Reflection on Anthony's Vietnam Presentation

This song talks about how rich kids avoided the war/draft -


Fortunate Son lyricsSongwriters: Fogerty, John;
Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the Chief"
Oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no Senator's son
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh
But when the tax men come to the door
Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no
[. From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/creedence-clearwater-revival-lyrics/fortunate-son-lyrics.html .]
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no

Yeah, some folks inherit star spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no military son
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no, no, no
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate son, no, no

Unit Lesson Plan Reflection

     When teaching the subject matter associated with Social Studies, it is extremely important for the instructor to understand that they are not just teaching history. Yes, social studies does include history as part of its content, but the other elements of the content – geography, economics, and civics, are of equal (if not more) importance. The goal of a good social studies teacher is to place events in past history into the current frame of the events occurring today, while also exposing the students to civics, economics, and geography at a level that is relevant to them as individuals and citizens.   

     The thematic unit lesson plans that I presented to the class were based upon the role of the United States in the emerging global theater.  The unit was designed for 12th grade social studies, using the scaffolding principle of Lev Vygotsky to construct each individual lesson upon the foundation of the prior lesson. The initial lesson was based upon the students prior knowledge of World War I, and involved the repercussions of the war with respect to both the participants and the periphery. Students were required to form work groups to act as individual nations which comprised the League of Nations, and form an argument that would justify or rationalize their nation’s stance.

     The subsequent lessons addressed the United States attempts at imperialism in Latin America via President Roosevelt’s “Good Neighbor Policy”, the failure of the League of Nations, and the onset of World War II. The final lesson in the unit dealt with intense issues of human rights violations, genocide, war crimes, and the ultimate formation of the United Nations. These lessons were designed to incorporate global thinking (the big picture) within the realm of not just the United States, but the world as a whole. Students were shown political cartoons, online maps, war footage (including concentration camps), and primary source documents – and then participated in rational, instructor-moderated discussions.

     The purpose of these discussions was to allow the students to view the topics from different perspectives, to gain a better understanding of political, social, geographic, and economic factors which played a part in the evolution of mankind in the early twentieth century. Students were required to keep an individual running “KWL Sheet” for each lesson, with a “Master KWL Sheet” for each group. The students were then required to transcribe their master sheet to an online database (Weebly Blog) for use by the instructor when formulating the final assessment for the unit. This practice allows the students to have input in creating their own test questions, while also requiring them to use critical thinking skills.

     To further to scaffolding approach, while bridging into the next unit plans, the students were shown a YouTube video of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. The video is a visual and auditory prompt that depicts events from 1949, the end of the period which was covered in the previous unit plan. Among these events was the formation of the Communist Bloc nations, the Cold War, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and continues through 1989. The primary message of this video is that though we didn’t start the proverbial fire, we inherited it and now have to devise methods to fight it. The lyrics of the song also illustrate the decline of world morality, the rise of popular culture, and the effects of these changes on our society. In addition, the lyrics also expose students to people, places, events, and objects to which they might not otherwise. The hope being (somewhat ironically) that the instructor kindles a fire of desire to learn more about these topics.

     Based upon the reaction of my classmates, I feel that my presentation was successful and needed just a few minor changes. I would have liked to have had more time to present the lesson in its full capacity as one of those changes. The other would have been to have used the Smartboard, in its full capacity, as an extension of my computer. All in all, I thought it was a good presentation.

Works Cited

   Billy Joel. We Didn't Start the Fire. N.d. Infographic. YouTube.com

      Britton, Jill. "Jill Britton's Website." Icosahedron Globe. Camosun   

    College, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2011.

    <http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/globe/globe.htm>.

    White, M. (1997). Map of league of nations. In Retrieved from   

    http://users.rcn.com/mwhite28/lego-nat.htm

     Killtron. (Producer). (2006). World war one footage. [Web Video].

    Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVDUXPB_sTs

    United Nations website. (n.d.). Retrieved from

     http://www.un.org/en/index.shtml

The course is fine the way it is.

End of Term Reflection

Wow!

It's hard to believe that the semester is drawing to a close...something that is bittersweet to me.

