Week #8 - Dec 4th-Dec.11th. Observations 15,16,17,18.

On the first observation of this week (observation #15), the students finished viewing the movie "Argo", and Mr.Slubik discussing which aspects of the movie were true, and which were exaggerated or untruthful. The movie was a great and engaging way to learn about the Iranian hostage crisis. The second observation of the week, being observation #16, the students received a map format study guide for their unit exam on internationalism. The study guide included terms such as nation state, foreign aid, WHO, humanitarianism and many more.

Week #9 (Final Week) Dec.11th-Dec 18th Observations 18,19,20 and 21.

     This last week the students worked hard on reviewing for their upcoming unit exam on internationalism. They worked hard on their visual essays and got together collections of photos and organized them in a way which conveys on how they view internationalism. They also watched a video on colonization, and the European Union, giving them a sense of real life examples of internationalism. They also wrapped up before the exam by discussing how internationalism clashes with the concept of nationalism, and how it is difficult for a country to preserve its nationalistic values when it is under the influence of another nations international motives.  On the last observation I just observed the students as they wrote their unit exam, and had a talk with Mr. Slubik about how I felt about teaching after 60 hours of observation, and if I would like to continue my pursuit of an education degree. I gained a lot of insight and valuable knowledge from Mr. Slubik and I look forward to keeping in touch with him in the future.

Week #8 Dec. 4th-11th Observations 15,16,17.

           This week the students finished viewing the movie "Argo", and Mr.Slubik discussing which aspects of the movie were true, and which were exaggerated or untruthful.  This gave students knowledge on the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, but it also gave them a sense of being a wise consumer of information. Mr. Slubik explained which parts of the crisis were truthfully put into the plot, and then discussed which aspects were far fetched, or exaggerated and pointed out that this frequently happens in pop culture/ propaganda.  The next class the students got their review map for the upcoming unit exam. This map consisted of many aspects revolving around the concept of internationalism. On the third class I observed of the week the students were introduced to their visual essay assignment and were asked to give their opinion on the positives and the negatives on internationalism through a collection of pictures.

Week #7 Nov.27th-Dec.4th Observations #13, #14,

 The first class of the week consisted of the students second lesson on their new "Internationalism" unit. The students received a handout booklet which consisted of a series of different concept maps. This handout would be effective because it helps students learn by using their knowledge and sorting what they know into different groups. The first class was then followed by the second class which consisted of the students learning about the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979 through watching the movie Argo. This is a great educational film because it is based on true events.

Week #6 Nov.20th-Nov.27th Observation #12

This week I only attended one class. In this class the students were introduced to their new post WW2 unit.  This unit heavily focuses on  International Affairs,nationalism, humanitarianism, and self determination. it is the Internationalism unit. It will be very interesting to see how the students behave, and change their level of focus going down the stretch in their last unit.

Week #5 Nov.13th-Nov.20th Observations #9, #10, #11.

Week #5

The first class of Week #5 consisted of the class presenting their Genocide projects. Mr.Slubik evaluated while sitting beside me, helping me identify which presentations were creative, and which were more of the "copy and paste" category. This really helped me in identifying what is, and what is  not a quality project. This helps with the marking aspect of the teaching profession. The second class of this week  was perhaps the most important for me thus far. I got to teach a quick 15 minute lesson on the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933. I did the presentation via Google Slides. The lesson went smoothly but lacked class engagement. That is something I will improve for the next one! This was a good experience for me as it was my first real time, being in a leadership role in front of a classroom. The last class of the week  consisted solely of the students writing their WW1,WW2, and Genocide unit exam. Although one may think you couldn't observe much from that, it really shows you how technology has tied its way into schooling. I saw this when I noticed how many kids were listening to their headphones while writing the exam.

Week #4 Oct. 30th- Nov.6th Observation #7- #8

Week #4


The first class of this week was a change up in the classroom as Mr.Slubik was away getting married, we had a substitute teacher.  The first class of this week was the class that the students received their The substitute and I read the students their Genocide projects and discussed different assignment options which they had including: Darfur, Holocaust,Rwanda, Dolomor, and a few more. The rest of the class the students worked on their project. The second class of the week  marked the start of a deeper involvement in the class for me. During this class the students got time to work on their Genocide projects for the class, while Mr.Slubik and I took questions from students and helped them develop their presentations,

Week #3 : Oct. 23rd- Oct 30th Observation #5-#6

Week #3

This week consisted of the students getting deeper into the topic of genocide, and how ultra-nationalism can lead to acts of genocide.  The first class of the week was just a very broad class on the definition of genocide, and the certain things that can cause acts of genocide. The second class then furthered the initial discussion and brought perhaps the most infamous genocide of history to discussion; The Holocaust. This was then concluded with  40 minute viewing of a documentary of Auschwitz which conveyed the atrocities and terrible acts committed at the death camp.

Week #2: Oct.16th-Oct,23rd , Observation #4

Week #2

This week consisted of  very little material, as it only included one observation. The observation included the movie " The Rise of Evil" which gave the students some insight on the political parts of the Nazi Regime. The movie displayed how Hitler found his way to the top of the Nazi party, becoming the Chancellor, and then how he used his power to take over Germany . This was a great thing for the students to learn about before they jumped into the genocidal aspect of the Nazi regime in World War 2.

Week #1 Oct.9-Oct.16 : Observations 1-3.

     WEEK #1

The first week was perhaps the most overwhelming, which is what one would expect. It helped substantially that I was matched with a mentor teacher as laid back and easy going as Mr.Matt Slubik. His relaxed nature became apparent to me very quickly as I saw his youthful diction and personality interact very successfully with the Social 20-2 program. He was very easy to get along with and we had a lot in common. It was super interesting to find out Mr.Slubik played Division 1 football for the University Of Iowa Hawkeyes, this instantly helped create strong interaction as we both really enjoy sports. I observed the students as they were learning about the first world war and the affect which the Treaty Of Versailles had on Germany.