Winter 2018
Week of November 12 - 16
Monday, November 12: Today, we discussed our upcoming field trip to Five Oaks Academy, a Montessori school. We also watched a video that discussed the tactics and benefits of a Montessori education. We signed up for our preschool observation sites for this week, and got ready for a fun week of travel.
Tuesday, November 13: Today, we visited Five Oaks Academy! We got to tour a primary classroom (ages 3-5), a lower elementary classroom (K-2), and an upper elementary classroom (3-5). We also got to sit down with one of the instructors and talk about the foundations of Montessori education and how Five Oaks runs as a school.
Wednesday, November 14: Today, we each went to individual preschool sites to observe a regular preschool room, and interact with preschoolers in their learning environment.
MES After School Fun!
Thursday, November 15: More Preschool observations!
Friday, November 16: Fall Friday Experience!
Quote: “We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.”- Sirius Black
Week of November 19 - 23
Monday, November 19th: We spent a lot of time working out details for our Teacher Cadet Christmas party. We also mapped out most of our travel times and curriculum for our elementary school unit.
Tuesday, November 20th: Today we participated in a TC thanksgiving day! We made turkey glyphs, which demonstrated the importance of symbols in early elementary education, and we got to learn what each of us love about thanksgiving!
Monday, November 26: Spencer presented last weeks blog and then we planned our traveling schedule for the next week. We worked on our glyphs and also discussed our choice for the best preschool.
Tuesday, November 27: We made paper plate reflections so we could reflect deeply about how others view us and how we see ourselves. We also discussed the main similarities between all of us. Then Mrs. Turner read us a book called "Dreamers" which was an enlightening story about the power of reading and knowledge.
Wednesday, November 28: We talked about typical lesson plans for elementary classes. Then we split up into pairs to teach our partner about our glyph we made. We presented our glyphs our partner taught us about and explained why we liked that glyph and what we as future teachers would change or adapt.
Thursday, November 29: Today we went to Mauldin Elementary to visit our guest speaker, Mr. Parks. He told us about early childhood education and elementary education, and talked to us about things we should know as future teachers.
Friday, November 30: We went to our fall experience classes today.
Quote: "We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." -Albus Dumbledore
Reading Around the Christmas Tree Events
Don't look at someone else's plate to see if they have more than you. Look to see that they have enough!
-Anonymous
Week of January 13
Monday -
We began a discussion about middle school. "What did you feel? and What do you remember?" The word of the day was "AWKWARD!" We discussed the social and physical development during this time and why it is so awkward. We then began to listen to a podcast from This American Life on Middle School
Tuesday-
Today - we finished the podcast.
Wednesday-
Today, we discussed an article about 10 Classroom Management Techniques and how they applied to the middle school classroom. Most notably: building relationships with students and creating an open environment. Also - allowing students to "buy in" to the classroom rules and consequences.
Thursday-
Today, cadets went to Mauldin Middle School to observe various classes. Many "fell in love" with middle school - A special shout-out to Mr. Calhoun and Mrs. Black.
Friday-
Today, Miss Kristen Smith (8th grade social studies teacher from MMS) and Dr. Fran Rogers from the district office were our guest speakers to talk about middle school. Miss Smith offered some wonderful advice about knowing your students and building relationships. High energy and flexibility is also a must!
"Show respect even to people who don't deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours!"
~Dave Willis