Sorry, I've been MIA. I was on winter break and was getting no experience working with students, taking any courses, or creating any lesson plans, so I didn't have many "classroom moments" to blog about.
However, the semester has begun! I'm into week two, and on February 1st, I will begin student teaching in a third grade classroom!
I'm pretty excited, more excited than nervous, although I do have to teach 30 lesson plans, two will be observed by my university professor, and one will be videotaped! How nerve wrecking!!! Luckily, I love my university professor and feel very comfortable around her which makes it that much easier.
For the rest of the week I probably won't be posting anything, but be prepared because starting February 1st i'm hoping to have lots to share and talk about.
If you have any great lesson plans for third grade or block teaching advice I would love to hear it, thanks!
(also I just wanted to say thank you to the great ladies at SITS, the comments have really pushed me to keep this blog going and motivate me to write again).
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
SITS!
I saw Sneaker Teacher (http://sneakerteacher.blogspot.com/) post an entry about SITS and had to check it out. Sneaker Teacher's blogs and posts are always so great, and after checking this out, I knew I wanted to be apart of it.
http://www.thesitsgirls.com/ <--- It'll be great meeting other women who are teachers, student teachers, or wanting to be teachers! I'm excited to join and hope I can get a lot of help from others and maybe help others who may have questions that I can answer.
Last Day Aiding in the Second Grade
Today was my last day aiding for the second grade classroom. The kids made me a book called "What Miss RJ Needs to Know..." It has a bunch of advice for when I have my own classroom, and some of the advice was just hilarious.
One student wrote "Make sure you know what to do during a fire drill."
Another student wrote "... and make sure you have a lot of money." <--- Right, cause we all know how much money teachers make! :)
Most of the others wrote about how I should decorate the classroom pretty and have a lot of books.
Some of the kids even made me cards, read me stories, and Mrs. M had to run out for a few minutes so I got to read a book to all of them.
It was a great last day, and I hope my future class is as wonderful as they all were.
One student wrote "Make sure you know what to do during a fire drill."
Another student wrote "... and make sure you have a lot of money." <--- Right, cause we all know how much money teachers make! :)
Most of the others wrote about how I should decorate the classroom pretty and have a lot of books.
Some of the kids even made me cards, read me stories, and Mrs. M had to run out for a few minutes so I got to read a book to all of them.
It was a great last day, and I hope my future class is as wonderful as they all were.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Teacher First, Friend Second
I personally feel that I am a very patient person and can tolerate a lot. However, last Wednesday when I went into the second grade classroom, I almost snapped.
The main classroom teacher, Mrs. M was teaching the children how to properly write a letter (Indent paragraphs, proper heading, date, and ending). She must have been explaining for at least twenty minutes, showing examples, and even laying out a format on the markerboard. She answered some questions then let the kids go create proper letters.
As I was walking around, I was shocked that only one child actually did everything correct. The others forgot the date, would not indent, didn’t write Dear, began writing on the top of the paper, placed the date randomly somewhere on the paper, didn’t write anything, etc… It was a disaster.
I was surprised with how understanding and calm Mrs. M remained, I was truly frustrated. I just didn’t get how they couldn’t follow these simple tasks, look at the board, and then I remembered how many times Mrs. M told them to stop talking, be respectful, etc… I guess, I didn’t get how important it is to truly show feeling to students until that moment. I realized you must discipline your class and they will be your students first and friends second, because in the end you really want whats best for them.
The main classroom teacher, Mrs. M was teaching the children how to properly write a letter (Indent paragraphs, proper heading, date, and ending). She must have been explaining for at least twenty minutes, showing examples, and even laying out a format on the markerboard. She answered some questions then let the kids go create proper letters.
As I was walking around, I was shocked that only one child actually did everything correct. The others forgot the date, would not indent, didn’t write Dear, began writing on the top of the paper, placed the date randomly somewhere on the paper, didn’t write anything, etc… It was a disaster.
I was surprised with how understanding and calm Mrs. M remained, I was truly frustrated. I just didn’t get how they couldn’t follow these simple tasks, look at the board, and then I remembered how many times Mrs. M told them to stop talking, be respectful, etc… I guess, I didn’t get how important it is to truly show feeling to students until that moment. I realized you must discipline your class and they will be your students first and friends second, because in the end you really want whats best for them.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
10 First Year Teacher Tips
The tips in this article are designed to provide a first year teacher with some confidence in the year ahead.
Will this be your first year of teaching? Don't be nervous - you must be very well qualified to have gotten this job to begin with! Here are some great ideas to make your year a bit easier:
1) First and foremost (and this sure sounds easy!) is to smile and be friendly to all of your co-workers. Although it indeed sounds quite simple, it is often difficult to be kind to everyone, as you will encounter varied personalities and temperments. You'll need all of your colleagues to help you during the year, so start the year off right and be kind to everyone.
