First Month as a S.T.A.R. Coordinator

Less than a month ago, I become one of the newest members of the S.T.A.R.  Coordinating Team. Even though I have only been a S.T.A.R. Coordinator for a short amount of time, I have been having so much fun! I love being more involved in the School of Education and the fact that I get to help students feel more comfortable in college life. I have been involved with S.T.A.R. since my freshmen year as a buddy and this year was my first year as a mentor and well as a coordinator.  It’s really exciting for me to get to have different experiences through S.T.A.R. as both a coordinator and mentor. I get to do really exciting things like help give ideas for events, make bulletin boards and keep in touch with all the mentors and buddies. I am looking forward to all the events that are coming up! I had a great time at the S.T.A.R. craft night and I can’t wait to see more mentors and buddies at the really fun events we have coming up! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful spring break!!  

 

Best,

 

Madeline Brewi 

S.T.A.R. Craft Night

Night of Crafts and Service

On Monday night, February 11^th, many members of S.T.A.R. came together to try and make the lives of the people who came before us just a little bit happier. In association with America Reads* America Serves, S.T.A.R. created an assortment of Valentine’s Day cards for the residents of Chapin Home for the Aging. These cards, along with those created in an earlier event by AR*AS are being hand delivered this week by our own School of Education students.

Our S.T.A.R. Members spent the evening with crayons, markers, construction paper, and all sorts of craft materials along with some cake and snacks. Everybody was able to relax from a hectic start of the semester and unwind doing something kind for somebody else.

Knowing that many of the residents of this Home for the Aging will appreciate a handmade card, members were excited to put their creativity to use when making many of these cards. Many cards included poems, pop-up images, and beautiful hand drawn pictures from our students. This event was a great way for S.T.A.R. members to come together and have a nice relaxing night bonding with each other and helping out our local community.

Student Teaching Week 1

Actually Teaching A Class

Ok so I didn't teach a full class as of yet. I have been gradually working my way into the classroom by working my way into the classroom little by little. Today I was able to do a little more than I had done last week. I have been able to do the Do Now with students in the past but today I was able to be more involved in the class activity and discussion.

We discussed a reading that focused on the first interactions of Christopher Columbus and the native Arawaks. This reading didn't follow the typical ideas that are usually talked about with Columbus but the more raw and savage details that are usually skipped over. Thankfully, the students found this reading to be extremely interesting and kept their attention. Throughout my class I tried to really engage the students and have them think about what the reading meant and have them look at it in terms of world view and perspectives.

While I had students volunteer to read each paragraph I would emphasize key points and give a very brief summary of each section to keep students on track. I quickly noticed that I was starting to lose my class on a topic that I thought could really interest them. My cooperating teacher suggested that instead of summarizing for the students I encourage them to listen to each other more by ending each paragraph by asking questions instead. 

This easy switch led all the students to focus more and get more out of the reading immediately. One small change halfway through and I had them. Believe me, nothing is more satisfying than having a class of students who are actively participating in a reading and discussion.

Tips:

• Read through any material that you will use at least once or twice before the day and refresh yourself on the material day of. Being comfortable with your material keeps you from tripping over your words and getting yourself confused.
• When you do a reading with the class, ask questions after each paragraph. If you summarize it, they won't listen to each other. If you ask questions throughout you keep their attention and check for student comprehension.
• Remember to move around the classroom. It gives you a stringer presence in the classroom and helps to keep students on task.  
• Keep your information consistent but if your lesson isn't working don't be afraid to try something different with your teaching strategy. 

Student Teaching: Day 1

How to Survive Your First Day

After years of education classes, countless social studies classes, and more cores then I care to admit to taking, I finally started Student Teaching for my last semester. You would think that after all this prep work you would be ready to walk into class and feel confident that you can do anything. 

Yet honestly for most of us, we are so nervous we have no idea what to do with ourselves. Thankfully I had a friend with me. We met up together 15 minutes before our assigned start time outside of the building. Knowing that I wasn't alone I felt much more relaxed. Knowing we had to ask the same questions, "Who is our Cooperating Teacher?" "Where is their classroom?" "What do we do?" 

I was able to meet my Cooperating Teacher early enough in the day to ask her a few questions before classes started. As soon as class started, the students noticed that they had two teachers and were curious. Not everybody knew what a student teacher was, so I let them know I would be there for the semester to help teach the class. Now everything started to go crazy.

One class was going on today instead of a class that was expected, none of the teachers had warning so nobody was prepared. Nobody has a lesson plan so they made the best with what they could. As soon as we were starting, the projector didn't want to cooperate. Students started talking to each other because class was halted. Distractions kept coming and the noise level kept rising. Then suddenly, class was over. 

Other classes went by during the day and they went much smoother. I was able to learn a few names and help a few students with their work. I instantly felt much more comfortable being able to work with students and do what I was prepared to do.

Now comes the hard part, doing it all over again every day.

  

Tips: 

• If you know other student teachers are at the same school, meet up beforehand. It reduces the stress knowing you aren't alone.
• Try to learn a few students names, don't try to memorize every name on the first day.
• Build your way into the class before trying to run it on your own. Hand out some papers and help a few students with individual work.
• Make sure your students know your name.
• Meet the personnel in the front office and the administration. They help run the school and can answer most questions.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays!

The School of Education and the S.T.A.R. Coordinating Team would like to wish all of you a happy and safe holiday season.

We look forward to seeing you all again next semester!

S.T.A.R. Holiday for Heroes

Holiday for Heroes

On Monday December 3rd S.T.A.R. hosted a Holiday for Heroes event where students created holiday cards for soldiers who are currently serving overseas.

With tea, brownies, cupcakes, and holiday treats provided for all, students were able to get into the Holiday spirit with music and friendship all afternoon.

The Holiday for Heroes program is a movement through the Red Cross to help raise the spirits of soldiers who are not able to be home with their families during this holiday season.

The creativity of all of our School of Education students came out in full force when creating their cards. Images of fireplaces, Christmas wreaths, Menorahs, dreidels, stockings, and presents decorated the cards that will be greatly appreciated by the many soldiers who are currently serving our country.

Stop Take A Rest

Come join STAR and the School of Education as we relax 

before the stress of finals.

 Healthy drinks and back/neck rubs will be provided to make this finals time one of your easiest.

Come to the Sullivan Cafe on November 29th during Common Hour 1:30-3:30 pm

This event is open to anybody in the School of Education. We encourage you to bring a few friends along to relax also.

New York 1 News Channel will be coming to cover the event.