I'm happy to say that this year was my best yet. Combined with having more time to plan and prep for great units and lessons (now being post-Master's time), and with all the new knowledge and skills I learned from my M.A.T., it was a great year!
You know... having those 4 years of teaching experience before doing my M.A.T., also, I think, really helped me to grow as an educator. We did some really exciting units this year. For example, building on some lessons I found in some Adult-ESL texts, I created a 3-week unit titled "Helping Your Family to Buy a Home!"
Yes - so, we made "dream homes" out of cardboard boxes and materials. Students learned "Mr. Chiocca's 11 Steps to Buying a Home," and they made YouTube videos and Audio Recordings for the Final Project. The kids learned about mortgages, down payments, PITI - Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance; and how to work with real estate agents and brokers. In addition, students learned about good practices one should follow, to ensure that you don't overpay for a mortgage or a home.
As far as my future, I have taken some advice from my excellent principal, Patrick Larkin. He's really developed his blog, and I have come to learn that it's a way for an educator to develop a "portfolio" of sorts where one can connect with and learn from other educators around the globe. It's something that you can develop, and then it stays with you as long as you like; yet it looks and feels dynamic and interactive. Feel free to check out his blog = http://burlingtonhigh.blogspot.com
Thanks! Come back soon!
You know... having those 4 years of teaching experience before doing my M.A.T., also, I think, really helped me to grow as an educator. We did some really exciting units this year. For example, building on some lessons I found in some Adult-ESL texts, I created a 3-week unit titled "Helping Your Family to Buy a Home!"
Yes - so, we made "dream homes" out of cardboard boxes and materials. Students learned "Mr. Chiocca's 11 Steps to Buying a Home," and they made YouTube videos and Audio Recordings for the Final Project. The kids learned about mortgages, down payments, PITI - Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance; and how to work with real estate agents and brokers. In addition, students learned about good practices one should follow, to ensure that you don't overpay for a mortgage or a home.
As far as my future, I have taken some advice from my excellent principal, Patrick Larkin. He's really developed his blog, and I have come to learn that it's a way for an educator to develop a "portfolio" of sorts where one can connect with and learn from other educators around the globe. It's something that you can develop, and then it stays with you as long as you like; yet it looks and feels dynamic and interactive. Feel free to check out his blog = http://burlingtonhigh.blogspot.com
Thanks! Come back soon!
Adam,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on starting your blog! I am constantly amazed at the great things you do to engage your students in meaningful, relevant activities. I am glad that more people will be able to see this as well by reading your blog!
I love that you're teaching your students some very real life skills stuff in your lessons. I could probably learn something myself from the buying a house unit.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, Adam. I saw your houses in the hallway. Your students did a fabulous job. Great ideas, Adam. What an inspirational to us novices!!
ReplyDelete