Hey,
It was good to see you all today. I'm excited about continuing this term, as I think you're going to warm up and do a great job.
I need to pass along that in the reflections many of your peers chided those of you who did not read your assignments. Everybody needs to read in order to participate. It's not fair to those who are prepared if you come unprepared and hold back the class. Often times middle school students don't do their assignments...but that shouldn't be the case for middle school teachers..... A word to the wise......
Thanks for the good suggestions to help with group organization. I always learn things from you guys and gals....it's great.
Feel free to pick one of the responses below to agree or disagree or bring up things you want discussed on the blog. It's for your discussion purposes.
My responses - open for discussion from you:
1. A junior high can become a middle school. It requires a change in structure and philosophy. We will be talking about this more the next couple weeks. If we finish and you still don't understand, ask in class.
2. Nothing will 'happen' to MCE majors if the license band changes. But if more teachers are licensed to teach 1 - 6 or 6 - 12, there will be more competition for your jobs.
3. You can teach what ever grade you want that's on your license regardless of school structure. K-8, 1-6, 6-12 It doesn't matter.
4. Articles like we used to today can be found in any education magazine. Today's Education; Education Weekly,,,,there are tons.
5. In K-12 schools the effect that the older students have is totally dependent upon the set up of the school. Often the 7 - 12 students don't even see the younger ones. It can also be most helpful to have older students available to tutor the younger ones and provide that 'big brother', 'big sister' thing.
6. Someone wants to know what it was to go to a separate 'middle school'. Could one of you answer that, please?
7. Right now it seems that the best place to go for jobs is south. I know they're always looking for teachers in the Carolinas, Florida, Texas, Las Vegas. Also, there are usually inner city jobs available in most cities.
8. Yes, your different research papers may have sources in common.
9. In my opinion, there is no grade level that I 'liked better' to teach. They're all different and they all have pros and cons. I truly believe in enjoying whatever I'm doing at the time. Every morning I make the choice to have a good day whatever I'm doing.
10. Same things goes for the preference K-8 or 6-8 - you do your best wherever you are. Personally, I have middle school philosophy wherever I am. My kids come first, then the content.
11. If you don't have a car, you'll set up a ride before you pick a school, and you'll have to go where your ride goes.
12. You'll add reading to your license when you apply for your license as a senior when you're finishing your student teaching.
13. Obviously, as we discussed today - especially in your groups - the 'preferred' grade configuration is definitely an opinion.
13. Summary - middle schools are student centered....junior high more content centered
14. If you went to school in a farming based community, you need to go to the inner or suburbs.
