This past week was my last week of teaching. I just did language arts. It went well. Nothing too crazy happened. My CT told me exactly what to do and answered any questions for me. I saw the principal on Wednesday and she went over the form with me and how my lesson went. She said she thought it went well. She really did not have anything bad to say. One of the other teachers was getting rid of some books and gave them to me. She had a box full of books, which were quite old, but I don’t care. I need to start with something.
This coming week I will be observing in some other classrooms. Tuesday I will observe the whole day in a first grade class. Wednesday I will observe afternoon kindergarten and on Thursday I will observe a fourth grade class. Hopefully, I will get a good idea about which grade I would like to teach, if I were to have a choice.
I have been talking more with my next CT. She has never had a student teacher before which makes me a little nervous. She told me that the students are going to be starting fractions when I get there. I cannot wait to teach math! I really feel that I am supposed to teach math, and definitely not language arts.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Week 6
I taught everything this week, but it did not go how I imagined it would. For some reason, I thought my CT would be out of the classroom for the entire day. She was gone for bits and pieces, but she pretty much stayed in the room. The principal came in on Wednesday. I think my lesson went well, but I still have not gotten the form back she’s supposed to fill out. This coming week all I teach is language arts. The week after that I will be observing some other classes. It will be interesting to see which grade I like the most.
I am going to miss being at my old elementary school. It was certainly much easier for me to be at a school where I knew some of the teachers. However, I am excited about 6th grade. (Not so much the attitudes I will probably get, but the fact that I get to focus solely on math). Yesterday, my fiancé and I drove out to the school, twice. There does not seem to be a way to get there that does not involve traffic. It will be interesting to see if I make it there on time the first day.
I am going to miss being at my old elementary school. It was certainly much easier for me to be at a school where I knew some of the teachers. However, I am excited about 6th grade. (Not so much the attitudes I will probably get, but the fact that I get to focus solely on math). Yesterday, my fiancé and I drove out to the school, twice. There does not seem to be a way to get there that does not involve traffic. It will be interesting to see if I make it there on time the first day.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Only 3 Weeks Left!!!
As this week comes to an end, I realize that teaching is about 50 times harder than I thought it was. I knew it was not going to be easy, but I really did not think it would be so difficult. I am not sure if I can handle some of the students. They are so disrespectful and when they go home, tell their guardians that I was in a bad mood, that is why they get in trouble, and then the guardian sends my CT an email about it, it really irks me. I cannot imagine why a parent/guardian would believe such a thing. (I’m trying to let it go, but it is so hard when you can’t defend yourself).
I taught pretty much everything, but I don’t know how I would have done it without her in the room. I had so many questions like ‘Do you want them to write in their journals or just on paper?’ and ‘Which kind of paper?’ I am not sure, but I am thinking she will be out of the room for most of next week to let me teach on my own. I am not real sure about this. I am introducing ‘Writer’s Workshop’ and do not really feel comfortable with it. (Plus, it does not help that she has told me nothing about it and I am not comfortable with language arts to begin with).
The week definitely had some frustrating moments, but it also had some good ones. I got so many hugs, one from a girl that wasn’t even in our class. This other little girl told me that she was going to take care of me when I got older. It was too cute!
I am excited about science this week. I think I was kind of slack last week and did not really do that much except read the text and complete worksheets. This week they are going to be doing some activities and experiments that I think they will enjoy. Language arts should be interesting since it is a weak point of mine. Hopefully I can explain a subject and predicate to them. The principal is also coming to observe me on Wednesday during language arts. (I probably should have picked a different subject).
I am going to miss the students, but I can’t help but count down the days!
I taught pretty much everything, but I don’t know how I would have done it without her in the room. I had so many questions like ‘Do you want them to write in their journals or just on paper?’ and ‘Which kind of paper?’ I am not sure, but I am thinking she will be out of the room for most of next week to let me teach on my own. I am not real sure about this. I am introducing ‘Writer’s Workshop’ and do not really feel comfortable with it. (Plus, it does not help that she has told me nothing about it and I am not comfortable with language arts to begin with).