On the one hand, it's always good to advance one step closer to my goal of graduation.

On the other hand, it's been a "fun ride" with my classmates...and Melda is the "Conductor", and I will geniunely miss meeting on Wednesday's.

I want to thank all of you who made the class what it is, and I hope that I have made some life-long friends in the process.

I wish everyone my most sincere best wishes in your future endeavors...who knows...some of us may end up being co-workers someday...wouldn't that be nice? Until then.

Cheers, Adios, Sayonara, Ciao, Zai Jian, Adiu, Elveda, and Happy Trails.

Gregg

I Saw It on a Car

The award for best bumper sticker goes to the car that had "Kill Your Television"

What Am I?

I was born in Queens, New York (United States)

I am of Cuban, English, French, Dutch and Irish heritage.

I am caucasian. I am male.

What am I?

Many people would reach various conclusions based upon these descriptions but...

I am a Pangean...a global identity.

Teaching Philosophy

Social Studies Philosophy

     The term philosophy is derived from the Greek “philosophia” which, loosely translated means love of knowledge or wisdom. It is with this understanding that I can expound upon my own philosophy in terms of life in a broad context, as well as my philosophy pertaining to my desire to teach social studies in a more specific context.

    In terms of my general philosophy of life, the word eclectic is probably the proper assessment. As a mature adult, having lived a great portion of my life and experienced its highs and lows, I can draw from a bank of varying philosophies. I tend to be a person who treats people the way that I hope to be treated (The Golden Rule), and would rather be respected than feared. Fear is respect that is commanded, while natural respect is earned via modeling. I also believe that knowledge is power, not in physical terms, but rather in spiritual and intellectual terms. The acquisition of knowledge is a constant process, and those who keep an open mind are often the most well rounded individuals.  

     My philosophy of social studies education is built upon the foundation of my general philosophy. Teaching skill and content knowledge augment that core foundation, while other elements are drawn from the environment of the school – the students, the classroom, and the school itself. The students bring their diversity (both cultural and learning). The classroom provides the proper back drop or setting to enhance learning. The school provides a sense of community which is an essential component social development. All of these elements combine to create a climate that fosters exploration of knowledge. It’s my duty to act as a guide to this exploration.

     My goals as a social studies teacher are to orchestrate the various components of the subject matter – history, geography, economics, and civics - into cohesive, coherent, effective thematic unit lesson plans. By blending the elements of National Council for Social Studies themes, under the umbrella of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, I hope to provide students with a thorough knowledge of:

·         Culture      

·         Time, Continuity, and Change 

·         People, Places, and Environments

·         Individual Development and Identity

·         Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

·         Power, Authority, and Governance

·         Production, Distribution, and Consumption

·         Science, Technology, and Society

·         Global Connections

·         Civic Ideals and Practices

     I hope to instill strong work ethics in my students by incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach to learning via encouraging the use of critical thinking skills, and the effective analysis and synthesis of information across the curricula. By the end of the journey the students will have developed the “ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” By accomplishing these goals, students will have a firm set of values which are founded on honesty, integrity, altruism, and ingenuity. They will learn to listen, and listen to learn.

     By displaying the proper mix in my disposition - including confidence, compassion, kindness, knowledge, and a touch of humor, I hope that my behavior will serve as a model for the behavior of my students. While I realize that students, like adults, have good days and bad days, I don’t expect each student to conform to my exact expectations in terms of disposition. What I do expect is that each student gives the best effort that they’re capable of giving on any given day, and is willing to persevere through the trials and tribulations of the learning process.

    My philosophy is just that…a philosophy. It may be correct or incorrect, but it’s mine. It might work one day, but it might be a dismal failure the next day. As an effective teacher, it’s my responsibility to modify my approach as needed to ensure that I manage my classroom effectively, while developing the student’s overall abilities to the optimal level of efficacy. As Socrates once said “education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” My job is to kindle that flame.

