WHAT
I finally had my last week student teaching fourth grade! It is definitely a bitter sweet moment. I'm so excited because that means that I am that much closer to graduating. At the same time I am definitely going to miss seeing those kids every day.
There are so many things that I have learned from my student teaching over these past ten weeks. The biggest thing that I will take away with me is my classroom management technique. I have learned to be confident with myself and to take control. As a teacher you have to set your standards and expect that hte students will live up to them.
SO WHAT
There were a few times during the past 10 weeks where I was stumped as to what I should do. The best learning experience for a new teacher is to be thrown into a classroom I believe. UVU's educational program has taught me many great and valuable lessons that I have learned in the classroom. However not everything can be taught in a classroom.
Real life situations are the hardest and teach you the most. My cooperating teacher was wonderful and was able to help me with all the problems that were presented to me throughout my experience. I am so grateful for the time I had to spend with her.
NOW WHAT
Now I graduate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! April 30th is the day and I am so excited. I am hoping that I will be able to find a job around here but I know that is nearly impossible right now. So I will take anything I can get.
I am looking to build my resume in as many ways possible that I can. I have talked to my university supervisor and the principal at the school I was placed at and they have informed me how I can do this. I plan on attending conferences and substitute teaching and possibly even applying to be an aid at a school. I am so glad to be done with student teaching and to move on to the next step in my life!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
WEEK 10
WHAT
I can't believe that I only have 1 more week of student teaching left! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! My university supervisor came to watch me last week and asked me how I feel that I have changed over the course of my student teaching. It was a loaded question and I wasn't exactly sure how to respond.
He informed me that he has noticed that I have become more and more confident in myself throughout my student teaching. They way that I interact with the students, the activities that I provide- the whole shabang. This isn't something that I noticed on my own but since he has pointed it out it makes sense to me. With my cooperating teacher being gone from the classroom more I have stepped up as a teacher and made it known that I am in charge.
SO WHAT
Talking with my professor made me that more excited for my own classroom in the future. I feel very confident in my teaching ability and how I will affect the students in my classroom. And that's what it will be- my classroom.
There are so many things that I have realized as I have been more on my own lately in the classroom. One of the biggest things is patience. I have also learned that I need to hold all students to the same standard. Not necessarily when it comes to academics, but with everything else that goes on in the classroom. I need to be fair with all students.
NOW WHAT
I was suppose to be done with my student teaching on Wednesday if I remember correctly but unlucky me keeps getting sick and racking up the days I have to make up. So I think that I am done on Friday! I get to go on another field trip with my class on Wednesday and we are going to go see a play at Orem Junior High - so I am actually very excited for that. Field trips are the best.
The only thing that I have left is finishing up my math class that I am taking right now and getting everything put together and ready to turn in on April 6th. With my luck I'll probably lose my jump drive right before everything is due. Which would suck. Even though I have it backed up all over the place - it's nice to have it all together in one location. My last week will be sad, but I'm ready for it to be over and to start a new adventure!
I can't believe that I only have 1 more week of student teaching left! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! My university supervisor came to watch me last week and asked me how I feel that I have changed over the course of my student teaching. It was a loaded question and I wasn't exactly sure how to respond.
He informed me that he has noticed that I have become more and more confident in myself throughout my student teaching. They way that I interact with the students, the activities that I provide- the whole shabang. This isn't something that I noticed on my own but since he has pointed it out it makes sense to me. With my cooperating teacher being gone from the classroom more I have stepped up as a teacher and made it known that I am in charge.
SO WHAT
Talking with my professor made me that more excited for my own classroom in the future. I feel very confident in my teaching ability and how I will affect the students in my classroom. And that's what it will be- my classroom.
There are so many things that I have realized as I have been more on my own lately in the classroom. One of the biggest things is patience. I have also learned that I need to hold all students to the same standard. Not necessarily when it comes to academics, but with everything else that goes on in the classroom. I need to be fair with all students.
NOW WHAT
I was suppose to be done with my student teaching on Wednesday if I remember correctly but unlucky me keeps getting sick and racking up the days I have to make up. So I think that I am done on Friday! I get to go on another field trip with my class on Wednesday and we are going to go see a play at Orem Junior High - so I am actually very excited for that. Field trips are the best.
The only thing that I have left is finishing up my math class that I am taking right now and getting everything put together and ready to turn in on April 6th. With my luck I'll probably lose my jump drive right before everything is due. Which would suck. Even though I have it backed up all over the place - it's nice to have it all together in one location. My last week will be sad, but I'm ready for it to be over and to start a new adventure!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
WEEK 9
WHAT
This past week was kind of a frustrating week. I just am at a loss of what to do with students who you explain things to over and over- multiple ways- and they still don't get what you are trying to teach them. It makes you feel as if you have failed even though you have tried your hardest. It's not fair! Especially with those students who have come into the grade your teaching, already being a grade or two behind.
Last week I had the hardest day that I have ever experienced during my student teaching. It was on Thursday. The class came in and just seemed to be a mess from the minute the first bell rang. I felt that throughout the whole day I was constantly telling everybody to stay on task, or to return to their seats, or to be kind to their classmates.
