Lesson Reflection & Podcast

First of all, I thought our lesson went very well. I thought Johanna and I were able to work well together. We had decided that the question/answer aspects of the lesson would be covered by Johanna, and I would lead the discussions/readings. I prepared for this by having a good knowledge of the material and trying to fond some themes that would connect to the following readng of "Fall of the House of Usher". The objectives for the lesson were that the students would be able to engage in discussion about the style (T-chart) and plot of story (Plot Diagram), and be able to apply learned techniques (effective note taking with the use of comprehensive graphics) to evaluate future literary works. The informal assesments were derived from the students' class participation in the T-chart activity and discussions. The formal assesments were short quizzes at the beginning of every class about the previous literary works that had been coverd in the chapter. However, we were not able to do this because we began at the beginning f the chapter.
Like any other lesson plan, we had to divert from it due to losing the students' attention. We had to forgo one activity and end another early (due to time constraints and behavioral obstacles). The most imprtant thing I tried to teach the students was that participation was paramount. The quizzes to follow would be a reflection of how much the students took in, but in order to do that, they needed to engage in the discussion and class activities. Some got the message and some didn't, which will always happen. All together I think the lesson went well. I would have liked for the students to focus more on the lesson rather than the nonsense going on during the lesson, but that is something I will have to learn to cope with as a teacher.
I learned that if the students aren't engaged in the lesson, they fnd something ese that will entertain them. Which is why I think that the use of podcasts, YouTube videos, etc., are very important, especially with how rapidly technology is accelerating. I would have definately taken all cell phones at the beginning of class (in other words stolen another group's idead) as that seemed to be the biggest distraction. I think with the measures I would take as far as taking the cell phones and using different types of media, it would have engaged more students and they would have been able to absorb more information.
As far as my personal methods, I think I need to be less gullible. I can't say how many time the students told me I had chalk on my butt and I turned right around to look, deviating from the task at hand. I also need to watch how I respond to the students. I have a tendency to go tit-for-tat as far as comments and smart remarks and it can send mixed messages.

As for te podcast, Johanna and I, like many other groups, used the podcast as out anticipatory set. Unfortunately, the students didn't enjoy it due to the length and a lack of interest. I think with some tweaking the podcast could have been very effective. In another lesson I had done in the past, I was trying to teach poetry by using music. If I would have used the podcast to describe a musical selection, it would have been more of an attention grabber. I could possibly see using a podcast as a closure and have record a laundry list of information that had been covered.

As for the other lessons, my classmates did very well. I liked the varying methods of discipline that were implemented as well as the different lessons. As I mentioned before, I like the idea of taking the students cell phones before the class begins. I didn't think the idea of writing students' names on the board.
All and all I think despite the assigned behavioral problems, all of my classmates handled them well. No one lost their temper or became overwhelmed (and if they did, it was probably because I did something ridiculous that would never really happen in the classroom). I think aside from the Field Experience courses and Student Teaching, this is the best practice a future educator could have.

-Awesome job everyone!

Post write: 3/2/09

Well we didn't quite finish the lesson, but we will correspond over the coming weeks to get everything together. In addition, I have posted the questions for the lesson, which are siilar to the ones I planned on putting onto a handout during my lesson. It was a good day. Gotta do it. Here's the YouTube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI7AUgp5fPI

I couldn't embed this one so here is the link. It's such a fantastic prank.

Lesson Questions: Masque of the Red Death

Who is Prince Prospero?

Describe the Red Death. What are the symptoms?

What is Poe saying about economic status/class structure?

Which of the colored rooms will no one enter?

Did you like this poem? Why or Why Not?

Pre-Write 3/2/09

I'm Back! Well after some snow days class in finally back in session. Today I hope to be finished with integrating the podcast(s) into my lesson plan with my partner. This post is gonna be a short one because these lab computers are so slow !

Podcasting Day 3 (END)

Well that was enlightening. I found out that contrary to my own beliefs, I am too quiet rather than too loud. It's cool though. I redid it. And in continuing my tradition of leaving a clip, here is a clip from the 2004 Phantom of the Opera. My lesson is on Poe's Masque of the Red Death. The Phantom's outfit in this clip is obviously supposed to be representative of that so enjoy.

Podcasting Day 3

Well I'm here in the lab again. Today I expect I will struggle to keep my eyes open as I have been awake for the past 46hours and 41 minutes. If I can manage that, I suspect that I will accomplish everything I need to today including my podcast and my lesson plan whether my partner is here or not. And on a completely unrelated note, I feel bad for the guys on THE BURIED LIFE because they didn't get to play basketball with Obama.

Podcasting Day 2 (END)

Hey,
Well the class went by pretty quick so I'm happy about that. It was interesting because I always love creating/publishing things. I got done the 6-sentence episode and it is posted on my page so that's fun. I must confer w my new partenr and Dr. Luongo to see what we should do about our lessons because we were thrwon together so late in the game. I'm sure it'll all work out though. Well I just want to do something cool so here's a YouTube clip.




It's a clip from the Office. Enjoy!

Podcasting Day 2

Hello,
I am still in the podcasting potrion of my Improvment of Reading class. I'm off to a shaky start because I forgot to e-mail my lesson plan to myself so I could print it out. I expect that today I will reinforce my knowledge of recording/podcasting. Hopefully the class will fly by because I am exhausted and looking forward to the nap on my long train ride home later today. I can't wait to see my girlfriend tonight :)

Podcast lesson (after-blog)

Well I just learned how to podcast (for free!) and, in addition to future use in the classroom. I can now just record myself on my laptop at home to keep in touch with distant relatives. However, I would suggest that before this lesson is taught again, that the computers in this lab be upgraded in some way shape or form. It took me three different computers to finally get my work done and now I am incredibly frustrated. Other than that, I am actually pretty excited about the podcasting and the lesson plan to follow. This part of the course is always my favorite because its not simply theory or statistics on adolescents. I actually get to practice teaching. Until next time...

First Day in the computer lab. We are doing a podcast lesson

Podcasts

Leigh Ann and I have chosen to work together for the Podcast assignment. We are not sure of our topic as of yet