Today was my last official day in my placement for class! I have a total of 175.25 hours! Even though I am done for school, I am continuing my placement until my school's end of year which is June 13th! I am excited! I am pretty sure I am the only student who is going to the end of the year! :)
I was all by my self for Language arts and Math class. I gave the spelling words, but the smart board was not working so instead of trying to make it work, I moved on and wrote the words by hand on white board. (oh my! the white board) I handed out a reading test and when they were done, they were allowed to work on their map projects.
During math, we worked in the journal on dividing fractions. Then we went to the computer room. We played the games which I picked out last week. This works well with this group! Limiting their opinions based off what we want them to practice! I put my foot down- I explained the games they could play and if I have to give 3 checks then they would owe me recess! I needed to take charge and the students needed to know that I wouldn't put up with it! It gets old fast!
Sorry this is late.... I forgot I didn't right it! :)
This prob will be the last entry until fall semester!
<3 thanks for reading it!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Twenty- Two: 5/ 4/2011
I started the class off by giving a spelling test after ten minutes of silent reading. I am never good at pronouncing words. Students always correct me! Oh well, I now have a plan were I ask the students what words or words. In math, I taught the entire lesson. My thought was I would work through a few problems, let them work in groups of 2, then go over it. Yet, when I gave directions, students the page number, they just started. I went around and guided a few by answering their questions, but it went very well. When I noticed all were done, we went over the answers. I called on the students randomly to give the answers. If a student did not get it right, I would ask if someone else got another answer. Then we would go through the steps of the ones that most got caught up on. We probably went through 6-8 problems, but in the end, I think most of the students understood reciprocals by the end of the class. Today, I just felt so nervous. I am unsure why, but my butterflies were acting up.
Later, my mentor teacher told me how she finished my evaluation and recommendation. I am excited and hesitant to read both of them.
There is a new school wide rule about no touching anyone. There was a few situations were students either gave a violent high five or pushed one person into another, so my mentor teachers took action and decided to make those students write a 250 word essay why it is not appropriate. I sat with the teachers we talked about how it has been getting out of control. Kids do not see how what they are doing is wrong and where the line is. They also do not get how it is not a joke. It was interesting watching the students write an email to the principal examining how they handled the situation. I feel they did the right thing even though the students did not think so. Today's' children are babied and do not take responsibility for their actions. It seems redundant that after taking the action of discipline they had to explain themselves to the principal. This was all because students thought it wasn't fair!
One thing I do not understand why science and social studies is always at when there is a change in the schedule. Today, we got together and worked on national children book week. It was a school wide contest that every class was working on. Each class found a way to represent children's books and decorated their door. My class made book sleeves of their favorite book and then paste it to the door. My mentor teacher and I put up construction paper; making a colorful background. We will call it The Tye Dye Tales. It was clever I have to say!
Later, my mentor teacher told me how she finished my evaluation and recommendation. I am excited and hesitant to read both of them.
There is a new school wide rule about no touching anyone. There was a few situations were students either gave a violent high five or pushed one person into another, so my mentor teachers took action and decided to make those students write a 250 word essay why it is not appropriate. I sat with the teachers we talked about how it has been getting out of control. Kids do not see how what they are doing is wrong and where the line is. They also do not get how it is not a joke. It was interesting watching the students write an email to the principal examining how they handled the situation. I feel they did the right thing even though the students did not think so. Today's' children are babied and do not take responsibility for their actions. It seems redundant that after taking the action of discipline they had to explain themselves to the principal. This was all because students thought it wasn't fair!
One thing I do not understand why science and social studies is always at when there is a change in the schedule. Today, we got together and worked on national children book week. It was a school wide contest that every class was working on. Each class found a way to represent children's books and decorated their door. My class made book sleeves of their favorite book and then paste it to the door. My mentor teacher and I put up construction paper; making a colorful background. We will call it The Tye Dye Tales. It was clever I have to say!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day Twenty- One: 5/2/2011
Today was a lay-low, non- busy day! It seems like I didn't do much, but I felt like I was on the move for the entire day.