SO WHAT
I haven't come up with a solution yet as to how to solve this problem. I did talk to another teacher and she told me that when her class comes into the classroom and the morning and she can tell that they are all very talkative and hyper that she addresses them by saying, "I'm so glad to see that you are all here today and that you are so happy, but we are not going to be acting like this the rest of the day." This is one solution that I liked-addressing what you know is going to be a problem right away.
There have been other teachers that I have talked to that have told me that you are just going to have that kind of a day sometimes. Sometimes there are bad days that trump all others. Just like with any other job- sometimes things constantly go wrong. You just have to push through it with a smile on your face, and conquer the next day.
NOW WHAT
I can't believe that I am almost done with my student teaching. Only 2 more weeks left! It's so strange to think that I am done in 2 weeks- but that the students still have a few months. I feel a little bit weird just leaving them and not seeing them again. I assume that's how teachers feel at the end of the year- you grow so close to the students that you have during the year.
I really really really really really need to buckle down and finish putting together my senior portfolio and my unit for this semester. I am starting to stress out and I am not a person that stresses very easily. I have put most of my senior portfolio together but there is one paper that I am missing, and I am hoping that I find it and don't have to rewrite it. That would be a bummer- and take a lot of time that I don't have at the moment. Wish me luck!
This past week was kind of a frustrating week. I just am at a loss of what to do with students who you explain things to over and over- multiple ways- and they still don't get what you are trying to teach them. It makes you feel as if you have failed even though you have tried your hardest. It's not fair! Especially with those students who have come into the grade your teaching, already being a grade or two behind.
Last week I had the hardest day that I have ever experienced during my student teaching. It was on Thursday. The class came in and just seemed to be a mess from the minute the first bell rang. I felt that throughout the whole day I was constantly telling everybody to stay on task, or to return to their seats, or to be kind to their classmates.
SO WHAT
I haven't come up with a solution yet as to how to solve this problem. I did talk to another teacher and she told me that when her class comes into the classroom and the morning and she can tell that they are all very talkative and hyper that she addresses them by saying, "I'm so glad to see that you are all here today and that you are so happy, but we are not going to be acting like this the rest of the day." This is one solution that I liked-addressing what you know is going to be a problem right away.
There have been other teachers that I have talked to that have told me that you are just going to have that kind of a day sometimes. Sometimes there are bad days that trump all others. Just like with any other job- sometimes things constantly go wrong. You just have to push through it with a smile on your face, and conquer the next day.
NOW WHAT
I can't believe that I am almost done with my student teaching. Only 2 more weeks left! It's so strange to think that I am done in 2 weeks- but that the students still have a few months. I feel a little bit weird just leaving them and not seeing them again. I assume that's how teachers feel at the end of the year- you grow so close to the students that you have during the year.
I really really really really really need to buckle down and finish putting together my senior portfolio and my unit for this semester. I am starting to stress out and I am not a person that stresses very easily. I have put most of my senior portfolio together but there is one paper that I am missing, and I am hoping that I find it and don't have to rewrite it. That would be a bummer- and take a lot of time that I don't have at the moment. Wish me luck!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
WEEK 8
WHAT
I am just about ready for my student teaching to be over! I have loved every minute of it but there just comes a time where you realize that you are working very very very hard, and not getting paid! So I am very excited and ready to graduate at the end of April.
This last week was a little bit frustrating for me in a few different ways. I taught the students about decimals and they did not get it at all!!!!! Tons and tons, I would say the majority of the class failed on their homework that night. But I can't blame them. I honestly think that they didn't understand decimals because I wasn't that clear when I taught them. Probably because I tend to get confused with decimals.
SO WHAT
This weekend I sat down and had to really think out how I want to re-teach decimals for tomorrow. It's not adding or subtracting them, or even telling which decimal is greater. It's hard for them to understand the place value concept. They don't see the difference between the tens and hundreds.
So on Friday afternoon I went through a few different math books and lessons and compiled a lesson for tomorrow that I think is really going to work out. It involes them learning about the place value with a variety of techniques. Including money, which is what I think is the easiest to comprehend decimals with.
NOW WHAT
Now tomorrow we will get to see how it goes and I will let you know next week. Tomorrow I also have my supervisor coming to observe me in the morning. Which I am not excited about. Simply because he is observing me while I am teaching another class. They are not the students that are in my class, so they don't treat me the same.
I understnad that you need to be able to control all kisd, and I can. I just feel that this other class is always testing the waters with me to see what they can get away with., and they are pushing it too far. Which causes me to have to be stricter, which makes the whole lesson not as fun. This is another reason why I was so frustrated this week. I just wish I was always with my class! Oh well! Things like this happen, and I just have to roll with the punches!
I am just about ready for my student teaching to be over! I have loved every minute of it but there just comes a time where you realize that you are working very very very hard, and not getting paid! So I am very excited and ready to graduate at the end of April.
This last week was a little bit frustrating for me in a few different ways. I taught the students about decimals and they did not get it at all!!!!! Tons and tons, I would say the majority of the class failed on their homework that night. But I can't blame them. I honestly think that they didn't understand decimals because I wasn't that clear when I taught them. Probably because I tend to get confused with decimals.
