Career in Teaching On-Going Training with Montoya

Blog #14 the final blog ;-)

2010-02-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

Please visit the following link (you may have to copy and paste it into your URL bar to access it)and answer the survey questions honestly and professionally. Post a farewell message on the blog when you finish the survey! Thank you for your time!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5SXBG9L

Blog #13

2010-02-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

It's almost over! But I hope you will continue to learn more and more about your chosen (yep, you picked it) profession as you go. It is crucial that you maintain your own student status so that you never lose sight of what your kids feel like. In my doctoral class I just recently read Letters to those Who Dare to Teach by Paulo Freire. I highly suggest it. Great insight and validation for our profession.

For today's post...I want to know your school colors and your school mascot (i.e. Kerrville Tivy colors are blue and gold and the mascot is the Antler...). Why would I want you to know this? Because there is research that clearly indicates that students want to belong. For example, if they want to be part of a gang then why not their school "gang?" Perhaps creating a sense of community will help them belong in some way and help reduce that need to look for negative attention as their source of attention. Not perfect but perhaps it is a start. And the feeling of school pride and the love of learning can begin with you...even as the BI teacher, the AE teacher or their athletic coach. Your attitude is everything and the only thing you really can control!

And yes, we will have one more blog next week. See you for our last class on Monday, 2/8/2010!

Blog #12

2010-01-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

The end is near! Please study for your final assessment and come prepared with a number two pencil on Monday.

Click on the following link.

http://texes.ets.org

On the left side of the page click on Preparation Materials. Click on Study Tips: Preparing...
Then print page 8 and bring it to class Monday, 2/1/10. Thanks and see you soon!

Blog #11

2010-01-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

Howdy! Please answer the following questions for this week's blog. At the next class we will be reviewing for your On-Going training final exam, PPR review and test taking strategies and information as well as talking about the Theorists and vocabulary you will see on the PPR exam. If you have missed more than one class and have not met with me and taken care of your make-up hours and make-up work then please email me (blmontoya@ccisd.us or dookietexas@yahoo.com) so we can plan your next steps. Thanks and see you Monday night, 1/25/10 at 6pm!

1. Reflect for a moment on your current teaching practice. What do you think is your largest area of professional growth since the beginning of your school year?

2. What do you think is your weakest area in your teaching practice? What are you planning to do to strengthen that area?

3. If you had one piece of advice for a new teacher based on your experience to date what would that advice be?

Blog #10

2010-01-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

http://glossary.plasmalink.com/glossary.html

Click on the link above to answer the folowing questions.

1. Define "metacognition."

2. Review the concept of microteaching. Define it and state one pro and one con based on your experience.

3. Define minimalism. Would this approach work in your classroom with your clientele? Why or why not?

See you in class on Monday, January 18th, 2010!

Blog #9

2009-12-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

http://glossary.plasmalink.com/glossary.html

Click on the above link and bookmark it as a favorite (we will refer back to it later). Read through the list of strategies. Select three strategies that you have tried or would like to try in your classroom. Give a brief description of how you have implemented or how you will implement each of the three strategies you have selected in your classroom.

See you back in class January 11th, 2010. Enjoy the winter break!

Blog #8

2009-12-12T06:55:00.001-08:00

Hello! Please read the very brief article that follows. Think about how the outline here is similar and how it is different as compared to the Hunter lesson plan template. Reflect on how you prepare for lessons and write a brief statement of your lesson planning philosophy (don't have one? Now is the time to develop one whether you teach Biology, 6th grade math, Adaptive Ed or are the much needed Behavior Intervention specialist! Always have a plan!).

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/lesspln1.htm

Our next class will focus on Special Education issues and we will be putting your portfolios together in class (I will bring everything you need so no worries). I know this is a busy time of year and you are swamped with work, home and other issues but I appreciate your time very much. There is light at the end of the Alt-Cert tunnel. We are almost there! See you on Monday, December 14th at 6pm!

Blog #7

2009-11-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hello! Excellent class last night! You are an amazing group of teachers and I am priviledged to be a part of your training experience. REMINDERS: Your assignment for Dec 7th is to bring your completed Marzano Packet (yes, I extended the due date), bring your 15 minute teach piece (and eveything you need to teach it) to teach your group of NON-content people with a complete written lesson plan in Hunter's format, and your TEKS downloaded from the TEA website. Also remember that your final exam for this portion of your training is in three parts: (1) all 14 Blog entries (we've had 7 so far) answered thoroughly, (2) an assessment over all the class material (Hunter, Erikson, Instructioal strategies, Marzano's work, Special Ed, and anything else we cover in class with a 70% minimum) and (3) a Practice PPR Test (70% minimum). Be ready!
Please read the link below and answer the following questions.
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/special-education/resource/2972.html?page=2&detoured=1&for_printing=1
1. What does IDEA stand for?
2. What is inclusion?
3. Read the five bullets about Attitudes and Beliefs. What is one positive that you see from the list?
4. List the activites and support systems commonly found where successful inclusion occurs.
5. Name two benefits of inclusion mentioned in the article.

