Tuesday my CT2 was gone at a meeting for one of the many committees she's on -- I'll actually get to go to a couple of those meetings, which is exciting for a nerd like me!! ;-)
There weren't enough subs available, so the assistant in her room (I'll call her TA) was the sub for the day (don't worry, she has her sub license!). It was nice to work with her, since she knew the kids, but also let me take care of the things I wanted to do. The day went really well, too! The kids were chatty, and I was probably more lenient than my CT2 would have been... my biggest challenge is definitely going to be being authoritative. Otherwise, no real issues! The students worked on their plays, and I re-learned how to tie a tie (some of them had ties as props, but no one knew how to tie them!). For centers, CT2 had accidentally copied the same Word Work centers they'd done last week. That was one of those moments I had to think on my feet! I asked TA for the Word Work book, looked up the next unit, and wrote everything out on a Publisher document, then projected that on the whiteboard so the students could copy it. After that, I checked the files, and found the master copies of the unit we needed, and went to make copies of that while everyone was working. That way, only one set of students had to use the handwritten ones, but they could still work instead of waiting for me to come back with copies. :-) I was pretty happy with the result!
Next, the students had a 25-minute free write. They were supposed to write for the entire 25 minutes, but many students had difficulty with that. I enjoyed reading what they wrote, though, because they wrote about their luckiest or unluckiest day. I got to know them a bit better by reading their responses! After that, we had time for a read-aloud. Then it was specials and lunch.
After lunch I taught a quick language arts lesson, then headed off to another 6th grade teacher's room to do a math lesson! That also went pretty well, I was so excited! The students were not as excited as I was about graphing, but I don't think many students are ever as excited over material as I am ;-) They all got at least 3/4 on their "Quick Check," so I thought they understood it, but when we did the fun activity, some of them still had problems... and a few missed the graphing questions on the test... so much for thinking I'd somehow managed to get through to them all! That was just idealistic thinking... ;-)
After that, it was getting ready for the end of the day, then bus duty! And the day was over...
Wednesday morning I had to rush to get together a grammar activity, since I'd forgotten to the night before. That was a bad choice. I found a worksheet that looked like it'd be good, but after doing it myself while the students were working on it, I found out it was AWFUL. I felt like it ruined everything we worked on today, and it would have been SO discouraging if I graded it and handed it back. I talke to CT2 about it, and she agreed that I could just let it go, and do another lesson on the same topic tomorrow... using a worksheet that was MUCH better, and that I'd created myself.
One of the students from the math class I taught yesterday came in to give me a high five, which was funny! He'd asked if they'd get extra credit for the fun worksheets, and I said no, but I could give him a gold star, a thumbs up, or a high five. Hilarious that he actually took me up on it!
CT2 is one of the teachers in charge of the talent show, so I went to help with auditions after school. That was right up my ally! I had SUCH a fun time, that's something I'd love to do as a teacher :-)
Thursday was a pretty normal day. Reviewed the grammar from yesterday, had a math test... open house and book fair were that night, but my CT2 told me not to wear myself out (which I definitely have a tendancy to do). Thank goodness for her, otherwise I would have been running around like crazy that night!!!!
Friday was relaxing. Since it was the day before spring break, we watched a movie... OK, they watched a movie and I graded their math and science tests. ;-) Grading written response questions are very difficult!! I asked my CT2 so many questions, it probably would have been faster for her to just grade them, but I'm so glad I got the experience. Next time it should be easier :-)
I've also been working on this research skills unit plan all week. It's a crazy amount of work! I'm going to feel SO accomplished when it's finished! My CT2 went over what I had so far, and I learned a lot about what I was doing... things that work perfectly in my head aren't always possible due to scheduling and resources... crazy crazy crazy. It's much different to do a unit plan for an actual classroom than it is to do one for an imaginary classroom like we did in all our college classes! ;-) Welcome to real-life teaching, Miss Wodrich!
My reading list has been expanded in 6th grade -- I've read the entire Hunger Games series, plus a few other books, and am now onto one of my CT2's favorites!! These books are a nice relief after working on the unit plan!! ...and working on the unit plan is my plan for the rest of spring break. Let the "break" begin!!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Week (1)1 & Day 1: Week (1)2 -- Sixth grade isn't too scary! ;-)
All week I was hard at work on my Unit Plan. I feel like it's coming together slowly, but I'll have it finished before spring break is over. Just have to get through this week! Hopefully I can get a lot done...
I'm using Prezi to teach them the research skills, and then I'm also going to teach them how to use Prezi to make their final presentation! I'm definitely excited for it :-)
On Wednesday, I finally felt comfortable enough to step in and work with the kids. They were dissecting owl pellets, and it was hilarious!!! My CT2 let them use their senses while it was still wrapped in foil to figure out what it was... then had them unwrap it... then showed a video of what an owl pellet REALLY is. I swear, their reaction was PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!! One student even looked at her and said "What did I ever do to you???" Too funny!
