DAPA

DESCRIBING

6:55- Beatriz greeted the students

6:55- She explained the purposes of the war-up activity

6:58- she gave the objectives of the activity

7:00- she gave the students some pieces of paper

7:01- she explained all the instructions of this activity

7:03- she stuck some pieces of  paper on the board

7:04- students were following instructions

7:06- she was providing examples

7:07- she gave students another set of pieces of paper

       - she called on some volunteers to read their stories

7:08- students shared their stories

7:10- end of the activity

ANALIZING

ATWIKA VAKTING, we have to VAKT the class because not all the students learn in the same way.

ATWIKA classroom management, Beatriz did a great job while giving instructions.I could notice that everyone was paying attention to her.

PLAN OF ACTION

In the near future, If  I use this war-up activity I will make all students participate of course depending in how large the classs would be. I also will change the process of the activity; I will give students only a few seconds to write the sentences, in that way students stories will become crazier so that they got more fun and have a great time doing the activity.

EXPECTING AND GETTING THE BEST FROM OUR STUDENTS

WHY SHOULD WE AS EFFECTIVE ELT PRACTITIONERS HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS? 

I think that we,as practitioners, must have high expectations for our students because if not they won't be motivated to learn.We have to be supportive and make sure they realize we believe in them and their dreams.Sometimes practitioners don't believe in their students and that is just wrong; the attitude of the practitioner makes a huge difference in the classroom. For example, if the teacher brings energy and enthusiasm to the classroom, students will be able to enjoy and make a bigger effort to pay attention in the class.Many of the students feel desmotivated or even bored while the practioner is giving his/her class. It should be a challenge for all practitioners to keep students attention, and make them feel important in the class. Actually, it is a challenge for me to do this; I just hope I will make it true.

HOW COME WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE THEM TO OUR STUDENTS?

We need to make sure our students are aware of what we expect from them.Also,our students should share their dreams and goals they want to achieve. They should be clear in what they expect from us as their teachers.Our job is to communicate that we expect them to work hard and to be responsible with their learning process.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

By having a great relationship with our students; that is the main key to succeed in a class. Also, by sharing personal experiences with them; that makes them feel identify with us.

HOW DO WE SUPPORT THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR LEARNING EXPECTATIONS?

We should support them even if they don't want us to do that.Many students feel they are not smart because their previous teachers have said so; that is just unfair for these children.They need to feel we care about them and their learning.Also, they deserve the  same  opportunities as high-level student. Somehow it will be difficult for them to get accostumed to this method but at the end they will realize it helped them a lot.

HOW DO WE DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR STUDENTS' LEARNING?

We must take challenges and open up with our students. In that way, we are showing our students we care about them not only at school, but also in their personal lives. Teaching is a matter of responsability, not a matter of obligation. For example, when teachers give a class, they should be happy because it is supposed that teaching is something they love, and not do only because they have to. We as teachers need to feel passion for what we are doing and that is: show our students we can guide them not only for the moment, but for life.

HOW BENEFICIAL WAS THIS BOOK TO HAVE A BETTER IDEA ON WHAT TEACHING IS ALL ABOUT? 

Well, it helped me realize that being a teacher is a huge responsability because we transmit our ideas and behavior to our students;that is why; we must be careful and try not to impose our own thoughts. We need to create a connection with or students; I think that is the most important key while teaching a class. 

MONITORING STUDENT PROGRESS AND POTENTIAL

Monitoring students' progress is in some way difficult because of all the differences between them.However, an effective teacher should be aware of all these obstacles and find a solution for them.During this procedure of minitoring students, teachers will feel a lot of pressure to prepare students to be successful not only on the tests, but also in life.Effective teachers employ all the tools at their disposal to make a positive impact on students, including the use of homework and feedback.

Why is homework so important?

The value of homework is often questioned because of the students participation in so many other activities outside school; that's why, teachers become frustrated with the number of students who do not complete homework assignments. The importance of homework goes further than becoming an extension of the classroom for the teacher.The basic purposes of homework are: practice, preparation, elaboration.

Practice homework  is the reinforcement of familiar concepts that need to be refined.

Preparation focused homework exposes a student to a concept that the class will study in-depth on the next school day.

Elaboration facilitates the exploration of related concepts.

Effective teachers not only assing homework, but also check and review it regularly; feedback on completed homework is particularly important because it gives the students a parameter for thei own correction.Effective teachers provide specific goals and guidelines for homework and allow students to meet those requirements in various creative ways, such as performances, creative literature, videotapes, or posters.They use homework as a tool to assess the learning needs of the students.

Teachers must provide feedback for their students to be aware of their learning process. Feedback should be given with the purpose of seing the progress of the students in a classroom.Effective teachers are engage in giving their students feedback; they also use a variety of assessment practices to monitor students learning, including fornmal and informal assessments, and formative and summative assessments.

