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Blog Post #2.4: Create a Graphic Organizer/Thinking Map

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  High-Impact Instruction: A Framework for Great Teaching Graphic Organizer/ Thinking Map:  Spider Web Map of Chapters 1-4: Main Ideas   Write a 4-5 sentence reflection : Making the graphic organizer was interesting because I had to choose the most important points without adding too many details. I noticed that as a learner, I often want to include too much information, so this process challenged me to focus on what truly mattered. It helped me realize how easy it is to get lost in the details and how important it is to simplify and highlight key concepts. Seeing my thoughts laid out visually not only made things clearer but also helped me understand how the different ideas connected to each other. It’s important to ask students to make their thinking visible through learning maps because it encourages them to actively engage with the material, identify the main ideas, and understand the relationships between concepts. This process supports deeper thinking and allows st...

Blog Post #2.3: Collage of Assessment Practices

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  Collage of Assessment Practices ASSESSMENT Definitions: Interim/Benchmark:  1 visual/piece of evidence of this type of assessment:  This is an example of what one of our second graders will read when it is time for them to be tested. Interim/Benchmark:  At my school sit,e we test students three times a year in the fall, winter, and spring to see what they already know, what they’ve improved on, and what they still need help with. This helps us teachers figure out the best way to support each student, whether it’s through small group lessons, extra practice, or different teaching strategies. It’s all about making sure students are learning and growing.  WHY (Rationale for this kind of assessment: When, where, and why would you use this assessment as a teacher?): As a teacher, it's super important to track our student's growth throughout the year. Testing them at the beginning of the year helps us see what they already know and what areas they might need extra s...

Blog Post #2.2: Intelligence & Knowledge:

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  Intelligence & Knowledge: What is intelligence? What do you think about your own intelligence?  Intelligence is how well you learn, think, and solve problems. It’s not just about remembering facts or taking tests. It's about adapting, thinking critically, and coming up with creative solutions when things get tricky. Some people are good with numbers, others are great with emotions or connecting with people. It’s all about how you use what you know to understand the world and deal with whatever comes your way. So, it’s less about what you know and more about how you think and use that knowledge. My own intelligence is adding creativity. I believe that we should be able to express ourselves through many series  whether it’s art, writing, music, or even in how we solve problems. Creativity allows us to think outside the box, challenge norms, and find new ways of understanding the world around us. It’s not just about being "good" at something, but about using your imagi...

Blog Post 2.1

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Part 1: Content Reflection Describe how you believe teacher "WITHITNESS" (Jennings, p. 43) reduces teacher bias and improves the culture of a classroom. What does "whiteness"  look   like in a classroom setting? What does it   feel   like?      Teachers with withitness are better able to recognize and reflect on their reactions to students. They can more clearly see if they are unconsciously favoring certain students or misinterpreting the behaviors of others due to biases. Whether these biases are based on race, socioeconomic status, gender, or other factors.      Withitness in a classroom culture where students feel seen, respected, and understood. Teachers who demonstrate withitness are attuned to the emotional atmosphere of the room and respond in ways that foster safety and trust.  Creating a supportive and safe environment : When a teacher is mindful of the emotional needs of their students, they can more effectively interven...

Teacher Self-Attention and the Classroom Culture

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Teacher Self-Attention and the Classroom Culture: Mindfulness/Self-Attention:  I am currently still using my Calm App to help me practice mindfulness after my five minutes in the morning, I noticed that it helped me have a better start to my day I was more relaxed not as tired. In the evening before bed, the breathing exercises helped me have a better night's sleep my body was more calm and relaxed for bed.  Reflection on your experience with the daily self-attention ritual (6-7 sentences): Why do you think it is important for teachers, in particular, to take excellent care of their mental and emotional health especially as it relates to creating cultures in the classroom setting that are kind, respectful, and engaging? Teachers must take the cause of their mental and emotional health because teaching can be very stressful at times. There are going to be moments where you are mentally and emotionally drained. Sometimes we can let our emotions get the best of us and we don't ev...

Teacher Calm and the Classroom

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Teacher Calm and the Classroom Starting with the Self: My goal was to practice mindfulness at least twice a week for at least 5-10 minutes a day. It was very challenging for me to do this because I get easily distracted. I used the app Calm to help me during this mindfulness along with YouTube videos.  One of my takeaways is how hard it was for me to stay focused and not look at my phone.   I spend a lot of time on the screen whether it is looking at my laptop for homework or my phone.  One of the ways I was able to stop this during my mindfulness time is by putting my phone in another room and being able to actually focus on my thoughts and mindfulness.  When I was practicing this mindfulness I noticed a lot about myself. I experienced a lot of anxiety and when I was doing this it brought my anxiety down a lot but I was still experiencing anxiety after. But, I thought to myself when doing this that I could practice mindfulness in other ways. I really enjoy...