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.