ok well

I had a crappy day today and I made it through by just keeping busy and doing easy things that I knew had to get done.  I am wondering what I am going to do in a class room on days like this where I do not really want to deal with anyone and do not feel motivated.   I suppose some nice back up lesson plans that involve the least possible effort on my part would be a good idea.  That will be useful.  On the other hand, I do know that working with students kind of puts me outside of myself where I am not worried about me and my dumb issues and am more involved with them.  But still, some kind of relevant back up lesson might be useful for when I am not feeling my %100.

Teacher of the year Mario Ortiz

Mario Ortiz was awarded the teacher of the year award today.  He was given this honor for his work with 8th grade science students at Truman Middle School.  When asked why he deserved to win this honor, Mario replied "GRRR" and explained "My students and I are Giving Respectful Responsible and Receptive.  And we have fun. doing science."  ugh that s all I have.  No autographs please.

stupid idiot

I was at Whataburger eating a burger and some people with a kid sat down behind me.   I think the kid spilled something and the dad called him stupid at least three times and called him a fucking idiot at least once.  Now this kid was not older than 4.  I do not want to be someone that says that I cannot teach kids because they have bad parents.  But, it will be my job to try to motivate this kid to learn 5 or six years down the road after he has been called stupid who knows how many times by his dad and may already be convinced that he is stupid.  That seems like it will be a challenge.  I wondered how that kid might be in my middle school science class.  If he would be tough and demeaning like his father was or if he would take encouragement well even if he had never had any encouragement before.  In a perfect world a teachers encouragements and efforts are appreciated and met with enthusiasm despite all circumstances.  In the real world, each child has a background that may never be known by a teacher.  It seems like it will be a puzzle to figure out different students and what motivates each of them.  I have seen teachers kind of give up on certain students and it is sad to see.  However, I do know that a single student can make a teachers job very difficult.

WHy I chose "Whatever It Takes"

I considered choosing this book because it was about making a big difference.  I also considered the book by Brown, Kozol and ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Louv.  When it came down to make a decision I was tired and chose Whatever It Takes by Tough based on the authors name and the title.  My Dad has told me to do whatever it takes, mainly pertaining to do whatever it took to get through my undergrad degree at NMSU.  But I kind of just kind of use it as my motto.  I do whatever it takes to get through this life and life is Tough.  And when someone tells me some bad news or about a predicament the are in I tell them, "that's tough".  So the title and the author fit with..

my resource blogs

I found the blog Physics and Physical Science Demos Labs and Projects for High School teachers. http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/

I picked this blog because it has activities that I have not seen before.  Also the blog seems to be up to date with many positive comments.  Easy to navigate.

I also liked the Steve Spangler blog at http://www.stevespangler.com/  .  I have heard of Steve Spangler before and know him as an established science educator.  Mainly on the blog it shows videos but does not give details on how to do them.  That is disappointing but it can give me some good ideas to research.

Thank you,

Mario Ortiz

Mario Ortiz Educ 2250 post 2 Education and schooling

Education and schooling seem like the same thing to me.  Without looking up the definitions I suppose education can be considered what a person does to gain knowledge.  This can include independent study as well as formal and structured instruction from a teacher.  Schooling might would include formal and structured instruction from a teacher.  Let's see what thefreedictionary.com com says... Well they are defined similarly.  Whatever.

The fundamental purpose of teaching is to help somebody to learn.  To help different people learn however, one must have be able to use different techniques for individual learners.

The fundamental purpose of learning is a tough one.  I cannot speak for other people, but for me the fundamental purpose of learning is to make me happy.  I learn new things to occupy my mind, to improve my economic standing, to learn how to deal with people and situations better and to be a benefit to society.  These things make me happy. :)

Thank you,

Mario Ortiz

My personal learning themes

01/11/2011

From my learning experience I would say that my learning themes are that I have to be motivated, involved and interested.

I like to be motivated to learn by knowing that what I am learning can help me in the  future.  Mainly because I forget everything I learn unless I use it somehow.  So what s the use?  Even though I forget a lot of stuff I can sometimes recall my learning process and adn go through it to remember any particular thing I may have learned and forgotten.

I do like to be hands on in my learning and science is my favorite subject.  This is a way that I find I remember things.  If I watch someone do something then have to do what they did, it can be difficult.  But if I help or am talked through a specific task then it is easier to complete the task.  I work well from example.

Also I must be interested or my mind wonders.

I remember a density bottle that a science teacher showed me in a 6th grade science class.  Basically three different liquids with three different densitys.  The liquids did not mix.   There were three layers of liquid with something like red liquid on top, white liquid in the middle and blue liquid on the bottom.  When the bottle was flipped over, instead of the blue liquid going to the top and red liquid to the bottom, they kind of slipped passed each other and the blue remained on the bottom red on top, and white in the middle.  This was amazing to me.  I went home and tried it.    My learning theme is if I am amazed I am interested.


Thank you,

Mario Ortiz