I started the class with their 10 minutes of silent reading and then trucked through their new spelling words. After that, we went to the computer lab to work on the leader paper. Many were done so they could either work on the tech project or go to freerice.com. I asked one of my students to help me with putting in PDF documents into word and take a DVDR which has my video lesson, save it to my computer or flash drive, and then put the video in my entry 4 + EPortfolio. In the computer lab, I asked the students to lower their voices 3 times. The 4th, I gave the last warning. It is a good-feeling that I can take control of the room.
During math, we went to the lab to play games. This time, I went early and picked at games of the topic I was given. Fractions! I found 5. I hesitant on one in which allowed students to play a racing game in groups, but I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt. I spoke to 3 girls to stop worrying about the name of the group and the color of the dog. They will be playing these games next week, but I am taking that game off the list.
In the middle of recess, I had one student come back inside to work on a standard portfolio piece that she struggled on. I sat down and I color-coated the diagram. We got through it. I just hope she understands it tomorrow. I went through the entire class' pieces and all of lacked writing out the steps of how you find an answer. I decided to to the problem and write it. We are going to show the students the week after next to show the proper steps.
The rest of the day was slow. Its not that I didn't do anything, its just we had health so another teacher taught that and after recess, we had a guess speaker who talked about the Cape Cod trip.
Side note: Friday, there was a situation with a boy touching and grabbing another student. He was asked to write a 250 word essay about what he did and why it was wrong. His essay just stated how he was getting in trouble for something he shouldn't of- that's not even what I wanted to say! Now because of that situation, everyone (mostly the boys) we yell "NO touching, you need to write x amount of words!" This has gotten out of hand and they need to learn the differences. UGH!
I started the class with their 10 minutes of silent reading and then trucked through their new spelling words. After that, we went to the computer lab to work on the leader paper. Many were done so they could either work on the tech project or go to freerice.com. I asked one of my students to help me with putting in PDF documents into word and take a DVDR which has my video lesson, save it to my computer or flash drive, and then put the video in my entry 4 + EPortfolio. In the computer lab, I asked the students to lower their voices 3 times. The 4th, I gave the last warning. It is a good-feeling that I can take control of the room.
During math, we went to the lab to play games. This time, I went early and picked at games of the topic I was given. Fractions! I found 5. I hesitant on one in which allowed students to play a racing game in groups, but I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt. I spoke to 3 girls to stop worrying about the name of the group and the color of the dog. They will be playing these games next week, but I am taking that game off the list.
In the middle of recess, I had one student come back inside to work on a standard portfolio piece that she struggled on. I sat down and I color-coated the diagram. We got through it. I just hope she understands it tomorrow. I went through the entire class' pieces and all of lacked writing out the steps of how you find an answer. I decided to to the problem and write it. We are going to show the students the week after next to show the proper steps.
The rest of the day was slow. Its not that I didn't do anything, its just we had health so another teacher taught that and after recess, we had a guess speaker who talked about the Cape Cod trip.
Side note: Friday, there was a situation with a boy touching and grabbing another student. He was asked to write a 250 word essay about what he did and why it was wrong. His essay just stated how he was getting in trouble for something he shouldn't of- that's not even what I wanted to say! Now because of that situation, everyone (mostly the boys) we yell "NO touching, you need to write x amount of words!" This has gotten out of hand and they need to learn the differences. UGH!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Day Twenty: 4/27/2011
One thing that seems obvious to do as a teacher is to always check with others you are working with about the lesson. My mentor teacher and I had a plan for Wednesday, but that included her to have students do review questions for homework. She completely forgot that piece, which throw off my lesson off because it was connected to that part. Right before class began, I asked what the plan for the class; what the order for the day is. Quickly and together, we made adjustments. This just shows that communication is important and being able to flexible.
I started the day by giving a spelling quiz. Typical Wednesday! Once thing we changed was cut out the 10 minute silent reading so we had time to work on the English Review. Next I did my English lesson. I made the adjustments in the beginning because the change in the weeks plan. I had a few typing errors in my power point and there were a few students who would correct each one. Its funny because I proof-read it and showed it to two people, how did we miss them? Oh well, I jokingly said it was on purpose so they would catch them. They knew I was lying!
