the semester, geography and sustainability, I would bring in items that could help the environment. I personally do a lot to try and keep the environment clean, such as recycling, using a reusable water bottle, keeping a metal straw on my key chain, and using reusable bags when I go shopping. I would bring the items into the classroom so my students could see and hold them. This may encourage the students to start using these items as well which will help the environment in the long run. 

The Power of a Picture

 

What do you see when you look at these pictures? 

I see the definition of the tradition family and and the white population. All these people look happy, enjoying a meal with their family, praying, enjoying the company of people and standing up for what someone believes in. 

All these pictures are beautiful and send a great message. The one that looks like the family is enjoying Thanksgiving dinner is such a nice picture and is very relatable. When my family and I are all together for the holiday's, I would like to think that we are as happy at the people in this picture. 

I really like the picture of the parents tucking in their kids. It reminds me of when I was little and my parents would read me a story and put me to bed. This is such a precious time for parents and their children and it is something that should not be taken for granted. 

I love these pictures and I'm happy that they were used in an assignment.

Chapters at a Glimpse

 

Creating Your Own Country

The Create your own Country project is a great way to get students to use their imagination and be as creative as they could be. They must think about all the information that is needed to create a country, what will the government be like, the population, etc.? It is a fun project that'll have the students using their heads. 

This lesson is a collaborative one because it requires all the students in a group working together. They will each come up with their own ideas and put them together so they are able to have one big idea together. Throughout the lesson they will have to explore, analyze and respond to all the parts. Once they have all their information they will put it together on a trifold presentation board. 

I think this project is a great one. It allows all the uniqueness that each child has to come out in its own way. This is a project that I would love to utilize in the future in my own classroom. I think it is a great way to have the students express themselves and it should be used in classrooms all over. 

Explore: Treasure Hunt

I would never think to explore the world through a scavenger hunt. However, this activity was great and kept me interested in what I was learning. I never would have thought of most of these questions myself, nor do I really think about these answers. I buy my clothes and shoes and never think about where they come from to begin with. I enjoyed all the questions that made us think about where our everyday items come from. I know that most of my families vehicles are made in the United States, but there are a lot of ones that are not made here. 

This assignment was a lot of fun and something that I hope to do for my future students. It made the learning a lot of fun.