Mariah+Lowder

It is no secret that the first day of school is a super important day! Like other first days it is a tone setter and it can really make or break you as the teacher. The reading for this week was centered on the first day of school- how to plan for it, what to expect and even what to do. It was really interesting reading the text after having discussed the first day in class a week or so ago. The text didn't provide many brand new ideas, but rather further explained the ideas that we briefly mentioned. One of the big ideas that I think is extremely important to remember when discussing the first day is having the kids get comfortable in their new surrounding and getting comfortable with you as the teacher. This doesn't mean be super easy and nice and not have rules, but it does mean that on the first day (and any day really) teachers must remember to keep their students' feelings in mind. What I mean by this is that it's important to know that each student will come from a different background and place- this will thus make the students act or react to things differently. Having said this it makes perfect sense why some students act the way they do on the first day of class. Some students are shy, others "brown nose", some are really happy, but it all stems to their background and what they enter into that classroom from; making sure they are comfortable will ensure that students ease into the new environment and will enable the classroom to be a more successful place. One way to really help get the students comfortable is by having introductions. The text provides a couple of ways this can be done, but my personal favorite was when students paired up with someone they didn't know and drew them and wrote characteristics about them on the drawing. I really like the idea that students are physically doing something, meeting new people, and having to practice their communication with their peers. Furthermore, as seen from the text, it is not just important for students to know each other but for the teacher to know them and of course them know you, the teacher. The text provided lots of great ideas to think about when planning out that very critical first day. It would be impossible to use every idea given, but I think that 2 or 3 of the ideas could be used and ultimately would enable the set up for a safe and successful classroom environment.

Web Identity: Right now my web identity is actually really good. It is a lot of stuff from high school- the sports' records, newspaper clippings, etc. I don't have any bad pictures or tweets so though I currently am not being displayed as super professional I am not being displayed as a "bad" person either. I think that I have room to grow in terms of my online identity, but overall I am very happy about what I saw and didn't see.

Timeline: [|Education Timeline]

Ideal Classroom:

Teaching Philosophy:


 * Every kid brings something different and unique into the classroom**. I personally believe that it’s my job as the teacher to take these gifts and abilities and create an environment where all students have a sense of belonging not only for the classroom, but also for their learning. When students believe that what they say matter and when their contributions are noted they then will actively engage in their own learning because they feel supported. This support will enable students to feel more comfortable while learning and trying new things.
 * As a teacher I want to encourage students to have an active role in their learning**; to do this I plan on having many activities where students learn from each other and where I act as a guide throughout the lessons. Students who discover new information or create their own meanings for different situations, places, and things are more likely to make a lasting connection with the subject. This lasting connection is not just memorization for a formal assessment, but rather it’s a bit of knowledge that can always be triggered when needed. Students in my classroom will also take active roles in their learning by participating in diverse projects that enhance the topic we are focused on. Digging deeper into topics is a great way for students to get creative and really use their own passions and abilities to not just learn more about a particular subject, but also learn new things that weren’t discussed in class.
 * There is a great balance to teaching.** Though my classroom will be very student led and have students actively involved I don’t want students to feel as if they have to teach themselves the entire year. I understand that each student will learn differently and though some students would prefer to teach themselves everything, not all students will learn most effectively by this technique. This being said, as a teacher I plan on having mini lessons where I lead instruction to make sure all students receive the same information so we all are at the same starting point. During each class students will be given opportunities to have independent learning, group work, and enhancement activities. My goal by having the numerous activities is that every student, no matter their learning style, will be reached in the way that works best for them during the class period.
 * Connecting with students is a great way to create this supportive and engaging environment** that I hope to establish in my classroom. An easy way to get students excited about an activity or lesson is to make it relatable, what better way to relate to the tech savvy generation than to use technology?! There are so many great apps, websites, and tools that enable teachers to get the student’s attention and further enhance their learning at the same time. I love technology and I think that despite its sometimes bad reputation it can really take a lesson plan to the next level. My goal is to use as much technology as possible in my lessons, classroom, and projects because technology is everywhere, why shouldn’t it be in the classroom?
 * Teaching is a wonderful opportunity**. This profession is a special one where often it can be too easy to forget the amazing and wonderful things that happen daily. I want to teach because I want to make an impact and I know that students need teachers who not only care about them and their personal situations, but also care about their educational careers as well. I have a passion for teaching and a passion for students and believe in my abilities to establish relationships with students so that through these relationships a successful learning environment can grow.

Teaching Placement: 6th Grade Social Studies at West Lake Middle with Nancy Austin

Name Project: My Name:  My name was given to me by my father. The name I have now wasn’t the one my parents had originally planned on. I actually still have that old scrap sheet of paper where my mother’s hand writing scribbled a couple of possible choices- one being Victoria Ann. It’s interesting to think that I could have been a Victoria, but no I think I like my name, no I love my name. I believe it’s fitting for me and the person I am now- I’m not sure my parents would have known the name would have been so fitting when they picked it, but I’m glad they did.

 My name is Mariah Elizabeth Lowder, beautiful right? My ancestors are from England and I know that because my last name and heritage has been researched by an older cousin of mine. I guess that also means at some point my family had an accent, but you would never think that if you heard how bad my British accent was. My middle name is Elizabeth and it’s Elizabeth because that is my mom’s middle name and my grandmother’s first name. My first name, Mariah, is a form of Maria and is usually pronounced in a way that reflects an older English pronunciation of //Maria//. The name was popularized in the early 1990s by the American singer Mariah Carey. I often say, when introducing myself to new people, “I’m Mariah- like Mariah Carey without the voice.”

 When looking further into my name I found what was almost a personality test centered around my name. The “test” informed me that the “name of **Mariah** creates an intense desire for association with people and new experiences, many of which have been rather bitter. This name has given you a gregarious personality and a quick-thinking, creative, and versatile nature, but one that is unstable emotionally. You desire change and travel and would enjoy opportunities that allowed you to be creative and to act independently, rather than to conform to system and routine. However, this name does not allow you to complete your undertakings, as farther fields always look greener. Although you may appear confident and positive, you actually lack confidence and feel self-conscious at times” (Edge Web Hosting). How they described me through knowing my name was almost right! I think names have a way of defining who we are and names form identities. My identity, Mariah, is one I am proud of.

Poem: Mariah, Mariah That’s what they say When they need me or call my name. Mariah, Mariah That’s what I hear When good news fills my ears. Mariah, Mariah That’s what I see When I dream about the perfect name for me!

Glogster: [|Name Poster]



Unit Plan: Theme: Change and Progress Rational: With the driving focus being Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation it's important for students to see how times change and with this change progress usually occurs. From examining an older time period students can learn new things, but also learn to relate their findings on change and progress to our world today. Materials: Many books, videos, textbooks, vocabulary lists Activities: Mind maps, thinglinks, talking heads, foldables, timelines, found poems, lit circles

Poem Activity:

//Corners of my mind: //

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Close them, shut them, and let them fall <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Relax my shoulders, and forget it all. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I take a breath to find that place <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Taking a breath slows life’s pace.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Standing, lying, or sitting on my knees- <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It’s calm and quiet; I’m finally at ease. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Darkness muffles the distractions of the day <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">With my eyelids closed they’ll stay away.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Slowly, carefully, and finally I see <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This place I love lies within me. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Just close my eyes and away I go <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To my escape, a place where I grow.