SO WHAT
This weekend I sat down and had to really think out how I want to re-teach decimals for tomorrow. It's not adding or subtracting them, or even telling which decimal is greater. It's hard for them to understand the place value concept. They don't see the difference between the tens and hundreds.
So on Friday afternoon I went through a few different math books and lessons and compiled a lesson for tomorrow that I think is really going to work out. It involes them learning about the place value with a variety of techniques. Including money, which is what I think is the easiest to comprehend decimals with.
NOW WHAT
Now tomorrow we will get to see how it goes and I will let you know next week. Tomorrow I also have my supervisor coming to observe me in the morning. Which I am not excited about. Simply because he is observing me while I am teaching another class. They are not the students that are in my class, so they don't treat me the same.
I understnad that you need to be able to control all kisd, and I can. I just feel that this other class is always testing the waters with me to see what they can get away with., and they are pushing it too far. Which causes me to have to be stricter, which makes the whole lesson not as fun. This is another reason why I was so frustrated this week. I just wish I was always with my class! Oh well! Things like this happen, and I just have to roll with the punches!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
WEEK 7
WHAT
This past week in school I started my science unit for the second time with another 4th grade class. I was really please with how it went. I felt like I knew the material better than I did the first time because I did, from being able to teach it before. I felt much more comfortable teaching the unit on soil this time around too.
The students also learned about how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators. Most got it, but quite a few didn't. It's so frustrating how much I can work with one child so hard and for so long on a concept, and they get it, and then the next day it is completely gone. I am just at such a loss with this and so sad.
SO WHAT
It was amazing teaching my science unit for the second time because time flew by so much quicker. The first time I taught my soil unit, the first day, it took me about an hour and a half for the students to complete what I had planned for the day. This time around it only took forty minutes. Which was awesome because it gave me so much for time to do other things that needed to be done.
It's amazing too the more you teach something the skills that come along with it. Such as the ease of teaching a concept like adding and subtracting unlike denominators. At first I was at a loss. I know the concept well. I understand it. It's a completely different ball park knowing a subject though and being able to teach it well. I think that it is a lot more difficult to be a good teacher than it is to be a smart teacher.
NOW WHAT
This next week I will be working on decimals in math which I am not at all excited about. My cooperating teacher told me that fractions and decimals are very hard for the students to catch on to. Hopefully I won't be too confusing and that they will understand decimals.
I am on the downhill of my student teaching and I find myself getting excited, sad, and stressed all at the same time. Sad because I have come to love teaching these children and being in an actual classroom. Excited because I finally get to graduate and be done! And finally, stressed because I will have so much do coming up for graduation. I'm just so glad that I have kept up with my blogging all semester long. :) I just need to really buckle down now and start working hard on my senior portfolio and putting my unit all together. Wish me luck!
This past week in school I started my science unit for the second time with another 4th grade class. I was really please with how it went. I felt like I knew the material better than I did the first time because I did, from being able to teach it before. I felt much more comfortable teaching the unit on soil this time around too.
The students also learned about how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators. Most got it, but quite a few didn't. It's so frustrating how much I can work with one child so hard and for so long on a concept, and they get it, and then the next day it is completely gone. I am just at such a loss with this and so sad.
SO WHAT
It was amazing teaching my science unit for the second time because time flew by so much quicker. The first time I taught my soil unit, the first day, it took me about an hour and a half for the students to complete what I had planned for the day. This time around it only took forty minutes. Which was awesome because it gave me so much for time to do other things that needed to be done.
It's amazing too the more you teach something the skills that come along with it. Such as the ease of teaching a concept like adding and subtracting unlike denominators. At first I was at a loss. I know the concept well. I understand it. It's a completely different ball park knowing a subject though and being able to teach it well. I think that it is a lot more difficult to be a good teacher than it is to be a smart teacher.
NOW WHAT
This next week I will be working on decimals in math which I am not at all excited about. My cooperating teacher told me that fractions and decimals are very hard for the students to catch on to. Hopefully I won't be too confusing and that they will understand decimals.
I am on the downhill of my student teaching and I find myself getting excited, sad, and stressed all at the same time. Sad because I have come to love teaching these children and being in an actual classroom. Excited because I finally get to graduate and be done! And finally, stressed because I will have so much do coming up for graduation. I'm just so glad that I have kept up with my blogging all semester long. :) I just need to really buckle down now and start working hard on my senior portfolio and putting my unit all together. Wish me luck!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
WEEK 6
WHAT
This week absolutely flew by for me. My cooperating teacher was at a conference on Thursday and Friday, so there was suppose to be a substitute for both days. He was there on Thursday, but on Friday the principal came into the room and asked me if he could borrow the substitute for the day to put in another class. Of course I said yes and I experienced my very first day in the classroom, all day, by myself. It was so much fun!
Friday was the last day of my science unit that I put together on soil. I got to make my own test for the unit. I pulled together all the information that I covered on this unit for the students and made a test. Not all the students have finished the test because we ran out of time on Friday, because we had a mountain man come talk to us. Of the tests that I have graded so far though, the students have done fairly well and it's quite exciting for me.
SO WHAT
Since my science unit is done with, I will now start reteaching it! The 4th grade in the school that I am at does a rotation schedule when it comes to science. You teach a unit for three weeks, and then you switch classes and get to teach another class the same thing all over again. I've heard that this can get boring but for this unit I am actually excited. I'm excited because I will get to learn more about the subject and perfect my unit.
