Joe+Kolousek

Dillard Drive Middle School, Kerri McMillen, 7th grade Social Studies
 * Student Teaching Placement:**

The first few days of school are crucial for both the teacher and the students. It is a time to really set up rules and structure and outline the basis for the rest of the year. During the first day or two of school, I really want to get to know my students and I want them to get to know me and each other. There are a variety of icebreaker-type activities that could be utilized for this purpose. Because I plan to have my students do a lot of collaborative work in my classroom, the more comfortable my students are with each other and the more they know about each other, the better they will work with one another. Also, the better that I get to know my students, the more I can tailor my teaching to fit their specific needs. Another activity I would like to do during the first couple days of school would be to create a set of classroom rules and expectations. This would be done collaboratively as a class because the classroom belongs to me and my students. We would work together to create a two lists: a list of expectations that I have for my students and a list of expectations that my students have for me. I feel that by doing these activities during the first couple days of school, the rest of the year will go smoother. There will always be trials and challenges, but as a cohesive classroom unit we will be stronger and better able to navigate those difficult times together.
 * The First Few Days of School:**

Whether I like it or not, technology and social are here to stay. It is the way of the present and most certainly the way of the future. Therefore, it is important that I as a teacher not only incorporate technology into my teaching but that I also have a healthy and positive presence online. One way I can do this is by utilizing Twitter more often. Not only can I post articles that pertain to education but I can also follow and get ideas from other people and groups in the educational field. Another thing I can do to enhance my professional online profile is to created a profile on LinkedIn. This would be a good way to network with other professionals. A third way to create a professional presence online is to create a classroom website once I get hired. This will be a great resource for my students and their parents. On it I can include information about myself, a class syllabus, calendar, and information about upcoming events and homework assignments.
 * Writing Myself Into Being:**

My teaching philosophy is one that is student-focused. I want my classroom to be a safe haven for my students. I want to create an environment in which my students feel free and comfortable to share their ideas and feelings openly. I want my students to be able to relate what I am teaching about to real world problems. It's important to me that my students understand that they can and should make a difference in the world, even at their young age. Along with that, I believe in student-centered learning. I don't want to just feed my students information; rather, I want to teach them skills and strategies that will help them to find information and learn on their own. Also, I plan to incorporate much collaborative work. I believe that students can learn much by having to collaborate with their peers.
 * My Teaching Philosophy:**

http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Joe-s-School-Life
 * My School Timeline:**

This is by no means concrete but instead gives a general idea of my ideal classroom setup.
 * My Ideal Classroom:**

The name Joseph derives from Hebrew and means "God will increase". Joseph is a religious name, used throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the first son of Rachel. In the New Testament, two Josephs are mentioned. The first is the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The second is Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus who supplied the tomb in which Jesus was buried. Although my parents are religious, I was named after my paternal great grandfather, James Joseph Kolousek. My middle name, Stanley, comes from Old English and means "stone clearing". However, like my first name, I was named after family; in this case, my paternal grandfather, Stanley John Kolousek. My parents liked the idea of carrying on family names through the generations. They initially were going to name me Cliff, after my maternal grandfather, but my mom didn't like the alliteration that "Cliff Kolousek" produced so my parents kept trying different male names in my family until they found something they liked. It was a daunting task. "Kolousek" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. The name "Kolousek" is Czech. It is spelled "Koloušek" in the Czech language and pronounced with the accent on the first syllable as opposed to the way my family pronounces it with the accent on the second syllable. Also, the small "v" over the "s" (called a hacek) makes the "s" sound like "sh". Literally translated, a koloušek is a baby deer, a fawn. I love my last name. I love that it is so unique and I feel like it helps tie me to my cultural heritage. I also feel very honored to have been named after such great men in my family history. I never had the opportunity to know my great grandfather, but I have heard many stories about him. It's clear by the quality of children he raised what kind of man he was. My grandfather and I were very close. I grew up not far from him geographically and I spent much of my childhood in his and my grandmother's home. My grandfather was a simple man. He was a carpenter and was so skilled with his hands. To this day, I can go back to Woodburn, Oregon and see many homes that he built. My grandfather's been gone for a few years now, and I feel honored that I have been given the task to carry on his name.
 * Historical Essay About My Name:**

J: Jingoistic O: Outstanding S: Sarcastic E: Energetic P: Precious H: Honest
 * Name Poem:**

http://jskolousek.edu.glogster.com/joes-name-crest
 * Visual Representation of My Name:**


 * UNIT PLAN:**

I am in a 7th grade social studies classroom. The unit that I will be preparing to teach in the spring will be on the 1950s and 1960s and my students will be studying the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. I am thinking that my theme will be on trust/distrust.

I am doing this unit because it is what fits in with the schedule of my cooperating teacher.

There's a place I go to get away Sometimes alone, sometimes with others. A place with infinite possibilities; A place so small and confining.
 * My Model Poem:**

I’m a rock star, an athlete, A spy, whoever I choose to be. I’m nobody, dead to the world, Forgotten, alone…

I run my own destiny, Create my own worlds. Why so frequently fall into dark places, Depths of sadness from which none escapes?

Inside this place nothing is real, The temporal always fades away. This place is full of people Yet no one real gets inside.

Problems created, problems solved, Jump out, only to jump back in. A safe haven, a dark prison, A blessing, a curse…my mind.