Wednesday was a big day. I also got to sit in on a collaboration meeting for students who had IEPs. Once I finish the unit plan, I'll have to share it with the team to get feedback about how to fit it to the students' needs.
Wednesday afternoon I went to a 5th grade classroom and taught a math lesson! I was THRILLED with how it went! I was more nervous doing that than I was when I started teaching in 1st grade, but once I got going I felt much better. I was even able to stray a little from the written-out lesson when I saw that they needed more help understanding one of the concepts. It was very smooth :-) One of the students in there was super funny. When I left he came up to me to shake my hand and said something like "I appreciate you teaching our lesson. Good luck in 6th grade." (or something like that...).
Thursday was an early release and conferences. I went back to 1st grade for conferences, since I knew those students and could actually understand how to translate what happens in the classroom for parents. It was a good experience, and I got to catch up with my first CT :-) I went back to see a 6th grade conference... and this student is apparently friends with my brother! I found that out when he commented on my brother's Facebook status... awkward!!!!
Friday we didn't have school, what a nice break!
Today was a good day, too! I taught my first 6th grade lessons, which I didn't do quite as well as I would have liked. I was too nervous, so I spoke too quietly for the first one (which was really just going over morning work). The second lesson was a little better, but choppy and I think I let them get a little too silly. That's OK, this is why student teaching is called a learning experience!!!
I also went into another 6th grade teacher's room to observe--it's a guy teacher, so it was interesting to see how different it was! I mean, it wasn't THAT different, but there were little things. I'm going to teach a math lesson in his room tomorrow -- hope it goes well!
Tomorrow my CT2 won't be there, so I'm going to actually teach for a good portion of the day! I'm pretty excited for it, because hopefully having that longer period of time will get me into some sort of "groove" for 6th grade. I'm just ready to stop feeling nervous in the classroom, but I remember it was like this for the first week or two of first grade, too, so it'll be fine!
This weekend I read The Glory Fields, because that's the book for the high-level reading groups. It was fantastic, and I'm pretty excited to be able to do it with the students after spring break! I've got some new reading material for tonight, too, so I'm going to get started on that!!! :-)
I'm using Prezi to teach them the research skills, and then I'm also going to teach them how to use Prezi to make their final presentation! I'm definitely excited for it :-)
On Wednesday, I finally felt comfortable enough to step in and work with the kids. They were dissecting owl pellets, and it was hilarious!!! My CT2 let them use their senses while it was still wrapped in foil to figure out what it was... then had them unwrap it... then showed a video of what an owl pellet REALLY is. I swear, their reaction was PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!! One student even looked at her and said "What did I ever do to you???" Too funny!
Wednesday was a big day. I also got to sit in on a collaboration meeting for students who had IEPs. Once I finish the unit plan, I'll have to share it with the team to get feedback about how to fit it to the students' needs.
Wednesday afternoon I went to a 5th grade classroom and taught a math lesson! I was THRILLED with how it went! I was more nervous doing that than I was when I started teaching in 1st grade, but once I got going I felt much better. I was even able to stray a little from the written-out lesson when I saw that they needed more help understanding one of the concepts. It was very smooth :-) One of the students in there was super funny. When I left he came up to me to shake my hand and said something like "I appreciate you teaching our lesson. Good luck in 6th grade." (or something like that...).
Thursday was an early release and conferences. I went back to 1st grade for conferences, since I knew those students and could actually understand how to translate what happens in the classroom for parents. It was a good experience, and I got to catch up with my first CT :-) I went back to see a 6th grade conference... and this student is apparently friends with my brother! I found that out when he commented on my brother's Facebook status... awkward!!!!
Friday we didn't have school, what a nice break!
Today was a good day, too! I taught my first 6th grade lessons, which I didn't do quite as well as I would have liked. I was too nervous, so I spoke too quietly for the first one (which was really just going over morning work). The second lesson was a little better, but choppy and I think I let them get a little too silly. That's OK, this is why student teaching is called a learning experience!!!
I also went into another 6th grade teacher's room to observe--it's a guy teacher, so it was interesting to see how different it was! I mean, it wasn't THAT different, but there were little things. I'm going to teach a math lesson in his room tomorrow -- hope it goes well!
Tomorrow my CT2 won't be there, so I'm going to actually teach for a good portion of the day! I'm pretty excited for it, because hopefully having that longer period of time will get me into some sort of "groove" for 6th grade. I'm just ready to stop feeling nervous in the classroom, but I remember it was like this for the first week or two of first grade, too, so it'll be fine!
This weekend I read The Glory Fields, because that's the book for the high-level reading groups. It was fantastic, and I'm pretty excited to be able to do it with the students after spring break! I've got some new reading material for tonight, too, so I'm going to get started on that!!! :-)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Week 10 and Week (1)1: Day 1 -- Every end is also a beginning!