I'm also excited to see how my tests turn out from my class for another reason. This reason is because then I will get to evaluate and see where I didn't teach as well during my unit. Then come the next few weeks I will get to fix what I didn't teach as well and clarify it for the other two 4th grade classes.
NOW WHAT
I also get to start a new social studies unit this upcoming week, and it is on pioneers. I'm feeling excited and nervous for this unit. My cooperating teacher told me the other day that most her information about pioneers is in her head. So I am going to have to research a lot so that I can provide good lessons for the students.
In math this week I am going to start teaching about adding and subtrating fractions with unlike denominators. My cooperating teacher has told me that in past years students usually struggle with this concept and that it takes lots and lots of practice for them to catch on. I have really had to sit down and define how I am going to teach this topic clearly for the students. I'll let you know next week how it goes!
This week absolutely flew by for me. My cooperating teacher was at a conference on Thursday and Friday, so there was suppose to be a substitute for both days. He was there on Thursday, but on Friday the principal came into the room and asked me if he could borrow the substitute for the day to put in another class. Of course I said yes and I experienced my very first day in the classroom, all day, by myself. It was so much fun!
Friday was the last day of my science unit that I put together on soil. I got to make my own test for the unit. I pulled together all the information that I covered on this unit for the students and made a test. Not all the students have finished the test because we ran out of time on Friday, because we had a mountain man come talk to us. Of the tests that I have graded so far though, the students have done fairly well and it's quite exciting for me.
SO WHAT
Since my science unit is done with, I will now start reteaching it! The 4th grade in the school that I am at does a rotation schedule when it comes to science. You teach a unit for three weeks, and then you switch classes and get to teach another class the same thing all over again. I've heard that this can get boring but for this unit I am actually excited. I'm excited because I will get to learn more about the subject and perfect my unit.
I'm also excited to see how my tests turn out from my class for another reason. This reason is because then I will get to evaluate and see where I didn't teach as well during my unit. Then come the next few weeks I will get to fix what I didn't teach as well and clarify it for the other two 4th grade classes.
NOW WHAT
I also get to start a new social studies unit this upcoming week, and it is on pioneers. I'm feeling excited and nervous for this unit. My cooperating teacher told me the other day that most her information about pioneers is in her head. So I am going to have to research a lot so that I can provide good lessons for the students.
In math this week I am going to start teaching about adding and subtrating fractions with unlike denominators. My cooperating teacher has told me that in past years students usually struggle with this concept and that it takes lots and lots of practice for them to catch on. I have really had to sit down and define how I am going to teach this topic clearly for the students. I'll let you know next week how it goes!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
WEEK 5
WHAT
This past week I had my first troublesome experience. Teaching 4th graders how to simplify fractions is not the easiest task. In the beginning of the week I taught them simply how to make a fraction. They learned how to make fractions from part of a set and from part of a whole.
On Thursday however when I began to teach about equivalent fractions, I could see that the students were completely lost. I was so nervous to teach this lesson that I asked my cooperating teacher before I began the lesson that if she wanted to jump in and help at all to feel free. Considering she has more experience teaching this topic, I felt that a little extra help would be wonderful. Thanksfully she stepped up to the plate and helped me out.
SO WHAT
I have had to rack my brain on how to teach equivalent fractions. I had to completely change my approach to this lesson because I could tell from the blank faces that I was not making much sense to the students. I had began the lesson with teaching through manipulatives, but that was not working very well.
I decided just to have the students work on the worksheet that they were going to work on after they got the lesson. I realized that my best approach was just to work through multiple problems with the students. As we worked through the worksheet and the students got more and more practice, the students began to catch on and I finally felt some reassurance.
NOW WHAT
Because Friday was Valentine's Day, it was a hectic day with an assembly and all the Valentine's parties going on. So we did not get to have math, or our usual Friday math quiz. Tomorrow is also a holiday, so it will be another short week. So I'm going to have to really work hard to review on Tuesday so that the students will be able to remember the material from last week and so that they will feel ready for the quiz.
This upcoming week my cooperating teacher will be gone on Thurday and Friday at some type of conference. So there is going to be a substitute teacher. I'm not exactly sure on how to approach my teaching on these two days because I don't want the substitute to think that I am trying to step on anybody's toes. But I also want to fulfill all my student teaching responsibilities. It's going to be an interesting week!
This past week I had my first troublesome experience. Teaching 4th graders how to simplify fractions is not the easiest task. In the beginning of the week I taught them simply how to make a fraction. They learned how to make fractions from part of a set and from part of a whole.
On Thursday however when I began to teach about equivalent fractions, I could see that the students were completely lost. I was so nervous to teach this lesson that I asked my cooperating teacher before I began the lesson that if she wanted to jump in and help at all to feel free. Considering she has more experience teaching this topic, I felt that a little extra help would be wonderful. Thanksfully she stepped up to the plate and helped me out.
SO WHAT
I have had to rack my brain on how to teach equivalent fractions. I had to completely change my approach to this lesson because I could tell from the blank faces that I was not making much sense to the students. I had began the lesson with teaching through manipulatives, but that was not working very well.
