Peter+Ulrich

Visiting Haslett Middle School was a breath of fresh air I really needed. I was feeling very discouraged, and had lost faith in much of the TE program, so this experience was monumental in picking me up a little. I worry about the little things our program has not really introduced us to: Methods. Methods of how to discipline, methods of how to organize, manage time, how one might handle certain high-pressure situations, etc. It is these things, these small and overlooked things, that I feel hold the biggest weight in the classroom, and these intangibles worry me. With that, it was refreshing to actually see a first hand example of how someone handles these things. It was nice to see doing, instead of coming up with ideas about doing. I enjoy our conversations in class, don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy them a lot. But for a class that is costing $4,000 (this semester alone), I want [substance]. Not just ideas, but real things. Real examples, instead of ones coming out of our amateur minds that may or may not be effective, because, we have amateur minds still. I would like to see clear-cut examples: videos, read short texts about certain strategies (that are made mandatory so that the class will look at them), I would love to hear more examples from Elizabeth who has had teaching experience before and stories t share about certain instances. The important thing is with these, is we cannot go off on "I think this and that.. tangents". I only say this because, until we are [fully equipped and understand] skills and strategies, giving our one hour opinions on them is not constructive until we have a reasonably solid grasp of things. Otherwise we are simply throwing around blind, shallow-knowledge, and mere opinions that maybe innovate and provoke thought, but do [not] develop skills. And to be honest, we all have wonderful thoughts and ideas, every one of us. But it is the [skills] we need to grow on, and it is the skills that I still seek from the TE program. Yes, we will learn them along the way and fine tune them, but when entering a war I'd certainly prefer a full arsenal given to me that I may not fully have mastered, than nothing but pure imagination! That isn't going to get me far; and that is the round-about point I wish to make. We need to strive for substance, rather than a mere sharing of thoughts. If one would like to do that, they can join me at Cafe Royale on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:15-12:30, and rather than spend $4,000, can join me over a few dollar coffee or tea and we can innovate to no avail. :)
 * November 9th Reflection:**

**Hi! I'm Peter!**


===I'm a Social Science major at MSU and am currently working towards being a K-12 teacher in the Mid-Michigan area, with aim at becoming a university-level professor of Sociology thereafter. Learning about people and what motivates their actions and motives is what truly interests me, and I'm working towards eventually being creditable enough to write on the matter and develop my own social theory on the progression of modern society later in life.===


 * //__Some of my deep likes and interests are:__//**

Sociology. Philosophy. Cities & Architecture. Deep Conversation. Geometry. Scheming. Thunderstorms. Art & Music Sharing. Logic. Open-Minds & Ideas. The Fall. Nature. The Night. Affection. History. Global Struggles. Geography. Economics. World Religion.


 * //__Music Likes:__//**

Oceanlab / Above & Beyond.

Armin van Buuren. Tiesto. deadmau5. ATB. Lissie. Fall Out Boy. Jason Mraz. Andrew Bayer.

Sam Cooke, Chromeo, Metric, Idlewild, Emma Hewitt, AMERICA, Chicane, Guster, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Third Eye Blind, Vampire Weekend, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Goo Goo Dolls, Florence and the Machine, Adele, Foster the People, Empire of the Sun, Marcy Playground, John Mayer, Rise Against, REO Speedwagon, Fragma, Imogen Heap, KASKADE, Glenn Morrison, Lange, Jimi Hendrix, Jason Reeves, Oasis, Frank Sinatra, Aerosmith, Sublime, Weezer, Silversun Pickups, Taking Back Sunday, Jewel, Natasha Bedingfield, The Scene Aesthetic, Anberlin, Gareth Emery, Ludovico Einaudi, All American Rejects, Meiko, Gorillaz, Metro Station, Augustana, Nine Inch Nails, MGMT, Keane, The Supremes, Jason Reeves, Hellogoodbye, The Honorary Title, Sheryl Crow, Trading Yesterday, 3 Doors Down, The Clash, Jimi Hendrix, The Cars, LMFAO, Avril Lavigne, 30 Seconds To Mars, In-Grid. Many more!