Week 10 was my last week in first grade :-( I've had such a great experience that I was so sad to have to leave it! I was also apprehensive about moving to the older kids... some of them are taller than me and have worse attitudes. I talked to my new CT (CT2!) Tuesday afterschool, and I felt much better about the transition. But first let's talk about my last few days in first grade:
My CT and I decided that I'd give her back 1 subject a day, so that she wasn't just thrown back into the last trimester alone. She took back subjects a little quicker, though, since I kept getting sent out of the room for reasons unknown! ;-)
The kids made leprechaun traps, and overnight a leprechaun came and hid them all around the room! In the morning a few of the kids had a disagreement over whether leprechauns were real. My response? "Well, someone messed up our room, who else would it be?" "The teachers!" "I bet it was Mr. Principal." "No way, CT and I always clean the room, why in the world would we mess it up?!" Oh, the troubles of first grade!
Another student tried to tell me he heard on the news that there was a 400-year-old man, and still said I was wrong even after I looked it up online! The closest article I found was one about a 400-year-old mummified cat...
More fun stories from the kids: Student 1: "Is President Obama smater than God?" Student 2: "No, I don't think so." Student 1: "I think there's a God Obama!" LOL.
Different student: "It's like he speaks Mexican!"
Yet another student: "Girls have cooties!" Me: "No way, boys have cooties!" ... There was an entire debate about cooties. Totally cute :-)
I got to be in their picture for picture day, too! I was so happy :-)
On Friday, I walked in with a GIANT bag full of little things for my CT and a few other teachers, little things for the kids, and donuts for the teacher's lounge :-) My CT and the kids surprised me with an ADORABLE bag that they painted with their handprints that I will no doubt keep forever, AND with a book of 20 reasons I should be hired as a teacher! Those ideas were just absolutely perfect and heart-warming, and I can't believe it :-) I feel like the luckiest student teacher ever!!!! My CT and those kids are just fantastic!!! We celebrated all day (for one of the kids' birthdays, too!). I managed not to cry until leaving my CT at the end of the day... I can't believe that experience is over!
Luckily, I think I'm going to have another great experience in 6th grade. My CT2 wants me to have the best experience I can, too, so I once again am so grateful for everyone's willingness to help me learn!!! I'm not quite as comfortable with the older kids, so I didn't get very involved today for day 1, but I know I'll get there! I get to plan a writing unit for research skills, so I'm hard at work on that already. Super exciting! I'm also going to have the opportunity to do a few lessons in different classrooms, just to get a bunch more experience with other staff members, age groups, and students. Thanks to PSH for suggesting that!!! I went to observe guided reading in 5th grade for awhile, and had some fun looking at everything on the classroom walls.
At the end of the day, while in line for bus duty with CT2, a bunch of the first graders saw me when they walked in! I got a GIANT group hug, and I just loved it!!!! They're adorable! I'm glad I'm in the same building, so that I can still see their cute little faces. I also got to see my CT!! All in all, it was a good day! I'm excited to see what the rest of 6th grade will bring -- I just have to learn to deal with their attitudes... wish me luck!! :-)
My CT and I decided that I'd give her back 1 subject a day, so that she wasn't just thrown back into the last trimester alone. She took back subjects a little quicker, though, since I kept getting sent out of the room for reasons unknown! ;-)
The kids made leprechaun traps, and overnight a leprechaun came and hid them all around the room! In the morning a few of the kids had a disagreement over whether leprechauns were real. My response? "Well, someone messed up our room, who else would it be?" "The teachers!" "I bet it was Mr. Principal." "No way, CT and I always clean the room, why in the world would we mess it up?!" Oh, the troubles of first grade!
Another student tried to tell me he heard on the news that there was a 400-year-old man, and still said I was wrong even after I looked it up online! The closest article I found was one about a 400-year-old mummified cat...
More fun stories from the kids: Student 1: "Is President Obama smater than God?" Student 2: "No, I don't think so." Student 1: "I think there's a God Obama!" LOL.
Different student: "It's like he speaks Mexican!"
Yet another student: "Girls have cooties!" Me: "No way, boys have cooties!" ... There was an entire debate about cooties. Totally cute :-)
I got to be in their picture for picture day, too! I was so happy :-)
On Friday, I walked in with a GIANT bag full of little things for my CT and a few other teachers, little things for the kids, and donuts for the teacher's lounge :-) My CT and the kids surprised me with an ADORABLE bag that they painted with their handprints that I will no doubt keep forever, AND with a book of 20 reasons I should be hired as a teacher! Those ideas were just absolutely perfect and heart-warming, and I can't believe it :-) I feel like the luckiest student teacher ever!!!! My CT and those kids are just fantastic!!! We celebrated all day (for one of the kids' birthdays, too!). I managed not to cry until leaving my CT at the end of the day... I can't believe that experience is over!
