Week 12
Week 12 in the books!
This was my first week at my second placement. My cooperating teacher and I had previously agreed that I would start the week observing while he finished the unit on India. However, he did throw me in the ring to lead class discussions on the first day. I was so nervous! I tried to pretend like I wasn't, and really hope that I succeeded. However, that was nerve-racking. I had a little part in the classes each day after that. I handed out, timed, and collected quizzes, and led another series of class discussions. I know he did that so the students could at least have a little face time with me instead of just being the stranger hanging out in the corner observing. I take over the World Studies class on Tuesday with a unit on Ancient Greece!
There are a few factors that I think may affect my experience teaching high school. First, I'm student teaching at a hard time for the students. They had their regular teacher for a few weeks, were off two weeks for the strike, and then they get the news a student teacher is taking over for the next unit, again breaking the routine they were growing accustomed to. I think the students have a lot of adjustments to make, and I hope they don't grow to resent me being there. Second, I feel like I don't know the students very well. I'm going to work hard to rectify that, but the routine and culture of this school is incredibly different from my first placement. I only see these students for 51 minutes a day as opposed to seeing the students at my first placement for longer which allowed me time to build a relationship with them. We had time for them to get to know me, and for me to get to know them. I just feel like with the limited time at this placement, I won't have enough time to build those relationships the way I would like to. In addition, I feel like my teaching style will not be as effective in high school as it was with my 5th graders. I really think I'm meant to teach at the middle school level. It brought me so much joy! Lastly, from what I have observed, this age group is tough. It seems like no matter what kind of lesson was being taught- and my cooperating teacher is amazing- there was a genuine lack of interest. I will do the best I can, I'm just not sure this placement will go. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but I am incredibly nervous and my confidence is sorely lacking currently.
Schmidt Chapter 6
In this chapter, the focus is writing. I do not teach writing, but social studies and history courses contain a rather large amount of writing. I loved the idea of reading to the students and how students get better at writing when being read to. Actually, this week I was planning on reading a portion of the Greek creation myth to the students! I think it's a great idea for a couple of reasons. First, no matter how old they are, it's a nice touch to be read to- in addition to students hearing new vocabulary in context. I also like the annotated drawing exercise. I think it would be really helpful for students who love to draw or are more visual learners to annotate text with pictures so they can understand it better.
This was my first week at my second placement. My cooperating teacher and I had previously agreed that I would start the week observing while he finished the unit on India. However, he did throw me in the ring to lead class discussions on the first day. I was so nervous! I tried to pretend like I wasn't, and really hope that I succeeded. However, that was nerve-racking. I had a little part in the classes each day after that. I handed out, timed, and collected quizzes, and led another series of class discussions. I know he did that so the students could at least have a little face time with me instead of just being the stranger hanging out in the corner observing. I take over the World Studies class on Tuesday with a unit on Ancient Greece!
There are a few factors that I think may affect my experience teaching high school. First, I'm student teaching at a hard time for the students. They had their regular teacher for a few weeks, were off two weeks for the strike, and then they get the news a student teacher is taking over for the next unit, again breaking the routine they were growing accustomed to. I think the students have a lot of adjustments to make, and I hope they don't grow to resent me being there. Second, I feel like I don't know the students very well. I'm going to work hard to rectify that, but the routine and culture of this school is incredibly different from my first placement. I only see these students for 51 minutes a day as opposed to seeing the students at my first placement for longer which allowed me time to build a relationship with them. We had time for them to get to know me, and for me to get to know them. I just feel like with the limited time at this placement, I won't have enough time to build those relationships the way I would like to. In addition, I feel like my teaching style will not be as effective in high school as it was with my 5th graders. I really think I'm meant to teach at the middle school level. It brought me so much joy! Lastly, from what I have observed, this age group is tough. It seems like no matter what kind of lesson was being taught- and my cooperating teacher is amazing- there was a genuine lack of interest. I will do the best I can, I'm just not sure this placement will go. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but I am incredibly nervous and my confidence is sorely lacking currently.
Schmidt Chapter 6
In this chapter, the focus is writing. I do not teach writing, but social studies and history courses contain a rather large amount of writing. I loved the idea of reading to the students and how students get better at writing when being read to. Actually, this week I was planning on reading a portion of the Greek creation myth to the students! I think it's a great idea for a couple of reasons. First, no matter how old they are, it's a nice touch to be read to- in addition to students hearing new vocabulary in context. I also like the annotated drawing exercise. I think it would be really helpful for students who love to draw or are more visual learners to annotate text with pictures so they can understand it better.
Lisa, I can understand that these students are in a tough position, and you are sort of caught in the circumstances. My advice to you is to do the best you can in the limited time that you have to get to know them, be genuine and respectful, and you will have an impact. You may not know what impact you have, as these students probably don't want to let on how they really feel about you. You should believe that you are getting through to some of them, who may let you know at some point.
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