Reflection #13 11/25/10

WHAT:
This was our last week in field in which we only spent two days with the class.

SO WHAT:
So while we were there the kids only used te arts a little. As a thanksgiving celebration, they learned a bunch of peotry that they were to act out for their parents and the other 4th grade classes. They practiced on monday, memorizing their lines and putting actions into their "Readers Theater", then on Tuesday they performed them. The class thought it was a blast both doing their own and watching the other groups.

NOW WHAT:
Now that I have seen this integration for the holidays I would love to do things like this in my future teaching. The kids really get into it, and they really did a good job. I also learned they do something similar with the whole school for Christmas. I think that if I integrate the arts in fun ways like this, the class will be more accustomed to these types of things when they're older. I felt that it was very successful, and definately will remember in my future teaching.

Reflection #12 11/18/10

WHAT:

This week we taught 5 Social Studies lessons, specifically about the mountain men, and incorporated 2 arts lessons into them.

SO WHAT:

These arts integrated lessons were our Jim Bridger lesson in which we integrated a trapper song, and our Kit Carson lesson in which we had the class make cartoon strips representing the information they learned in class. Both activities were loved by the students. The trapper song was given to us by our corresponding teacher and it went to the tune of "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain". It really got the kids excited for the lesson and had a lot of fun. The cartoon strip was used as a summarizing activity after they had completed a 5 part jigsaw on Kit Carson. Based upon the 5 parts they had learned about (Kit Carson's life) they had 5 boxes on w worksheet that they were to fill in telling the story. There was also a space provided to put the topic in for each drawing. The class really enjoyed drawing.

NOW WHAT:

Now that I have used art in my own teaching, I think that the reason for art integration is more clear to me. It is beneficial in so many ways. It is engaging, fun, aid in memory and management etc. I was surprised just how much the class liked it. I want to use this more in my future teaching because it was so effective. I think that schools should use whatever means possible to ensure that their students are succeeding and I truly believe that if used correctly, this can really make a difference. I enjoyed teaching this week and learned so much from the experience.

Reflection #11 11/11/10

WHAT:
This was our second week in field and we didn't notice near as much arts integration this week. There were just a couple things, chimes were used for getting attention and the kids sing the mnemonic songs for their multiplication practice.

SO WHAT:
These are good ideas for me right now with being in field, as well as for my colleges. Seeing the mnemonics used was cool cause it is such a good trick in learning things like math. These little tricks can help you memorize things so much better. The chime technique was pretty cool too because she would just go up to the front and ding each little chime while the kids were working and they immediately would look at her. These things are good to see because they can give us ideas of things to use in our future classrooms.

NOW WHAT:

Now that I have seen these tricks and techniques, I plan on sharing them with my colleges and I also plan on trying to start a collection of my own. I want to hear what things were used in my colleges classes in order to get attention. I think that music/instruments are very effective and definitely should be incorporated.

Reflection #10 11/4/10

WHAT:
This week we spent in field in our 4th grade class at central elementary. We have worked with the students on their work when they are struggling and helping out our corresponding teacher with anything she's needed. We also have tried to pay close attention to anyway our teacher has used the arts in the classroom.

SO WHAT:
When we were observing her arts integration for the week, we noticed that she used a maraca in her class. She used it during spelling as a cue for them to respond all together. I thought this was a great idea, rather than having to count or now go, or something like that. Something else cool that she uses is a singing fish for transitions in the classroom. In our management class we learned about having the kids sing songs to get their attention and help with subject transitions. I thought this was an ingenious way to accomplish that. This toy fish plays tons of different songs and they will be given the time of one song to be in their seats, face forward, and ready for the next lesson. The kids would sing along as they returned to their seats.

NOW WHAT:
Now that I have seen different ideas to use the arts in order to aid in classroom management I want to try and find tools like this that I can later use. I found the singing fish to be very fun and effective. I also want to collect instruments such as maracas, triangles, and a drum to use in my classroom. I was amazed just how well the class responded to these techniques and I want to prepare myself by having these supplies ready before I have my own classroom.