Artifacts and Characteristic of a Novice Teacher Characteristic #2

The second characteristic for being a novice teacher involves effective communication. In Education 401 I was assigned for creating a homepage for my classroom. I was to make up assignments, book list, and software list for my class. This was a way that teacher could show the parents what was going on inside of the classroom. This would be an effective way for the parents and the teacher to stay in contact with each other and to communicate about the child.

For the front page on my home page, I was to introduce myself to the viewers. I presented a photo and some background information on myself. I also included a paragraph what I would be doing with the students. Since I do not have an actual class, I used my classroom that I am place in for this semester (spring 2010). Through the rest of the pages I made sure that everything was based on what they were doing in the classroom or on a 5th grade level. The book list was concentrated on the social studies lessons they were covering when I created the home page. I made sure that I had a picture and an explanation of the book and why I would like them to read the book. For the assignment page, I described some of the lessons that were going on inside of the classroom as well. They had a math test on geometry coming up that they took notes on. For the description, I let the parents know about the study book and the study guide that my mentor teacher sent home with the students. The software page was based on a 5th grade level around the lessons they were concentrating on inside of the classroom.

I really wanted the parents to be able to see what was going on inside of the classroom on the home page. My PDS uses Edline as a means for parents to look their child's grades up. With the home page, the parents would also be able to see descriptions of the lessons inside the classroom and the assigments that were assigned. They will be able to see the upcoming test their child will have to take as well. This will help with the parents questions about what their child is doing inside the classroom. Instead of asking the child or the teacher they will be able to go to the homepage and read about the day and the assignments that follow. This will help the teacher because the parents will not have to ask why as much as reading why on the home page.

On the front page of the home page, I made sure to include certain personal information. I wanted the parents to be able to reach me if they still had questions about the lessons. This is where I included my e-mail address. I encouraged the parents that they should e-mail me at anytime for questions and I would get back to them as soon as possible.

The home page is a good artifact of communication since the parents are able to look at what their child is doing. Since the teacher is able to put descriptions of everything posted on the page, this helps the parents see what their child is learning. Having the parents fully involved and knowing will help the child in the long run. The parents will be able to aid the child in any homework or questions they may have. If the parents are unsure of an answer or anything, that is where the e-mail comes into effect. The parents will be able to reach the teacher with any questions they may have.