The week definitely had some frustrating moments, but it also had some good ones. I got so many hugs, one from a girl that wasn’t even in our class. This other little girl told me that she was going to take care of me when I got older. It was too cute!
I am excited about science this week. I think I was kind of slack last week and did not really do that much except read the text and complete worksheets. This week they are going to be doing some activities and experiments that I think they will enjoy. Language arts should be interesting since it is a weak point of mine. Hopefully I can explain a subject and predicate to them. The principal is also coming to observe me on Wednesday during language arts. (I probably should have picked a different subject).
I am going to miss the students, but I can’t help but count down the days!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Week 4 of Student Teaching
Monday
Today I was supposed to start teaching matter, but we did not get to it. They are already doing a Language Arts assessment with a bubble sheet and everything. It’s insane! I did get to teach math though. I feel like they understood it when I was explaining it, but when I was grading their Math Journals some of them did not do so well.
Tuesday
Today was pretty good. I still feel like math is too confusing to them. I showed them how to use their calculators, which was difficult with a somewhat broken overhead calculator. We actually had some time to do the matter lesson. I like the teacher’s edition of the science text. I feel it really breaks things up and puts it on their level. We spent quite a bit of time standing in the hallway waiting for everyone to get quiet in the line. After P.E., my CT even called them to come into the classroom as they were ready. I was out in the hall with one little boy for like 2 or 3 minutes before he was ready and standing the way he should be. Part of me feels like it’s a waste of much needed instructional time, but the other part knows how important it is.
Wednesday
I emailed my next CT and received an email back from her. I feel like she is going to be a great CT as well, at least that is what the email leads me to believe. She seems excited to have me coming. I just hope the 6th graders are well behaved. (But the chances of that are probably not very likely).
Thursday
Today was not such a good day. The students just did not want to keep quiet. I ended up coming home with a migraine. The teaching is not the hard part, it is the discipline. Tomorrow I will start carrying around a clipboard and take notes on discipline issues.
Friday
Well I did not start carrying around the clipboard. Hopefully it will start on Monday. I’m too busy holding hands with all the talkers in the hall to carry a clipboard. Last night I went to bed praying for each student. I hoped it would make today better, but I guess the Lord is just really trying to teach me patience and how to discipline difficult students. I found myself laughing with the students today probably more than I should have been. This one boy just does not stop singing, dancing, talking, misbehaving, and everything else. Looking at him with a serious face and telling him to stop in a very serious voice just does not work. So I ended up just laughing at him. Part of me just didn’t know what to do anymore and the other part was just over it. I know it probably wasn’t the best thing to do, but I am tired of getting migraines.
Next week I am teaching some of language arts, math, and science. I really hope I can get through it!
Today I was supposed to start teaching matter, but we did not get to it. They are already doing a Language Arts assessment with a bubble sheet and everything. It’s insane! I did get to teach math though. I feel like they understood it when I was explaining it, but when I was grading their Math Journals some of them did not do so well.
Tuesday
Today was pretty good. I still feel like math is too confusing to them. I showed them how to use their calculators, which was difficult with a somewhat broken overhead calculator. We actually had some time to do the matter lesson. I like the teacher’s edition of the science text. I feel it really breaks things up and puts it on their level. We spent quite a bit of time standing in the hallway waiting for everyone to get quiet in the line. After P.E., my CT even called them to come into the classroom as they were ready. I was out in the hall with one little boy for like 2 or 3 minutes before he was ready and standing the way he should be. Part of me feels like it’s a waste of much needed instructional time, but the other part knows how important it is.
Wednesday
I emailed my next CT and received an email back from her. I feel like she is going to be a great CT as well, at least that is what the email leads me to believe. She seems excited to have me coming. I just hope the 6th graders are well behaved. (But the chances of that are probably not very likely).
Thursday
Today was not such a good day. The students just did not want to keep quiet. I ended up coming home with a migraine. The teaching is not the hard part, it is the discipline. Tomorrow I will start carrying around a clipboard and take notes on discipline issues.
