Install Learning Passion/Life lessons

One of the toughest tasks a teacher will face is getting the students to want to learn solely for their own inner reasons. Not because of pressure from the parents, or because it's what they 'have' to do to get a good grade.
I think the best way for a teacher to do that is to set an example. Be excited about the material on the level you would like the students to be. Be willing to learn new things from the students as a teacher. Show care for the students, and do whatever possible to help them and be their mentor. The enthusiasm a teacher has reflects on the students.

If a student learned one thing from my class, I would hope it would be respect. Students today has lost respect for teachers or any authority figure for that matter. It's not all their fault because they dont get respect either. As a male teacher, I hope my presence in the student's lives would install some type of respect,and I will use that as an advantage. Alot of kids grow up without a father figure in their lives, and the kids suffer.
I want them to have self-respect as well. Some students dont get the motivation or support they need to feel good or positive about themselves and their future. Any other life lesson opportunities that come up along the way, I will try to discuss with the class as best as I can.

What Grade I Prefer To Teach/Format

What grade I want to teach....I would like to teach 11th or 12th grade social studies. I dont know the chances, but the reason is because I want to help push them to that maturity level the students will need before they venture off to college or other paths, with the tools(school related, and as a person) needed to be an adult in the outside world.

The format I want to use to get my lessons across include lecturing and class discussions. I will use powerpoint at times because of its ease to help with chapter quizzes, and study sheets. But I am open to pretty much any teaching methods as I learn throughout my college career.

Informative Websites

I am making a list of websites I will visit as a teacher for information and I hope all teachers will take a look at these websites. As educators, we must continually look for ways to evolve and not be afraid to change our methods or mix up our tactics to teaching. The worst thing to do is get comfortable and have too much of a routine. Dont take out the fun!

http://accessdl.state.al.us/

http://teacherpathfinder.org/

http://alex.state.al.us/index.php

http://www.askkids.com/

http://education-world.com/

http://teachers.net/

Tools for the Students and Teachers

Technology Tools I want to use and have students use in better learning...The three main tools i would like to implicate in the students learning are classroom blogs, podcasts; listening and maybe doing some of our own, and the use of Youtube.

There are many documentaries and learning videos on youtube teachers could use to help the students learn in different ways besides inside the classroom. Student blogs would be a great way for students to learn about each other and learn off of each other by seeing other perspectives of their classmates when discussing classwork...Im sure I will use powerpoint sometimes. Its a universal tool that simplifies and bores the class at times, so I will try to minimalize its use. I am not aware of all the technology out there, so it will be interesting to see what other ways teachers are using to get there lesson taught in a learning environment

Classroom Activities

As a history teacher, there are many things to stay interested in the material, and things I will try with the students to encourage them to stay focused. Group projects on historic eras, field trips to the historic museum, or even role playing historic characters in the classroom. Oral quizzes and other activities other than burp-back testing is what I will strive to do. I want to make it as enjoying as possible for the students.