My third week in the ARC program has proved to be enjoyable and enlightening. In General Methods, we continued to employ cooperative learning techniques to discuss various topics. For example, we got in groups to discuss the best order of the four areas of teacher expertise. Our group arranged them this way: 1. Human Relations  2. Management Skills  3. Instructional Strategies   4. Content Area. Our thinking was thus: In order to effectively teach people something, you first have to build relationship with them. Then, you have to have the skills to manage a large group of them. Thirdly, you have to know HOW to teach your content, and finally, you have to know your content. Later in the week, we discussed the challenges of teaching in the Information Age. For what are we preparing students? In my notebook, I put it this way: we should equip students to be flexible, critical thinkers and problem solvers, enabling them to tackle the yet unforseen challenges of the next generation. Finally, we also discussed in methods class this week how to handle controversial topics in the classroom. I was inspired by the video we watched. Some of the best classroom learning and experience can occur when we tackle the tough issues full on, allowing each student to hear all sides, formulate an opinion, support that opinion, and discuss it with studentwho have like-minded and opposing viewpoints.

In Classroom Management, I am enjoying the reading of Teaching with Love and Logic. The principle of consequences with empathy I think is important. If students get caught up in our anger and frustration, they’ll likely miss the importance of the consequence or action and therefore miss a teachable moment. We also discussed how to begin our classroom management plan with our philosophy of classroom management.  Our philosophy will include our guiding principles and core beliefs. All of our actions should be aligned with this philosophy. So that’s something I need to consider.

The issue of whether taking loudly in class is effective was also discussed. In the end, I realized that it is not. If I raise my voice level to meet theirs, they haven’t done any work to hear me.  I must have them do the active work of tuning in in order for it to be effective and to work consistently.

Finally, we discussed mandatory reporting in the State of Washington. If I notice something out of order or abnormal, it is safer to report it than to risk the questions that will be raised later if I don’t.