Blog #6

2009-11-07T05:09:00.000-08:00

Hello! Sorry for the delay in getting the blog up. I was in Galveston at the Conference for Advancement of Science Teaching and had technical difficulties! Please remember to bring your homework assignment from last week (bring your version of your anticipatory set with student samples for group share out and review). Your Marzano work packet is Due Decemeber 1st. Feel free to turn it in early (Thanks Al! ;->). I will be reviewing what your final assessment piece for this portion of your training will be like on Monday night as well so please be on time and ready to go for class!
1. Click on the link below.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/
2. Click on "A-Z Index."
3. Select the T
4. Scroll down and choose "TEKS-Texas Knowledge and Skills"
5. Scroll down and select your subject area or grade level TEKS (do you teach everything? Then choose the TEKS that you are least familiar with then)
6. Print your TEKS document and bring it to class with you from now on.
7. How many paragraphs are in your introduction?
8. How many TEKS do you have in your grade level or content area?
9. How many Knowledge and Skills Statements do you have?
10. Are your TEKS up for revision this year or next (you may need to consult the first TEKS page to be sure)?
Thanks for your time! See you Monday night at 6pm!

Post #5

2009-10-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hello! Hope your week has been fabulous and productive! There are two VERY short articles to read for this post. One of the key questions you need to begin to get a feel for after reading them both is what is the key difference between 504 students and special education students? We will spend a class period discussing the laws that govern spec ed, etc and our roles in following those laws but this article set can serve as a good start for that conversation.
Remember to bring your complete lesson in Hunter's format with the four Design Qualities of Context embedded for next class and be prepared to teach your group the topic you have selected. Enjoy your week and see you on Monday, November 2nd at 6PM.

Article#1:

http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/30418.aspx

QUESTIONS:

1. List 3 bullet points (write them out rather than stating "bullet #3," etc) that you have implemented in your classroom and explain it's effectiveness.

2. List 1 bullet point that you have NOT tried yet but are willing to test out in your classroom.

Article #2:

http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/50503.aspx

QUESTIONS:

1. Based on the readings, explain what a 504 classification means for a student (and no, reading the person's post before yours to get the answer is not the way to go either ;->).
2. List two 504 accomodations listed in the reading.

Post #4

2009-10-15T10:09:00.001-07:00

Hello! I hope your week has been productive and powerful in your corner of the education world. Here is the link to this week's article. Read it and then answer the following questions.
http://newteachersupport.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_motivate_students

1. In your own terms define motivation.
2. Describe your "teacher attitude."

Post #3

2009-10-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hello! Hope all is well in your corner of the education world! Remember you need to bring your TEKS and the lesson you taught this week in the Hunter Lesson Design format. If you were able to collect some samples of student products (quizzes, worksheets, etc) please bring them also. You will be working with your colleagues to showcase you efforts. I will be collecting the lesson plan sheet so be prepared for that.
Please read the linked article. Give your definition of education.
http://www.teachersmind.com/education.htm

POST #2

2009-09-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Hello to the fabulous and productive teachers of the Monday night CIT class! I hope the "chilly" weather is finding you well in your corner of the education world. Please click on this link and read the article attached. Then answer the questions in your post. Be candid and thorough in your response. I am not expecting you to click on his additional link or to purchase anything, etc. Just read the few paragraphs on the linked page.

http://www.adprima.com/lesson.htm

1. What is the quote the author gives concerning practice?
2. Cite three statements in the article that have meaning to you, that you agree with or that you even disagree with and explain why for each.

Welcome New Teachers!

2009-09-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the On-Going Training phase of your alternative certification program! I am very pleased to be a part of your training and sincerely hope that I can help make your teaching experience as smooth as possible. This is your first of 14 required blogs. Please include the following information in your post:

1. name
2. where you are teaching (school and city)
3. grade level
4. content area
5. certifcation
6. Something that sets you apart from the rest!

For example:
1. Bonnie Stephan Montoya
2. Carroll High School, Corpus Christi
3. 10-12
4. Physics
5. Science Composite, Secondary Grades 6-12
6. I learned how to drive in New Delhi, India!