Desings for classrooms

Jane Jacobs criticizes the way different cities have been wrongly modified in The Death and Life of Great American Cities. For instance, many cities have been amputated by new buildings and highways; therefore, she strongly disagrees with the development of many cities. In her article, she walks us through the different changes they have suffered due to the need of having more buildings where people can live. This is a way of responding to the belt of poverty. The most important idea in her article is how important balance is. Having a balanced neighborhood will definitely improve everybody’s life quality. By saying balanced she is referring to the juxtaposing different scenarios in the right portion. According to Malcolm Gladwell, author of Designs for Working, individuals present in a room can definitely benefit if their seats are placed correctly. He indicates a certain distance to improve communication. Unbelievably, the same occurs inside the classroom. We must provide a great and friendly environment. Room organization is essential to create the best learning environment.It is suggested to form groups equally, so that its integrants can enrich themselves with the others’ qualities and characteristic. Consequently, you may want to have one shy student, an outgoing child, a good at English student and someone who has some difficulties with the language. Thus, they will learn from their classmates. Another efficient way of organizing your classroom is to invite the students to sit in a circle. By doing this, you can even eliminate some disciplinary conflicts. Also, your students will feel more relaxed and invited to speak during the lesson.Next time you plan a lesson consider how your class will be organized to make your students’ learning process more efficient and easier for them.

Sources: Jacobs, Jane. "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." The New Yorker

Gladwell, Malcolm. "Desings for Working". The New Yorker

Discipline: What a headache!

Becoming a teacher is indeed a hard task. There are so many elements outside of your own discipline that can become really stressful once you are in front of a class. Fortunately, there are many experts that can help you in a very complex task: Classroom Management. Reading the article “11 Techniques for Better Classroom Discipline” by Thomas R. McDaniel makes us reflect about what techniques are more appropriate in our deficient chilean context.

Hardly ever has someone disagreed with the statements in the article. However, little background was presented. All the techniques presented are extremely important in every teaching situation. Having all those techniques such as Focusing, Direct Instruction, and Monitoring in the class makes it almost ideal. For example, it is a good idea to give them time at the end of the class or not to yell every time a problem arises. But, there are situations in the Chilean system of education that need to be resolved: the amount of students in the class, lack of psychological knowledge and better strategies for before thinking about applying these techniques in our classrooms. In the meantime, we will do our best.

In conclusion, you have to be what you want your students to be. This way, they will behave as you do in the classes because you are the main role model in the classroom and they will equal you in every possible way. If you want respect and a great environment in your classroom, do respect your students.

New York

Everything is Ok around here!
The only problem is that it is soooo cold!
Bye

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!!!

Happy teachers' day to everybody who believe in changing society through Education. We can make it!

Funny

This picture is so funny! I love it!

Sometimes I say the same hahaha...

Manhattan

Yesterday I finally found out where I am going to go this summer. I am going to work in Manhattan, New York City. I am so excited of going there because there are so many things to do.

I am also really sad, and I feel homesick already. I am going to miss my family so much, especially my sisters. It is definitely a mix of feelings.

New York, New York!

Tweety

Sorry!

I will be (Leona Lewis)

There's nothing I could say to you
Nothing I could ever do to make you see
What you mean to me
All the pain, the tears I cried
Still you never said goodbye and now I know
How far you'd go
I know I let you down
But it's not like that now
This time I'll never let you go

I will be, all that you want
And get myself together
Cause you keep me from falling apart
All my life, I'll be with you forever
To get you through the day
And make everything okay

I thought that I had everything
I didn't know what life could bring
But now I see, honestly
You're the one thing I got right
The only one I let inside
Now I can breathe, cause you're here with me
And if I let you down
I'll turn it all around
Cause I would never let you go

I will be, all that you want
And get myself together
Cause you keep me from falling apart
All my life, I'll be with you forever
To get you through the day
And make everything okay
I will be, all that you want
And get myself together
Cause you keep me from falling apart
All my life, I'll be with you forever
To get you through the day
And make everything okay
Cause without you I cant sleep
I'm not gonna ever, ever let you leave
You're all I've got, you're all I want
Yeah
And without you I don't know what I'd do
I can never, ever live a day without you
Here with me, do you see,
You're all I need

And I will be, all that you want
And get myself together
Cause you keep me from falling apart
All my life, I'll be with you forever
To get you through the day
And make everything okayI will be, all that you want
And get myself together
Cause you keep me from falling apart
And all my life, I'll be with you forever
To get you through the day
And make everything okay

This is how I feel right now!

Art

Is this Art?

Who are we to define what's art or not?

If you ask me, this is not art. It is not beautiful, nor interesting, nor something that provokes feelings to other people.

In the sense of a tool for expressing feelings, it is art because in this painting I expressed my feelings.