I decided just to have the students work on the worksheet that they were going to work on after they got the lesson. I realized that my best approach was just to work through multiple problems with the students. As we worked through the worksheet and the students got more and more practice, the students began to catch on and I finally felt some reassurance.
NOW WHAT
Because Friday was Valentine's Day, it was a hectic day with an assembly and all the Valentine's parties going on. So we did not get to have math, or our usual Friday math quiz. Tomorrow is also a holiday, so it will be another short week. So I'm going to have to really work hard to review on Tuesday so that the students will be able to remember the material from last week and so that they will feel ready for the quiz.
This upcoming week my cooperating teacher will be gone on Thurday and Friday at some type of conference. So there is going to be a substitute teacher. I'm not exactly sure on how to approach my teaching on these two days because I don't want the substitute to think that I am trying to step on anybody's toes. But I also want to fulfill all my student teaching responsibilities. It's going to be an interesting week!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
WEEK 4
WHAT
Today was my first week teaching the whole day long. My teacher has started to leave the classroom a LOT more now and I am left completely in charge. It is exhausting! I'm trying to find my balance as being a teacher. I like to have fun, but at the same time there is work that has to be done, so I am trying to find that balance.
The hardest part that I have encountered so far is teaching science. My whole life I have done math, and writing, and reading. It's not every day that I talk about soil. I feel inadequate when it comes to teaching science because I can only teach what I have written down infront of me, I can't go off the top of my head.
SO WHAT
Because of my lack of knowledge in the subject of science, I have found myself having to prepare my lessons a lot more than usual. Mainly for the reason that I myself have to study what I am going to be teaching the next, so it takes more time and effort. I am preparing myself for the content of the lesson and preparing to teach students on the content.
There have been plus and minuses to this problem. The negative is that I find myself so busy this semester with student teaching and my math class I have to rush to at UVU after my student teaching, and picking up and dropping off my husband at work - that I am constantly exhausted. So having to take more time to study something I need to teach just wares me out. On the other hand it has caused me to be more responsible. Which is something I have needed for a long time. It's not like a paper that I might forget to due and can turn in to a professor late. I can't step into the classroom and tell the students that I forgot to prepare them a lesson but that I will do it the next day. It has to be done the previous day/night, and this has caused me to prepare myself more.
NOW WHAT
This next week I will be continuing my new unit on soil, teach about numerators and denominators, and having the students finish up their reports on mountain men. I am a little bit excited to see how the stuents do at the end of the unit on their soil test because I will be the only one responsible for their success or failure. It motivates me to work harder with them during that half hour time period.
I am scared for teaching about fractions and decimals coming up these next few weeks because I have heard that these tend to be very hard for the students to learn. I have been checking out different lesson plans and researching fun ways to teach these topics. I feel that if I can be excited about the things to come in teaching, that my students will be excited with me.
WHAT
Today was my first week teaching the whole day long. My teacher has started to leave the classroom a LOT more now and I am left completely in charge. It is exhausting! I'm trying to find my balance as being a teacher. I like to have fun, but at the same time there is work that has to be done, so I am trying to find that balance.
The hardest part that I have encountered so far is teaching science. My whole life I have done math, and writing, and reading. It's not every day that I talk about soil. I feel inadequate when it comes to teaching science because I can only teach what I have written down infront of me, I can't go off the top of my head.
SO WHAT
Because of my lack of knowledge in the subject of science, I have found myself having to prepare my lessons a lot more than usual. Mainly for the reason that I myself have to study what I am going to be teaching the next, so it takes more time and effort. I am preparing myself for the content of the lesson and preparing to teach students on the content.
There have been plus and minuses to this problem. The negative is that I find myself so busy this semester with student teaching and my math class I have to rush to at UVU after my student teaching, and picking up and dropping off my husband at work - that I am constantly exhausted. So having to take more time to study something I need to teach just wares me out. On the other hand it has caused me to be more responsible. Which is something I have needed for a long time. It's not like a paper that I might forget to due and can turn in to a professor late. I can't step into the classroom and tell the students that I forgot to prepare them a lesson but that I will do it the next day. It has to be done the previous day/night, and this has caused me to prepare myself more.
NOW WHAT
This next week I will be continuing my new unit on soil, teach about numerators and denominators, and having the students finish up their reports on mountain men. I am a little bit excited to see how the stuents do at the end of the unit on their soil test because I will be the only one responsible for their success or failure. It motivates me to work harder with them during that half hour time period.
I am scared for teaching about fractions and decimals coming up these next few weeks because I have heard that these tend to be very hard for the students to learn. I have been checking out different lesson plans and researching fun ways to teach these topics. I feel that if I can be excited about the things to come in teaching, that my students will be excited with me.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
WEEK 3
WHAT
This past week I got to experience taking 4th graders on a field trip. The students just wrapped up their unit on dinosaurs on Friday. We got to go to the Thanksgiving Point Museum, and while we were there we went across the parking lot to the Art Institute. I had never been there before and it was such a neat experience. Especially since I learned that it is free and that you can go at anytime!