2) Be helpful to all who ask! Move over at the copy machine if someone has a rush job - you may be in their shoes sooner than you think! Watch a class for another teacher for five minutes so that she can make an important phone call. Sure, your time is valuable, but helping others shows that you are part of the team.
3) Don't join in on the office gossip. It is unprofessional and unwise to talk about your fellow teachers, your students, their parents and anyone else whom the teachers' lounge has deemed eligible for discussion. Don't get involved in this waste of time.
4) Get to know your students well. Spend a bit of time talking with each of them individually during the first weeks of school. Ask about their likes, dislikes, family, pets, friends. Once the school year is in full swing, it is often difficult to set time aside for this kind of activity.
5) Establish a rapport with your students' parents or caregivers as soon as you can. Parents need to feel that you are approachable and caring. Make your students' parents your ally, and don't wait until a problem arises before you take the time to speak with them.
6) Be emphathetic to the busy lifestyles of today. Many parents both work full time and have scarcely enough time to talk to their child about their day at school. Bend a little if assignments are sometimes not completed if there is a reasonable explanation. Remember that your ultimate goal is to have students learn the material that you are teaching them.
7) Arrive at school early, and stay late a few days a week. Most correctly, don't rush into work in the nick of time and then rush out at the stroke of 3 o'clock. Be available to students and parents. Be known as someone who is professional and always prepared.
8) Be prepared. Have your weekly plans written out before the week begins. Have a copy of them, or your plan book, available at your desk at all times in the event that you are out sick from school.
9) Establish class rules from Day One. Get a large piece of poster board and a marking pen. On the first day of school, ask students what they would imagine some good rules for the classroom would be. Brainstorm the best rules, have students write them out, then post them for all to see. Remind students that they decided on the rules, and have a penalty in place for those who choose not to follow them.
10) Remember that teaching children is hard work, but it is also quite a bit of fun. If you are prepared, you'll be able to enjoy teaching and your students. If you must rush and play catch-up all the time, you'll spend needless time worrying. Stay current in your field by reading teaching magazines and talking with more seasoned teachers in your school.
Enjoy your first year as a teacher!
From: http://www.allsands.com/money/career/tipsteachersne_trr_gn.htm
My main question is, what is the first year of teaching really like?
Will this be your first year of teaching? Don't be nervous - you must be very well qualified to have gotten this job to begin with! Here are some great ideas to make your year a bit easier:
1) First and foremost (and this sure sounds easy!) is to smile and be friendly to all of your co-workers. Although it indeed sounds quite simple, it is often difficult to be kind to everyone, as you will encounter varied personalities and temperments. You'll need all of your colleagues to help you during the year, so start the year off right and be kind to everyone.
2) Be helpful to all who ask! Move over at the copy machine if someone has a rush job - you may be in their shoes sooner than you think! Watch a class for another teacher for five minutes so that she can make an important phone call. Sure, your time is valuable, but helping others shows that you are part of the team.
3) Don't join in on the office gossip. It is unprofessional and unwise to talk about your fellow teachers, your students, their parents and anyone else whom the teachers' lounge has deemed eligible for discussion. Don't get involved in this waste of time.
4) Get to know your students well. Spend a bit of time talking with each of them individually during the first weeks of school. Ask about their likes, dislikes, family, pets, friends. Once the school year is in full swing, it is often difficult to set time aside for this kind of activity.
5) Establish a rapport with your students' parents or caregivers as soon as you can. Parents need to feel that you are approachable and caring. Make your students' parents your ally, and don't wait until a problem arises before you take the time to speak with them.
6) Be emphathetic to the busy lifestyles of today. Many parents both work full time and have scarcely enough time to talk to their child about their day at school. Bend a little if assignments are sometimes not completed if there is a reasonable explanation. Remember that your ultimate goal is to have students learn the material that you are teaching them.
7) Arrive at school early, and stay late a few days a week. Most correctly, don't rush into work in the nick of time and then rush out at the stroke of 3 o'clock. Be available to students and parents. Be known as someone who is professional and always prepared.
8) Be prepared. Have your weekly plans written out before the week begins. Have a copy of them, or your plan book, available at your desk at all times in the event that you are out sick from school.
9) Establish class rules from Day One. Get a large piece of poster board and a marking pen. On the first day of school, ask students what they would imagine some good rules for the classroom would be. Brainstorm the best rules, have students write them out, then post them for all to see. Remind students that they decided on the rules, and have a penalty in place for those who choose not to follow them.
10) Remember that teaching children is hard work, but it is also quite a bit of fun. If you are prepared, you'll be able to enjoy teaching and your students. If you must rush and play catch-up all the time, you'll spend needless time worrying. Stay current in your field by reading teaching magazines and talking with more seasoned teachers in your school.
Enjoy your first year as a teacher!
