Break Apart Strategy

Last week in my fourth grade class I observed a math lesson in my host teachers classroom in Appleby Elementary school. Mrs. Mack introduced the lesson by talking about what they'd gone over last week in class. They were working on adding and subtracting with different ways of rounding. The Break Apart Strategy is a way for students to add or subtract numbers in a simple manner. She started off by telling each student to get a small chalkboard from the back of the class, and a small piece of chalk. She displayed a problem up on the SMARTboard. For example she put the problem 48+23=?

She then broke up the problem on the SMARTboard like this:

48+23 =      40 +2= 42
                      8+3= 11
                            = 53

She broke up the problem by adding the ones column, and then adding the tens columns. It simplifies the addition or subtraction necessary to solve the problem. Therefore, it is an effective way for children to break apart problems and solve them with simple math. The students seemed to enjoy this lesson because after they found their answer, the teacher would tell the children to raise their hands when they were done. This created a sense of slight competition in the classroom, which actually motivated the students to work quickly and effectively. Most of the students seemed to understand the concept. She gave them a quick quiz at the end of the class, which was only one problem, that formally assessed to make sure they were understanding the concept. The students handed in the quiz and then moved onto their science block. I found this lesson to be a good way to introduce the concept of the Break Apart Strategy.
                

Dad

Just two weeks ago I was sitting at lunch with my dad and family. We were in Hoboken on a Sunday afternoon. My sister, her friends, and my brothers fiance had celebrated her bridal shower the night before. I was getting ready to head back to school once lunch was over. I hugged my parents and said goodbye, not knowing that this would be the last time I'd see my dad.

Halloween night he passed away unexpectedly. When I got the call I didn't know what to do. Thankfully I had Rachel, and various other girls in the sorority there for me when I found out. I was in shock and really couldn't believe the phone call I"d just received at six forty five that morning.

My dad was just one of those people that you couldn't help but love to be around. When he walked into a room people were drawn to his friendly smile and warm personality. He was the most caring loving man I have ever known. He was always concerned about making others happy, and putting himself last. Over 2,000 people came to his wake between the two days. It was overwhelming, but such an honor to see how many peoples lives he had touched. Family and friends came from all over to pay their condolences to my family and I.

I could go on an on about how great my dad was. However, it is easier for me to remember him in my memories and how great of a dad, husband, and friend he was. My dad was my best friend and it will be tough to go through graduation and other important events in my life without him. However, I know that I know have the worlds best guardian angel watching over me. Rest in peace dad. I love you.

Rubistar

Today in class we took some time to look at the teachers resources located in our class website. There were many different links to numerous websites that could be used in our future classrooms. One in particular that I found to be very interesting was Rubistar. This website can be used to create your own personal rubrics. This will be extremely effective and helpful in my classroom someday because for every project assigned there is usually some sort of rubric attached. This allows the children to know where there is room for improvement, and where they may have made any mistakes. It also allows you to incorporate any areas that they may have done well in. A rubric is a way of assigning grades fairly and impartially. Students do not have to guess where they might have made mistakes. It is also an opportunity to allow them to fix any mistakes they may have made. There were many other websites linked into the resources as well. Many of them included games children could play to get them engaged and actively thinking. They cover most subject areas. These resources will be extremely helpful when I someday have my own classroom. I am glad we explored this area of our class website today!

Technology & the Future

It is scary to think of what the world will be like in 10-20 years. We have already made so many advances in the past decade, that almost everything is on a laptop, Iphone or an Ipad. Not to mention you no longer need an actual book to read. You can just buy a Kindle or Nook. These are electronic books that allow you to search for almost any book and buy it at the tip of your fingers. Who knows what will come about in the years to come. I had always though that I worked pretty well with computers. I mean, compared to my parents who don't even know how to use a search engine in Google, I thought I was doing pretty well. However, I've come to realize that there is always room for improvement in technology, because it is always advancing. I'm excited that I will get the opportunity to use the SMARTboard in this class, as well as continue to work with different programs. These skills are necessary for me to learn because I will most likely be using them, and more in my future classroom.

Observation

I've had the opportunity to observe Mrs. B's fourth grade classroom in Marathon, New York for the past two weeks. I have to say it has been a very rewarding experience. I was very nervous at first because I had never observed a classroom in a formal setting before. However Mrs. B and her students were extremely welcoming. Mrs. B had me help the students during their ELA block of time. I had to teach groups of students a game called "Word Pond". The game allowed them to practice using synonyms and antonyms. It was fun teaching them the game. I have to say that I was very surprised with how much technology is now present in today's classroom. Mrs. B used the SMARTboard to teach many of her lessons. She taught one lesson for science about animals with vertebrates and animals without vertebrates. She had the children come up to the board and place animals in the column that said vertebrate or invertebrate. The children really enjoyed this because they got the chance to come up to the SMARTboard and be actively engaged in the lesson. I went to a small elementary school and the only resource of technology we had was the use of the computer lab, and sometimes a TV. It is amazing the advance in technology since I was in elementary school. This is another reason I am very thankful for taking EDU315. It is helping me to learn about all the technology I never had the chance to previously learn. The children really enjoy using all the new forms of technology. Therefore it is important as a future teacher to have a strong understanding of all the different types and forms there are out there of technology.

The Thai Experience

While at Raquette Lake, we were lucky enough to have several Thai teachers join us on our three day trip. Most of them come from different parts of Thailand, and teach a range of different subjects. Many of them were science teachers. I have to say that meeting them was a unique and very rewarding experience. They came to Raquette Lake with an open mind and friendly attitudes. After sharing every meal with them for three days, and getting the chance to do challenging activities, our block (Block 1), became very close with them. They are truly some of the most genuine people I've had the opportunity to meet. They were able to make connections with us, even though at times the language barrier made it difficult for us to communicate. They shared much of their culture with us, just as we shared ours with them. I loved watching them do their song and dance at Raquette Lake. It showed myself and the other students that even though something may seem foreign to us, by embracing differences we can make it personable. I believe this is something I will take into my teaching with me. Although children may have different backgrounds and beliefs as teachers we need to be able to incorporate different styles of learning, and be able to differentiate our lessons to meet the needs of all students. Today was our last day with the Thai teachers. They came to our math class and gave us presents from Thailand. They were pencils that had all different animals and designs on top. It was really sweet of them to leave us with one last thought to take with us. I would love to be able to visit Thailand someday and visit the teachers. They made Raquette Lake an even more memorable experience, and their presence in my classroom and Cortland will be missed by all.

Raquette Lake

I'd heard many different stories about Raquette Lake before we arrived for our three day stay. I was a bit nervous because I have never really been the camping and outdoors kind of girl. However, I must say that this trip really opened my eyes to trying new things, and allowed my classmates and myself to become much closer. We are no longer just classmates, but friends. I also was happy to see my teachers in a new light. It is nice to see that teachers care about their students outside of the classroom. I'm glad that I got to know everyone in my class because I feel very comfortable in the classroom with them now. I enjoyed the activities we were given the opportunity to experience at Raquette Lake, such as canoeing, and using the giant fulcrum in the middle of the woods. Although there were many bugs and we slept in bunk beds, I was able to overlook those issues and gain a lot of experience and understanding from this trip. It has further proven to me that I do want to be a teacher. I am excited to form bonds with my students in the future, just as I was given the opportunity to do with my teachers at Raquette Lake this week. 

About Me

Alana 



who is caring, respectful, outgoing, appreciative
 
Family: Brother Danny (27), Sister Donna (33), Mother Nora (57), and Father Daniel (57)


who loves animals, laughter, & music


who feels lazy on weekends, getting up early is torture, & is grateful for all her family and friends


who fears needles, sharks, & failure


who would like to see Australia, Europe, & Tomorrowland 


who's from Stony Point, New York


who's studying Elementary Education at Suny Cortland



Sullivan