I need y'all's advice on something. I am starting my unit on Monday. My first lesson is a kind of review plus an introduction of a new concept. As of right now, I have a game scheduled where they will get to see how much cotton production over time. The cotton gin will be introduced, and toward the end they will experience the effects of the boll weevil and drought. I think they will have a lot of fun, but I am questioning whether or not I should start the entire unit this way. What do y'all think?
I completely agree with Betsy, any chance you have to start a new unit or lesson in an interesting way is definitely an opportunity worth taking. It's definitely fun and interesting enough to start the unit off on a strong foot forward! I dig it!
It's kind of a double edged sword. On one hand they may expect that kind of lesson/activity ALL of the time which may not always be the case. However, starting out with an activity can spark their interest in future lessons and give them something to carry with them through the unit.
I have been using games already and the student's love it. So far I have used them towards the end of the unit as review, but I am interested in using them as openers too. Let me know how it goes.
I’m starting to take on all of the World History courses, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m really starting to be able to think on my feet and be quick with my responses to my students. What I really want to focus on is being able to explain things in simpler terms so that my students understand everything. What’s the point of having the content knowledge if you can’t explain it in a way that your students can understand? (And I’m honestly still scrambling to stay ahead of the content with my students) So I’m working on it—and thankfully that’s something that my host teacher is really good at. What he and I need to work on, however, is communication. Sometimes he’ll tell me that I’m teaching one day, so I’ll prepare something for class, and then on the morning of, he’ll change his mind and say “Actually we’re doing this today, but we can do that later.” While that will make me better prepared for the day that I actually will teach it, I wish he would be a little more consistent with expressing his expectations. But if that is the biggest concern with placement, then I’d say overall I am extremely lucky.
Being able to explain things in simpler terms is something I didn't realize would be difficult. I'm realizing a lot of the words I use that I think of as 'normal' go over the heads of my students. Communication is definitely a difficult thing to master in teaching.
I've dealt with the "change it up the day of" sorta thing. It sucks when you're trying to work with someone. I've noticed many teachers are last-minute planners, or just "wing" it sorta people, and it works really well for them!! But it's because they have years of experience and I just don't have that yet.
I'm experiencing the same thing and I am also having to stay ahead of my students so I can better answer their questions and help. My host teacher keeps having to remind me to be more detailed in some of my instruction. I have a hard time remembering that they don't know what I know. So while if I were telling myself, I would not need so much direction, but these kids are coming at a concept/lesson blind-they need more instruction. Like Logan said, my normal and theirs are 2 different things It's something that I have to work on too.
I think the problem of talking on the level of our students understanding is a problem that we all have to deal with. We spend so much time on our schoolwork making sure we have our own language standards up to graduate levels and then turn around and try to teach students on an entirely different level. It's no wonder the two get mixed up. I think that if we do use "big words" with our students, it's okay as long as we go back and clarify them with the students. Certain things will start to work their way into the vocabulary of the students, and that is part of our goal - academic vocabulary.
I am sorry it's been a little difficult. It's hard when a teacher can't stick to anything. As far as talking to students goes, I am sure it will get easier with time and practice.
Sometimes it's difficult to teach a lesson where you don't specialize in the content area. For me, I have found that I am highly adaptable when teaching world history but less flexible when teaching American. Your teacher probably does not require the same preparation as you to teach his lessons, which is why is less considerate when changing stuff around.
Week 3 went pretty well to say the least! The students continue to amaze me with how respectable they are while I continue to connect with them more personally, relating to them through similar music interests. While being a younger teacher can sometimes hinder your roles as a authority figure in the eyes of the students, it definitely proves to be positive and successful in a class being able to relate to them more than most of the teachers at the school are capable of; I much rather have to work on being more authoritative than not being able to relate to them. Over the past week, I have had the chance to work with a more troubling class and incorporate a seating chart in hopes to encourage a more persistent work ethic. I never thought I would say this but thank the good Lord almighty for seating charts!!! While its main purpose was for behavior, it gives me the chance to differentiate groups of students on skill level where some of the more advanced, technical students are grouped to help students who might not have too much experience or confidence when approaching art. Already the chart is showing much promise as some of the less confidence students are meeting the higher expectations with their work, keeping them more occupied and stopping most of the crazy commotion. Starting my 10-Day Unit plan over Pop-Art next week, I feel really confident and excited with the class I chose, already seeing their interest and curiosity peaked with what's to come. The weeks here at ACE Academy continue to amaze me as well as also continue to spoil me as I forgot that the majority of schools and students that I will teach in the future will not be at the level of respectable, interested, or enthusiastic as these students. Week 3 has been great for a multitude of reasons and I continue to be excited for the weeks to come at ACE!
I am so glad that you are enjoying your placement so much. It sounds like you an amazing group of students. I have realized the beauty of a seating chart as well. When I was in school, I hated them. As a teacher, I see just how important they are and largely for the reasons you listed.
Having seating charts definitely helps because some students that like to sit together also make one another less conducive to learning and more prone to goofing off.