 * //__Some Movies:__//**

Jurassic Park. Inherit the Wind. Blood Diamond. Inception. The Town. The Departed. Moulin Rouge. Casablanca. The Bourne Trilogy. A Beautiful Mind. Schindler's List. The Seventh Seal. Home Alone 2. The Land Before Time. The Matrix Trilogy. Indiana Jones. Crash. Gone Baby Gone. Braveheart. Robin Hood, The Fox and the Hound, Cinderella, A Goofy Movie (and other Disney). What Dreams May Come. The Dark Knight. The Butterfly Effect. Many more..


 * //__Favorite Books:__//**

The Divine Comedy (The Inferno). 1000 Greatest Things Ever Said. The Communist Manifesto. What is History? - Edward Hallet Carr.

Taxi Driver Wisdom. The Devil and Daniel Webster. The Odyssey. Othello. Existentialism is a Humanism - Jean Paul Sartre. How The Grinch Stole Christmas! :)


 * October 26th Reflection**: (A)What surprised you most about this reading? (B) What would you argue were the strongest influences on how social studies began? (C) In what ways might the foundations of social studies impact what we do or don’t do today? (reference the last full paragraph on pg 91 as well as the one that follows it)

After our discussion on Columbus the other day, I still firmly believe in the importance of showing both sides to the "truth". What we deemed to be true about Columbus in elementary is merely a romanticized truth, which leads to the question, "if it is romanticized, is it really a truth?". I want my students to question the world, and also see both sides to the story. I agree that is may be rash to teach 3rd graders that Columbus cut off the hands of natives, but at some point in the student's academic career, these pieces of information need not be avoided. It is important as developing human minds, that these students understand the truths to humanity. That we are not perfect beings and that our "heroes" may not necessarily have been perfect either. It is of human nature to have flaws and make decisions that may go against the popular norm, and it is important to recognize these differentials, rather than overlook them and only glorify what we deem to be light and romantic.
 * October 19th Reflection Posting:**

//How do you feel about the process of creating a professional growth and development plan? Do you think this is a useful task? Would it have usability in a middle school or high school classroom?// I actually really like and endorse the process of creating a professional development plan. I think it was helpful to look back and reflect on aspects of our life we need to address and build on, and I think how the development plan is set-up it allows us to build upon these aspects effectively. I myself have not been taking a good care of my body (sleeping poorly and not eating enough) and as a result I am severely anemic and have terrible short term memory. It is almost debilitating to a point. I think these plans could also be usable in a middle school or high school setting as well. I feel as if it would make the students more responsible and take a little extra pride in certain aspects of their life.
 * October 12th Reflection Posting:**


 * October 5ths posting; as well as last week's September 28th posting.**

The Ken Robinson clip was truly inspiring to me. So much in fact, that I think it has tipped the scales for me in terms of what path I want to take in education - Educational Policy and Reform. It's time we make some changes to the education system here in America. Yes, I can sit in a classroom and impact the lives of many others and I would honor that opportunity; but how can I be expected to do this properly if the system in which I am placed is completely off-set? Doesn't someone need to go the extra mile to fight for teachers and students through educational reform ?

The fact of the matter is, the demographics of students have changed. Socioeconomics of families have changed. There are now more multiracial students in classrooms than whites. This isn't a bad thing, but it is an IMPORTANT thing, and brings on so many factors that need be addressed within the classroom: language barriers, cultural differences, different understanding of learning practices. This isn't 1920 white America anymore. This is soon to be 2012, and the world and Society are changing. It is time the educational system does the same.

I am not going to attend school for 18+ years of my life only to guarantee myself a 50% chance of a stable job. A job in which 1 in 3 also fold under the pressure within the first five years and walk away -- looking for another job. I have worked too damn hard not to create for myself a little guarantee. And am going to work a little harder, to guarantee myself, and also the lives of others affected by our nation's poor education systems, a better chance of living. I now plan to continue with a graduate degree in educational policy and philosophy and work towards bettering our educational system here in Michigan.

