This week was shorter and a lot less hectic than last! On Monday, I started teaching math full time. I am always nervous about math time, because it is right after recess and the kids are usually wound up. But to my surprise, they were absolutely wonderful during my entire lesson on patterns. They were so engaged in the book and with putting the magnets on the board. There were several times I looked down and they were all sitting correctly with their eyes on the book, listening to and watching their classmates and me. I was afraid I would lose the kids when I asked them to move in front of the whiteboard. But again, they moved quickly and quietly, and actively participated in the pattern PowerPoint I had created. I am not sure if the kids were worn out from recess, but I like to think they were so well-behaved because I developed a lesson that was engaging for them. It is important for the kids to be active in the lessons, which is why I involved them in the story, as well as created an interactive PowerPoint. I also believe the PowerPoint was beneficial because the kids respond so well to technology.
On Tuesday, I took over for Laura again while she was at strategic planning all day. And let me say, it felt like a breeze after last week! I am still really thankful for jury duty, because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me one of the best experiences I have had.
Wednesday morning, after realizing some of the kids did not grasp the patterning concept on Tuesday, I pulled a small group out for some reteaching. Those students really benefited from that one-on-one time with me. We worked with the manipulatives more so they could actually make and see the patterns. I will always be a proponent of working with small groups, because I can better meet the needs of the students that way. When we are in the larger group, the kids that really understand the concept always answer my questions. Therefore, I assume everyone gets it. So the success of the reteach session really gave me hope for my lesson later in the day. During math, I took on the challenge of having the kids use musical instruments to play some patterns they created on Tuesday. While it was chaotic and noisy, the students were really engaged in the lesson because they were so active. Having them play the patterns also served as a good assessment tool. Not only was I able to see and hear if the students playing understood patterns, but also the students who were listening and guessing the patterns. One area of weakness that lesson made me aware of is my ability to give directions. For instance, the music lesson had several different directions. I tried to minimize the chaos, but I was not sure whether I should have told the kids to get with their partner first or to get their instruments first. I guess that is something that will come with time and experience.
Thursday was a two-hour early dismissal day. With days like that, you really see how dependent the kids (and teachers) are on routine. Because our schedule was so different, there were times when the kids, and even I, were unsure of where we were supposed to be. I hate being a creature of habit, but school is one place I do not mind it!
Friday was an ISE day, and consisted of meetings. I really enjoyed presenting the Benedum portion of the faculty senate meeting. There have been times when I have walked down the hallway and gotten crazy stares from the faculty, because they were unsure of whom I was. So having the chance to introduce myself to everyone at once really made me feel more comfortable around the school.
My latest concern with a student occurred Friday morning during a parent-teacher conference. We do not have access to this student’s file, and his parents failed to mention that he had received special education services when he was in preschool. So I am worried that he should have been receiving services since the beginning of kindergarten.
You're exactly right about the success of your lesson--it was in the planning and the emphasis on student engagement. I hope that no matter what grade you teach, you'll find ways to incorporate centers so that you are free to conduct small group lessons. It's harder when you're the only adult in the room, but not impossible, and way too valuable to shove aside!
This week was shorter and a lot less hectic than last! On Monday, I started teaching math full time. I am always nervous about math time, because it is right after recess and the kids are usually wound up. But to my surprise, they were absolutely wonderful during my entire lesson on patterns. They were so engaged in the book and with putting the magnets on the board. There were several times I looked down and they were all sitting correctly with their eyes on the book, listening to and watching their classmates and me. I was afraid I would lose the kids when I asked them to move in front of the whiteboard. But again, they moved quickly and quietly, and actively participated in the pattern PowerPoint I had created. I am not sure if the kids were worn out from recess, but I like to think they were so well-behaved because I developed a lesson that was engaging for them. It is important for the kids to be active in the lessons, which is why I involved them in the story, as well as created an interactive PowerPoint. I also believe the PowerPoint was beneficial because the kids respond so well to technology.
ReplyDeleteOn Tuesday, I took over for Laura again while she was at strategic planning all day. And let me say, it felt like a breeze after last week! I am still really thankful for jury duty, because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me one of the best experiences I have had.
Wednesday morning, after realizing some of the kids did not grasp the patterning concept on Tuesday, I pulled a small group out for some reteaching. Those students really benefited from that one-on-one time with me. We worked with the manipulatives more so they could actually make and see the patterns. I will always be a proponent of working with small groups, because I can better meet the needs of the students that way. When we are in the larger group, the kids that really understand the concept always answer my questions. Therefore, I assume everyone gets it. So the success of the reteach session really gave me hope for my lesson later in the day. During math, I took on the challenge of having the kids use musical instruments to play some patterns they created on Tuesday. While it was chaotic and noisy, the students were really engaged in the lesson because they were so active. Having them play the patterns also served as a good assessment tool. Not only was I able to see and hear if the students playing understood patterns, but also the students who were listening and guessing the patterns. One area of weakness that lesson made me aware of is my ability to give directions. For instance, the music lesson had several different directions. I tried to minimize the chaos, but I was not sure whether I should have told the kids to get with their partner first or to get their instruments first. I guess that is something that will come with time and experience.
Thursday was a two-hour early dismissal day. With days like that, you really see how dependent the kids (and teachers) are on routine. Because our schedule was so different, there were times when the kids, and even I, were unsure of where we were supposed to be. I hate being a creature of habit, but school is one place I do not mind it!
Friday was an ISE day, and consisted of meetings. I really enjoyed presenting the Benedum portion of the faculty senate meeting. There have been times when I have walked down the hallway and gotten crazy stares from the faculty, because they were unsure of whom I was. So having the chance to introduce myself to everyone at once really made me feel more comfortable around the school.
My latest concern with a student occurred Friday morning during a parent-teacher conference. We do not have access to this student’s file, and his parents failed to mention that he had received special education services when he was in preschool. So I am worried that he should have been receiving services since the beginning of kindergarten.
Let us see what week seven has in store!
You're exactly right about the success of your lesson--it was in the planning and the emphasis on student engagement. I hope that no matter what grade you teach, you'll find ways to incorporate centers so that you are free to conduct small group lessons. It's harder when you're the only adult in the room, but not impossible, and way too valuable to shove aside!
ReplyDelete