Love healthy snack day- Every Wednesday a healthy snack is delivered for the entire school. The school get a grant to supply this.
During specials, I set up for my video lesson in the other room. My professor from my education class came during this time. I got everything set up and copies made.
Next was math and we just worked on Mid-year assessments. This is what is done after the first journal and before they get the new journal book. Students were only allowed to use resources like text and dictionaries and no humans.
After math, was my first video typing. I was planning on taping both science classes so each of them get the review for a quiz tomorrow. It was to refresh what they learned the previous day. My first video, overall, went well. I worked with my homeroom class. I started with a quick review of the water cycle. We looked at a picture and pointed out the four steps of the cycle, then made a list where to find water, went over the vocabulary, and then the fun activities of dancing and creating the wheel. The biggest problem was too much chatting. I was expecting some because the activities was free-ranged, but there were points that it was too loud. I wanted to do something fun and allow then to get up and be able to enjoy themselves. I took a risk by doing a coloring activity and a dancing activity because I could of easily lost the students to distractions. If a teacher doesn't take risk, I don't think they are good teachers. It was nice that I had one student who would use the sing the song in the right tune. The rest of us did the dance. It was a simple dance that just showed the cycle at work!
After the lesson, I looked at the video. I used the tape that used for my first lesson, but before I taped I looked at and there was nothing on. I figured the media center deleted so I didn't worry about fast-forwarding it to the start after the math lesson. When I went back and looked at, the first 3 minutes my math lesson and this new science lesson over lapped. Thank goodness it was only 3 minutes.
My next filming was after lunch and recess. I was expecting the students to be a little wild. Plus, it was the group that I am not used to. In a nutshell, It was really well. I took what worked from the first and I applied it, and I took what didn't work and didn't do it again. The only problem was the battery died on the camera. I wasn't told to charge it and wouldn't of think of it. The good news is I got the end piece of the first video, and first part of the second video. Hopefully I have something to work with.. haven't watched it.
I started the day by giving a spelling quiz. Typical Wednesday! Once thing we changed was cut out the 10 minute silent reading so we had time to work on the English Review. Next I did my English lesson. I made the adjustments in the beginning because the change in the weeks plan. I had a few typing errors in my power point and there were a few students who would correct each one. Its funny because I proof-read it and showed it to two people, how did we miss them? Oh well, I jokingly said it was on purpose so they would catch them. They knew I was lying!
Love healthy snack day- Every Wednesday a healthy snack is delivered for the entire school. The school get a grant to supply this.
During specials, I set up for my video lesson in the other room. My professor from my education class came during this time. I got everything set up and copies made.
Next was math and we just worked on Mid-year assessments. This is what is done after the first journal and before they get the new journal book. Students were only allowed to use resources like text and dictionaries and no humans.
After math, was my first video typing. I was planning on taping both science classes so each of them get the review for a quiz tomorrow. It was to refresh what they learned the previous day. My first video, overall, went well. I worked with my homeroom class. I started with a quick review of the water cycle. We looked at a picture and pointed out the four steps of the cycle, then made a list where to find water, went over the vocabulary, and then the fun activities of dancing and creating the wheel. The biggest problem was too much chatting. I was expecting some because the activities was free-ranged, but there were points that it was too loud. I wanted to do something fun and allow then to get up and be able to enjoy themselves. I took a risk by doing a coloring activity and a dancing activity because I could of easily lost the students to distractions. If a teacher doesn't take risk, I don't think they are good teachers. It was nice that I had one student who would use the sing the song in the right tune. The rest of us did the dance. It was a simple dance that just showed the cycle at work!
After the lesson, I looked at the video. I used the tape that used for my first lesson, but before I taped I looked at and there was nothing on. I figured the media center deleted so I didn't worry about fast-forwarding it to the start after the math lesson. When I went back and looked at, the first 3 minutes my math lesson and this new science lesson over lapped. Thank goodness it was only 3 minutes.
