Crystal Dawn Stewart’s Neighborhood

Three "teacher skills" I would like to work on this summer:

1. Not accepting as many excuses from students
   
2. Correcting incorrect grammar
3. Sticking to my rules
   

One thing I do well is building a positive rapport with my students, which in turn motivates and/or encourages them to do well in class and behave like they have at least some kind of sense.

District Plan:   http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d84z939_82ctjv5nfp

I did several different/innovative things with my district plan.  First, I created a year-round school modeled off of Virginia Beach City Schools.  Second, my district has a 4-day week.  Fridays are reserved for remediation, detention, parent activities, and administrative meetings/activities.  Additionally, 9th grade and SATP teachers have an equal and higher salary.

To be honest I would be happy to have time off, even if it because of an infectious and potentially fatal virus.  I know that may sound crazy, but it would provide a much needed break.  The unfortunate part is that the swine flu is very dangerous and poses a real threat to students, teachers, and staff.  Additionally, it is close to the end of the year and it is state-testing time, which means that many of the schools that have closed will have to extend the year.

I know that this is a very scary situation for many.  I don't think that it's unreasonable for schools to close if there have been infections in the area.

Interesting update: As I was writing this blog, the school secretary came in and handed me a letter to give the kids about how to prevent contracting the swine flu and symptoms to look for.

To Whom it May Concern:

       Welcome to one of the most enlightening, fulfilling, and controversial service careers in the U.S.  Teaching can be a very rewarding experience, and it will be even more rewarding to teach in disadvantaged areas of Mississippi.  Though you may be unsure of your decision to join the Mississippi Teacher Corps at the moment, I challenge you to give this opportunity a chance to make a difference in your life, as well as the lives of your future students. 

By becoming a teacher, you are apart of a group of people who shape the minds of younger generations.  And though situations may not be ideal at your selected school, you have the opportunity to be a living example to your students of the benefits of achieving an adequate education.  Additionally, by working for MTC, you have the opportunity to provide and implement more effective teaching methods than those offered by your school.  I am a firm believer that if you have faith in your own power as a teacher, then you will be a successful teacher.  So congratulations on your decision to become that catalyst for intellectual success that your students need.  I look forward to seeing you in June!

Yours truly,

Mrs. Jordan

This is late, I lost track of the days.

Assessment in my classroom, right now, consists of 2 paper tests/quizzes per chapter that we cover.  In addition to that, we have any projects or presentations that they are given that receive a test grade.  I am, right now, giving them test grades for teaching verbs throughout the 9 weeks. 

I like the paper tests, in a way.  Students must take tests like the SAT, SATPs, ACT, etc. their whole life.  I may not like the fact that the tests don't measure students in a real life way, but I do understand that testing skills are also necessary. 

I want to, this summer and in the year to come, give many more project-based tests.  I am thinking of a way to help my students find Spanish cultural articles in their community.  This will be a lot easier if I go to Gulfport.  I will have students research one aspect of the Hispanic culture, like music, family, food, etc, and then try to find embodiments of these central cultural themes in their own community, displaying the intertwining of the Hispano-U.S. culture.

This summer, I might look into a project of the students researching language usage in their favorite song lyrics and researching imagery and other elements of writing as used in their songs.

I liked the idea in the video about the economics plan that the students had to come up with as a group.

"Profe's class is a lot of work. She always wants you to speak Spanish.  We never get done before the bell, and her tests are never multiple choice.  I thought Spanish would be easy."

"If there was a state test on Spanish, I would flunk."

"I went to a Mexican restaurant the other day and I said "hola, como estas" and the guy understood me!  I couldn't say anything else because I slept all last semester, but I remembered that."

I picked out 3 of my favorite quotes from their free write.  There were lots of great ones. 

I hear that state test on a lot.  Once one of them said it, all of them picked it up.  But I love little personal victories the kids have in Spanish like Cesár (not his real name) and the Mexican restaurant.

US HISTORY

Female U.S. History Student:
I love being in Ms Floyd class. She's very classy and respectful, thats why my class are always respecting her and never giving her hard times.  Her teaching skills are wonderful the way she put out things makes me think I was their during that time period.  Sometimes Ms Floyd looks like she mad and don't want to be bother. But never takes it out on none of the kids in her presence thats why over all Ms Floyd and her class are very wonderful and class is great.

Male U.S. History Student:
Ms. Floyd is my U.S. History teacher at bailey magnet. Ms. Floyd has different teaching style than others. She breaks the work down to the simplest form.  She cares about the student and about your learning ability. Ms. Floyd shows no favoritism to others, she works with students after school.  She is a nice and very intelligent teach and she can really teach!

Male U.S. History Student:
What is it like, that's a big question!  Well, to be honest I enjoy being in that class. Why? Because it fun to know history and when you are surrounded by classmates who know or don't know is really challenging.  Sometimes reading and discussing the main things are focal point of the lesson. Ms. Floyd is well-balanced teacher with warm feelings, nice, kind, ready to instruct, and really helps you with things you do not know. When classmates don't know the material its really sad to me but I know my purpose in school and that to pass every class on my schedule and Ms Floyd will assure me to pass but effort comes into place and study.  This is really fun and probably will have more learning fun until May but as for now we need to stay focused.

Female U.S. History Student:
Ms Floyd is an smart and caring teacher. With a positive attitude toward her very descriptive teaching. At first when they moved me to her class, I'm going to be honest I was mad cause I thought she was one of those teachers who gave you work in don't explain nothing. As I got in her class in her class I found out that I was wrong.  Actually I learned more in Ms. Floyd class then in my previous course of World History. So if you can tell by that I must be paying attention more and not only on my hair and clothes. And when I'm in her class I don't be in my mirror as much. So in the outcome Ms. Floyd is really good teacher. Oops I forgot I suppose to be talking about how our class is. Getting to the point our class is kind of a hand full with the class clowns in my class.  Even though we still manage to get the work done. Although Ms Floyd have to raise her voice sometimes but she got more will-power than me cause I would've been lost my job. Despite that we are still an okay class.

SOCIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY

Male Sociology/Psychology Student:
Ms. Floyd your class is amazing and you are a great teacher.  Your methods are fun. I really learn when I come in your class. I understand everything you teach me, because you take your time to help me learn.  Your attitude is jacked up when your mad, but thats because of your last class, so I understand.  Other than that you are the best teacher I had in a long time. Keep up the great work. I'm happy to be in your class.

Female Sociology/Psychology Student:
Being in your class is a real joy. Never did I think you could have this much fun learning. You keep me interested, your teaching skills are creative and you're a very cool person.  Not to mention the fact that you're closer to my age makes it easier to bond or talk with you.  You're a very good teacher and being in your class has been a positively fun experience.

Female Sociology/Psychology Student:
I think that it is a honor to be in Ms Floyd class. Every time I walk into her class or see her she makes my day.  She to me is a good role model. She has indeed inspired me. When I'm in her class she makes everything seem so easy and thats why I pass most of everything.  When she is mad I think it is so cool and funny because she looks so innocent and little. Wow I love her. Even though she give us a lot of work it don't phase me because I know its not her fault, but she know its good for us. To me she is one of the best teachers at Bailey. I'm proud to say it and thats all that matter.
                                                                                                                   Sincerely yours,
                                                                                                                       Your favorite happy student

Thanks for frequenting this blog.  All future entries will now be posted directly to the Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC) website under the "News" section.  I encourage you to add the MTC site to your RSS feed reader.  Thanks again.