What aspect of the week did I find most valuable?
The second week of my student teaching experience had it's ups and downs as I am sure the rest of my sixteen weeks will. I found several things about this week valuable to my education, including in service day, teaching, attending faculty meetings and last but certainly not least working with the students. In service day (Monday) was a good learning experience simple because I did not know what to expect. This day was spent updating old curriculum and making suggestion on what standards should be added. Teaching this week was a very valuable learning experience. The students seemed to take well to my teaching style although very different than that of my cooperative teachers. In all I believe this week has taught me how to manage my time more efficiently. I also believe I am learning to deal with stress relatively easily. I have not always been able to take things lightly, however I am learning that mistakes will happen and there is no reason to beat yourself up over it.
If given the opportunity to start the week over I would change?
This week went relatively well, although if I were given the opportunity to start the week over I would change a few things. I learned early on this week that over planning is always better then under planning. Even though I had enough material for my intro lesson, I ended up covering something I didn't think I would get too, therefore I ended up teaching on the fly, which was relatively difficult especially on the first day of teaching. Things went much better as the week progressed, thankfully! I am still having some difficulty putting names with faces in class, so if given the opportunity to start the week over I would drill students names into my head by any means possible. I am doing my best to stay positive and realize that the unexpected will happen at times; Learning to deal with the unexpected can and will only get better!
Hope your all enjoying your student teaching, good luck with week three!
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I also feel that over planning is better then under planning. That happened to me this week also, but mine was because I was nervous and felt like I went through my lesson to fast. I am sure you will start to learn the names of all your students as fast as possible. It is very hard to learn all the names but it will happen.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more... learning to take things in stride and not get stressed is key for us right now. No one is perfect and the students need to know that too. We're human and make mistakes. As long as we don't get upset, the students won't either. I can't imagine you as anything but positive! Stay relaxed and be yourself... the kids will love you!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing very well, even under pressure! I am glad to hear that even though your teaching style is different from your coop, the students are taking it well.
ReplyDeleteI learned the names of the students for each class the first week partially because of the small class size, the largest class has 14 students and the smallest has 5 while the rest averages to 10.
Luckily, my coop has a seating chart. On my second day last week, before each class I looked at the names and as students were entering the class some would start small talk with the coop or my coop would strike up a conversation and mention their name. That helped me put a face to the name and know a little bit about the student. Then before the class would dismiss I asked my coop if I could speak to the class. I got up and named each student ... without looking at the list of course. Surely enough, I could not remember most of their names the next day except those few that really stood out. So, I asked if they could tell me one thing about themselves (nothing embarassing). I learned about the sports they play, part-time jobs or their hobbies. That seemed to have made remembering their names easier.
Hope this helps. If not, I know your index cards would sure work.
I agree on all counts - taking things in stride is an absolute must, time management is key, and learning the students names is also difficult, but a necessity. I'm also improving myself in all areas. Time is always hard to come by! Also, being "over prepared" AND learning to teach on the fly - when necessary (hopefully used sparingly) are valuable skills to learn. And as I say, better to learn it now with the guidance of someone who's been there before than on your own when you're really sticking your neck out with no safety net.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear things are going relatively well for you though, and I look forward to hearing how the upcoming weeks go for you!
Wow Shawn! If you have already learned how not to let things get to you, I think you should give us a lesson on that in the next Clinical Studies class. It not only makes you a better teacher (mood, disposition, patience-wise), but it also is less stressful and more healthier than "beating yourself up" over things that, in time, will improve. Remembering that every teacher who is teaching now started out just like you are starting is also a good thought...it's provides perspective!
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