My next filming was after lunch and recess. I was expecting the students to be a little wild. Plus, it was the group that I am not used to. In a nutshell, It was really well. I took what worked from the first and I applied it, and I took what didn't work and didn't do it again. The only problem was the battery died on the camera. I wasn't told to charge it and wouldn't of think of it. The good news is I got the end piece of the first video, and first part of the second video. Hopefully I have something to work with.. haven't watched it.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day nineteen: 4/25/2011
Today was a pretty low day for me. I didn't have any lessons assigned to me, but I did co-teach a few times in Math and Social Studies. This just shows that my mentor teacher finds a way to keep me involved and how we work good together. The second part of math we went to the computer lab to play math games which needed to be geometry or algebra based. The key point was the students needed to be doing some kind of math as well. I had to repeat myself many times because the students just wanted to be lazy and not play hard games. (Words from my mentor teacher and computer teacher). So, they gave me permission to ask students to shut down and send him or her back to the room. I probably should of sent more than one back, but this student wasn't even playing a game most of the time and when I told her that her game was not the correct kind of game, she argued with me. This is were I need improvement. I don't like being the bad guy and making a student leave or stop doing a particular activity, but I know that it is nessessary to get his or her respect and to make sure my grounds are set.
We had a fire alarm today and I found it interesting how the students filed out of the building. They knew were to go and not to talk, but they were not single-filed. I am not sure if it changed, but when I was in elementary school, being single-filed was more organized and made it more safe for us in theory.
Communication! HUGE key element when working with other teachers. I knew I was going to be doing the English review on Wednesday and the last time I did it, I had the entire class period. Just for the sake of it, I asked my mentor how long I would be given and she told me I had 15 minutes top. That changed my lesson completely, but what i was going to do would have taken longer to prepare for the students. I also talked with the other teacher in the grade just to let her know what my plans were and to make sure she didn't want to add or take anything out. She liked my ideas and only suggested to not give a copy of the vocabulary, but rather put it up on the board so they can put in their vocab journal.
The end of the day, I spent most of time in the computer lab, supervising a few students who were either working on their tech projects, math projects, or social studies project. I made sure they were on task (which I had to speak to a few numerous times) and I helped by setting up questions in which the students needed to do the research to find.
We had a fire alarm today and I found it interesting how the students filed out of the building. They knew were to go and not to talk, but they were not single-filed. I am not sure if it changed, but when I was in elementary school, being single-filed was more organized and made it more safe for us in theory.
Communication! HUGE key element when working with other teachers. I knew I was going to be doing the English review on Wednesday and the last time I did it, I had the entire class period. Just for the sake of it, I asked my mentor how long I would be given and she told me I had 15 minutes top. That changed my lesson completely, but what i was going to do would have taken longer to prepare for the students. I also talked with the other teacher in the grade just to let her know what my plans were and to make sure she didn't want to add or take anything out. She liked my ideas and only suggested to not give a copy of the vocabulary, but rather put it up on the board so they can put in their vocab journal.
The end of the day, I spent most of time in the computer lab, supervising a few students who were either working on their tech projects, math projects, or social studies project. I made sure they were on task (which I had to speak to a few numerous times) and I helped by setting up questions in which the students needed to do the research to find.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Day eighteen: 4/20/2011
It still amazes me how everyday is different and something new, unexpected happens. One things a teacher needs to know, no mater how much you prepare for a day, it is never possible to compare completely. I knew going into the day that I was going to teach the entire Language Arts class; free read, English, and reading. The first part is easy. I put the timer on and make sure that students are reading for 10 minutes silently. Then the English piece, I have mastered this- Today, I taught about dialogue. The first thing we do and always do is read through the text. Instead of using Popsicle sticks, I decided to call on students randomly. This allowed me to see who was paying attention. There was a few times there was a student not paying attention so I would call on him or her. I tried to make sure that I called on everyone by the end of the reading and doing the practice questions. Next was the fun part, my lesson! I wrote in a word document what I wanted us to do:
Notice that I highlighted the key points. This is what I was looking for when I read their stories. The last time I did a lesson and I clearly stated what I was looking for, over half the students did not do what I wanted. I thought if i colored coated it, stated it twice to the entire class, gave an example on the board, and then have each group tell me one thing I was looking for. Anyways, going back a few steps, after we went over the direction, we quickly reviewed the five senses and 6 question starters. I had two students come up to the smart board and write them down. I asked if everyone understood that. after I read a quick summary of how I choose the groups and I tried to put friends together as much as I could, but please do not be upset if you did not get who you wanted.
