Week Four

 

02.06.12

Today was my first formal observation so Mary and I planned a really

great math/art lesson. I was a little nervous before hand but once I started things were fine. It’s good to have that feeling sometimes to remind ourselves what it is like for the students. In the lesson we talked about polygons, measuring, and rotations or turns. About five minutes into the lesson I was thinking, “crap, this is way too hard for these kids. I did a terrible job explaining how to measure,”. So we stepped back and tried re-explaining how to measure using a Smartboard ruler. This time a few more kids got it, but not enough. Again I paused the activity, for those who were struggling, and tried a different explanation. After that it was one-on-one. Our first few rectangles were rough and wonky. By the second set of rectangles the kids were mostly getting the concept and some were making connections to symmetry, and creating their own strategies for estimating whether scrap paper would work or if it was too small. In the end our banners turned out AWESOME! I loved this project, the kids were excited and saying how much better it was than math. HA, little did they realize we had been doing math for and hour and half! Things I learned include: 1. do not assume anything. Have kids repeat the directions a million times in their own words. 2. Read ALL the directions with the students before you start the activity. They will not do this on their own because the project is SOOO cool and they will not want to wait. 3. Simplify unnecessary details, like making a triangle with a base of 3.5 and cutting it in half. Work on only a few concepts, do not overload the lesson.

The rest of the day went smooth. I mostly observed and helped

students individually during reading. More CRT practice and math fact drills.

02.07.12

Co-taught today. Mary and I are getting so efficient that we are becoming unorganized. Did I grade those papers, did she, where did we put them, or were they passed back. It’s great that I can help her so much, however, I am still tentative on how much takeover to do. And it’s on my part. I know Mary is more than ok with any amount I do, but it still feels a little strange. It is her classroom. But it’s not uncomfortable in the least. We both laugh it off. Could have been all the midterm paperwork we passed back today as well. Ugh, so many letters and reminders for the kids to bring home. Math and reading CRT prep went well today. We co-taught the CPS clicker review and I assisted individuals during the math practice. This week is going well.

02.08.12

I got my Praxis results back today and ended up kicking butt! 194!! That’s a big weight lifted. In school this morning I did the usual morning math and picked our small group reading lesson. We only have eight students so Mary and I each took four. It was great to start taking over another subject. The kids were a little wild this afternoon. Something is in the air I guess. We helped the first graders with a power point project in the afternoon. My class really were good mentors and teachers with the little ones. I heard a lot of positive feedback and enjoyment from the activity.

02.09.12

This morning we split our reading group and each taught a four students. There was not a lot of direct instruction but more guided help with editing their constructed responses. There is one girl who plays up a helpless act during our reading group. When I first got to Hedges I fell for it. I did not know our groups were based on ability and ours was above level. Hmmmm, someone did not want to do the work. This girl was in my small group today and her helplessness was so bad I had to walk away for a while. Once I was not at their table anymore she waited a few minutes and then started writing. I know she is capable but it seems like laziness. This trait will be a frustrating one but something to work with and overcome.

02.10.12

We had to head to Havre right after class today for an impromptu visit to my grandparents. Grandpa is getting sick and it was time to check up with them. I did not get a chance to write but it was a pretty standard day. We administered a spelling test, had our class meeting/share time, and worked a few CRT questions.