Student Teaching!

Hello again, its been awhile.

So I have begun my last semester in my teaching program and this semester I am student teaching! So far my CT (Coordinating Teacher) is very similar in her processes as me and I am learning so much from her. I really appreciated the lesson we just did a few weeks ago with Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night. Just for some perspective, I am in a 2nd grade classroom where ALL students are learning English as a second language. My CT also speaks Spanish which is an awesome skill to have that I am now realizing I should have worked more on previously. (I do have my Batchelor in Arts for Spanish but I do not think I could speak it properly). So back to the lesson - We went CAMPING in the classroom! We showed the inter-city students what a sleeping bag was, talked about camping materials, and incorporated setting discussion!

It ended up being so fun and the students thought it was the coolest thing when they walked into the classroom. I think things like this is why I became a teacher. 

I also came up with a new motto for each day - Everyday go to school looking forward to one lesson, one activity, or one human. I think that will ensure each day does not feel like a job and when a teacher loves to teach, she will create students who love to learn.

GRPS visit to GVSU

This past semester (October 2014) I had the pleasure of putting on an event to bring 50-60 Grand Rapid's Public School students to GVSU. I was humbled to have the attendance of our President, T.Haas in attendance to talk briefly to the students on achievement. This is a picture of that event. (Pictures approved by school)

Technology

Kahoot!

This site my CT found during one of her professional development days. This site is student centered/class centered games that are very interactive and great for reviewing material.

Technology

PBS Learning Media

Technology Show and Tell 1: This site has amazing resources for teachers. Especially when you need to leave work for a substitute.

The End is Near

This next week marks the last week at my placement. Oh how the time has flown by! I have learned so much and I know I can't even begin to create a list of those things. Yesterday I was able to volunteer at the MRA (Michigan Reading Association) conference in Grand Rapids. The conference hadn't even started and I was able to already learn so much and network for future jobs! Some things I learned at this Ted talk style lecture is that you have to ask the students what they want to do and what they are interested in. Making the class current and using topics that are relevant to these students lives is SO important. Using topics such as pop culture (aka an example is using the Bachelor to teach literature) captures students attention and gives students a voice. Something else I learned is that making reading a central priority in schools create creative and passionate students. Reading is something that is different for every student and can be the only individualized type of learning they can actually do. Meaning, using books to teach reading and writing strategies enables students to use the book of their choice to learn from and share their learning with classmates. Also, collaboration is essential with reading. Doing activities such as book talks helps students stay connected with text and create community in the classroom.

My students are amazing and have taught me a lot about teaching. I also have fell in love with middle school. One presenter noted that with middle schoolers you can still mold them. High schoolers are pretty set in their ways but middle school is when they are most vulnerable and your impact as a teacher is the most significant in those years.

MY FIRST DAY.

So today marked my first of many early mornings driving through the winter storms to school. I arrived just before my Coordinating teacher and once she arrived we went right to the cafeteria to welcome the early students getting breakfast. I got the impression she has had a few to many TA's in the past and didn't really seem to; or want to warm up to me much at first. I know she will, it'll just take time. I was able to observe her teaching style even though she seemed confident in the morning that she was completely unprepared for the first day back from break and had nothing planned. I think that is what was so miraculous about this first day - she ended up teaching and having things ready for the students despite her negative outlook on the day. I am scared to think that while I will have a life beyond my classroom in the future, that I probably will be in her same position. Being able to think on my feet, but not be a creative and prepared that I want to be. I hope someday that I will be on top of my game and I know I will be that first year! I must give her slack though due to her news that her father over break had to have an unexpected high risk surgery. I did have 2 classes as well as my teacher assisting today and I think I enjoyed those the most. The first one was Reading Assessment and Instruction and my professor is just awesome. I got so pumped to read young adult and picture books almost as much as she did. I already started a new Goodreads account and I will add it as a Widget to my blog so you can follow the books that I read. My second class was for my Teacher Assisting and we went over expectations and how this semester was going to pan out. My TA professor was so nice and I can tell I will learn a lot from her. This post isn't a lot, but I am exhausted so I will definitely reflect on my week in my next post!

Teacher Assisting - Before it begins

Before the beginning of my first semester in the classroom - Teacher Assisting

About a month ago I got my placement information were my home classroom would be for the next 4 months. I was placed in a 6th grade social studies and language arts classroom. It is in an area with not a ton of diversity. I am SO excited but very nervous. The highest grade that I have worked with is 5th grade and much of my classes have focused on elementary school. I honestly don't know what to expect.

My Coordinating Teacher, lets call her Mrs. Smith, so far has given me the impression that I will be doing a lot of learning this semester. She told me at my interview that I would be teaching both a social studies and language arts lesson almost every day. She gave me a Geography Alive textbook to look over over break. Reading through some of the chapter, I can already see some ideas that I have to teach the information. I know I will make tons of mistakes which doesn't scare me the most - what scares me the most is being able to properly learn from those mistakes. I think since I have been in situations with teaching were I have had to adapt such as tutoring students on reading I will be able to bounce back properly from my first teaching experiences.

I am so excited to work with Mrs. Smith though. At my interview she has told me about the various teacher assistants and student teachers she has had previously. I also got to meet the principal, which he told me she was one of the best! She does have over 24 years of experience alone at that school, previously a special education teacher.

One thing that I remember in 6th or 8th grade (I don't exactly remember when) my classroom had a student teacher. He brought with him a syllabus. I had never heard what a syllabus was before and I didn't realize that now I need one in order to feel prepared for a college course. I never noticed then either of how I learned or how the information was presented to me. I now know that essential questions and applying everything they learn to life will enhance what they learn but how do I make them aware of these concepts? I feel like it is important for students to understand why and how they will be learning the information.

I guess at this point I am looking for advice. Mrs. Smith told me that I could play a game or do a short activity with the students to introduce myself. I want to think of something that reveals to both the class and her that I am prepared and ready to help in this classroom. Also, how do I create a memorable and positive experience for the students. I want them to remember me as a teacher assistant since I am given the opportunity to teach. Are there any sites or resources that are great for 6th grade social studies or language arts that you have used? Anything would help :)

I just can't wait for this experience. I will keep updates but my next post will probably be after my first day; January 5th! :)

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!