Friday
Well I did not start carrying around the clipboard. Hopefully it will start on Monday. I’m too busy holding hands with all the talkers in the hall to carry a clipboard. Last night I went to bed praying for each student. I hoped it would make today better, but I guess the Lord is just really trying to teach me patience and how to discipline difficult students. I found myself laughing with the students today probably more than I should have been. This one boy just does not stop singing, dancing, talking, misbehaving, and everything else. Looking at him with a serious face and telling him to stop in a very serious voice just does not work. So I ended up just laughing at him. Part of me just didn’t know what to do anymore and the other part was just over it. I know it probably wasn’t the best thing to do, but I am tired of getting migraines.
Next week I am teaching some of language arts, math, and science. I really hope I can get through it!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Week 3 of Student Teaching
Monday
Today was a good day. I had my first math lesson to teach and it went pretty well. They were playing a game with $1, $10, and $100 bills. I explained the rules and even showed how you were supposed to play, but I don’t think everyone understood. But they still seemed to have fun, whether they were doing it right or not. We also had a faculty meeting after school. Everyone really seems to work well together.
Tuesday
Today was a little rough. The students do not seem to want to listen to me. I feel like they think they don’t have to do what I say because I am not the ‘real’ teacher. It’s a little discouraging. I’m trying to be patient, but it’s so hard! However, they were very quiet when I picked them up from art in the afternoon. They did a great job walking down the hall and coming quietly into the classroom. I was really surprised. (I guess they were just worn out). I taught another math lesson that involved a game. I don’t think they understood this game either. It wasn’t until after the lesson that my CT told me it was too busy for them, she was talking about the worksheet they were supposed to fill out, and she showed me how she would do it. I get to try again tomorrow, so hopefully it will go better and I can get a grade from this worksheet.
As far as the rest of the week goes, I did math and got to grade some papers. My main issues right now are disciplining the students and timing when it comes to my lessons. I’m really going to have to work on this next week.
Today was a good day. I had my first math lesson to teach and it went pretty well. They were playing a game with $1, $10, and $100 bills. I explained the rules and even showed how you were supposed to play, but I don’t think everyone understood. But they still seemed to have fun, whether they were doing it right or not. We also had a faculty meeting after school. Everyone really seems to work well together.
Tuesday
Today was a little rough. The students do not seem to want to listen to me. I feel like they think they don’t have to do what I say because I am not the ‘real’ teacher. It’s a little discouraging. I’m trying to be patient, but it’s so hard! However, they were very quiet when I picked them up from art in the afternoon. They did a great job walking down the hall and coming quietly into the classroom. I was really surprised. (I guess they were just worn out). I taught another math lesson that involved a game. I don’t think they understood this game either. It wasn’t until after the lesson that my CT told me it was too busy for them, she was talking about the worksheet they were supposed to fill out, and she showed me how she would do it. I get to try again tomorrow, so hopefully it will go better and I can get a grade from this worksheet.
As far as the rest of the week goes, I did math and got to grade some papers. My main issues right now are disciplining the students and timing when it comes to my lessons. I’m really going to have to work on this next week.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The First Week of School
I must say that I have had some ups and downs this first week with the students. I was nervous and excited when the students came in. I got to go around and give them name tags, which was SO helpful. The first day was all about rules and procedures. She had me in and out of the classroom on little errands so I actually missed it when she went over the rules :-\ I got to do my read aloud after lunch and I must admit they were not very quiet. They kept talking and not raising their hands. They were also major wiggle worms and tattle tales. But my CT just let me do my thing.
The second day was much better. As I was reading to them, there was complete silence. They raised their hands to talk and everything. I was so proud of them, and myself. The rest of the week went well. We really did not get much teaching done. We had to practice for the fire drill, and then do the actual one. They had a Spirit Talk one morning and a science assembly. I don’t see how teachers teach a thing with the students going to P.E., art, music, computer lab, and library. It is a wonder anything gets done.
