Observation #1

Unit 1, beginning 4th block
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Observation #2

Recording of Unit 3, Nutrition
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Discussion #5

Teachers don’t teach content in the abstract; they teach it to students. In order to ensure student learning, therefore, teachers must not only know their content
and its related pedagogy, but the students to whom they wish to teach that content

 

Discuss the following:

Teacher gathers formal and informal information about students for use in planning instruction.

Teacher learns student interests and needs for use in planning.

Database of students with special needs. 

Another fabulous thing about teaching health is the idea of knowing my students just comes naturally. I know their eating habits, their exercise patterns, what they like to do, and a glimpse into their home life just by their assignments. The course is designed to enlighten them on day to day things and to give them a broader idea of how their choices may affect them long term.

Last block I had multiple students with horses so we talked a lot about how great of a workout riding a horse can be, I'd refer to riding more instead of say soccer or baseball because I knew it would hit home with several of my students. They all loved it and would make comments during the lesson about how awesome riding was.

There are many ways I could incorporate my students hobbies into my lessons more and I should work on that. For my image design class I like to show off other students projects during my recordings, with permission from the student beforehand. It gives them a sense of pride and allows other students to get to know a specific student more.

 

Discussion #4

In order to guide student learning, teachers must have command of the subjects they teach. They must know which concepts and skills are central to a
discipline, and which are peripheral;

Discuss the following:

Lesson and unit plans that reflect important concepts in the discipline
Lesson and unit plans that accommodate prerequisite relationships among concepts and skills
Clear and accurate classroom explanations
Accurate answers to student questions
Feedback to students that furthers learning
Inter-disciplinary connections in plans and practice

So many things about the health courses overlap which is great because it really drives in those skills that students need to stay healthy and make good decisions. The class starts by talking about communication skills, how to be a friend, how to say no, and those skills learned and talked about over and over in almost all units, in our drugs and alcohol unit, relationship unit, and sex ed. Because these ideas of clear communication are used so frequently in the course I make sure that we do test on them and if students miss the question I provide explanations of what communication is and the key components that make one a good communicator. Using I messages, active listening, refusal skills, and body language all are important components and this type of feedback is exactly what I'd give the student.
I feel like if they can truly understand how to actively communicate than that opens so many channels for good decisions in their lives. Knowing how to say NO under pressure is also a very important life skill they learn throughout several units. 
What I love so much about teaching health is the question is never raised-"when will I use this in my life?" I tell them that what you learn in health you use daily, from what you choose to eat, what friends you choose, what you decide to do etc. It's all connected and focuses on wellness.

 

Discussion #3

An essential responsibility of professional educators is keeping accurate records of both instructional and non-instructional events. Discuss how you keep track of: Student completion of assignments. Student progress in learning. Non-instructional records (permission slips, money for field trips, etc.)

This has been a great point for me to reflect on and to make note of what I could work on. In Health we are required by the state to teach Sex Ed, but with that we must have permission from parents/guardians so a disclosure is sent out for signature. I ask for the students to kmail me the form once it's complete, the easiest way I have found to keep track of all of these is in an excel spreadhseet. I mark who turned it in and what option they chose whether its to take the course, take it with exceptions, or to not take it. It's a really easy and quick method that I can and do refer to often throughout the semester and during the sex ed course.

I use Total View a lot for notes on when I talk with students be it an instructional/non-instructional setting. Most of the phone calls, small groups, or one on one tutoring are all instructional and I make note of those in our notes in Total View, it is a great way to keep track of everything on every student.

Discussion #2

Discussion #2:

Expert teachers demonstrate professionalism in both service to students as well as to the profession. Teaching at the highest level of performance in this component is student focused, putting students first. In the context of UTVA's Focus School designation, discuss: How can you act with integrity and honesty? How can you put students first? How can you support your students' best interests, even in the face of traditional practices or beliefs?

As a teacher I try to be very selfless, students come from all walks of life and being able to recognize their differences is one way of putting them first. Some of these ways could include that all students learn differently. Some do better on the phone, others do better with constant communication via kmail, and some are independent and don't need that constant attention. I know this last semester I had a student who because of her religion her sabbath was on Friday so we postponed her due dates until Saturday. She was very appreciative that I respected her beliefs.

In health there is a lot of personal topics that are brought up during class, monitoring the chat and making sure no one every leaves feeling offended or hurt is very important to me. I always try and let everyones voice be heard but my students know that our class is a safe zone and that any comments that would be taken offensively aren't welcome. I feel as though this is integrity on my part and the students. Them having to take action or check their thoughts before vocalizing is teaching them how to have mature and effective communication.

I also try to be complely upfront with my students, especially in regards to their work. If something is lacking or I think they could have tried harder I would say so in the comments on their assignments. I think as long as their best is put forth then they should be proud and be rewarded for their efforts.

Discussion #1

The purpose of this discussion is to go into a little more depth about the
importance of colleague interaction in regards to students overall
achievement. I feel like the best
way to learn is to collaborate. Everyone has great ideas and unless they are
brought to the table no one knows about them. Sometimes in this virtual world we
lose each other but I feel like our weekly staff meetings and monthly
professional developments are a few excellent ways of regrouping.


With this being my first year I have hundreds of questions and want input from every
single teacher on how they do certain things. I also love to talk to other
teachers about the progress or concerns I have for individual students. I send
emails or IM teachers regarding these things. We are all separate teachers with
one end goal in mind-to help students become the best they can and to help them
graduate. We also hope to give them good study habits, learn communication, and
enlighten them to the power of learning.

I would love to take courses through the state and districts on how to improve my
teaching. Being involved in many aspects of teaching will only strengthen my
goals for becoming a better and teacher and give me the tools to do so.

Our school is centered on academic achievement and through that push them to be
better communicators. We discussed effective communication at length in my
health class. I think it is very important for students to know how to
communicate with peers, teachers, and adults. I would love to further my
knowledge of effective communication and how to better implement that in my
teaching.

Me:

A little about me: I graduated from the University of Utah in May 2009 with my bachelors in Health Promotion and Education. This degree allowed me to follow a "track" and I chose teaching. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I met my husband while at school and we have now been married over 6 years. We have two adorable children, Afton age 3 and Porter age 1.
As a first year teacher I am learning the ropes of how to help my students excel, at UTVA it is a little different than my experience I had student teaching. UTVA gives such flexibility to the students and a wonderful opportunity to become responsible young adults