The quality of homework assignments is the issue, not the quantity.

MY MIND MAP PRESENTATION

How does this management parameter empower your own teaching practicum?

My mind map presentation was space; I really enjoyed this experience. In fact,I had a lot of fun while doing it.I'm sure this will help me in the future.Sometimes, I felt really tired, but at the end my friends and I could accomplish what we expected from ourselves.I think that the space factor is an important key to keep students attention.For me the best way for classroom arrangement is the circle because in that way students not only interact with themselves, but also the teacher interacts with most of them. Mind map presentation was a great idea; I liked it.

This experience will empower my teaching practicum because I learned many new things by doing it. I tried new things and share many things with my friends and classmates which helpped me realize how important is to work as a team.I know now that even if I do not know how to do things perfectly, at least I put my biggest effort and fought for what I wanted.Teachers must cooperate with each other to help students feel good and confident with the classroom environment. 

 HERE ARE SOME PICS OF THE MIND MAP REFERING TO SPACE; I HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT :)

IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTION

Teachers must plan instructions in order to interact with their students and coworkers.The strategies teachers use really important for implementing instructions.Indeed, teachers who successfully employ a range of strategies reach more students because they tap into more learning styles and students interests.Also, effective teachers usually combine instructional techniques that involve individual, small-group, and whole-class instruction. Mental processes are pretty important because these skills enable students to relate their learning to real-life situations and incorporate concepts into their long term memory.Since all teachers expect their students to learn they need to clarify what they expect from them.

Communication is fundamental to any profession that requires interaction among people and within an organization; teaching is no exception.Instructions have to be clear for students to understand them.Teachers have to state clarity while giving instructions.On the other hand, teaching is such a complex activity that sometimes it becomes difficult to understand. The effective teacher must have sufficient knowledge of subject matter and of teaching and learning to appreciate this complexity.

Making questions helps both the student and the teacher.It supports students' engagement in learning and a teacher's ability to monitor the learning process.What is clear is that good questioning is definetely an important aspect of effective teaching.Teachers must support their students' engagement in learning. Teachers who use positive reinforcement, praise students, and employ meaningful activities are more likely to actively engage students in learning.

ORGANIZING FOR INSTRUCTION

Teachers need to be organized.They need to plan every single step they will follow while teaching a class.Teachers need to set high expectations for students and select strategies to propel the students learning. Materials are not all what matters in a lesson, effective organizing for instruction also involves the development of a conscious orientation toward teaching and learning as the central focus of the classroom activity. Effective teachers should motivate and encourage their syudents by using academic instruction. Students must be challenged for their teacher to accomplish their own goals. Teachers also focus on instruction through their allocation of time, and through their expectations for students learning.

Time is one of the most important things teachers use while giving a lesson. Effective teachers do manage to maximize instruction by their thoughtful and careful use of time.Teachers should be involved with students during the entire class period, from start to finish.Use of time can be optimized in the classroom by using planning or pacing materials. Effective teachers are not only organized, they also convey this vital skill to their students; they also use time-saving devices such as attendance cards, hall passes, and extrapaper, and this saves time because the teacher does not have to search for the items.Effective teachers provide the framework for maximizing not only instructional time, but also students time on task. They also: 

*follow a consistent schedule and maintain the procedures and routines established at the beginning of the year.

*handle administrative tasks quickly and efficiently.

*prepare materials in advance.

*make clear and smooth transitions

*maintain momentum within and across lessons

*limit disruptions and interruptions through appropriate behavioral management

Effective teachers believe in their students and expect all of them to learn.If the teacher believes that students can learn, the students do learn.On the other hand, if the teacher believes that students are low performing, unreachable, an unable to learn, the students perform poorly, seem unreachable, and do not learn.Also, teachers need to prepare materials as components of planning carefully for instruction. The point is that effective teachers take into account the abilities of their students and the students strengths and weaknesses as well as their interest levels. Since students learn at different rates, effective teachers plan academic enrichment and remediation opportunities for students. Teachers tend to teach in the manner that they themselves learn best; however, effective teachers stretch beyond that comfort zone to incorporate different learning styles.

In my personal opinion, I think that organizing is really important in planning a lesson. I know that I , as a teacher, have to be organized in order for me to take control of the classroom and also to be aware of other factors that influence in the classroom environment such as timing.