All week the students have been working on their living museum projects for the 1920's and research papers. I've been working one on one with students all week helping them with their papers. It's really cool to see this project coming together. On Wednesday the 8th from 8:00-10:00 the entire 10th grade at GMC will be presenting their living museums. They will set up their exhibits and throughout the two hours the rest of GMC, the student's families, and members of the community will walk through the museum as students do their presentations. Some of the exhibits are very impressive. One group has been building an entire speakeasy out of cardboard. This is a great way to introduce research papers to the students while, at the same time, introducing the culture of The Great Gatsby.
I'm super nervous about my edTPA unit, but I have some activities planned that I'm really excited about. I'm mostly just nervous about the filming portion of the edTPA. In the past, if something went wrong with the filming then we could chalk it up as a learning experience. Now, if something goes wrong with the filming then we could be in some trouble. I'll be a very happy person when the week of the 13th is over and my filming is finished.
I'm about to start filming as well and I'm flipping out internally about what could go wrong, but that's just nerves probably. Coffee helps (well it does for me anyway)
That living museum sounds really cool and is a great way to get students involved in a project! I'm looking forward to hearing about what the results are on the 8th! I wish I could see it because it does sound interesting.
I'm hoping that I can stop by the living museum at some point because it sounds like it will be awesome. I know that doing projects like that really help students to connect with the material and should be a great intro to your Great Gatsby unit. I plan to use the iPad from the school and get a video camera from the library as well. In the past I have had trouble getting the files off of the iPad so I will use the video camera as a backup just in case.
I am interested in learning more about this project. Is it a combined project with the history teachers or was this all from the english class? And what are the steps and requirements of the assignment. I am all about projects that let the students have more freedom over the topic and presentation.
I have been teaching all week and loving it! It is definitely better to be planning and teaching than mirror teaching or just grading papers. :P I am constantly surprised by how little my 8th graders actually do. They have participated a LOT more during class since I started teaching but they still don't turn in work; even when we do it in class. Arg! However my confidence as a teacher has grown exponentially since Monday and even my host teacher has been excited about the things I am doing. This is my ten day unit we are working on and I videoed for the first time today...I forgot to use the microphone! Luckily I got permission slips from two classes just in case so I can try again with fourth period even though they like lumps on a log. :) I am enjoying seeing how my teaching methods and strategies are increasing student participation without "carrots and sticks". If I can just figure out how to get them to do their work I would be golden!
I completely understand about the middle schoolers not turning in work!!! In my placement this week I had a student that refuse to do anything at all. Finally my host teacher told him he had silent lunch until he decided to learn/pay attention. The very next day he started working.. I know that's a "stick" and not really a "good" thing, but it was a last resort.
Glad to hear that teaching is going well! I definitely have a lot of students that just never do or turn in their work and it is really frustrating because I know that they are smart and capable but they simply don't care or put in the effort that it takes to be successful.
I definitely understand lack of work being turned in, and in this case, I would echo Dr. Vice, as Sam previously mentioned, never underestimate Jolly Ranchers.
That's great to hear! I'm right there with you when it comes to teaching your own material or lessons your own way; it's definitely more enjoyable than mirroring your host teacher's lessons and style.
When it comes to your situation with Middle Schoolers, I'm right there with you again; it's unbelievable the lack of diligence and/or desire to complete the work and actually turn it in. That definitely shows the huge difference between high school and middle school, possibly because they realize that grades don't matter until the high school level? But still, proud of you raising the bar and raising the expectations in the class! It may take time but they will meet those expectations! Keep rocking cool cat and we got this!!!
Week 3, week 3, wherefore art thou week 3? Seriously this week FLEW by and I only just now realized we're a few days into February. Dang this semester is going by fast!
This week was overall pretty uneventful as far as what went on inside the classroom. In US History, we flew through the American Revolution in preparation for my ten-day unit on the early years of the American republic (formation of the Constitution, George Washington's presidency, etc.) In World History, we looked at the Roman Empire and reviewed all of the content from this unit (Ancient Greece and Rome) in preparation for an end-of-unit test. I'm really starting to click with the kids and I'm even getting quiet students to open up to me some and I'm excited to start teaching my 10-day unit and being FINISHED with EdTPA!
I have also been actively checking up on job openings and am happy to say more positions have opened up where I would like to teach...in other subjects. But it's a promising sign that a position and fit for me is coming!
If you're still on Greek and Rome, I've got an activity--I had my kids create their own myths. They would pick a phenomena in nature and write a story to explain it. It was really cool and they were super creative, and some of them were absolutely hilarious. It was a good creative outlet--10/10 would recommend.
Well this week was the start to what feels like a never-ending train wreck. I've been having some serious health problems lately, and for a while I could hide it. But not anymore. My students are such womderful little people though. They've noticed a difference in my demeanor and now they always want to help me or support me in some way. They're honestly my biggest motivators. Through this I have also seen how important it is to build a support group with other teachers and staff members . At placement I taught a regular class and an inclusion class. I chose to teach these because they're relatively small classes (which are my favorite). One day I did teach ALL classes, because there was a substitute. She did absolutely nothing except sit at the desk and STEAL CANDY FROM OUR SUPPLY CLOSET!!!
