Today was AMAZING. It was a day of little teaching victories. My observation went wonderful and I really shined in my classroom management. I will absolutely be using literacy centers in my own classroom. I even bought bins for today's lesson. One less thing to get for my own classroom someday. It was so exciting to buy classroom supplies :) AH I can't wait!
I gave the students a picture prompt and asked them to write about what they think was happening.The students finished their stories at the end of the day and they were phenomenal. I was shocked at what a difference I saw in their writing. Given an interesting topic or a prompt, their creativity really soared. When I told them that we would be using picture prompts again, they cheered! It was a wonderful feeling listening to their stories. They used description words, sequence and their stories were much longer than usual. I was so impressed and thrilled.
Also, one more student is reading! WOOOOO!
Today was just phenomenal. I was reminded today why I am a teacher. My students did so well today and I feel like a million dollars.
:)
"You can only be good at something you love." - Maya Anjelou
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Funky (picture) day
TODAY on the other hand.... Picture Day. When I was driving to school this morning I thought to myself, "Aw how cute, picture day!" On the way home from school - I thought differently. While my kids looked absolutely adorable all day, they were WILD. I am not sure if it was because it was a "special day" or because their schedule was different or what but boy was it an odd day. The kids came in with fancy clothes on and a whole new attitude. I think it was the schedule. Everything was backwards because we didn't even know when 1st grade was scheduled to go to the lobby for our photos. It was all messy. I guess I can't blame them for being off - the completed non organization of the day put my a little off as well. Needless to say, DON'T throw off a kid's routine.
Snack was thrown off, we had a chocolate milk spill that for some reason seemed like a catastrophe, we had missing envelopes, parents not handing in checks. It was worse than a class trip day. I hope that Scholastic Book Fair day isn't as funky.
Also - today being Columbus Day I figure we can teach about Columbus. Apparently not? It's controversial - like everything else. We aren't allowed to tell kids that Columbus discovered America. I was taught that but I guess you can't say that anymore.
It was an odd day. Very odd. Tomorrow should be better. 1st day of literacy centers. Crossing my fingers.
Oh and side note: something I want to work on it not calling on too many kids to speak. I have a tendency to feel badly for them so I call on them. I am going to start saying, I will take __ responses. I also want to have another technique to combat this. I will be researching.
Snack was thrown off, we had a chocolate milk spill that for some reason seemed like a catastrophe, we had missing envelopes, parents not handing in checks. It was worse than a class trip day. I hope that Scholastic Book Fair day isn't as funky.
Also - today being Columbus Day I figure we can teach about Columbus. Apparently not? It's controversial - like everything else. We aren't allowed to tell kids that Columbus discovered America. I was taught that but I guess you can't say that anymore.
It was an odd day. Very odd. Tomorrow should be better. 1st day of literacy centers. Crossing my fingers.
Oh and side note: something I want to work on it not calling on too many kids to speak. I have a tendency to feel badly for them so I call on them. I am going to start saying, I will take __ responses. I also want to have another technique to combat this. I will be researching.
Highs and Lows
Well Friday was very exciting at school. It was the day that I was to present my iMovie in 1st/6th grade Buddies. After plugging in a million cords and figuring out the Pythagorean theorem equivalent of technology I finally got the movie up and rolling. Before we went over to the 6th grade room to watch the movie we talked in 1st grade about how we will behave during the movie. I knew that they would get all figity and excited when they saw themselves on the movie (rightfully so) so I was proactive about their behavior - I'm learning! We talked about how we act in a real movie theater and how we should act the same way next door. We talked about how if he get excited we can keep it inside. It worked! WOO! They were super quiet and respected their classmates and watched each segment quietly. They LOVED the movie, the 6th graders did as well. I was happy that the kids loved it so much but I was excited for me too. I was proud of myself that I thought of a fancy technology lesson and made an iMovie. It's something I can definitely use to my advantage when I need a job.... in 3 months OH MY GOSH. Anyway - iMovie.... SUCCESS!
I implemented centers again on Friday. I LOVE CENTERS! They keep kids engaged, motivated, and not to mention we get so much done! I can also differentiate and conference with individual students. Did I mention I LOVE centers? I am glad I decided to use them, I plan to continue to do so. My co-op doesn't do centers but she said she likes them so I can continue with them. No problem! I am going to try literacy centers next week and I am going to do that for my observation lesson (I hope it goes well!!) I think I will go over some center rules though. I wish so badly that we did guided reading. It drives me insane that we don't. Oh well. Not much I can do. Or can I? I'll have to see how I can conference with student individually and work on reading. Perhaps doing a buddy reading center will suffice for now.
I also tried little pieces of Power Teaching (AKA Whole Brain Teaching) today. During a search on the internet last week (my really exciting Friday night) I came across Chris Biffles website. I found a huge interest in it. While I am a firm believer in the Responsive Classroom teaching approach I still like to see how other teachers/districts do things. After all that's how I got so interested in Responsive Classroom. A few things I liked about Whole Brain Teaching is that they use gestures to reinforce rules and concepts. They go through their rules each day and put a little gesture with it. For example, they actually raise their hand and move their hands in a talking motion to represent "Raise your hand for permission to speak". I like that because it give students multiple opportunities to remember things. I tried using that today while explaining A.M. and P.M. we made a gesture for noon and midnight and used them to represent when A.M. ends and P.M. begins and vice versa. It worked well I think.