  

    

Eclipse

All that you touch
and all that you see
All that you taste
All you feel.
and all that you love
and all that you hate
All you distrust
All you save.
and all that you give
and all that you deal
and all that you buy,
beg, borrow or steal.
and all you create
and all you destroy
and all that you do
and all that you say.
and all that you eat
And everyone you meet
and all that you slight
And everyone you fight.
and all that is now
and all that is gone
and all that's to come
and everything under the sun is in tune
but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

WWII Conference at Kean 11/9/11

Attended the conference last night. It was interesting to discuss the term "just war". What is a just war? Who has the right to decide what's just or unjust? Consider other perspectives.

Philosophy

We Didn't Start the Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m50p-XScreM

I was culling information for my unit plans, and came across this video.

Religion in the Class/Schools

I agree with the stance of separation of church and state, but I don't feel that religion should be excluded from the clasroom. We need to realize, as Americans, that the United States was founded upon the principle of religious freedom/tolerance.

I feel that we should teach ABOUT religion, but excluded personal value systems which are associated with those religions. Belief systems differ fromvalue systems, as they teach about the religion.

I am currently taking a course on Islam, and that's important for me. I feel that I need to be a well-rounded person in order to be a positive role model to the students.

Freedom of Religion!

Addressing a Class

Today's class was informative. The presentations, though short, were all good.

I often use the terms "Mr. So-and-So's Class" or "Mrs. So-and-So's Smarties". I also like using the term scholars with the older students.

It's important as a teacher to not discriminate or label students. By saying "boys and girls"
you're adding gender descriptions.

Reflection on Mid-Term Presentation

I'm impressed with the level of professionalism and enthusiasm that was displayed during Wednesday's mid-term presentations. Without exception, all of the presenters did a fantastic job conveying their lesson plan in a manner that was clear and concise. Emitza and Altagracia made me hungry with their presentations on Spanish/Latin American cultural foods...YUM!

One clear illustration was that teaching curriculum over a broad spectrum of subject matter and grade levels requires different skill sets for the different elements. As a Secondary Education/History major, I found it enlightening to see how Elementary/Pre-K Teachers approach their lessons. It was also nice to see that there's seemingly a tie to history in most lessons, and over almost all curriculum.

Teaching History

Wow! Today was a rare day.

I got the call to substitute teach in Edison today (10/24), and actually had the opportunity to teach my subject matter area of concentration - History/Social Studies. Hooray!

The calls to sub are usually for K-5 (General Ed), and sometimes for Middle School (for all kinds of teaching), but today was 8th grade Social Studies.

I had the chance to use a "KWL Sheet" for the first time. The sheet is as follows:

What you Know                  What you Want to know          What you Learned
before the lesson                  during the lesson                       from/after the lesson

The text above is part of column headers (3). The students begin the class by filling out the first two columns. At the end of the class they fill out the last column. The teacher that I subbed for also had the students complete a matching/ID section from a text book.

This was a great day!

'Cause I Saw It On TV

John Fogerty of CCR fame wrote:

They sent us home to watch the show comin' on the little screen, A man named Ike was in the white house, big black limousine. There were many shows to follow, from 'Hooter' to Doodyville. Though I saw them all, I can't recall which cartoon was real

Ike is Dwight Eisenhower. Which cartoon was real?  

The coon-skin caps, Yankee bats, the Hound Dog man's big start. The A-Bomb fears, Annette had ears, I lusted in my heart. A young man from Boston set sail the new frontier. And we watched the Dream dead-end in Dallas. They buried innocence that year.

Hound Dog man is Elvis. Cold War. Mickey Mouse club and Annette Funicello. JFK is the man from Boston. 

I know it's true, oh so true'...Cause I saw it on TV

We gathered round to hear the sound comin' on the little screen. The grief had passed, the old men laughed, and all the girls screamed...'Cause four guys from England took us all by the hand. It was time to laugh, time to sing, time to join the band.

The Beatles, and Fogerty's forming CCR.

But all too soon, we hit the moon, and covered up the sky. They built their bombs, and aimed their guns, and still I don't know why. The dominoes tumbled and big business roared. Every night at six, they showed the pictures and counted up the score.

Moon landing, and satellites. Dominoes are Vietnam soldiers, and they showed "scores" on TV (i.e. how many US dead, and how many Vietnamese dead.