I'm still working on my 10 day unit (I'm ridiculously behind). But I'm trying to take this all day by day. The thought of edTPA still makes me want to vomit, but I don't think that feeling is ever going to go away.
I hope your health turns around soon. Even just a cold slows me down more than I'd like to admit. I did get a big laugh out of the candy stealing substitute though! I'm sure there are plenty of amazing substitute teachers out there, but I've just known so many who were laughably awful!
This week has flown by! I don't really know what to say except that I am LOVING getting to be "own my on" teaching. I LOVE my kids, and aside from lack of sleep at the moment trying to get my edtpa/10 day started and prepare for the next day's lessons, Things couldn't be better (Lord, please don't jinx me now) I do need to work on being more detailed in my instructions. I forget that they don't know what I do so I have to either simplify or give step-by-step directions. What I see as simple is not how they see it. For now, so far-so good :)
I'm glad you have been able to do some teaching on your own. I have found this to be surprisingly less stressful. I'm glad you love your kids so much. That really makes or breaks student teaching. I also understand needing to be more detailed. Often times I fail to make sure the students understand the material before jumping into a performance task. I will keep my fingers crossed that things continue to go so well for you.
Overall this has been a very good week. I have noticed with teaching that some days will be incredible and others will make me question if I should even be doing this job. At the end of the day I know that it is worth it although teaching is not at all easy. Students have started to come to my room after class to talk or hang out which is exciting for me because it shows that I am building relationships with the students and that they are comfortable around me. One big issue that I have had is students who simply won't do their work or prepare for anything. I know that they are smart and should be able to easily get an A but I have many of these students who will probably fail my class.
I think in any profession there are times when it is difficult to see how the rewards of your job outweigh the negative aspects. The greatest teacher I ever had would often question whether or not he should be teaching in the first place due to lack of student engagement. And then there were other days where he was on a high because his lessons went so well. I think no matter how discouraging things get, a little bit of good can make up for a lot of bad.
I like the idea of building those relationships with the students. Its great that when I am walking down the hall they stop and say hi or come by just to ask a question. I feel like I am starting to get to know them slowly but surely.
I'm honestly glad that I'm not the only one who feels that way. I have days I go home feeling so empowered and excited to start teaching, other days I leave the school and wonder if I can actually do this. But I know we both can! WOO!
I totally get that! But my confidence is building the more I notice the students viewing me as a teacher than just an assistant or something. They start asking me for help first and say hello to me in the halls and all that. I think building those relationships with the kids makes it all worthwhile :)
I also feel this way, but we can't be shaken. We have to be confident in ourselves and out abilities. About the relationship building, my host teacher says that is the most important thing, and she puts it before anything else.
I didn't get a chance to post on time last night since I was at the Selma film from 4-9. It was awesome to say the least. Anyways...
It sounds like everyone has had a pretty good week. I can definitely say the same. I have picked up two classes full time and it has been a blast getting to interact with the students more and more. On Thursday my host teacher was out so it was just me and the sub all day. The sub was just there for legal purposes so I had full reign of the classes. That by far was my favorite day of student teaching. I got to connect with all the classes and I feel like they had a chance to know me better. I feel like they had a chance to really view me as a teacher. All the classes were well behaved (as usual). The great thing about having a connection with the students is that if one student happens to be disruptive other students will tell them to stop and listen to me. They do the dirty work for me ;) My favorite class is my 6th period class. They are much more spirited than the other classes and some would see that as intimidating. However, I think those are the best classes if you can channel that spirit into an engaging and discussion filled environment. They are hysterical and they somehow get my often off-beat sense of humor. It's been interesting to see what "kids these days" find funny. They found out yesterday that I have my GACE on Monday and the entire class wished me luck. That was a huge reminder that I am making the right choice t be an educator. Even though there is now more pressure to pass the GACE, haha.
This week has been productive in many ways. I feel like I am getting a more concrete idea about my 10 day unit plan and my expectations for edTPA.
Also, it seems that I am FINALLY getting over a little bit of my nervousness in front of the students, especially regarding the inclusion classes. I have begun to develop a good relationship with my 7th period. I cannot begin to describe how awesome they are. Every student is kind, respectful, hardworking, and intelligent. It almost feels unnatural. I have never taught a better group of students. Last but not least, a FEW of them have laughed at my deadpan, dad humor jokes.
