First Blogging Assignment.

Before I start writing down what I've come up with from the readings, I want to say that I've only just begun thinking about being a teacher and the mere idea of it scares me to death. I'm sipmly a writer by nature, by night. And, a performer by day. But, as most know, performers are never themselves. Performers perform something else, someone else, to everyone else. That is what I am. So the idea of teaching, being up there in front of them all, with all eyes on me, the real me, expecting me...is what I'm having the most trouble with. Hopefully, this class will be a great help with that...that is my greatest expectation of this class. Though, large it may be, it's something I hope for.

But, here I go...homework from the first day of class.

Teaching the Best Practice Way

1. What is your understanding of Best Practice teaching?

~To my understanding, Best Practice teaching is simply “hands-on” teaching. Instead of coldly lecturing, emptily handing out worksheets, and assigning note-taking and readings, Best Practice teaching gets the students involved by having the teachers be involved as well. There’s more interaction between the student and teacher, and it seems as if there’s more want for that interaction by the student. I suppose it’s that there’s less expectation to know and memorize so much in such little time, but, instead, having more understanding of what’s being taught throughout the entire time spent in school. There is a gigantic difference between “knowing” and “understanding”.

2. What are the tenants of Best Practice teaching?

~The seven methods of Best Practice teaching are choice, responsibility, expression, community, diversity, and technology. All of these connect to help bring out a better understanding of study and learning. We all have the choice of wanting to teach and wanting to learn, that’s a choice that must be made right away. And, with that, we all have the responsibility to live up to that choice. But, it’s in the expression that shows what each student, as well as each teacher, has learned. Both through the togetherness of the community and the togetherness of each diverse group are we able to take advantage of the learning opportunities we have around us. But, what we must take advantage of first and foremost, is the great advantage of technology and what it gives us. Through these seven intertwining methods, teaching and learning becomes simpler, and simply fun.

3. What is *not* Best Practice?

~“Not” Best Practice is simply cold teaching. As I began in the first question’s answer, cold teaching is the clear separation between teacher and student, whereas Best Practice embraces their connection.

4. How might you incorporate Best Practice teaching in you English classroom?

~Journal, journal, journal. There’s no better way to present what the student understands and is experiencing than being able to read it first hand on a constant basis. Not only is the student able to convey knowledge, understanding and expression, but as the teacher, one would be able to see what they have learned over time.


Crafting a Life

2. Choose one quote from the reading o comment on in your blog.

~On the very last page given to us was my favorite quote. It was written on a line all by itself, as well it should be…the quote?
“The solution is to write what you have to write.”
Many people forget that idea when they sit down to write. There’s too many deadlines, too many requirements, too many guidelines. I write my worst in those circumstances, even if others see it differently. I write my best when I write what I simply have to write for myself.

1. What does it mean to be a writer?

~And, yes, I did this backwards, because I feel like my answer to the first question draws itself from the second. A writer is someone who simply writes for themselves. Yes, they may have certain ways of doing things, specific routines, or even no routines; but each individual writer is a writer because they write for themselves.