Believe everything Randy and Jaf say. It is 100% accurate. When they say that once you experience it for yourself, you will become True Believers, it's true! Your students will behave exactly the way Randy and Jaf say they will and have the exact problems that are predicted.
When they give you real examples from their lesson plans, take notes! Those examples will be a great reference and starting point to build off when you need to make your own lesson plans either for assignments or for student teaching.
Take notes for your reflections, even if your notes are more of a narration of the chronological events of class. When you procrastinate until Thursday night on your reflections, it will really help if you can look back at your notes and they give an agenda of what was covered in class, because by Thursday you won't remember what specifically was covered that week. When you go back and see "Randy talked about pop quizzes, then we did an activity on Marzano's strategies for 20 minutes", that will be enough to refresh your memory. If you make a connection during class, make note of it! "This guy said he hates cold calling, but this other guy said he loves it - discuss in reflection" will be very helpful when you need to write a reflection and need to come up with something to talk about.
The ARC program has been a great experience for me. It has been a very intensive course and I have to work very hard in order to finish all my assignments on time. But, the results that I have in my job as a substitute teacher, applying all advices of the Core and Methods sessions have shown that they are very useful. My students begin to understand quicker, after I have used all these Methos in my lessons. i REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME AND DEDICATION OF THE INSTRUCTORS. i HOPE YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AS WE HAveduring these months.
There is so much that you can learn from the 2 instructors of this course. I know that the workload will look like alot when you first get in, but it's not as bad as it seems. My recommentdaion, do your reflections as soon as you can, while they are fresh in your moind. This will give you the full week to do the work that you are assigned. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even though you might not get a straight answer, it will definitely help. This program goes by so fast, make sure that you absorb everything you can.
Student teaching is the culmination of the program, be prepared. Some people viewed it as a scary time, but Randy and Jaf do a phenomenal job to prepare you for this. DO THE "DO NOWS"!!!!
Also, a few last things. Ask Randy about his patio, and Jaf about the lesson he taught in Chinese....you will hear about them plenty of times.
Good luck! This is going to be a very rewarding experience but also very time demanding. Some things to think about:
-Do not put things off until the last minute. If you have time to get something done for ARC, reflections, unit plan activities, etc, do it!
-The reflections may seem time consuming, but the sooner you can get them completed the less stress you will have each week. It's a great opportunity to put your thoughts on paper, and reflecting is something you will constantly do to improve your teaching.
-Come into every class, core and methods, with an open mind. The methods instructors, core speakers, and your classmates have a wealth of knowledge that you can learn from.
-Take note of every real-life example that you can during methods. This will be invaluable during student teaching. The evaluators like seeing the connections to the real-world.
-During student teaching, don't get dragged into the negativity that some of your fellow teachers may have. Constantly reflect on what you did, how you can do better, and what you can do to help the students.
-During student teaching, get as much done as you can before leaving school. Have your copies, handouts, files complete if at all possible. And plan for the next day, you may want to get the entire week prepared, but it's going to change anyway!
Good Luck! Put the time in and this will be an amazing experience!
Come in ready to learn! This may seem like a statement of the obvious, but it's hard to let go of preconceived ideas, or even to recognize that you have them, but you have to. The sooner you do, the more you will learn and the faster you will improve. In this new endeavor, you are an apprentice- go into every session with humility and don't assume you know better than Randy and Jaff- you don't. Pay attention to everything they say, because what may seem like a little side comment is actually a statement based on years of experience. I wish you the best on this life-changing experience!
Dear ARC Newbs, Methods is a fantastic part of ARC. Randy and Jaf have such great knowledge in the art of teaching. The tools and strategies they will teach you are the future. You will not see many teachers in the field as effective as they are. They are caring and very helpful people. My #1 rule for ARC is, don't miss class under any circumstances. The makeup work is not worth it know matter what the problem or situation. You will regret it. Work hard and try the strategies given by Jaf and Randy. The information they are giving you will work and make you a better teacher; keeping a smile on your face and enjoying what you do!
Show up to class. Takes notes, but not just on the content. Write down any reactions you have to the material, or thoughts or connections to real life or previous ARC topics. This will help you write your reflections.
Over-prepare for lessons and microteaches. The more organized you are, the smoother things can go. (CAN, not will)
Get a 2" 3-ring binder for ARC Methods. Organize it by DATE. Don't try to reorganize by any other method. Put the calendar in the front. Write the date on every single page.
This is a great adventure that you are starting. Do not procrastinate. Get started as soon as possible. Do your reflections as soon as possible because they are a lot easier. Pace your self as much as possible. Sleep when you can even if its only a few minutes. Take your vitamins and try to stay as healthy as possible. This is a tough program to get into and getting in was the easy part. Good luck.
Believe everything Randy and Jaf say. It is 100% accurate. When they say that once you experience it for yourself, you will become True Believers, it's true! Your students will behave exactly the way Randy and Jaf say they will and have the exact problems that are predicted.
ReplyDeleteWhen they give you real examples from their lesson plans, take notes! Those examples will be a great reference and starting point to build off when you need to make your own lesson plans either for assignments or for student teaching.