I am done filming and teaching my EdTPA!!! I am happy to say that my lessons for the most part went over well and my students did fantastic on their quizzes! I kept redoing my lesson plans to be even more student centered and group oriented, which was exhausting, but worth it. I did a photo gallery walk day, a day of stations, and two days of interactive powerpoint lessons. While I think I could have done more with boll weevil and drought then a music work sheet and powerpoint, I honestly didn’t have time to revise that lesson, and it motivated me to create more interactive lessons for Tuesday and Wednesday. I will say, after have two days of student centered group work, I think a calmer lesson is needed. Not just for the teacher but for the students to really get to think about what they have learned so far and to review. I have found my teacher voice from these interactive lessons. I can tell when I use it because the room is suddenly silent and I have everyone’s attention. Because they want to do the activities, they respond well to the threat of doing a regular power point lesson instead if I feel they cannot handle the fun lesson I planned. I have students walk in every day excited to see what I have planned. Next week I have a two day game, that I hope they like as much as the WW1 game I used before. For the first time this placement, I gave out points, which are part of the discipline systems for the school. One was because I caught a girl blatantly cheating. I pulled her out of the class and asked her why I just saw her cheating, and she tried making up excuses until she realized I wasn’t buying it. I gave her the point and had her retake the quiz later so I could assess what she knew. The rest of the points were for people not turning in homework. They have done this before with me and I needed to prove that just because I was a student teacher does not me you can ignore work I give, which is not even much and I give them class time to work on it. For my performance task, my students are making a story board about a character that lives through the great depression and new deal. The students seem to really like it for the most part, and my host teacher decided to use it as the performance task for the semester. For all those about to start EdTPA, my advice is to be ready to change your lessons nightly based off the feedback. It is exhausting but worth it.
This week was really difficult for me. I had started teaching last week, and then got up sick on Sunday. I didn't even make it to placement until Thursday. There was a substitute and so I didn't teach then or Friday. My host teacher is great, but difficult to get in touch with outside of school. She wasn't sure if I would be there and I wasn't sure what she wanted me to do. The reality is that it took all I had just to show up, and my voice would not have held up for me to actually teach a class. I feel like I have taken several steps backward this week. I got up yesterday feeling worse again and just cannot seem to focus enough to do the necessary work for my classes or my placement. I know that it will come together somehow, but right now I am really struggling just to keep my head above water.
Oh no, Shari! I am so sorry you've had to add being sick to an already stressful situation. I have been terrified of getting sick the whole time I've been in placement! You have an extra week at the end of April if you need to make up so just take care of yourself.
Bethanie, I am just getting so far behind that I am not quite sure how to catch up. This has been my big worry too. I think my resistance has just gotten down after going like this for so long. The goal is so close....
Shari! I got sick on Sunday as well! I'm so sorry that you got sick. I can completely understand having trouble staying in contact with my host teacher.
The third week seemed to go by quickly for me. The class I took over in my second week is behind a bit in the pacing I had set up for them. I thought they would have started their summative paintings last week, but they're just starting their sketches. Hopefully they can get going during week first at some point. On wednesday, they took a field trip to a local artist's studio and learned a new medium (encaustic). This new knowledge has inspired some students to try out the new medium, however, we do not have the materials necessary to get them started. My host teacher and I have discussed logistics of how to get them the materials they need, but I'm not sure there is any budget left for extra materials. I was supposed to take over another class in the third week, but because they are behind in their pacing as well, my host teacher did not let me lead. I think she wants me to start a new unit with them rather than taking over what she had planned -- even though I had said that was fine with me, especially since I'm trying to get my unit for EdTPA and the 10-day unit organized. I guess I will be taking on another couple classes in week 4, so I can stay on track with the calendar. Wish me luck!
This week was insane. I was horribly sick Monday and Tuesday, so I feel like the rest of my week was thrown off. I had a good three days though. I taught the warm up segment in my ELA class. I taught them about modal verbs and we worked on a review of parallel structure in sentences. I admire my ELA host teacher so much. He does things in his lessons that make me inspired. For example, he showed them a commercial that was going to be played during the Super Bowl. It was the Audi commercial focused on equal gender pay. He didn't give much of any extra context other than that it was a Super Bowl commercial. They were told to write their feelings and reactions. I was absolutely amazed at how woke they are. They had very deep insights that were completely justified. In my musical theatre class, we have them blocking and choreographing a song and the small scene before the song. It amazes me how innovative and creative they are. They have been working so hard without much pushing from Ms. Brock or myself. I can't wait to watch their performances.
Hoo boy I'm late to the party! This week was great up until friday when I got really sick, seems to have been a bug going around. Other than that i'm really enjoying seeing my students' work. I have gone over the principles of design with them and their first small painting assignment was to create a painting with radial or bilateral symmetry (in relation to balance) They are finished with those now and I will get them started on a small rhythm assignment tomorrow! I'm very excited to see what they come up with these kids are really talented!
My third week proved to be extremely dynamic. Tuesday proved to be a good day, while Wednesday was chaotic and I had to administer a test, and Friday was entirely harmonious. I have discovered that each passing day is like a new era at my school and anything could happen. For instance, one day one of my classes went completely wild and the next the same class proved to be well behaved.
I need y'all's advice on something. I am starting my unit on Monday. My first lesson is a kind of review plus an introduction of a new concept. As of right now, I have a game scheduled where they will get to see how much cotton production over time. The cotton gin will be introduced, and toward the end they will experience the effects of the boll weevil and drought. I think they will have a lot of fun, but I am questioning whether or not I should start the entire unit this way. What do y'all think?
ReplyDeleteI would definitely start the unit that way. That sounds like a great way to engage them with the new unit.
DeleteI completely agree with Betsy, any chance you have to start a new unit or lesson in an interesting way is definitely an opportunity worth taking. It's definitely fun and interesting enough to start the unit off on a strong foot forward! I dig it!