I know it's true, oh so true'. Cause I saw it on TV

The old man rocks among his dreams, a prisoner of the porch. "The light", he says, "At the end of the tunnel was nothin 'But a burglar's torch". And them that was caught in the Cover are all rich and free. But they chained my mind to an endless tomb. When they took my only son from me

Father of a dead soldier, burglar's torch and Cover are references to Watergate.

I know it's true, oh so true 'Cause I saw it on TV

Question the truth. Not just what you see, but the "truths" behind what you see!

TV Rots Your Mind and Corrupts Your Children!

"As soon as the TV knows that the parent isn't watching, it tells the child to buy something". Dr. Jerry Weiner, Kean University.

I'm on a economic awarness kick with all the Wall Street stuff going on. Ask yourself why we're (the world) in such a bad economic state? Answer: Corporate Greed, and the Dumbing Down of the World...especially Americans. Lets call it the "Trance-Formation" of the world. We're all sitting around in a stupor of one sort or another, and the snake-oil salesmen are taking are hard earned cash. It's like we're hypnotized or mesmorized. Those who are aware are often distracted be burdens of survival. Those who overcome those burdens are the one's who are targeted by corporate and/or government agencies in attempts to silence them.

There's a difference between stupidity and ignorance: Stupid people know better, but do dumb things anyway....whereas ignorant people just don't know any better...neither one is an excuse for mindless behavior and/or inaction. Let's take back the world before it's too late! Educate the youth of the world, for education is empowerment, and empowerment leads to accountability.

Anti-ticpatory Set

There's no type in the title. I just got home from a parent/teacher conference with my sons 8th grade Science teacher. My son is struggling this year due to the amount of math that's required for physical science, so I thought it was best to discuss this with his teacher.

I was given 5 minutes...as were all parents, to discuss his performance. We reviewed his efforts in class, and I was told that my son is "hot and cold", and that his seat was recently changed to remove him from his "buddies" and help him concentrate. I asked the teacher is he any sort of syllabus or listing of subjects/dates that he was using. His answer was no. I then asked if there was any way that I could get a list of the topics in advance as to prime my son for class. He told me that he's "had experience with that in the past", and that "students will read a book about 'xyz' and then think they know all about it". I thought that reading was supposed to be a good thing? Oh well, I proceded to take another approach and ask him he he used anticipatory sets to build upon prior classes, and scaffold learning of new material.

I nearly fell off my chair when he told me that he didn't use anticipatory sets, and that "it's not fair to other students who understand the material to go back over something that was already covered...they would get bored." At that point the bell rang and my time was up. I proceeded to ask a few more questions while I was hastily escorted from the classroom. It was clear to me that this man was truly not a good teacher in terms of using effective teaching strategies, so I just smiled and walked away steaming mad.

I've taught in this school as a substitute teacher, and both of my sons attend classes there. I have seen first hand that this school is a prime illustration of quantity, not quality...and they're pushing students through the system by "teaching to the test". Perhaps this is also a good illustration that the American education system needs a complete overhaul. It's become a bottm-line game of making money (via state/federal aid, etc). It's not fair to deny a proper education to a student because other students might get "bored". The job of a teacher should be to ensure that ALL students get what they need. Dr. Rick Lavoie says that fairness in education is not a question of giving each student the same thing, but it's about giving each student what they need in order to learn.

Anticipatory Sets...GRRRRRR!!!!!!  

Reflection on Melda

Wow! Melda is an extremely knowledgeable person, and has the ability to engage her class to the maximum. Her mind is often like a blender on high speed. She processes information and breaks it down so fast, then serves it to the class fully processed. Quite often I observe blank stares from people who just aren't ready to, or don't have the ability to, process all of the information that's being conveyed. I don't feel it's a problem. If someone doesn't "get it", then they should ask for clarification...not complain.

I must admit that sometimes my head is ready to explode from all of the information that's packed into one class, but then reflect on what happened during class and it all makes sense.

