Hi there,
My name is Ms. Jessica Miller and I am attending Grand Valley to get my bacherlor of science in group social studies for secondary education. When I am through with my degree I hope to teach social studies to students sixth grade through twelfth grade. I love the way teaching and learning increases creativity and encourages people to solve problems.
Technology can play a large role in the classroom and can help students understand material and explore the world in a greater way. In my last placement technology was often used in the wrong way, simply used for doing vocab flashcards or playing word games when they finished their paperwork. In my future classroom I hope to incorporate technology to help students understand and see the world more clearly. During my placement I planned an activity that used google earth to explore the slums and rich areas of Mexico City. The students were learning about urbanization and the socioeconomic gap between the two parts of the city. This activity allowed them to simply explore the streets in Mexico City. Along with the activity I simply asked them to express what they notice and make observations. Overall, the students really enjoyed the activity and their observations were congruent with the lesson and goals of the day.
When I am not teaching I love to explore Grand Rapids and the many things it offers. I love restuarants, museums, and the small towns along the west coast of Michigan. I also work a lot. I serve, bartend, and sometimes manage a country club in Grandville, and although it can be a lot of work, I really love it. When I am just enjoying a day off at home I love to read and watch movies. I love to spend time with my friends and family. In this video I was walking through Grand Rapids with one of my best friends and her puppy!
Click for Video
I think you are very brave for wanting to teach 6-12 grade. I like to teach younger students, but we do need all kinds of teachers or kids would not get the education they need. I love that you used Google earth to explore a different part of the world for a lesson. I may borrow this idea for my future classroom. I never thought of using Google earth, but it sounds like it could be fun for the students at the same time as being educational. I also like to read and visit museums in my free time.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jessica! That lesson using google earth to look at the contrast between rich and poor areas in Mexico City is so cool! What an awesome way to allow students to "see" a concept so clearly and discover it for themselves. Good work!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteJust like Erin, I am so impressed by your use of google earth and showing students the difference between the slums and rich parts of Mexico! That uses an awesome visual for the material being studied.
I also love exploring new restaurants in the Grand Rapids area. Have you tried The Mitten Brewing, Brick and Porter, or The Black Heron? Those are a couple of my favorites. Where do you bartend?
Also, NOTHING beats Western and Northern Michigan!
Kelli, I have tried the Mitten and the Black Heron. I think the Black Heron is a serious hidden jem! It is also one of my favorites! I have not tried Brick and Porter, but it is on my list of things to try!
DeleteI am loving all the "teacher talk". Reading about your experiences and our classmates encouragement makes me so happy about our children's future.
ReplyDelete"Teacher talk" = where to eat/drink. ;-) (And yes, those aspects of the profession are incredibly important for morale and support.)
ReplyDelete