DeleteIt's kind of a double edged sword. On one hand they may expect that kind of lesson/activity ALL of the time which may not always be the case. However, starting out with an activity can spark their interest in future lessons and give them something to carry with them through the unit.
DeleteDo It :)
I agree with Shannon. If it does in fact backfire, you will have a greater idea as to what to do for future units.
DeleteI have been using games already and the student's love it. So far I have used them towards the end of the unit as review, but I am interested in using them as openers too. Let me know how it goes.
DeleteI’m starting to take on all of the World History courses, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m really starting to be able to think on my feet and be quick with my responses to my students. What I really want to focus on is being able to explain things in simpler terms so that my students understand everything. What’s the point of having the content knowledge if you can’t explain it in a way that your students can understand? (And I’m honestly still scrambling to stay ahead of the content with my students) So I’m working on it—and thankfully that’s something that my host teacher is really good at. What he and I need to work on, however, is communication. Sometimes he’ll tell me that I’m teaching one day, so I’ll prepare something for class, and then on the morning of, he’ll change his mind and say “Actually we’re doing this today, but we can do that later.” While that will make me better prepared for the day that I actually will teach it, I wish he would be a little more consistent with expressing his expectations. But if that is the biggest concern with placement, then I’d say overall I am extremely lucky.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to explain things in simpler terms is something I didn't realize would be difficult. I'm realizing a lot of the words I use that I think of as 'normal' go over the heads of my students. Communication is definitely a difficult thing to master in teaching.
DeleteI've dealt with the "change it up the day of" sorta thing. It sucks when you're trying to work with someone. I've noticed many teachers are last-minute planners, or just "wing" it sorta people, and it works really well for them!! But it's because they have years of experience and I just don't have that yet.
DeleteI'm experiencing the same thing and I am also having to stay ahead of my students so I can better answer their questions and help.
DeleteMy host teacher keeps having to remind me to be more detailed in some of my instruction. I have a hard time remembering that they don't know what I know. So while if I were telling myself, I would not need so much direction, but these kids are coming at a concept/lesson blind-they need more instruction. Like Logan said, my normal and theirs are 2 different things It's something that I have to work on too.
I think the problem of talking on the level of our students understanding is a problem that we all have to deal with. We spend so much time on our schoolwork making sure we have our own language standards up to graduate levels and then turn around and try to teach students on an entirely different level. It's no wonder the two get mixed up. I think that if we do use "big words" with our students, it's okay as long as we go back and clarify them with the students. Certain things will start to work their way into the vocabulary of the students, and that is part of our goal - academic vocabulary.
DeleteI am sorry it's been a little difficult. It's hard when a teacher can't stick to anything. As far as talking to students goes, I am sure it will get easier with time and practice.
DeleteSometimes it's difficult to teach a lesson where you don't specialize in the content area. For me, I have found that I am highly adaptable when teaching world history but less flexible when teaching American. Your teacher probably does not require the same preparation as you to teach his lessons, which is why is less considerate when changing stuff around.
DeleteWeek 3 went pretty well to say the least! The students continue to amaze me with how respectable they are while I continue to connect with them more personally, relating to them through similar music interests. While being a younger teacher can sometimes hinder your roles as a authority figure in the eyes of the students, it definitely proves to be positive and successful in a class being able to relate to them more than most of the teachers at the school are capable of; I much rather have to work on being more authoritative than not being able to relate to them. Over the past week, I have had the chance to work with a more troubling class and incorporate a seating chart in hopes to encourage a more persistent work ethic. I never thought I would say this but thank the good Lord almighty for seating charts!!! While its main purpose was for behavior, it gives me the chance to differentiate groups of students on skill level where some of the more advanced, technical students are grouped to help students who might not have too much experience or confidence when approaching art. Already the chart is showing much promise as some of the less confidence students are meeting the higher expectations with their work, keeping them more occupied and stopping most of the crazy commotion. Starting my 10-Day Unit plan over Pop-Art next week, I feel really confident and excited with the class I chose, already seeing their interest and curiosity peaked with what's to come. The weeks here at ACE Academy continue to amaze me as well as also continue to spoil me as I forgot that the majority of schools and students that I will teach in the future will not be at the level of respectable, interested, or enthusiastic as these students. Week 3 has been great for a multitude of reasons and I continue to be excited for the weeks to come at ACE!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are enjoying your placement so much. It sounds like you an amazing group of students. I have realized the beauty of a seating chart as well. When I was in school, I hated them. As a teacher, I see just how important they are and largely for the reasons you listed.
DeleteHaving seating charts definitely helps because some students that like to sit together also make one another less conducive to learning and more prone to goofing off.
DeleteAll week the students have been working on their living museum projects for the 1920's and research papers. I've been working one on one with students all week helping them with their papers. It's really cool to see this project coming together. On Wednesday the 8th from 8:00-10:00 the entire 10th grade at GMC will be presenting their living museums. They will set up their exhibits and throughout the two hours the rest of GMC, the student's families, and members of the community will walk through the museum as students do their presentations. Some of the exhibits are very impressive. One group has been building an entire speakeasy out of cardboard. This is a great way to introduce research papers to the students while, at the same time, introducing the culture of The Great Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteI'm super nervous about my edTPA unit, but I have some activities planned that I'm really excited about. I'm mostly just nervous about the filming portion of the edTPA. In the past, if something went wrong with the filming then we could chalk it up as a learning experience. Now, if something goes wrong with the filming then we could be in some trouble. I'll be a very happy person when the week of the 13th is over and my filming is finished.
