How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
Since the last week, I have been able to set up a meeting with Kodak to go in and talk with them about coming into my classroom for this up coming year. The earliest that I could get into meeting with them is August 26th. I am kind of nervous because I do not know what exactly I am looking for. I think that I am looking for having volunteers into my room and possibly teaching the students how to use the cameras correctly. I wish that they would donate some cameras so I could start some sort of a photography club or something like that.
I also was able to talk to the local Pudgies Pizzeria about having my students come into the pizzeria to make a pizza and talk about fractions, the money aspect, proportions, etc. so I hope that is possible. The owner seemed a little hesitant about it, so we will see. It seems like such a great opportunity. Plus it would be nice to have them donate some pizzas. Donations are always the best.
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
I learned that communication with the real world is a lot harder than it seems. I feel as though if I were in the classroom with my students it would be a lot easier for these companies to help me out. I think that having the companies actually see the students would help them make a decision a lot easier. I will absolutely talk to my class about this whole process. I can not wait to see my student’s faces when the basketball players and the Kodak people walk into my classroom.
What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
I am starting to get a little confused about how I am going to apply all of these volunteers and community involvement into the lovely curriculum that New York State has in store for me and my students. That will be difficult for me. How do I get them all to apply? What will I have the volunteers do in my classroom? How will I turn all this good into benefits for my students?
How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
I think that my plan is good for now. I will need to adjust it once my students come back to school and I start getting the community involved in my classroom. I think that I will be sharing this GAME plan with my other 6th grade team members to get their input once school has started. I tried to email them the plan and get any ideas from them and I have not received anything back from them. I have a feeling that they want to be away from school until the last possible second. Summer break is great.
Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Mr. Henry,
ReplyDeleteYou have some great ideas to enrich your students. I have always found that if I try and do too much I end up with not enough. Maybe focusing on one volunteer or community involvement project per month or 2 per semester will help you get a clearer understanding of how you can tie it into the curriculum.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteWow! I have to say that you have done a great job at reaching out to community members! I know we have learned a lot in our Walden studies about bridging the gap between school and community, and I think you are coming up against a question I have had for some time...what do you do when the school is ready but the community is not? Or, vice versa? My school's community is comprised of a lot of parents and, hence community members, that WANT to be involved and then a lot of others that either DO NOT or CANNOT be involved. The community is comprised of such a diverse population, that it seems the balance between those able to help and the areas in need of help are hard to match up. You have taken a great step in reaching out to community members, and I want to encourage you to be persistent. Once school starts, I am certain you will find a place to put each volunteer and, because of your efforts this summer, you are probably going to find it easier and easier over time to reach out to more and more community members!
Holly
Holly,
ReplyDeleteI think that it happens more than we want to know. Having community resources is a good idea but finding the proper way to use them is hard. I am struggling greatly how I am going to use all of these great resources in my classroom… Or better yet, I am hoping that they are able to get into my classroom during the school year. I teach in a high poverty area in the inner city. My parents are a great resource when they get a chance.