Writing

Exercise 1: Write a balanced discussion on one of the topics.

1. Should parents who wish to educate their children themselves, at home, be free to do so? What are the arguments for and against?

2. How well did your education prepare you for life in today's world? What differences in the range of subjects or methods of teaching do you wish there had been, and why?

{About350 words)

Exercise 2: Write an essay on one of the topics.

1. My first teaching experience - success or failure.

2. Is there a key to success in teaching?

3. What difficulties are awaiting a student teacher?

- Obstacles are opportunities in disguise and challenges are the very impetus we feed on to strengthen our resolve. Without the irritation factor, oysters would not produce pearls. As necessity is the mother of invention, challenges are the mother of creativity.

Exercise 3: There are a few opinions about creativity in the classroom. In about 200 words say what ideas you support and why.

1. Creativity would also be a good thing for us to live by. No one could resist it. Still what seems be certain is that it's like a double-edged sword. To become a great scientist or artist, should we drop out of school? Not necessarily. Sometimes it seems like a matter of which we should put more focus on among a lot of things we should take care of to foster our children's potential or help them live a "decent life". Mulling over those matters will go on.

2. Intelligence is highly diverse and doesn't come in a single form. Although I agree we have to rethink conventional education systems from A to Z, some 'traditional' subjects might contribute to feed this diversity - for instance, the teaching of philosophy and of the inquiring, challenging mindset that it comes with. Amongst other things, it might contribute to develop the consciousness that there are millions of ways to apprehend reality.

3. Obstacles are opportunities in disguise and challenges are the very impetus we feed on to strengthen our resolve. Without the irritation factor, oysters would not produce pearls. As necessity is the mother of invention, challenges are the mother of creativity.

Additional texts Top 6 Keys to Being a Successful Teacher

By Melissa Kelly, About.com Guide

The most successful teachers share some common characteristics. Here are the top six keys to being a successful teacher. Every teacher can benefit from focusing on these important qualities. Success in teaching, as in most areas of life, depends almost entirely on your attitude and your approach.

1. Sense of Humor

A sense of humor can help you become a successful teacher. Your sense of humor can relieve tense classroom situations before they become disruptions. A sense of humor will also make class more enjoyable for your students and possibly make students look forward to attending and paying attention. Most importantly, a sense of humor will allow you to see the joy in life and make you a happier person as you progress through this sometimes stressful career.