I'm about to start filming as well and I'm flipping out internally about what could go wrong, but that's just nerves probably. Coffee helps (well it does for me anyway)
DeleteThat living museum sounds really cool and is a great way to get students involved in a project! I'm looking forward to hearing about what the results are on the 8th! I wish I could see it because it does sound interesting.
I'm hoping that I can stop by the living museum at some point because it sounds like it will be awesome. I know that doing projects like that really help students to connect with the material and should be a great intro to your Great Gatsby unit. I plan to use the iPad from the school and get a video camera from the library as well. In the past I have had trouble getting the files off of the iPad so I will use the video camera as a backup just in case.
DeleteI am interested in learning more about this project. Is it a combined project with the history teachers or was this all from the english class? And what are the steps and requirements of the assignment. I am all about projects that let the students have more freedom over the topic and presentation.
DeleteI have been teaching all week and loving it! It is definitely better to be planning and teaching than mirror teaching or just grading papers. :P
ReplyDeleteI am constantly surprised by how little my 8th graders actually do. They have participated a LOT more during class since I started teaching but they still don't turn in work; even when we do it in class. Arg! However my confidence as a teacher has grown exponentially since Monday and even my host teacher has been excited about the things I am doing. This is my ten day unit we are working on and I videoed for the first time today...I forgot to use the microphone! Luckily I got permission slips from two classes just in case so I can try again with fourth period even though they like lumps on a log. :)
I am enjoying seeing how my teaching methods and strategies are increasing student participation without "carrots and sticks". If I can just figure out how to get them to do their work I would be golden!
As Dr. Vice told us, never underestimate the power of jolly ranchers ;)
DeleteI'm so happy that you're starting to enjoy more of what you're doing! And you even got your krabby old host teacher on board?!?!?!?!!!
I completely understand about the middle schoolers not turning in work!!! In my placement this week I had a student that refuse to do anything at all. Finally my host teacher told him he had silent lunch until he decided to learn/pay attention. The very next day he started working.. I know that's a "stick" and not really a "good" thing, but it was a last resort.
DeleteGlad to hear that teaching is going well! I definitely have a lot of students that just never do or turn in their work and it is really frustrating because I know that they are smart and capable but they simply don't care or put in the effort that it takes to be successful.
DeleteI definitely understand lack of work being turned in, and in this case, I would echo Dr. Vice, as Sam previously mentioned, never underestimate Jolly Ranchers.
DeleteThat's great to hear! I'm right there with you when it comes to teaching your own material or lessons your own way; it's definitely more enjoyable than mirroring your host teacher's lessons and style.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to your situation with Middle Schoolers, I'm right there with you again; it's unbelievable the lack of diligence and/or desire to complete the work and actually turn it in. That definitely shows the huge difference between high school and middle school, possibly because they realize that grades don't matter until the high school level? But still, proud of you raising the bar and raising the expectations in the class! It may take time but they will meet those expectations! Keep rocking cool cat and we got this!!!
Week 3, week 3, wherefore art thou week 3? Seriously this week FLEW by and I only just now realized we're a few days into February. Dang this semester is going by fast!
ReplyDeleteThis week was overall pretty uneventful as far as what went on inside the classroom. In US History, we flew through the American Revolution in preparation for my ten-day unit on the early years of the American republic (formation of the Constitution, George Washington's presidency, etc.) In World History, we looked at the Roman Empire and reviewed all of the content from this unit (Ancient Greece and Rome) in preparation for an end-of-unit test. I'm really starting to click with the kids and I'm even getting quiet students to open up to me some and I'm excited to start teaching my 10-day unit and being FINISHED with EdTPA!
I have also been actively checking up on job openings and am happy to say more positions have opened up where I would like to teach...in other subjects. But it's a promising sign that a position and fit for me is coming!
KEEP FIGHTING COMRADES! ONLY 3 MONTHS TO GO!
I saw a History position open in Newton but it didn't say which school.
DeleteIf you're still on Greek and Rome, I've got an activity--I had my kids create their own myths. They would pick a phenomena in nature and write a story to explain it. It was really cool and they were super creative, and some of them were absolutely hilarious. It was a good creative outlet--10/10 would recommend.
DeleteWe started the Byzantine Empire today but Im'ma tuck that create-a-myth activity away for later usage :)
DeleteWell this week was the start to what feels like a never-ending train wreck. I've been having some serious health problems lately, and for a while I could hide it. But not anymore. My students are such womderful little people though. They've noticed a difference in my demeanor and now they always want to help me or support me in some way. They're honestly my biggest motivators. Through this I have also seen how important it is to build a support group with other teachers and staff members
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At placement I taught a regular class and an inclusion class. I chose to teach these because they're relatively small classes (which are my favorite). One day I did teach ALL classes, because there was a substitute. She did absolutely nothing except sit at the desk and STEAL CANDY FROM OUR SUPPLY CLOSET!!!