Luckily, I think I'm going to have another great experience in 6th grade. My CT2 wants me to have the best experience I can, too, so I once again am so grateful for everyone's willingness to help me learn!!! I'm not quite as comfortable with the older kids, so I didn't get very involved today for day 1, but I know I'll get there! I get to plan a writing unit for research skills, so I'm hard at work on that already. Super exciting! I'm also going to have the opportunity to do a few lessons in different classrooms, just to get a bunch more experience with other staff members, age groups, and students. Thanks to PSH for suggesting that!!! I went to observe guided reading in 5th grade for awhile, and had some fun looking at everything on the classroom walls.
At the end of the day, while in line for bus duty with CT2, a bunch of the first graders saw me when they walked in! I got a GIANT group hug, and I just loved it!!!! They're adorable! I'm glad I'm in the same building, so that I can still see their cute little faces. I also got to see my CT!! All in all, it was a good day! I'm excited to see what the rest of 6th grade will bring -- I just have to learn to deal with their attitudes... wish me luck!! :-)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Week 9: Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!
Once again, there was no time for note-taking this week... but I wished I could document every moment!!! I'm not ready to leave first grade--maybe my CT won't give me a passing grade, and I'll have to repeat! ;-)
OK, fine... This next week is my last week before moving to 6th grade, so I'll make the most of it. Here's an overview of my second to last week:
It's Dr. Seuss week!!!! YAY!!! I love all of that stuff, so this was my week, for sure!
We read a bunch of his books in reading, and Friday I got to trace all the kids' feet! :-P haha.
We watched a couple videos, too.
Tuesday we did this GREAT activity! All the first grade teachers did something different, and the kids travelled from classroom to classroom to get all the experiences. One did Ooblek, another did a Dr. Seuss snack, another did a fast/slow movement Dr. Seuss song, and I did singing and dancing to "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!" from Seussical Jr.!!
I think I had just as much fun, if not MORE, than the kids!!! The 1st grade teachers suggested I choreograph the rest for the kids for the talent show ;-)
The kids also started a science unit this week -- forces and motion (AKA push vs. pull).
I was SO excited for a word work lesson, too: we wrote alliterative sentences!! (Miss Wodrich won the wacky whiffleball game. The octopus in the ocean opened one oragami. Etc., etc.) They came up with some pretty cute ones! :-D
OH YEAH, my supervisor came for his second visit. My CT and I prepared this elaborate lesson that sounded fantastic on paper... but I ended up having a really hard time with it! It wasn't whole-group, so I had less control, and the kids were very noisy. I was worried about what he would think, and about how the kids would do with the assignment, but once again, he had nothing bad to say!!! He and my CT said they could tell I was definitely out of my element, but that I handled it well, and that it would take time to get used to. It was a great learning experience for me, for sure :-)
I wish I could remember specific funny moments, but I've got nothing this week. Maybe next week I'll have more time to write memories!!
Well, time to get to work on my Star poster for next week!!! :-)
OK, fine... This next week is my last week before moving to 6th grade, so I'll make the most of it. Here's an overview of my second to last week:
It's Dr. Seuss week!!!! YAY!!! I love all of that stuff, so this was my week, for sure!
We read a bunch of his books in reading, and Friday I got to trace all the kids' feet! :-P haha.
We watched a couple videos, too.
Tuesday we did this GREAT activity! All the first grade teachers did something different, and the kids travelled from classroom to classroom to get all the experiences. One did Ooblek, another did a Dr. Seuss snack, another did a fast/slow movement Dr. Seuss song, and I did singing and dancing to "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!" from Seussical Jr.!!
I think I had just as much fun, if not MORE, than the kids!!! The 1st grade teachers suggested I choreograph the rest for the kids for the talent show ;-)
The kids also started a science unit this week -- forces and motion (AKA push vs. pull).
I was SO excited for a word work lesson, too: we wrote alliterative sentences!! (Miss Wodrich won the wacky whiffleball game. The octopus in the ocean opened one oragami. Etc., etc.) They came up with some pretty cute ones! :-D
OH YEAH, my supervisor came for his second visit. My CT and I prepared this elaborate lesson that sounded fantastic on paper... but I ended up having a really hard time with it! It wasn't whole-group, so I had less control, and the kids were very noisy. I was worried about what he would think, and about how the kids would do with the assignment, but once again, he had nothing bad to say!!! He and my CT said they could tell I was definitely out of my element, but that I handled it well, and that it would take time to get used to. It was a great learning experience for me, for sure :-)
I wish I could remember specific funny moments, but I've got nothing this week. Maybe next week I'll have more time to write memories!!
Well, time to get to work on my Star poster for next week!!! :-)
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