I have learned alot throught this class, as well as my field experience. There are a few things that I feel are the most important, and will be the most beneficial.
One thing that I learned that I think is important, is the roles of teachers, and how many roles they have to play or cover. A teacher isn't just someone who goes and teaches material, and then is done for the day. They have alot to do, put alot of time in, and do a whole lot more then just teach.
Another thing I learned that I think is important is recognizing that all students are different. They all learn differently, and it's important to recognize that, and have different teaching styles and methods.
I have really enjoyed this course, and I have loved getting my field hours. It has been a great experience and I have been very priveledged to be with a great teacher who has taught me alot. She has shown me through example the kind of teacher that I hope to one day be!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Blog #7, 4/13/12
I think that the classroom that I am getting my field hours is very organized, and I think the the rules are clear to each student! One thing that I really like is the teacher has all of the rules of the class room, as well as the school rules posted on posters and hanging up in the class room. If the students ever need a reminder. the teacher tells them to review the rules poster.
Another thing that I really like, and that helps gets students attention is whenever the class is a little off task, or working in groups and the teacher needs everyones attention then she yells 1, 2, eye on me, and then the class repeats back 1, 2, eyes on you, and that usually gets everyones attention and quites the class down.
Another great thing is when one student is being very on task, or following directions really well, the teacher will point it out to the class. It makes that one student feel good, and helps the others to have an example, and reminds them of how they should all be acting!
Another thing that I really like, and that helps gets students attention is whenever the class is a little off task, or working in groups and the teacher needs everyones attention then she yells 1, 2, eye on me, and then the class repeats back 1, 2, eyes on you, and that usually gets everyones attention and quites the class down.
Another great thing is when one student is being very on task, or following directions really well, the teacher will point it out to the class. It makes that one student feel good, and helps the others to have an example, and reminds them of how they should all be acting!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Blog #6, 4/4/2012
This topic is a perfect topic for me to write about. The teacher I am working with in my field hours is SO great at actively engaging the students. That is one reason why I enjoy her so much! There are many many different things that she does to actively engage the class. One thing that I really like are tokens. The students have opportunities to earn tokens each day, and turn them in for prizes. The students try to be on very good behavior, write neatly, listen well, etc. so that they can earn tokens. If they are working in groups or tables, then their group or table will often have a chance to earn the tokens, so they are encouraging each other to be good or do well so that the whole group can earn one! If the class or a student is acting up, the teacher can threaten that they won't get tokens or she will take tokens away, and that whips them right back in to shape, usually :)
Another way the teacher actively involves the class, is during writing. They have journals that they write in each day, and she picks a student to go to the front of the class and share their journal entry on the overhead. It's so fun for the students to be in front of the class, and share their work!
One more thing the class did that had everyone very involved was plays. The class was split into groups and each given a script. Each student had to memorize their part, and the teacher brought a bunch of different paper and feathers and things so that they could put together costumes! The class loved it, and it was a very actively engaging activity!
Another way the teacher actively involves the class, is during writing. They have journals that they write in each day, and she picks a student to go to the front of the class and share their journal entry on the overhead. It's so fun for the students to be in front of the class, and share their work!
One more thing the class did that had everyone very involved was plays. The class was split into groups and each given a script. Each student had to memorize their part, and the teacher brought a bunch of different paper and feathers and things so that they could put together costumes! The class loved it, and it was a very actively engaging activity!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Blog # 5, 3/30/12
I think teachers have many challenging and important roles! I think more then being the time if the teacher and teaching the subjects, an important role of a teacher is being a role model and friend. Some of the teacher I have the most memories of growing up we're the ones who genuinely knew me, and took the time to get to know me.
The teacher of the class that I am getting my hours with is a great example of this. She has the students respect and they are able to learn, but they also know she is their friend. The class has contests to see who can win the opprotunity to eat lunch with their teacher! I think it's so cute and shows that the students really live and trust their teacher as more then just a teacher!
I do think it would be challenging to get to know each student individually because there are so many students per class, but I think it would make a big difference!
The teacher of the class that I am getting my hours with is a great example of this. She has the students respect and they are able to learn, but they also know she is their friend. The class has contests to see who can win the opprotunity to eat lunch with their teacher! I think it's so cute and shows that the students really live and trust their teacher as more then just a teacher!
I do think it would be challenging to get to know each student individually because there are so many students per class, but I think it would make a big difference!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Blog entry #4, 3/21/2012
I have now completed 6 field experience days. I am having a lot of fun, and can't believe how fast the time is going. I go from 9 to 11 every friday, and everytime 11 comes around I am just so shocked that my time is already up. I am loving getting to know the class better, and we are having fun! All the students get so excited everytime they see "Mrs. Whiting". They always ask the teacher if Mrs. Whiting can read the book, or if Mrs. Whiting can be the leader. I love it. I am still in charge of the spelling tests every week which is fun, but sometimes hard to come up with sentences since I am put on the spot with such short notice of what the spelling words are for the week. But I love it, and am getting a good taste of what it's like to be a teacher.