I'm still working on my 10 day unit (I'm ridiculously behind). But I'm trying to take this all day by day. The thought of edTPA still makes me want to vomit, but I don't think that feeling is ever going to go away.
I hope your health turns around soon. Even just a cold slows me down more than I'd like to admit. I did get a big laugh out of the candy stealing substitute though! I'm sure there are plenty of amazing substitute teachers out there, but I've just known so many who were laughably awful!
DeleteThis week has flown by! I don't really know what to say except that I am LOVING getting to be "own my on" teaching. I LOVE my kids, and aside from lack of sleep at the moment trying to get my edtpa/10 day started and prepare for the next day's lessons, Things couldn't be better (Lord, please don't jinx me now)
ReplyDeleteI do need to work on being more detailed in my instructions. I forget that they don't know what I do so I have to either simplify or give step-by-step directions. What I see as simple is not how they see it.
For now, so far-so good :)
I'm glad you have been able to do some teaching on your own. I have found this to be surprisingly less stressful. I'm glad you love your kids so much. That really makes or breaks student teaching. I also understand needing to be more detailed. Often times I fail to make sure the students understand the material before jumping into a performance task. I will keep my fingers crossed that things continue to go so well for you.
DeleteOverall this has been a very good week. I have noticed with teaching that some days will be incredible and others will make me question if I should even be doing this job. At the end of the day I know that it is worth it although teaching is not at all easy. Students have started to come to my room after class to talk or hang out which is exciting for me because it shows that I am building relationships with the students and that they are comfortable around me. One big issue that I have had is students who simply won't do their work or prepare for anything. I know that they are smart and should be able to easily get an A but I have many of these students who will probably fail my class.
ReplyDeleteI think in any profession there are times when it is difficult to see how the rewards of your job outweigh the negative aspects. The greatest teacher I ever had would often question whether or not he should be teaching in the first place due to lack of student engagement. And then there were other days where he was on a high because his lessons went so well. I think no matter how discouraging things get, a little bit of good can make up for a lot of bad.
DeleteI like the idea of building those relationships with the students. Its great that when I am walking down the hall they stop and say hi or come by just to ask a question. I feel like I am starting to get to know them slowly but surely.
DeleteI'm honestly glad that I'm not the only one who feels that way. I have days I go home feeling so empowered and excited to start teaching, other days I leave the school and wonder if I can actually do this. But I know we both can! WOO!
DeleteI totally get that! But my confidence is building the more I notice the students viewing me as a teacher than just an assistant or something. They start asking me for help first and say hello to me in the halls and all that. I think building those relationships with the kids makes it all worthwhile :)
DeleteI also feel this way, but we can't be shaken. We have to be confident in ourselves and out abilities. About the relationship building, my host teacher says that is the most important thing, and she puts it before anything else.
DeleteI didn't get a chance to post on time last night since I was at the Selma film from 4-9. It was awesome to say the least. Anyways...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like everyone has had a pretty good week. I can definitely say the same. I have picked up two classes full time and it has been a blast getting to interact with the students more and more. On Thursday my host teacher was out so it was just me and the sub all day. The sub was just there for legal purposes so I had full reign of the classes. That by far was my favorite day of student teaching. I got to connect with all the classes and I feel like they had a chance to know me better. I feel like they had a chance to really view me as a teacher. All the classes were well behaved (as usual). The great thing about having a connection with the students is that if one student happens to be disruptive other students will tell them to stop and listen to me. They do the dirty work for me ;) My favorite class is my 6th period class. They are much more spirited than the other classes and some would see that as intimidating. However, I think those are the best classes if you can channel that spirit into an engaging and discussion filled environment. They are hysterical and they somehow get my often off-beat sense of humor. It's been interesting to see what "kids these days" find funny. They found out yesterday that I have my GACE on Monday and the entire class wished me luck. That was a huge reminder that I am making the right choice t be an educator. Even though there is now more pressure to pass the GACE, haha.
Maybe we need to encourage host teachers to take more days off in the spring.
DeleteThis week has been productive in many ways. I feel like I am getting a more concrete idea about my 10 day unit plan and my expectations for edTPA.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it seems that I am FINALLY getting over a little bit of my nervousness in front of the students, especially regarding the inclusion classes. I have begun to develop a good relationship with my 7th period. I cannot begin to describe how awesome they are. Every student is kind, respectful, hardworking, and intelligent. It almost feels unnatural. I have never taught a better group of students. Last but not least, a FEW of them have laughed at my deadpan, dad humor jokes.
For middle grades, you may have to let your goofy come out. You got some goofy in there?
DeleteGo Falcons!
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ReplyDeleteI am done filming and teaching my EdTPA!!! I am happy to say that my lessons for the most part went over well and my students did fantastic on their quizzes! I kept redoing my lesson plans to be even more student centered and group oriented, which was exhausting, but worth it. I did a photo gallery walk day, a day of stations, and two days of interactive powerpoint lessons. While I think I could have done more with boll weevil and drought then a music work sheet and powerpoint, I honestly didn’t have time to revise that lesson, and it motivated me to create more interactive lessons for Tuesday and Wednesday. I will say, after have two days of student centered group work, I think a calmer lesson is needed. Not just for the teacher but for the students to really get to think about what they have learned so far and to review.