next I showed the groups. I made a chart with two columns and it showed the students who they were working with. I did not plan for students to go to band so I quickly said if your partner is not here, please stand over to the side and I will find partners. In the end I had three students and I just put them together. So the students names in the first column I had pick up the index card and the students in the second to get a piece of paper. I asked them to sit down and write a brief story using dialogue. I gave only 15 minutes to do so. After, we got back together and I randomly picked two groups to read out loud their story. As a group we talked about if they meet the criteria in which I was looking for. I felt this went extremely well and later when I graded the assignment, most students got a check plus/ minus because they were almost there; just missing something. Later the students told me the lessons are getting to be more fun! That's always good to hear!
Ugh. next came reading. Students do not hold back. When I told them they are wrong, they would argue with me to get their answer to be correct. Later, my mentor teacher and I talked about it and she even had to tell them to stop talking back to me. We talked about how it is great they have such high confidence, but need to learn how to control their little mouths.
Next I taught math class. Today we went through a work book page and learning how to use a compass to copy an angle, or shape. First off, I just want to say that this is dumb and a little pointless to learn. They will not use this skill. I had to actually re teach my self. So, on the board I went through the problems. I gave a few minutes for the students to work on the problem by themselves and try to figure it out without too much directions. Then we went over it and I stated that, "this is my way, there could be other ways!" Then I opened the floor to questions and asked how they did it. If someone had a different way, we talked about what worked and didn't. Accuracy is the main issue to come up. We used this technique through the entire page. Then I let them get into pairs of their own choice to work on the next page.
We actually had social studies and science today! This is the first time in a few weeks because of the Tech project. In social studies we were finishing up the unit on Egypt. There were working on three different projects. I did two within the time block.
During lunch, my mentor teacher and talked about how the school is changing and what she does not like. I like how she tells me all these ins at this school. It really gives me a reality check that there is so much more than teaching a class a lesson. There is so much paper work as well and meetings after meetings with changes. She should me new evaluation sheets on the student who I did one of my entry II. This student is up to see if his medicine of accommodations need to be updated.
Directions:
In groups of two (I have already picked) you will be given an index card with a situation/ scenario in which you will write a paragraph using dialogue. I want at least a total of 6 sentences and 2 using dialogue. I want detail and enriched sentences! This means within your paragraphs I want to be able to read it and know which index card was given. To help you get detail, think about our 5 senses and the 6 question starters. There are hints on the back for the cards. You do NOT need to use my hints, they are just there if you need them or want them.
Notice that I highlighted the key points. This is what I was looking for when I read their stories. The last time I did a lesson and I clearly stated what I was looking for, over half the students did not do what I wanted. I thought if i colored coated it, stated it twice to the entire class, gave an example on the board, and then have each group tell me one thing I was looking for. Anyways, going back a few steps, after we went over the direction, we quickly reviewed the five senses and 6 question starters. I had two students come up to the smart board and write them down. I asked if everyone understood that. after I read a quick summary of how I choose the groups and I tried to put friends together as much as I could, but please do not be upset if you did not get who you wanted.
I want you to know that I tried to put “friends” together, but that means you need to stay on task. Also, know that I cannot win with everyone, so please do not complain about your group. I do NOT want to ask more than once!
next I showed the groups. I made a chart with two columns and it showed the students who they were working with. I did not plan for students to go to band so I quickly said if your partner is not here, please stand over to the side and I will find partners. In the end I had three students and I just put them together. So the students names in the first column I had pick up the index card and the students in the second to get a piece of paper. I asked them to sit down and write a brief story using dialogue. I gave only 15 minutes to do so. After, we got back together and I randomly picked two groups to read out loud their story. As a group we talked about if they meet the criteria in which I was looking for. I felt this went extremely well and later when I graded the assignment, most students got a check plus/ minus because they were almost there; just missing something. Later the students told me the lessons are getting to be more fun! That's always good to hear!