I also tried two signals (Class - YES? and Hands and Eyes) Both of which worked well and the kids seem to like it. It's better to change it up I think. I still use "Where should you eyes be", "I will wait until everyone is ready so that I can begin", "Show me that you're ready", and "I like how ____ is sitting and waiting for directions," etc. The more signals the better I think in 1st grade. Not TOO many that they get confused but enough that it isn't repetitive and non-effective.
Something else i realized today was that the bathroom is a breading ground for DISASTER. When I have my own classroom I am going to make sure to stress during my rules lesson that rules apply everywhere in the school. The girls play around and chat and the boys are wild. They throw water, slam stall doors and climb on sinks, YES climb on sinks! I need to come up with another way to stop them from doing this. I feel like I have tried everything. I hate the bathroom. Also, I think I hear the phrase "Can I go to the bathroom" in my sleep. To do before I have my own classroom: Establish a bathroom policy that doesn't drive me insane. Pencils too! That's another one that drives me nuts.
I implemented centers again on Friday. I LOVE CENTERS! They keep kids engaged, motivated, and not to mention we get so much done! I can also differentiate and conference with individual students. Did I mention I LOVE centers? I am glad I decided to use them, I plan to continue to do so. My co-op doesn't do centers but she said she likes them so I can continue with them. No problem! I am going to try literacy centers next week and I am going to do that for my observation lesson (I hope it goes well!!) I think I will go over some center rules though. I wish so badly that we did guided reading. It drives me insane that we don't. Oh well. Not much I can do. Or can I? I'll have to see how I can conference with student individually and work on reading. Perhaps doing a buddy reading center will suffice for now.
I also tried little pieces of Power Teaching (AKA Whole Brain Teaching) today. During a search on the internet last week (my really exciting Friday night) I came across Chris Biffles website. I found a huge interest in it. While I am a firm believer in the Responsive Classroom teaching approach I still like to see how other teachers/districts do things. After all that's how I got so interested in Responsive Classroom. A few things I liked about Whole Brain Teaching is that they use gestures to reinforce rules and concepts. They go through their rules each day and put a little gesture with it. For example, they actually raise their hand and move their hands in a talking motion to represent "Raise your hand for permission to speak". I like that because it give students multiple opportunities to remember things. I tried using that today while explaining A.M. and P.M. we made a gesture for noon and midnight and used them to represent when A.M. ends and P.M. begins and vice versa. It worked well I think.
I also tried two signals (Class - YES? and Hands and Eyes) Both of which worked well and the kids seem to like it. It's better to change it up I think. I still use "Where should you eyes be", "I will wait until everyone is ready so that I can begin", "Show me that you're ready", and "I like how ____ is sitting and waiting for directions," etc. The more signals the better I think in 1st grade. Not TOO many that they get confused but enough that it isn't repetitive and non-effective.
Something else i realized today was that the bathroom is a breading ground for DISASTER. When I have my own classroom I am going to make sure to stress during my rules lesson that rules apply everywhere in the school. The girls play around and chat and the boys are wild. They throw water, slam stall doors and climb on sinks, YES climb on sinks! I need to come up with another way to stop them from doing this. I feel like I have tried everything. I hate the bathroom. Also, I think I hear the phrase "Can I go to the bathroom" in my sleep. To do before I have my own classroom: Establish a bathroom policy that doesn't drive me insane. Pencils too! That's another one that drives me nuts.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Welcome to the blogosphere
Perhaps odd but I have just started my blog. I will be documenting my days of student teaching in a first grade classroom in New Jersey. Yes, I began student teaching about a month ago but I have just decided to be a blogger. I feel so modern! :)
Recently I have began reflecting on my lessons- REALLY reflecting. Not just "I should have done this" or "That was great!" I have realized that refelecting really is a wonderful teacher tool. In my attempt to me a better reflector - or a "reflecting profession" as my University wants me to be, I will be blogging the next 2 months of my student teaching experience.
I have decided to call my blog "Pleasantville" because I like to joke that I student teach in Pleasantville, USA. Yes, like the movie. I have 8 students in my class which is unheard of for a general education class in NJ. The school is insanely tiny, with only about 90 children in pre-k to 6th grade. It's an adorable little community where everyone know one another. I feel like we should all be in black and white.
Anyway - I hope that student teaching will continue to be the journey that is has been thus far. It's had it's highs and lows but nonetheless a wonderful learning experience. But hey, learning is messy. I'll take what I can get.
Recently I have began reflecting on my lessons- REALLY reflecting. Not just "I should have done this" or "That was great!" I have realized that refelecting really is a wonderful teacher tool. In my attempt to me a better reflector - or a "reflecting profession" as my University wants me to be, I will be blogging the next 2 months of my student teaching experience.
I have decided to call my blog "Pleasantville" because I like to joke that I student teach in Pleasantville, USA. Yes, like the movie. I have 8 students in my class which is unheard of for a general education class in NJ. The school is insanely tiny, with only about 90 children in pre-k to 6th grade. It's an adorable little community where everyone know one another. I feel like we should all be in black and white.
Anyway - I hope that student teaching will continue to be the journey that is has been thus far. It's had it's highs and lows but nonetheless a wonderful learning experience. But hey, learning is messy. I'll take what I can get.
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