I have found my teacher voice from these interactive lessons. I can tell when I use it because the room is suddenly silent and I have everyone’s attention. Because they want to do the activities, they respond well to the threat of doing a regular power point lesson instead if I feel they cannot handle the fun lesson I planned. I have students walk in every day excited to see what I have planned. Next week I have a two day game, that I hope they like as much as the WW1 game I used before.
For the first time this placement, I gave out points, which are part of the discipline systems for the school. One was because I caught a girl blatantly cheating. I pulled her out of the class and asked her why I just saw her cheating, and she tried making up excuses until she realized I wasn’t buying it. I gave her the point and had her retake the quiz later so I could assess what she knew. The rest of the points were for people not turning in homework. They have done this before with me and I needed to prove that just because I was a student teacher does not me you can ignore work I give, which is not even much and I give them class time to work on it.
For my performance task, my students are making a story board about a character that lives through the great depression and new deal. The students seem to really like it for the most part, and my host teacher decided to use it as the performance task for the semester.
For all those about to start EdTPA, my advice is to be ready to change your lessons nightly based off the feedback. It is exhausting but worth it.
This week was really difficult for me. I had started teaching last week, and then got up sick on Sunday. I didn't even make it to placement until Thursday. There was a substitute and so I didn't teach then or Friday. My host teacher is great, but difficult to get in touch with outside of school. She wasn't sure if I would be there and I wasn't sure what she wanted me to do. The reality is that it took all I had just to show up, and my voice would not have held up for me to actually teach a class.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have taken several steps backward this week. I got up yesterday feeling worse again and just cannot seem to focus enough to do the necessary work for my classes or my placement. I know that it will come together somehow, but right now I am really struggling just to keep my head above water.
Oh no, Shari! I am so sorry you've had to add being sick to an already stressful situation. I have been terrified of getting sick the whole time I've been in placement! You have an extra week at the end of April if you need to make up so just take care of yourself.
DeleteBethanie, I am just getting so far behind that I am not quite sure how to catch up. This has been my big worry too. I think my resistance has just gotten down after going like this for so long. The goal is so close....
DeleteShari! I got sick on Sunday as well! I'm so sorry that you got sick. I can completely understand having trouble staying in contact with my host teacher.
DeleteI am sorry you this happened to you. The sickness is going around. I had a fever Thursday, and today 12 out of my 50 students were out.
DeleteThe third week seemed to go by quickly for me. The class I took over in my second week is behind a bit in the pacing I had set up for them. I thought they would have started their summative paintings last week, but they're just starting their sketches. Hopefully they can get going during week first at some point. On wednesday, they took a field trip to a local artist's studio and learned a new medium (encaustic). This new knowledge has inspired some students to try out the new medium, however, we do not have the materials necessary to get them started. My host teacher and I have discussed logistics of how to get them the materials they need, but I'm not sure there is any budget left for extra materials.
ReplyDeleteI was supposed to take over another class in the third week, but because they are behind in their pacing as well, my host teacher did not let me lead. I think she wants me to start a new unit with them rather than taking over what she had planned -- even though I had said that was fine with me, especially since I'm trying to get my unit for EdTPA and the 10-day unit organized. I guess I will be taking on another couple classes in week 4, so I can stay on track with the calendar. Wish me luck!
This week was insane. I was horribly sick Monday and Tuesday, so I feel like the rest of my week was thrown off. I had a good three days though. I taught the warm up segment in my ELA class. I taught them about modal verbs and we worked on a review of parallel structure in sentences. I admire my ELA host teacher so much. He does things in his lessons that make me inspired. For example, he showed them a commercial that was going to be played during the Super Bowl. It was the Audi commercial focused on equal gender pay. He didn't give much of any extra context other than that it was a Super Bowl commercial. They were told to write their feelings and reactions. I was absolutely amazed at how woke they are. They had very deep insights that were completely justified. In my musical theatre class, we have them blocking and choreographing a song and the small scene before the song. It amazes me how innovative and creative they are. They have been working so hard without much pushing from Ms. Brock or myself. I can't wait to watch their performances.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cool idea! I'm trying to think of some way I can work something like that into an art lesson!
DeleteHoo boy I'm late to the party! This week was great up until friday when I got really sick, seems to have been a bug going around. Other than that i'm really enjoying seeing my students' work. I have gone over the principles of design with them and their first small painting assignment was to create a painting with radial or bilateral symmetry (in relation to balance) They are finished with those now and I will get them started on a small rhythm assignment tomorrow! I'm very excited to see what they come up with these kids are really talented!
ReplyDeleteMy third week proved to be extremely dynamic. Tuesday proved to be a good day, while Wednesday was chaotic and I had to administer a test, and Friday was entirely harmonious. I have discovered that each passing day is like a new era at my school and anything could happen. For instance, one day one of my classes went completely wild and the next the same class proved to be well behaved.
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