I have been lucky and the latest I stayed at school all week was 5 pm. Once I get home I head straight upstairs and work on lesson plans and everything else. It has been very overwhelming for me. Thursday night I ended up doing nothing because I fell asleep on the couch. Friday I had a killer migraine and an upset stomach. I have to admit that quitting had totally become an option for me. I decided I better take Friday night off before I really did quit, so I ended up doing nothing even though I had plenty to do.
Next week I have to do read alouds and math, which shouldn’t be too hard. It has helped to have such an awesome CT. However, I still find myself counting down the days. Only 6 more weeks to go at this school!!!!!!
The second day was much better. As I was reading to them, there was complete silence. They raised their hands to talk and everything. I was so proud of them, and myself. The rest of the week went well. We really did not get much teaching done. We had to practice for the fire drill, and then do the actual one. They had a Spirit Talk one morning and a science assembly. I don’t see how teachers teach a thing with the students going to P.E., art, music, computer lab, and library. It is a wonder anything gets done.
I have been lucky and the latest I stayed at school all week was 5 pm. Once I get home I head straight upstairs and work on lesson plans and everything else. It has been very overwhelming for me. Thursday night I ended up doing nothing because I fell asleep on the couch. Friday I had a killer migraine and an upset stomach. I have to admit that quitting had totally become an option for me. I decided I better take Friday night off before I really did quit, so I ended up doing nothing even though I had plenty to do.
Next week I have to do read alouds and math, which shouldn’t be too hard. It has helped to have such an awesome CT. However, I still find myself counting down the days. Only 6 more weeks to go at this school!!!!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
The First Day of the Rest of My Life
Everyone at my school is very welcoming and friendly. My CT did a great job of introducing me to people. (There are many teachers that I know, one that I actually graduated high school with). After some introductions and breakfast, it was time for a meeting. I don’t think I have ever gotten so much information and been so confused in my life. They were talking about things that I had no idea what they were. My CT was wonderful and kept asking if I was okay. After lots of sitting, we got to work in our classroom for the rest of the day. My CT kept me very busy. I must have walked to and from the office at least 6 times. She shared all kinds of information with me, like the fact that you have to come to school before that first week or you will never get your room set up. Plus, she already gave me the math lessons to look at for when I take over. I believe that she will give me plenty of time to prepare and let me know exactly what’s going on, which makes me a little less nervous. Now I must prepare myself mentally for Open House, which is Wednesday night. I will be at school from 8 am to about 8 or 9 pm. Yikes! (I just have to keep telling myself that the Lord will never give me more than I can handle).
Friday, August 28, 2009
Student Teaching Meeting #1
I must admit that after my meeting yesterday, I am confused and a little overwhelmed. There are about a billion forms and I cannot seem to remember which ones are supposed to be filled out when. However, I feel like my supervisor, other student teachers, and many others will be a great deal of help. I will probably be reading Philippians 4:6 a lot, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Thursday, August 27, 2009
And so the journey begins...
I have known about having to student teach since I started going to Regent in January 2006. However, I don’t think anything will prepare me for the morning of Monday, August 31st.
I met with my first cooperating teacher this past June. She seems like a ball of fun and energy. And it appears that she will have no problem letting me take over her classroom. She has already told me that on the first day of school I will be doing a read aloud. But before school starts I get a full week with no students. I received a copy of the schedule and there will be lots of training and meetings. I’m excited to get to see what kind of training will be happening. Also, Wednesday night of next week is an open house. I can’t wait to meet some of the students and parents.
This first week is going to be busy and fun. I hope I can handle it!
I met with my first cooperating teacher this past June. She seems like a ball of fun and energy. And it appears that she will have no problem letting me take over her classroom. She has already told me that on the first day of school I will be doing a read aloud. But before school starts I get a full week with no students. I received a copy of the schedule and there will be lots of training and meetings. I’m excited to get to see what kind of training will be happening. Also, Wednesday night of next week is an open house. I can’t wait to meet some of the students and parents.
This first week is going to be busy and fun. I hope I can handle it!
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