Use Arts Intergration to Enhance Common Core (Blog #7)

Using the arts in a classroom is a uncomfortable strategy to use when teaching kids. This is because teachers been made to teach more out of a book. Just recently has using the arts such as singing, dancing, and acting been beneificial to the teaching community because more and more teachers are getting use to how to use them appropriately. In classroom settings, it can be very easy to integrate the arts. Singing for instance can help with teaching kids catchy jingles that help the children with memorization. Acting can also help with literature because after reading a story, a teacher can have the kids act out a scene of the story. There are several ways to integrate different arts to teach kids. Most kids now a days are hands on learners. Getting them out of their seat and actually doing something is what helps them learn better. Another reason using the arts is a good idea is because it will help kids become more passionate, or at least a little, on a subject that they are not fond of. It helps them open their eyes a little more in a fun, and intriguing way.

The Common Core's fundamental trouble (Blog #4)

The Common Core State Standards are anything but reliable and useful. Teachers all over the nation are frowning on the ideas and standards that the Common Core expects them to teach their children. There are many faults to the Common Core. One of those is that the the Common Core was made by scholars and assessment experts who do not fully understand what it's like inside of classroom. The standards were also never put into a classroom before being implemented. People also compare the Common Core to the No Child Left Behind standards and make predictions that the Common Core will be just as much as a failure as the NCLB. 

The Biggest Fallacy of the Common Core Standards (Blog #3)

From reading the article, the biggest fallacy of the Common Core Standards is the curiosity if these standards will even work. I liked reading this article because it brought up a good point that I have never thought of. How do we know if these standards will actually work if they have never been tested? We don't know and it brings up another point. Why would we spend millions of dollars on a program that has never been tested and isn't 100% proven? The money that is being spent on these standards are being taken away from the fine arts programs and physical education programs that are just as important to a child's well being as much as a good education. But lately, that has gone unnoticed. The Common Core Standards are a great idea to get students college and career ready. However, there are fallacy's with the standards and those fallacy's will bring down the idea of the Common Core. More than likely, this program will have a lot of failures.

John Hunter and the World Peace Game (Blog #5)

The game that Hunter made is so creative. It was very time consuming to make but he is one of those one in a million teachers that go out of their way to teach in more creative ways that help their students learn better and soak in more information. He's the type of teacher that others in the profession should strive to be like. He brings a simple text book of learning into reality for the kids and he also uses real life issues into the game as well. He's building the generation we need for tomorrow. And isn't that what we, as teachers, should be doing? Teaching our children for tomorrow and not for today?

He also is a very humble teacher. He admits that his generation has made a huge mess that the younger generation has to fix. He makes them understand that it's up to them to make the difference. He also gives them confidence to know that they are able to make a difference also. Kids need confidence these days. They need to know that they are a somebody who can change the world or make a difference. Teachers that bestow confidence in a child are the ones that all the children adore and respect and strive to be like with future endeavors.

Common Core Standards for ELA and literacy (blog #6)

What is the purpose of the college and career readiness standards?
-Broad standards that lay out the platform for students to be ready for college and career life after high school.
-states will follow the same set of standards

What are the benefits and challenges of the shift to reading and writing non-fiction tests?
-Benefits of the shift help students no more about factual information for the real world. A challenge with this is that you need a little fictional, so not enough will ruin a child's imagination. 
-not beneficial to special needs children

What are the benefits and challenges of having standards for science, social studies, and technical?`
-does not include special needs children

How Teachers Are Integrating Tech in Common Core (Blog #2)

Summary

        Mr. Fred Sitkins is a principal at an elementary school located in Boyne city, MI who wrote an article on how technology these days is more of a pro in elementary schools than a con. In the article, Sitkins explains how the Common Core State Standards and technology, such as iBooks and iTunes U, work well together giving children a better opportunity to expand their knowledge and perform deeper thinking strategies. Sitkins emphasizes the different ways that technology can be used. One way involves adults supporting the use of technology for their kids to make and send out their writings so that others around the world can see and critique.Sitkins also believes that children using technology such as video cameras, multimedia, etc., helps them present topics better. One other way technology is a pro is that the internet and other multiple technological sources can aid a child in research whether it be for everyday life or in the classroom. The Common Core isn't just another lesson for teachers that they have to learn for no reason. The Common Core and technology teach students how to learn instead of remembering. It gives the child a chance to expand their horizons and grow more as a student then what only inside a classroom can give to them.



Opinion

      Before reading this article, I already had ideas of how I would use technology in my own classrooms. This article just helped reassure me that I was not wrong on my ideas. I agree that if more teachers use the Common Core technological system, more students will be able to explore more, have more creative ideas, and learn much more. I am only one person and there is only so much I can teach and what I think is important. However, students can take what I teach and use technology to expand more on subjects that I teach and discover more about the topics I speak on. I also agree that if a child uses technology to present a presentation they create, it will be done in a more advanced and proficient way to where they are able to think more outside the box and learn much more.

Introduction

My name is Jordan McKenzie Taylor. I am from the coast of Mississippi but reside in Hattiesburg for college. I plan on moving to Florida or Georgia after I graduate and teach. I also am interested in teaching around the world in different areas such as Africa and Italy. My hobbies include anything that has to do without outdoors! I love kayaking, canoeing, camping, and any type of sports.