Last friday, the students were given a reading assesment. It came along so well with the module that we are currently on in class. They take these reading assements every month (I think), and usually they do them silently on the computer. The teacher was trying something new and doing the assesment on the overhead, and she was reading the questions aloud. The whole first grade tried the assesment this way to see the difference in the results, vs when they do it on the computer. I got to walk around and answer any questions the students had while testing. It was fun to go around and see all the answers, but also frustrating because when they had the wrong answer I wanted them to change it to the right answer!
I only have a couple more days of field experience left! I'm excited and sad at the same time!
Last friday, the students were given a reading assesment. It came along so well with the module that we are currently on in class. They take these reading assements every month (I think), and usually they do them silently on the computer. The teacher was trying something new and doing the assesment on the overhead, and she was reading the questions aloud. The whole first grade tried the assesment this way to see the difference in the results, vs when they do it on the computer. I got to walk around and answer any questions the students had while testing. It was fun to go around and see all the answers, but also frustrating because when they had the wrong answer I wanted them to change it to the right answer!
I only have a couple more days of field experience left! I'm excited and sad at the same time!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Blog entry #3, 2/29/2012
Last Friday, February 24th, was my third field experience day! I had so much fun! When I arrived I gave the class their spelling test. I really enjoy giving the spelling test every week. I have to think fast to come up with sentences, it shows how in teaching you will be given situations where you have to think and act fast.
Last semester I took a course on special education, and learned about ELL's IEP's and learning disabilitles. When getting my hours for the class, I worked alot with students who had learning disabilities, IEP's and who were english lauguags learner. It was good to experience that, and understand more where those students are coming from, or why they are that way.
The class I am working with now is a very bright class. They are the second to top class in their grade, and I'm not sure if any of them have IEP's. There is only one hispanic boy in the class, and he has lived here his whole life, so he speaks english fluently. I haven't gotten to know the students well enough, or work enough one on one with them to know or recognize if they have any learning disablilties. Because of this, I haven't gotten to really try any techniques, or see the teacher use any.
I am really loving getting my hours. I am with an awesome class, and a great teacher who lets me be very invovled with the class. I have learned alot so far just by that, and each day I go it makes me more excited to become a teacher.
Last semester I took a course on special education, and learned about ELL's IEP's and learning disabilitles. When getting my hours for the class, I worked alot with students who had learning disabilities, IEP's and who were english lauguags learner. It was good to experience that, and understand more where those students are coming from, or why they are that way.
The class I am working with now is a very bright class. They are the second to top class in their grade, and I'm not sure if any of them have IEP's. There is only one hispanic boy in the class, and he has lived here his whole life, so he speaks english fluently. I haven't gotten to know the students well enough, or work enough one on one with them to know or recognize if they have any learning disablilties. Because of this, I haven't gotten to really try any techniques, or see the teacher use any.
I am really loving getting my hours. I am with an awesome class, and a great teacher who lets me be very invovled with the class. I have learned alot so far just by that, and each day I go it makes me more excited to become a teacher.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Blog Entry #2, 2/13/12
Last Friday was my first day of my field work. I had so much fun! I am working with a first grade class. The teacher is awesome, and the students are so excited to have me in their class.
When I first arrived to the class, they were doing power hour. Power hour is when they split into small groups (about 5 students per group), and do different activities. I was over the spelling test group. We reviewed spelling words, then I gave them their spelling tests. I liked working in the smaller groups, and I liked seeing the different students and their spelling abilities.
After Power hour, I read a story to the class. My mom is the secretary at this elementary school, so I read a book about a scary secretary, and at the end asked the kids if thats how they thought my mom was. None of them thought she was scary at all, but it was fun to read a book that the kids can make a connection with me, and their school.
After I read, the kids worked on a Valentine project. I walked around the room and helped with writing and spelling. After the Valentine project, my 2 hours were up. I had a really fun time, and I'm excited to go back this Friday.
When I first arrived to the class, they were doing power hour. Power hour is when they split into small groups (about 5 students per group), and do different activities. I was over the spelling test group. We reviewed spelling words, then I gave them their spelling tests. I liked working in the smaller groups, and I liked seeing the different students and their spelling abilities.
After Power hour, I read a story to the class. My mom is the secretary at this elementary school, so I read a book about a scary secretary, and at the end asked the kids if thats how they thought my mom was. None of them thought she was scary at all, but it was fun to read a book that the kids can make a connection with me, and their school.
After I read, the kids worked on a Valentine project. I walked around the room and helped with writing and spelling. After the Valentine project, my 2 hours were up. I had a really fun time, and I'm excited to go back this Friday.
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