Today I did my last of the three field teachers, and it went better than day 2. The kids were much more active in the lesson than they were for day two, although because it was a group activity, it was harder to make sure that all the students were participating equally. The way my mentor teacher and I planned this was so that I would be teaching a review today, and tomorrow they have a test. It worked out well, Senora K did some reviewing of some worksheets they did, and then it led right into the jeopardy game that I had planned.
This 3 day lesson was geared to a particular student who is struggling in the class, and while I think the lesson accomodated her well, it could have been better. What ended up happening is that she paired up with one of her friends who does quite well in the class, and the friend ended up doing most of the work for her. This was not the orginal intention of pair work. I explained (in Spanish) that each student needed to have their own papers during our day 2 activity, but that didnt happen with this student. Next time, I'll have to do a better job monitoring my special needs students and supporting them when I let the class break to do their pairwork.
Another student in the class, Nathan* had a hard time today, the student didnt really participate much, and overall had a bad day. The student is known for his temper, and it appeared today to have really stuck out. Bad things really effected his mood, from getting a bad grade on a test to many other social issues that just seemed to add to his stress.
Overall, I am statisfied with this field teach, not because it turned out perfectly clean (because it certaintly didnt) but because I know I did what I could. I did stumble quite a bit on day two, but revamped my plans for day three when I reflected on what happened. I know more about making connections and transisiton... The kids needed more specific directions and more concrete examples than I gave them.
I learned a lot from this field teach, about how much review kids need, and how even when you give them a cheat sheet, unless you go over it in class, they will still get things wrong that they shouldn't have, simply because they didnt read it.
My interaction and comfortability is increasing each day. I know the kids by name, and that is one of the most helpful things strategies I have learned. Kids really appreciate when you know their names. a lot. Its a way that you show that you have picked them out of a crowd. (Even though I had to use the seating chart to start remembering them, I made it a point to connect with them after I learned their name, which helped me to remember them)
*student's name has been changed
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Field teach 3, day 2
today was day 2 of 3....
On friday, I began my lesson, and it went well. I used celebrities to make it easier to talk about people without making things akward, although the students really didnt seem to bite. They did what they needed to, but they werent all that interested. They used my notes, which seemed helpful to them, and then as some students finished before others, they shared with their peers what they wrote. My overall presence was good, I am feeling much more confident in my teacher role.
Today, however did not go so well. The kids got what they needed to with it, but I had to clarify a lot, I was feeling under the weather, and I know I struggled through the explanation of the assignment. However, my interaction with the kids has become a lot better, they know me, and I know almost all their names, (mostly in Spanish, but I know some of their English names too) Because I struggled and didnt do so well with this, i want to revisit it on Wed, before moving on to the "game" portion of comparisons and superlatives. I have papers from the kids, and with my own notes on what questions the kids asked, and what I see from their papers, I will create a breif re-explanation of what is happening.
On friday, I began my lesson, and it went well. I used celebrities to make it easier to talk about people without making things akward, although the students really didnt seem to bite. They did what they needed to, but they werent all that interested. They used my notes, which seemed helpful to them, and then as some students finished before others, they shared with their peers what they wrote. My overall presence was good, I am feeling much more confident in my teacher role.
Today, however did not go so well. The kids got what they needed to with it, but I had to clarify a lot, I was feeling under the weather, and I know I struggled through the explanation of the assignment. However, my interaction with the kids has become a lot better, they know me, and I know almost all their names, (mostly in Spanish, but I know some of their English names too) Because I struggled and didnt do so well with this, i want to revisit it on Wed, before moving on to the "game" portion of comparisons and superlatives. I have papers from the kids, and with my own notes on what questions the kids asked, and what I see from their papers, I will create a breif re-explanation of what is happening.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Akward Week
This week was especially hectic....
On Monday, I didnt see my usual group of 2nd and 3rd hour kids. The schedule was changed in order for the school to see the movie "The Invisible Children." (The Tree Girl assembly was last week) I had already seen the movie, and it is very powerful. I am very excited to see that the school thought this movie was in such high importance that they rearranged an entire school day. The school is starting to work with the movement to help the children of Uganda. They are starting to raise money with the schoolstoschools program, hoping to raise money to help the schools that are so desperately in need.
This week was also the ACT/MME testing, so Juniors reported, and teachers had to administer the tests. Because of this I did not report, because it would be extremely boring.
I start my 3 day connected field teaching tomorrow, I hope that it goes well. Tomorrow we will be talking about TV shows and comparing them, and the reasons why we chose to watch them. After this, we move on to talking about celebrities, and then a review game before their test.
On Monday, I didnt see my usual group of 2nd and 3rd hour kids. The schedule was changed in order for the school to see the movie "The Invisible Children." (The Tree Girl assembly was last week) I had already seen the movie, and it is very powerful. I am very excited to see that the school thought this movie was in such high importance that they rearranged an entire school day. The school is starting to work with the movement to help the children of Uganda. They are starting to raise money with the schoolstoschools program, hoping to raise money to help the schools that are so desperately in need.
This week was also the ACT/MME testing, so Juniors reported, and teachers had to administer the tests. Because of this I did not report, because it would be extremely boring.
I start my 3 day connected field teaching tomorrow, I hope that it goes well. Tomorrow we will be talking about TV shows and comparing them, and the reasons why we chose to watch them. After this, we move on to talking about celebrities, and then a review game before their test.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Catch up!
On Wed, Feb 28th, Mrs. K did not feel well, she had quite the headache and decided to change her plans, and the kids watched a cultural video instead of the planned activities. As they watched, I corrected their vocabulary quizzes, noting that the kids either had it or they didnt. This is what I've noticed with language classes, there usually isnt much in between. It seems that either the kids are struggling--or they get it quick.
Last friday, the 2nd, I reported to school for my last day before Spring Break. The classes were restless and ready for the weekend. I go to my placement on the ocassional friday, but not every friday. The classes were distracted and not really up for much work. Third hour was doing a reading, so that left me unable to do much, except monitor and answer questions.
I have my three day lesson planned out, and I start it this friday. I do have some concerns in that it will be a friday, and so it may be hard to get their attention. Also, Mrs. K has said that she has not done a lot of pair work this year, and I have some planned. I am hoping that the students dont take advantage of this time and get off topic. I am going to do my best to monitor and model their work so there is no confusion.
This week will be quite eventful, because the students have an assembly on Monday (the author of Tree Girl) will be talking to the entire school, because the school read the book as a community building event. Wenesday, only the juniors report, because they are taking the ACT. So Friday (the day I begin my lesson) will feel like Tuesday. Hopefully it they act like it too!!
Last friday, the 2nd, I reported to school for my last day before Spring Break. The classes were restless and ready for the weekend. I go to my placement on the ocassional friday, but not every friday. The classes were distracted and not really up for much work. Third hour was doing a reading, so that left me unable to do much, except monitor and answer questions.
I have my three day lesson planned out, and I start it this friday. I do have some concerns in that it will be a friday, and so it may be hard to get their attention. Also, Mrs. K has said that she has not done a lot of pair work this year, and I have some planned. I am hoping that the students dont take advantage of this time and get off topic. I am going to do my best to monitor and model their work so there is no confusion.
This week will be quite eventful, because the students have an assembly on Monday (the author of Tree Girl) will be talking to the entire school, because the school read the book as a community building event. Wenesday, only the juniors report, because they are taking the ACT. So Friday (the day I begin my lesson) will feel like Tuesday. Hopefully it they act like it too!!
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