Ugh. next came reading. Students do not hold back. When I told them they are wrong, they would argue with me to get their answer to be correct. Later, my mentor teacher and I talked about it and she even had to tell them to stop talking back to me. We talked about how it is great they have such high confidence, but need to learn how to control their little mouths.
Next I taught math class. Today we went through a work book page and learning how to use a compass to copy an angle, or shape. First off, I just want to say that this is dumb and a little pointless to learn. They will not use this skill. I had to actually re teach my self. So, on the board I went through the problems. I gave a few minutes for the students to work on the problem by themselves and try to figure it out without too much directions. Then we went over it and I stated that, "this is my way, there could be other ways!" Then I opened the floor to questions and asked how they did it. If someone had a different way, we talked about what worked and didn't. Accuracy is the main issue to come up. We used this technique through the entire page. Then I let them get into pairs of their own choice to work on the next page.
We actually had social studies and science today! This is the first time in a few weeks because of the Tech project. In social studies we were finishing up the unit on Egypt. There were working on three different projects. I did two within the time block.
During lunch, my mentor teacher and talked about how the school is changing and what she does not like. I like how she tells me all these ins at this school. It really gives me a reality check that there is so much more than teaching a class a lesson. There is so much paper work as well and meetings after meetings with changes. She should me new evaluation sheets on the student who I did one of my entry II. This student is up to see if his medicine of accommodations need to be updated.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Day seventeen: 4/18/2011
Today was a slow kind of day, but still is always a learning experience and I enjoy my time. One of the best things about my placement is that fact I feel like I belong and apart of the class. The students like having me around and dislike when I am not there. And I know this. They all ask if I can come on other days. Many students know they can talk to me about anything. I take the time to talk to them about their weekends or if they have a problem, I take the time to listen. I think this is very important as a teacher to take the time to listen. Last week, when the school was on break, I went Monday through Wednesday and then on Friday I substitute for fifth graders. My class was so jealous I was in the building and not with them. It actually felt pretty good!
Anyways, back to the day: I gave the spelling words for the week. I was asked to repeat, repeat, repeat, but my mentor mentioned that I am not there to give definitions, I am there to give an overview, quick introduction and the students can use a handy dictionary. For the rest of the period, we went to the computer lab and students needed to finish up their pictures stories and then get approved by me or my mentor. I made a list on the board of the students who were done done. In math, we went back to the lab and played geometry games. Students did have a choice to finish the tech project. Two students worked on it and finished with my approval. Today was our day to have health. While they were doing that, I got my first opportunity to review to a child's entire case load of everything. Thank goodness all I needed was the testing scores or I would never of been done.
I also found out when I will be doing my next video lesson and what on! :) I am little nervous because I haven't really had many opportunities to teach science and in that classroom. We have been working on science or social studies because of the tech project so I have been mostly in just my room. I also just want to do an English lesson for my last one since that is what I have been doing the most with and have gotten pretty good with my class. We will see!
At the end of the day, I also had an unique opportunity to see a pre- evaluation sheet that my mentor teacher was working on. A parent requested information on why her daughter was not doing well in math and what can be done to boost her grade.
Anyways, back to the day: I gave the spelling words for the week. I was asked to repeat, repeat, repeat, but my mentor mentioned that I am not there to give definitions, I am there to give an overview, quick introduction and the students can use a handy dictionary. For the rest of the period, we went to the computer lab and students needed to finish up their pictures stories and then get approved by me or my mentor. I made a list on the board of the students who were done done. In math, we went back to the lab and played geometry games. Students did have a choice to finish the tech project. Two students worked on it and finished with my approval. Today was our day to have health. While they were doing that, I got my first opportunity to review to a child's entire case load of everything. Thank goodness all I needed was the testing scores or I would never of been done.
I also found out when I will be doing my next video lesson and what on! :) I am little nervous because I haven't really had many opportunities to teach science and in that classroom. We have been working on science or social studies because of the tech project so I have been mostly in just my room. I also just want to do an English lesson for my last one since that is what I have been doing the most with and have gotten pretty good with my class. We will see!
At the end of the day, I also had an unique opportunity to see a pre- evaluation sheet that my mentor teacher was working on. A parent requested information on why her daughter was not doing well in math and what can be done to boost her grade.
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