To Teach or Not To Teach...That is the question?

 I have thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to blog my Service Learning journey.  Looking back over the blogs now, I remember concepts and experiences that had slipped my mind, and I appreciate the reminder of things I need to know and remember.  I believe I will continue to journal in this blog as I continue my education journey, just so I can look back on topics I want to remember and use in my future classroom.   I believe that with each module I have been able to make connections between my course work and what I am seeing on a daily basis in the classroom.  In fact it has been my favorite part of this course.  I am fortunate to have a very responsive cooperative teacher, because I often barrage her with questions on why she has done things a certain way, or if she is trying to acheive a specific outcome?  These questions have always stemmed from my coursework and something new I have learned.  She has also been patient with me and allowed ...

     For our class Halloween party this year we spent a great deal of time doing science projects.  The students were fascinated.  I can honestly say it was the longest I've seen my class ALL sit in their seats and pay attention since school began.  Today, I was talking to my cooperating teacher about how great it was and asked her why we did not do more science projects since they were so engaged.  Her reply was simple, and sad, "Because they're not tested on it."  I use this story to introduce my introduction to standards and how they are effecting curriculm.  Now, I know that my view on this will be askew because the class I am observing has a 50% special needs presence, so the way we look at standards is different.  I know in my daughter's 2nd grade class they are doing language arts, math, science, social studies, etc etc.  With my class though we emphasize math and language arts.  In fact many days will go by in a row whe...