Aspects of the week I found most valuable:
This week, just as last week, had it's ups and downs. I found several aspects of this week rewarding and valuable to my future success. It is nice to finally feel in charge of the class and responsible for the students well being and academic well being. I finally have learned my students names and it's nice to be able to call on them when they have questions or while saying hello in the morning. This week also allowed me the opportunity to teach on a compressed schedule. Thursday Benton had a two hour delay and our classes were shortened to a half hour, because of this I had to modify my lesson. This was very valuable because I now have a better idea for what works and doesn't work on these days. This week also gave me the chance to start seeing how student's react to different days of the week and during two hour delays. Overall, I would have to say that this week was very valuable, I learned a great deal and look forward to the weeks ahead.
If given the opportunity to start the week over I would?
I feel as if this week I am starting to find that some things I don't have an initial inkling on what I could do differently to fix a problem. I have noticed that I am asking my coop what she might do in a certain situation. This week has had it's fair share of complicated situations, especially in the area of classroom management and unexpected problems. I have found that it's not bad to ask questions and my coop usually gives me some ideas on what I could do differently to fix a certain situation. I guess if given the opportunity to start the week over I would try not to get worked up when the student's don't meet my expectations. I want them all to succeed and sometimes I have students who just don't care if they do or not. When the students get frustrated I tend to get frustrated for no reason. I am starting to realize that the same students are having difficulty and it's not lack of instruction, it's lack of attention on their part. Overall I would say that I am relatively pleased with this week and I look forward to the weeks ahead!
Hope you all had a great week! Good luck with week four!!!
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I definitely have noticed how students react to different schedules as well. It seems like they were crazy on Tuesday in anticipation of the snow day on Wednesday. I feel like the students get out of a routine when the schedule is changed, such as a two hour delay. Even us as teachers get somewhat confused by the schedule, but I think that is because we are all creatures of habit and do not like to change all the time. It sounds like things are going good for you though, and you are learning a lot. Keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that the shortened classes are a good learning experience. It good to have that now than later and maybe not until you have a job. In a shortened day everything is different, the attitudes, time, students reactions to class and everything else. Don’t get frustrated, I know your a hard worker and can deal with things, I get frustrated too but I think, if I'm like this can you imagine how some of the students feel.
ReplyDeleteI have had a similar learning experience with shortened periods - especially since I've been getting used to 80-90 minute periods. When that's the case, 50-60 minutes goes by pretty quickly so it's been good have varying situations to learn through. After all, it's all about flexibility, Eh?
ReplyDeleteAlso I've found that it's valuable to use the co-op for ideas and advice...that is after all what they are there for, and a hesitance to ask questions simply results in a slower pace of learning on our parts. I ask lots of questions, even when I feel I should know the answer. Asking questions is one of the most valuable tools of learning.
Keep up the good work Sean...I'm sure you relate well with the students, so keep after it!
You are right. Showing students you are frustrated can defeat tomorrow's lesson and lessons after that. If you are frustrated, hide it, and vent about it later at home. Students sometimes get a kick out of working up a teacher. Always have the upper hand and those uncooperative students will realize they can do it with your support! Control means class! Always have control over what you can control: your reactions!
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