From: http://www.allsands.com/money/career/tipsteachersne_trr_gn.htm
My main question is, what is the first year of teaching really like?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Rise in Technology
When I student taught for the 5th/6th graders, the school began a new program, that had each child rent a laptop for the year.
The parents pay one hundred dollars and the student gets a laptop and gets to use it for the rest of the year. It's a one time fee, so if the students pay the money in first grade, the student gets to use it until sixth grade.
I thought this was a good idea, but not necessary for primary grades. Why does a first grader need to get attached to a computer so early?
Anyway, one day, the teacher said the students can have a five minute break to talk to each other and move around.
Instead of actually going to each other and talking, they all get their laptops out, and chat on IChat, which is very similar to aim.
It was ridiculous and sad to see.
Sometimes it's hard to see the negatives in technology, but at that moment, I wished technology wasn't so advanced.
The parents pay one hundred dollars and the student gets a laptop and gets to use it for the rest of the year. It's a one time fee, so if the students pay the money in first grade, the student gets to use it until sixth grade.
I thought this was a good idea, but not necessary for primary grades. Why does a first grader need to get attached to a computer so early?
Anyway, one day, the teacher said the students can have a five minute break to talk to each other and move around.
Instead of actually going to each other and talking, they all get their laptops out, and chat on IChat, which is very similar to aim.
It was ridiculous and sad to see.
Sometimes it's hard to see the negatives in technology, but at that moment, I wished technology wasn't so advanced.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
What they don't Teach you...
I can honestly say, I think WIU's education program is pretty great.
They've given me a chance to observe a classroom for an entire day, observe preschool sessions, tutor k-3, then tutor 4-6th grade, and now I have a chance to student aide for a second grade classroom.
They give us plenty of experiences and opportunities to learn, however, they do not give us enough honesty.
We are writing 20-60 page lesson plans regularly, writing research papers, creating posters for different religions, reading books, creating podcasts, taking tests, taking major exams (conent area, basic skills, apt). We really do a lot, we put in so much work every week, get one credit hour, for classes that really have us meeting for 2.5 hours a week, etc...
How come these teachers aren't telling us what will realistically happen?? I see the teacher I work with every Wednesday morning, and she is a wonderful mentor, and I truly believe she has been nothing but helpful. I see her every Wednesday and she is just frazzled, she is always coming up with new lessons, ideas, activities, etc... for her students. She is searching for books for low level, average, and above average level readers, she is always working. During her breaks she is working, after school she is working, in summer she is working, she is always working.
When the kids go out to recess for ten-fifteen minutes, I always take that time and she always asks if I have any questions, and I love how she answers them, but how come our teachers aren't being so honest? They are sugar coating, avoiding, or simply too busy for these questions that don't relate to what we are learning.
I think colleges need to be more upfront about what to expect. They should definitely have a course called what to expect when you are a teacher or out in the real world ...or something!
I don't want to enter my first year of teaching being oblivious and ignorant. I don't want to assume i'll be done for the day at 3:00 pm sharp, and have three months in summer to do nothing, because that's definitely not the case at all.
So teachers out there, please talk to your students or student aides/teachers in the classroom and tell them what's really up, I can honestly say they will appreciate it.
They've given me a chance to observe a classroom for an entire day, observe preschool sessions, tutor k-3, then tutor 4-6th grade, and now I have a chance to student aide for a second grade classroom.
They give us plenty of experiences and opportunities to learn, however, they do not give us enough honesty.
We are writing 20-60 page lesson plans regularly, writing research papers, creating posters for different religions, reading books, creating podcasts, taking tests, taking major exams (conent area, basic skills, apt). We really do a lot, we put in so much work every week, get one credit hour, for classes that really have us meeting for 2.5 hours a week, etc...
How come these teachers aren't telling us what will realistically happen?? I see the teacher I work with every Wednesday morning, and she is a wonderful mentor, and I truly believe she has been nothing but helpful. I see her every Wednesday and she is just frazzled, she is always coming up with new lessons, ideas, activities, etc... for her students. She is searching for books for low level, average, and above average level readers, she is always working. During her breaks she is working, after school she is working, in summer she is working, she is always working.
When the kids go out to recess for ten-fifteen minutes, I always take that time and she always asks if I have any questions, and I love how she answers them, but how come our teachers aren't being so honest? They are sugar coating, avoiding, or simply too busy for these questions that don't relate to what we are learning.
I think colleges need to be more upfront about what to expect. They should definitely have a course called what to expect when you are a teacher or out in the real world ...or something!
I don't want to enter my first year of teaching being oblivious and ignorant. I don't want to assume i'll be done for the day at 3:00 pm sharp, and have three months in summer to do nothing, because that's definitely not the case at all.
So teachers out there, please talk to your students or student aides/teachers in the classroom and tell them what's really up, I can honestly say they will appreciate it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)