CLASS OBSERVATION

I entered into a ninth grade classroom; it seem to me that I was going to face many new situations.This class is  located in Chalchuapa; it is a small place, but verey noisi. The class was composed by 19 students; 16 of them were boys and only 3 were girls.I was surprised to see this unusual class members.When I was watching the students I could notice that they had no previous knowledge of the English lanluage.The teacher said that she had to talk in spanish almost all the time for them to understand the lesson.
One thing I didn't like about the class was that the teacher made them write in their books and that was all she did for the rest of the time in the class. I felt really desapointed because I know that if we care about our students they will learn in a more effective way. That day I decided I will make them like English by making fun activities and sharing with them the little I know about that. I think this experience will help me grow not only as a teacher, but also as a person; there are so many things I can learn from these kids that I get excited when I think about it.
I am certain that these kids have the enough potential to learn English; they will have the opportunity to experiment with the language and later on we'll see the creation af an English teacher maybe.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION

Well, I think that this chapter will help me a lot in my teaching practice.This chapter is focused on clasroom management and organization which are very important factors while teaching a lesson. Teachers must create an organized classroom environment for their students to feel comfortable;also, teachers have to be prepare and have a plan for the organization of the class.Components of the organization plan of a classroom include room arrangement, discipline, routines, and a plan to teach the students how their learning environment is organized.

A differences between begginers and experienced educators is that begginers tend to start with the academic content  the first week of school while experienced teachers workon creating a positive classroom climate and then start working with academic content.Good classroom management skills involves a lot more than rules and discipline.It requires involving students in the process of establishing and maintaining rules in the classroom.Teachers must be aware of their students needs and focus on the energy of the instructional process.Also, when teachers make the classroom experience engaging, there is a little time or inclination for students to misbehave. Effective teachers are always prepared and keep their students involved in the teaching and learning process. Good teachers are always prepared for the ups and downs of the classroom environment;also, they establish rules inside the classroom. They also manage and give feedback to their students; they must be aware of their students weaknesses and strengths.Organized teachers are better prepared for classess so that they can help students to be prepare for learning.

Teachers have to know how to respond to students behavior even if it is not good. An effective teacher has to have the ability to prevent negative behavior by following rules and procedures. Proactive classroom management is the most effective deterrent to discipline problems.

Well, this chapter helped me understand that I have to be organized to create a good classroom environment for my students.Now I know that good classroom management is achieved through hard work and a lot of organization.

THE TEACHER AS A PERSON

Well, in this comment I will compare two characteristics of an effective teacher: KNOWING STUDENTS, and PROMOTION OF ENTHUSIASM AND MOTIVATION OF LEARNING.

I think that knowing students is really important because in that way teachers can create a relationship with his/her students (rapport). They can use this relationship to motivate students; students may feel comfortable while talking to the teacher; also, they can share their problems and both try to find a solution.Also, the teacher needs to understand each student's needs and learning styles, but also understand the student's personality or things that can affect their learning process.Teachers must be creative and warm in order to create a great environment for the students, and to be effective too. Then we have promotion of enthusiasm and motivation of learning which deals with the teacher's enthusiasm for teaching and learning; supporting positive relationships with students and encouraging student achievement is an important part of effective teaching.Teachers can motivate students by teaching them how to monitor their own language, by creating a good classroom environment, by setting high standars,etc.

I think that these characteristics are extremely related because they both are based in the interaction between the teacher and the student. These characteristics are really important to achieve effectiveness while teaching because if the students don't feel comfortable in the classroom they will not be able to learn.

For me the most important characteristic a teacher must have is being great in every sense and get to form a close relationship with the students.

ABOUT THE VIDEO

Well, first of all I have to say taht I really liked the video because it gave really essential information about teaching.The principal question is what makes a great teacher? I have my own answer for that question.

What makes a great teacher is the passion they feel for teaching, a tremendous elemental care, and for sure the relationship teachers create with their students. Another important thing is the sparkle we got to have to become teachers, the expectations we want to achieve with our students,etc. To sum up, quality teaching and quality learning depends on the teacher and his/her interaction with the students; remember that teaching is all about interaction.

EFFECTIVE TEACHING

Well, I think that what makes an effective teacher is his or her passion for teaching; taht is in my personal judgment.In chapter one we can find some cualities teachers must have to be effective; they all are necessary for teachers to have a successful classroom environment, but I think that the most important ones are: knowledge of teaching and learning, and content knowledge.

 Why do I believe this?

 For me, we never stop learning even when we become teachers; also, we can share our experiences and learning abilities with our students.The thing is that we as teachers can share knowledge and acquire knowledge all at the same time while we are in the classroom and outside the classroom; that's why, I think knowledge of teaching and learning is important.On the other hand, we also have to know what we teach to our students, what kind of values, and experiences we transmit to them. It is clear that we have to be prepared for our students questions;also, we need to know which our students needs are in order for us to connect with them, and not only have a connection with them, but also create a relationship. This is the reason why I think content knowledge is important for effective teaching.