Teacher's Prayer Reflection

Teacher's Prayer

I want to teach my students ho to live on Earth. To face its struggles and its strife, and improve their worth. Not just a lesson in a book, or how the rivers flow, but how to choose the proper path wherever they may go. To understand eternal truth, and know right from wrong, and gather all the beauty of a flower and a song. For if I help the world to grow in wisdom and in grace, then I shall feel that I have won, and I have filled my place. And so I ask your guidance, God, that I may do my part. For character and confidence, and happiness of heart.

7 x13 =28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLprXHbn19I

Proof that not everyone thinks alike, and there's no right answer.

Media Literacy

A democratic civilization will save itself only if it makes the language of the image into

a stimulus for critical reflection – not an invitation for hypnosis.

- Umberto Eco

People need to stop being sheeple...get active...stop watching TV...read a book.

The Barking Mouse - Why It's Good To Know A Second Language http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE5kIZ0Qyzw

Paulo Freire and Critical Pedagogy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFOhVdQt27c

Getting Active

Be The Butterfly

Some say that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil can change the weather in Texas.

Your actions are just as powerful.

In America today:

35 million of us live in poverty, yet we are creating billions in debt for global war.

Since our intervention in Iraq, more than 10,000 Iraqi citizens have been killed.

89.5 million acres of public trust land have been opened up to corporate destruction since 2000.

We imprison more people than any other country in the world.

Is this what it means to be an American?

Patriotism without activism is blind obedience.

Taking action is an American tradition.

Use your mind, your voice, your money and your voice.

Even the smallest action changes our country and our world.

Activism is Patriotism.

Late Students

How to deal with a late student?

There’s no one right answer to this question. The teacher’s reaction should be based upon the circumstances involved:

-          First and foremost: What’s the school policy on lateness?

-          Is the student chronically late?

-          Are other students late as well?

-          Is the student disruptive? If so, to what extent?

-          Talk to the student after class or via e-mail/phone.

-          Advise student of lateness/absence policies of the school.

-          Probe to see if there are any extenuating circumstances which are causing lateness.

Reflection for today10/12

Covered a great deal of material and gained clarity of the assignments. Was not sure of the overall listing of due dates versus the actual assingments.

Overall a good class. Thanks Melda.

Teaching Styles

Teaching Styles (9/14/2001)

Upon completion of a recent class assignment (My score was 13), it’s been confirmed that I possess an “Authoritative” style of teaching.

It came as no surprise to me that I’m authoritative, as I have the same demeanor while raising my children. I am firm, but loving and understanding, with the ability to realize that most situations are not to be viewed in terms of black and white. There’s a whole rainbow of colors, and true people (not just teachers) can see and appreciate this wide spectrum.

·         Some phrases often come to mind when dealing with life issues:

·         Don’t sweat the small stuff – is it really worth worrying over?

·         Choose your battles – is it really worth going to “war” over something trivial?

·         Life on life’s terms  - is it something that we can change? Will it really matter tomorrow?

Finally, I’d like to share a little “prayer” that I say daily: “…grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Quite often it’s the wisdom that people lack.

Other reflections from the lecture:

·         Statistics are just one of three types of lies: “White lies, damned lies and statistics”.

·         Too many educators are relying on medications versus effective teaching strategies and class room management skills.

·         Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Live for today…that’s why they call it the present. Each day is a gift.

Goofy reflections:

The Dewey Decimal System? The old card catalogs…man, was that a nightmare?

Carmen’s glasses are cool. Nice tinting.

Being called a “Googler”…that was funny! I’ve been called many things in life, but that was a first.

Does Farahi have to drive around to find parking? If not, he should.

Make a Difference

This video clip is astonishing. I was brought to tears by the story of the boy and his teacher. The teacher
had preconceived notions about the student which were based on other teacher's reports. She initially based her treatment on the boy based upon these reports, but later discovered that the boy's mother had died. She changed her approach to the child, and the child responded well and eventually went onto become a Doctor, then gotmarried and had a family. He remianed in constantcontact with the teacher, and the teacher realized that she teaches students, not lesson plans. See the link onmy EDU 3000 site.

Paulo Friere

Friere has priginal thoughts that reflect a mosaic society rather than the tradition concept of a melting pot as is often the case in the United States.