Field trips can be such fun, but I feel that they can also be very draining and nerve wracking. When we were at the art museum I was so paranoid that one of the students might knock over some of the glass pieces that I couldn't entirely enjoy myself. I guess that's the life of a teacher. I realized that as a teacher you have to be ready and willing to go with the flow of things on a field trip. Everything might not go as planned, but that doesn't mean that the entire trip has to be ruined.
SO WHAT
As I mentioned last week, I was very excited to start teaching about mean, median and mode in math. I'm starting to realize how precious time is when it comes to school. All the students had to learn last week was mean, median, mode, range, and order of operations. Unfortunately on Tuesday we had the field trip that took away from math time, plus we had an assembly one day. There just is never enough time in the day to get done what needs to be done.
I think that for the most part the students enjoyed the new concepts they learned in math this past week. I noticed that on their math quizzes on Friday, when I graded them, that the lowest scoring part of their test was order of operations. This tells me that the students didn't have quite enough time to pick up on this skill. This next week I'll have to encorporate it into the rest of the new material they'll be learning. I just wish that it was my own classroom so that I could arrange the day however I want it, so that I could spend as much time on whatever subject as I would like.
NOW WHAT
Starting tomorrow I will be teaching all day except social studies. Which means that I am finally starting my unit on science. SOIL. I have actually been dreading this day since I started my student teaching. Since they are on a rotation schedule for science with two other classes, it means that I get to teach about soil for 3 weeks. This seems like such a long time to me! Not to mention a very boring subject.
I think the thing that I am most scared about is my lack of knowledge on the subject. It's not like multiplication or division or reading - things that I have been doing my whole life and could do with my eyes closed. I don't know that I ever even learned about soil in elementary school. I'm nervous that the students will ask me a question and that I will not know the answer, and they will be able to see right through me. Then they will find out that I don't really know everything! This unit is going to challenge me to be very prepared and to study up on the information I'm teaching. Then again I was scared for math last semester and it turned out just fine, so I'm sure that science will too, hopefully!
This past week I got to experience taking 4th graders on a field trip. The students just wrapped up their unit on dinosaurs on Friday. We got to go to the Thanksgiving Point Museum, and while we were there we went across the parking lot to the Art Institute. I had never been there before and it was such a neat experience. Especially since I learned that it is free and that you can go at anytime!
Field trips can be such fun, but I feel that they can also be very draining and nerve wracking. When we were at the art museum I was so paranoid that one of the students might knock over some of the glass pieces that I couldn't entirely enjoy myself. I guess that's the life of a teacher. I realized that as a teacher you have to be ready and willing to go with the flow of things on a field trip. Everything might not go as planned, but that doesn't mean that the entire trip has to be ruined.
SO WHATAs I mentioned last week, I was very excited to start teaching about mean, median and mode in math. I'm starting to realize how precious time is when it comes to school. All the students had to learn last week was mean, median, mode, range, and order of operations. Unfortunately on Tuesday we had the field trip that took away from math time, plus we had an assembly one day. There just is never enough time in the day to get done what needs to be done.
I think that for the most part the students enjoyed the new concepts they learned in math this past week. I noticed that on their math quizzes on Friday, when I graded them, that the lowest scoring part of their test was order of operations. This tells me that the students didn't have quite enough time to pick up on this skill. This next week I'll have to encorporate it into the rest of the new material they'll be learning. I just wish that it was my own classroom so that I could arrange the day however I want it, so that I could spend as much time on whatever subject as I would like.
NOW WHAT
Starting tomorrow I will be teaching all day except social studies. Which means that I am finally starting my unit on science. SOIL. I have actually been dreading this day since I started my student teaching. Since they are on a rotation schedule for science with two other classes, it means that I get to teach about soil for 3 weeks. This seems like such a long time to me! Not to mention a very boring subject.
I think the thing that I am most scared about is my lack of knowledge on the subject. It's not like multiplication or division or reading - things that I have been doing my whole life and could do with my eyes closed. I don't know that I ever even learned about soil in elementary school. I'm nervous that the students will ask me a question and that I will not know the answer, and they will be able to see right through me. Then they will find out that I don't really know everything! This unit is going to challenge me to be very prepared and to study up on the information I'm teaching. Then again I was scared for math last semester and it turned out just fine, so I'm sure that science will too, hopefully!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
WEEK 2
WHAT
This week I started teaching most the day. The only subjects I don't teach yet are science and social studies. My cooperating techer is finishing up her unit on those subjects this week so I will begin teaching them next week. I am loving teaching more and more everyday. The connections I have with the students grow more every day. It's so rewarding to see how they connect and catch on to the things that I teach. I also got to participate in DRA's this week, and it was so helpful to get to see how those are done.
One of my favorite things about this week was when I decided to start teaching about persuasive writing. I read the students the book the 3 little pigs, and the true story of the 3 little pigs. We then discussed how people try and persuade us and what types of techniques are used in persuasive writing. The students are going to be participating in a trial next week. Some of the class is on the jury, some are the 3 pigs, one is the wolf and the rest of the class is divided into prosecuters and those supporting the pigs story. They are going to have to use their persuasive skills next week during the "trial" in class to try and convince the jury that the wolf is either guilty, or not guilty. The students are so excited for the trial and have been preparing everyday, I can't wait to see how it turns out.