Take notes for your reflections, even if your notes are more of a narration of the chronological events of class. When you procrastinate until Thursday night on your reflections, it will really help if you can look back at your notes and they give an agenda of what was covered in class, because by Thursday you won't remember what specifically was covered that week. When you go back and see "Randy talked about pop quizzes, then we did an activity on Marzano's strategies for 20 minutes", that will be enough to refresh your memory. If you make a connection during class, make note of it! "This guy said he hates cold calling, but this other guy said he loves it - discuss in reflection" will be very helpful when you need to write a reflection and need to come up with something to talk about.
Thoughts for success
ReplyDelete- You are probably the person with the most enthusiasm about the subject in the room. Act like it.
- Practice reading the kids for understanding. A kid who doesn't understand the math well, will wreck havoc in your class.
- All teenagers seem like they're bipolar. Don't overreact to their shfiting mood.
- Follow a "critical path" approach during student teaching. Focus on what needs to happen next, only.
- Smile when the situation warrants it. It will make both your and the students' time much more enjoyable.
Be confident in your success and don't let your failures (you'll have plenty) get you down.
Good Luck,
Roman
The ARC program has been a great experience for me. It has been a very intensive course and I have to work very hard in order to finish all my assignments on time. But, the results that I have in my job as a substitute teacher, applying all advices of the Core and Methods sessions have shown that they are very useful. My students begin to understand quicker, after I have used all these Methos in my lessons.
ReplyDeletei REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME AND DEDICATION OF THE INSTRUCTORS. i HOPE YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AS WE HAveduring these months.
There is so much that you can learn from the 2 instructors of this course. I know that the workload will look like alot when you first get in, but it's not as bad as it seems. My recommentdaion, do your reflections as soon as you can, while they are fresh in your moind. This will give you the full week to do the work that you are assigned. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even though you might not get a straight answer, it will definitely help. This program goes by so fast, make sure that you absorb everything you can.
ReplyDeleteStudent teaching is the culmination of the program, be prepared. Some people viewed it as a scary time, but Randy and Jaf do a phenomenal job to prepare you for this. DO THE "DO NOWS"!!!!
Also, a few last things. Ask Randy about his patio, and Jaf about the lesson he taught in Chinese....you will hear about them plenty of times.
Good luck! This is going to be a very rewarding experience but also very time demanding. Some things to think about:
ReplyDelete-Do not put things off until the last minute. If you have time to get something done for ARC, reflections, unit plan activities, etc, do it!
-The reflections may seem time consuming, but the sooner you can get them completed the less stress you will have each week. It's a great opportunity to put your thoughts on paper, and reflecting is something you will constantly do to improve your teaching.
-Come into every class, core and methods, with an open mind. The methods instructors, core speakers, and your classmates have a wealth of knowledge that you can learn from.
-Take note of every real-life example that you can during methods. This will be invaluable during student teaching. The evaluators like seeing the connections to the real-world.
-During student teaching, don't get dragged into the negativity that some of your fellow teachers may have. Constantly reflect on what you did, how you can do better, and what you can do to help the students.
-During student teaching, get as much done as you can before leaving school. Have your copies, handouts, files complete if at all possible. And plan for the next day, you may want to get the entire week prepared, but it's going to change anyway!
Good Luck! Put the time in and this will be an amazing experience!
welcome to most rewarding job!
ReplyDeletestay focused and constantly reflect on how to improve, there is no perfection in teaching there is always a room for improvement.
do not fake your inthusiasm about math, the students will ditect that.
do not take thing personal no matter what hapened, said , or done in your classroom.Focus on what you can do about it instead of complaining.
good luck
Mhamed.
Yes, the ARC program will be very intense! It will be an incredible amount of work but you will learn so much and it is definitely worth it!!
ReplyDeleteBe prepared for lack of sleep and a lot of papers!! But enjoy! It goes so quickly and before you know it, you'll be a math teacher :)
Come in ready to learn! This may seem like a statement of the obvious, but it's hard to let go of preconceived ideas, or even to recognize that you have them, but you have to. The sooner you do, the more you will learn and the faster you will improve. In this new endeavor, you are an apprentice- go into every session with humility and don't assume you know better than Randy and Jaff- you don't. Pay attention to everything they say, because what may seem like a little side comment is actually a statement based on years of experience. I wish you the best on this life-changing experience!
ReplyDelete:) Nicole
Dear ARC Newbs,
ReplyDeleteMethods is a fantastic part of ARC. Randy and Jaf have such great knowledge in the art of teaching. The tools and strategies they will teach you are the future. You will not see many teachers in the field as effective as they are. They are caring and very helpful people. My #1 rule for ARC is, don't miss class under any circumstances. The makeup work is not worth it know matter what the problem or situation. You will regret it. Work hard and try the strategies given by Jaf and Randy. The information they are giving you will work and make you a better teacher; keeping a smile on your face and enjoying what you do!
Do Your Best!
Dan
Show up to class. Takes notes, but not just on the content. Write down any reactions you have to the material, or thoughts or connections to real life or previous ARC topics. This will help you write your reflections.
ReplyDeleteOver-prepare for lessons and microteaches. The more organized you are, the smoother things can go. (CAN, not will)
Get a 2" 3-ring binder for ARC Methods. Organize it by DATE. Don't try to reorganize by any other method. Put the calendar in the front. Write the date on every single page.
-Pete
This is a great adventure that you are starting. Do not procrastinate. Get started as soon as possible. Do your reflections as soon as possible because they are a lot easier. Pace your self as much as possible. Sleep when you can even if its only a few minutes. Take your vitamins and try to stay as healthy as possible. This is a tough program to get into and getting in was the easy part. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteJoe