Environmental Education

I found this video very inspiring and so true. Children are the future and by teaching enviro ed early on things can change. Imagine if a program like this was implemented in our school systems.... think of the possibilities. The extra resources and funding would be amazing. Teachers try their best already to teach Enviro ed but having an organization that would help with these types of things would be a huge help. There are some systems in place through outdoor education but I don't think that is enough. We only have one earth and why is it not the most important thing to think about. We could teach english and math until we were blue in the face and if nothing is done about enviro ed than what is the point...

I love this video... the power of the outdoors. I want an outdoor classroom, why do schools have to be within four walls.

wonder

I am really enjoying doing experiments in my Ed Science class and learning from my classmates how to engage students. At the same time I'm not sure that I am learning the dos and donts of teaching science. I don't know what is acceptable, what is outdated, what are best practices. I can look up science experiment online or in a book but to learn how to do the activities or chose the activities that are appropriate is another story. I understand that we are relating curriculum to our experiments but I still don't know the fundementals of science education. What makes it different than any other subject?

university

On the weekend I ran into a peer that I went to school with 5 years ago. We were both taking Early Childhood Education. I got talking to her and she is back at university taking psychology and trying to get into the BEAD program. We were talking about how our classes transfered into the university and how it was such a joke. Why are university's in Canada so ridiculous? When I went over to Australia on exchange their whole four years of university focuses on their Education degree, there is not two years of arts and science and then lets learn about Education. As an Education student I feel unprepared to go into the classroom and that is mainly because here I am being in university for the last 4 years and this is the first year that I have taken strictly Education classes. What a joke. I also don't know who in their right mind would go and take Early Childhood if they were planning to go and upgrade their education. There are Early Childhood Degrees offered through UofR and the credits that transfer from a two year diploma are 3 or 4 if you are lucky. How pathetic. You spend two years strictly focusing on Early childhood and then go to do a degree with it and you are back down to having almost no education. The whole transfer system leaves plenty to be desired. I have fought nail and tooth for the credits I have and it still doesn't even come close to the amount that I should have received. I would love to see the university offer strictly education classes and prepare teachers... there is only so much time in each semester to take the classes that you want to take that would be beneficial, so why not get rid of the electives that are pointless.

Reflect

I really do not like reflecting, and have found that I enjoy looking and seeing what others have to say. In this past week I have come to learn that I do this with many things. I like sitting back and scoping out the situation before contributing and forming my ideas. In a way this is good because I take into all opinions and facts before making up my mind but in another way I feel like I am not knowledgable. I don't have a direct opinion. Meeting a person for the first time I tend to feel that person out before putting myself out there. Once I know the person then I know how to react and where my boundaries are. I am beginning to think that maybe I have some trust issues.... I also feel like reflections are personal but I know they are a big part of the education profession. I do think about how things could be done better or differently but I do it at the time and then move on, I don't live in the past... I live in the here and now and what can I do next.

21st century teacher

I guess I am going to answer some of my own questions. I can start small and then move bigger as I am employed in my own classroom.

Are we learning to be 21st century teachers?

So how do I become a 21st century teacher when alot of what I am learning is 21st century theory but what I have to practice is not. I would love to do a thematic unit integrating all subjects and using technology. I have big ideas and want to put them into practice but the educational system doesn't allow for complete control.

I also want to be a more civic minded teacher and person but starting is so hard especially when I am so so busy. I have to find balance and balance does not entail doing any extras. In the future I hope to be.

Playground wisdom

This video is a great reminder as to the simple things in life...
1. What ever you do MAKE IT FUN!
- I am having a difficult time doing this because it is such a busy semester with so much information to comprehend. I do make time to curl and do a hip hop class each week. It is a time for me to have fun and be myself. Another way that I make it fun is by talking and being around friends.
2. Practice Gratitude
- I am grateful for my friends that are going through the same experiences as me and sharing their thoughts, ideas and dilemmas. I am grateful for my dog, Scrapper, because he is there to greet me with a jump and kiss everyday when I get home, no matter what type of day I have had. I am also grateful for my family who is there for me no matter what.
3.Reach For the Stars
- I want to do the best job in my preinternship as possible. I am trying to think of new and exciting ways to make my unit come alive. I am also striving to accomplish my degrees.
4. One Step at a Time
- This is key in my life right now. I have come to accept that I can only do one thing at a time. I can't focus on the distant assignments I need to start small and go from there. At the same time it is always a concern in the back of my mind. But I'm working on it.
5. Always Play Nice
To me this means working with others and being professional. Not going behind someones back and talking about issues you may have with them. It is trying extremely hard to get along with others and work in the best interest of the children. It is working collaboratively and sharing thoughts and ideas that would and will benefit others.
6. Challenge Yourself Everyday
Think outside the box. Don't settle for the boring paper and pencil. Say my students can do it and so can I. Prove to the myself that anything is possible if I believe. The only limitations on myself are the ones that I place, so going out of my comfort zone is a huge challenge.