An issue in teaching that bothers me is the uncertainty. The uncertainty that one can put in years of work, money, and effort into acquiring a degree and skills needed to perform as an educator, only to only have a chance of getting hired. There are so many changes going on right now in terms of teacher pay, teacher benefits, "pink slips" etc. that it is very daunting and disheartening at times. But for me it fuels a fire that has begun to lift me towards the idea of pursuing a degree in educational policy to work towards reforming our educational system here in Michigan.
 * September 28th**

**-**
__**Posting for 9/21:**__ //Reflection on the following: A) What has been most difficult in planning this unit so far? B) Do you think units should be planned chronologically? around a theme? through enduring understandings? a combination? Why?//


 * A)** So far we haven't had much opportunity to work on our plan yet to really pin-point what has been most difficult, but the hardest part I would say would be feeling sure our ideas are well focused and concise. It is easy to come up with some great ideas, but are they fitting? Do they meet the curriculum requirements? etc. I think this is something that can only become clearer with time though, as we'd be able to think things over further and really solidify a game-plan down!
 * B)** I think units should consist of a hybrid of both chronologies and themes. Chronological order is essential when understanding the mere order and logic behind events, but themes help one in making connections and using this knowledge learned to group and apply it elsewhere. I feel themes are essential in aiding to develop clear thought processes because of their ability to create connections with other events or subject areas.

=September 12th Post: skills/weaknesses= //(A) Keeping in mind that there are many models of good teaching, describe some attributes or characteristics that good teachers possess. (B) Reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses as a teacher at this point, what are some areas you are strong in? Where do you have room for improvement? (C) What are some things you need to learn or skills you need to practice to improve your teaching?//
 * || [|peterulrich] Sep 12, 2011 10:55 pm
 * || [|peterulrich] Sep 12, 2011 10:55 pm

I believe good teachers possess the ability to effectively engage their students and take an interest in their lives. Teachers that have taken a particular interest in me, or made me feel as if I was smart, creative, or a good contributor, I wanted to do well for. I wanted to give my all for, and consequently, I did very well and my confidence and interest grew in the subject area.

I think my own personal strengths consist of patience, understanding, creativity and the ability to make others think outside the box. I really do care about people and their lives, and most tend to pick up on this and feel comfortable with coming to me for help. As a future teacher, I think this is a very good thing. I want my classroom to be an open-forum type class where we can all respect one another, share ideas and work well together, and for students to never be afraid to share their ideas and go against conformity.

I definitely have room for improvement when it comes to organization and disciplining students. I worry how I will be able to handle myself in high pressure situations with students that need disciplining. ||

=September 7th Posting: Best/Worst memories of S.S.= (A) Describe and post your favorite memory from a social studies class from middle/junior/senior high school; (B) Describe and post your worst memory or experience from a social studies class from middle/junior/senior high school; and (C) Describe and post your rationale for why you want to teach social studies and what particular reasons you find compelling for having students study and learn social studies in schools.
 * || [|peterulrich] Sep 12, 2011 10:53 pm
 * || [|peterulrich] Sep 12, 2011 10:53 pm

My favorite social studies memory in grade-school was my freshman year of high school in world geography. I knew and could label all but two countries on the map and received so much extra credit for it that I left the year with a 128% in the class. My success in that class boosted my confidence and caught my interest more when it came to the social studies.

My worst social studies memory occurred my junior year in AP Government. For a in-depth class, I didn't get much out of it and my teacher was very dull and disconnected from the class.

I took a deep interest in social studies when I took "Intro to Sociology" my freshman year at LCC. I have never had a better teacher, nor professor in my entire academic career. It was during this course that I developed a deep desire to understand how the world works and why we as humans choose to make the decisions we do. As a result, I think students should also wish to understand the world we live in, as our outside world effects everything we do in our own little worlds. The world is becoming increasingly more global as we speak, and it is through the understanding of other cultures and ideas that mankind can continue to be successful here on Earth. ||