SO WHAT
Being able to do DRA's with the students really opened my eyes. At least when it comes to reading. It helps to see what exactly they are struggling with. Whether it be their comprehension, their decoding skills, or even just their level of reading. It's really difficult because 7 of the 9 lowest 4th grade students in the school, are in our classroom. It's very difficult to try and help the students independently, because instead of being able to pull a few aside and review the material, it's practically pulling the whole class aside.
The most frustrating thing for me is when the students simply don't read the questions they are answering carefully. I know that most of them know the information that is being asked of them. They are so caught up with being the first ones done that they don't double check their work. I don't know what to do about this to make them so slow down, and read carefully. I'm going to have to think real hard about this, so that we can both succeed.
NOW WHAT
This upcoming week on Tuesday we have a field trip where we get to go to the dinosaur museum up at Thanksgiving Point. I am so excited, I have been wanting to go to this museum for a while! I'm starting to realize that as teachers the class isn't entirely in your hands. You don't exactly have the opportunity to do what you want during the day, for the time periods that you want to. Because of specialties or recess of lunch, or because of teams where you switch classes with other teachers. It's just a little bit frustrating.
I also get to start teaching about mean, median, mode and range tomorrow. Which I am also very excited about, because it will be a nice change from division. There are so many more possibilities to make mean, median, mode and range more exciting for the students. Division is a little bit repetitive, which I got bored even myself teaching. I look forward to the things I get to teach this week. It's getting to become more my responsibility, and I get to do things my way.
FUN EXPERIENCE
Here's a funny little experience I thought you might get a laugh out of ha. On Friday I told the students that if they were silent during math, that I would come out during lunch recess and play a kickball game with them. Unfortunately the snow has yet to melt from their field, not to mention that it was hailing and snowing on Friday. So as I was running towards first base, I slipped and fell on my butt and ran into the little girl at first base. haha. Then the little boy that had attempted to catch the ball that I had kicked, called it fowl. So as I was walking back to home plate I slipped and fell again. The class loved it, and it was such a memorable experience haha.
This week I started teaching most the day. The only subjects I don't teach yet are science and social studies. My cooperating techer is finishing up her unit on those subjects this week so I will begin teaching them next week. I am loving teaching more and more everyday. The connections I have with the students grow more every day. It's so rewarding to see how they connect and catch on to the things that I teach. I also got to participate in DRA's this week, and it was so helpful to get to see how those are done.
One of my favorite things about this week was when I decided to start teaching about persuasive writing. I read the students the book the 3 little pigs, and the true story of the 3 little pigs. We then discussed how people try and persuade us and what types of techniques are used in persuasive writing. The students are going to be participating in a trial next week. Some of the class is on the jury, some are the 3 pigs, one is the wolf and the rest of the class is divided into prosecuters and those supporting the pigs story. They are going to have to use their persuasive skills next week during the "trial" in class to try and convince the jury that the wolf is either guilty, or not guilty. The students are so excited for the trial and have been preparing everyday, I can't wait to see how it turns out.
SO WHAT
Being able to do DRA's with the students really opened my eyes. At least when it comes to reading. It helps to see what exactly they are struggling with. Whether it be their comprehension, their decoding skills, or even just their level of reading. It's really difficult because 7 of the 9 lowest 4th grade students in the school, are in our classroom. It's very difficult to try and help the students independently, because instead of being able to pull a few aside and review the material, it's practically pulling the whole class aside.
The most frustrating thing for me is when the students simply don't read the questions they are answering carefully. I know that most of them know the information that is being asked of them. They are so caught up with being the first ones done that they don't double check their work. I don't know what to do about this to make them so slow down, and read carefully. I'm going to have to think real hard about this, so that we can both succeed.
NOW WHAT
This upcoming week on Tuesday we have a field trip where we get to go to the dinosaur museum up at Thanksgiving Point. I am so excited, I have been wanting to go to this museum for a while! I'm starting to realize that as teachers the class isn't entirely in your hands. You don't exactly have the opportunity to do what you want during the day, for the time periods that you want to. Because of specialties or recess of lunch, or because of teams where you switch classes with other teachers. It's just a little bit frustrating.
I also get to start teaching about mean, median, mode and range tomorrow. Which I am also very excited about, because it will be a nice change from division. There are so many more possibilities to make mean, median, mode and range more exciting for the students. Division is a little bit repetitive, which I got bored even myself teaching. I look forward to the things I get to teach this week. It's getting to become more my responsibility, and I get to do things my way.
FUN EXPERIENCE
Here's a funny little experience I thought you might get a laugh out of ha. On Friday I told the students that if they were silent during math, that I would come out during lunch recess and play a kickball game with them. Unfortunately the snow has yet to melt from their field, not to mention that it was hailing and snowing on Friday. So as I was running towards first base, I slipped and fell on my butt and ran into the little girl at first base. haha. Then the little boy that had attempted to catch the ball that I had kicked, called it fowl. So as I was walking back to home plate I slipped and fell again. The class loved it, and it was such a memorable experience haha.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
WEEK 1
WHAT
This was my first week of student teaching and I have to say that I am absolutely loving it so far! I'm so glad that the elementary education program is set up how it is at UVU, and that I got to meet the students earlier in the year, and that they already know me. I haven't been doing a lot this week since it's just my first week, probably equal to what I did last semester in my fall field. I've been teaching the 4th graders math everyday and an occasional mini lesson for reading/writing.
