Diversity X 2

In this picture there are two of my students working side by side...the student on the right is a very auditory learner and he is also advanced...the student on the left is also an auditory learner; however, he is very low performing. By placing these two next to one another they are able to help each other. They both listen, but can be distracted by other things going on in the room. My advanced student is very good about helping to reiterate something I've said if my lower performing student misses something. This also allows him to assume a "teaching" position which gives him even more confidence about the material we are covering. We played a quiz game today to review for our test that we are having tomorrow...when it came time for my low performing student's turn, he nonchalantly said, "I'm going to get it wrong, I don't know anything." I was so proud when he was able to not only answer his question correctly, but explain it! (Just thought I would add in that last little note.)

Diversity in my classroom

Diversity is a very broad term, so I feel as though the definition of our diverse learners fits a very wide scope of students. In this picture you will see one of my students working independently on a spreadsheet. This particular student is one of our ALE students...it would be easy to assume he fit the reputation that comes with that title; however, in my classroom things are different. If I keep him alone and at his own computer station, close to me, he works very well. He has trouble staying focused if other students are too close by; he tends to have behavioral problems with other students. He is what I consider one of my diverse learners; with just a few adjustments he is able to work successfully in class.

September 16, 2008

I'm finding it difficult to have time for all of my responsiblities right now...so this blog is not being updated very frequently. I will try to post more often...school is pretty good right now, just hectic...it is hard to keep up with lesson plans and new lessons while maintaining other assignments...but I'm keeping my best face on:) I am about to head out for a football game...I'll check in later!

All About Me

My name is Kimberly Jones and I am the business education teacher at Cedar Ridge Jr./Sr. High School in Newark, AR. This is my second year to teach (last year I was in the NTL program), but I still feel like a first year teacher. I'm not sure if I'll ever feel confident about my teaching...there is so much to learn and remember. This year I am teaching Introduction to Finance, Yearbook, Computer Business Applications, Desktop Publishing I and II, Management and Keyboarding. Did I also mention that I am the FBLA sponsor and I am co-sponsoring the new drill team??? I am feeling a bit overwhelmed to say the least! Three of the classes I am teaching are new to me this year, so my reading load is quite large. On top of my school duties, I am still mother to three little boys, wife and as you all are aware, student as well. If only we can all make it through this year! I know it will fly by in no time. These last two weeks of school seemed to have gone okay. I really love my new Management class...I'm not sure if the kids do, but they are participating in our class discussions. Well, I'll check back later in the week...hope you all have a safe holiday and wonderful "short" week at school!

Go Timberwolves!

Here I Go!

Well...here I go. I have never done "blogging" before, so please bare with me. I know we are supposed to be well versed with all of these new technologies, but I am behind. I will try my best at this new experience!