Starting Tuesday however I will be teaching all day except for science and social studies, which combined equals an hour. So I am a little nervous about this upcoming adventure but I am very excited. It can get to be so frustrating though because you work so hard with some of the students on certain concept and since they don't have very much support at home, they don't get any practice on the concepts that they learn at school, and they usually forget them by the next day. You want to help every student so much, but there just isn't enough time to do it. It breaks my heart.
SO WHAT
I think one of the biggest things I'm going to have to learn is to accept what I can accomplish. I need to realize that I am probably not going to be able to help every student 100%. But. . . if I can try my hardest and put my all into what I do, I will feel successful, and that I have made somewhat of a difference. I just need to use all the available time that there is during the school day to make their day as meaningful and educational as possible.
Another hard thing that I have come across with this class is some children are very VERY very energetic. It's so hard for me when I have explained the directions and expectations set forth for them and clearly layed out what we are working on in class, and I look over and see one of the students doing an army crawl across the floor. haha. I get so frustrated at the moment, but as I tell the stories to my husband later on at home, I realize just how funny my day really is. So I think for me, I will have to work on being patient.
NOW WHAT
Now I really dive into my student teaching come Tuesday. I really need to always be prepared and on my toes for whatever may come my way. I want to be more vocal and active than I usually have been during my field experiences. I feel that in the past I have done a lot of the lessons that the teachers have provided for me to do because I didn't want to step on any toes and not present their lessons that they have done in the past. Not that I want to step on toes, but . . . a lot of the times, even I am bored with the lessons! I feel that I have a very good idea about what the students are interested in and feel that I can create lessons that would cater to the students needs and their attention.
I am so so so excited for my student teaching to finally begin! As I look at the clock throughout the day while I'm in my little fourth grade classroom, I am amazed at how quickly the time flies by. I feel that I really have picked the profession that is right for me and that I am truely going to love what I do. Times can be so frustrating during the day, but as I mentioned above, you look back at the day and the funny comments the students make and you are so glad that they were put in your classroom. I really do have an awesome class that I was lucky enough to be placed in and my teacher is maybe even better! I can't wait!
Let me know if this is what you meant by the: what, so what, and now what. I went off what I felt you were looking for. Hopefully starting next week I'll have more to talk about, teaching wise, since I'll be teaching more. Thanks so much for this opportunity Sandie.
This was my first week of student teaching and I have to say that I am absolutely loving it so far! I'm so glad that the elementary education program is set up how it is at UVU, and that I got to meet the students earlier in the year, and that they already know me. I haven't been doing a lot this week since it's just my first week, probably equal to what I did last semester in my fall field. I've been teaching the 4th graders math everyday and an occasional mini lesson for reading/writing.
Starting Tuesday however I will be teaching all day except for science and social studies, which combined equals an hour. So I am a little nervous about this upcoming adventure but I am very excited. It can get to be so frustrating though because you work so hard with some of the students on certain concept and since they don't have very much support at home, they don't get any practice on the concepts that they learn at school, and they usually forget them by the next day. You want to help every student so much, but there just isn't enough time to do it. It breaks my heart.
SO WHAT
I think one of the biggest things I'm going to have to learn is to accept what I can accomplish. I need to realize that I am probably not going to be able to help every student 100%. But. . . if I can try my hardest and put my all into what I do, I will feel successful, and that I have made somewhat of a difference. I just need to use all the available time that there is during the school day to make their day as meaningful and educational as possible.
Another hard thing that I have come across with this class is some children are very VERY very energetic. It's so hard for me when I have explained the directions and expectations set forth for them and clearly layed out what we are working on in class, and I look over and see one of the students doing an army crawl across the floor. haha. I get so frustrated at the moment, but as I tell the stories to my husband later on at home, I realize just how funny my day really is. So I think for me, I will have to work on being patient.
NOW WHAT
Now I really dive into my student teaching come Tuesday. I really need to always be prepared and on my toes for whatever may come my way. I want to be more vocal and active than I usually have been during my field experiences. I feel that in the past I have done a lot of the lessons that the teachers have provided for me to do because I didn't want to step on any toes and not present their lessons that they have done in the past. Not that I want to step on toes, but . . . a lot of the times, even I am bored with the lessons! I feel that I have a very good idea about what the students are interested in and feel that I can create lessons that would cater to the students needs and their attention.
I am so so so excited for my student teaching to finally begin! As I look at the clock throughout the day while I'm in my little fourth grade classroom, I am amazed at how quickly the time flies by. I feel that I really have picked the profession that is right for me and that I am truely going to love what I do. Times can be so frustrating during the day, but as I mentioned above, you look back at the day and the funny comments the students make and you are so glad that they were put in your classroom. I really do have an awesome class that I was lucky enough to be placed in and my teacher is maybe even better! I can't wait!
Let me know if this is what you meant by the: what, so what, and now what. I went off what I felt you were looking for. Hopefully starting next week I'll have more to talk about, teaching wise, since I'll be teaching more. Thanks so much for this opportunity Sandie.
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