Last week was a little hectic. We had picture day and college fair day (that I neglected to plan for), a test, a day at the library, double-entry journals, left over presentations, and midterms. In addition, my action research brief was due on Thursday. Yet as much as I have to take care of, things are more easily fitting into the combined system established by me, Mr. Conrad, and the collaborative teachers.
Speaking of collaboration, Friday was the last day for Ms. Sambol and Ms. Cappellini at UHS. Though we were not doing "true" collaboration, I'm appreciative of the experience we had planning class together over the past two weeks. We had a slight hiccup on Thursday of last week because of failure on my part to plan enough time for review and failure of the students to complete the study guide. Though Ms. Sambol and Ms. Cappellini and I have had few issues in communication during our experience together, Ms. Solly interpreted the situation differently and decided to facilitate a discussion of the study guide/test issue. After speaking with Ms. Sambol and Cappellini post-discussion, I think that a very manageable situation was exaggerated into a mini crisis. The issues in need of discussion were not sensitive to any of the parties involved, which is how Ms. Solly presented them during our meeting. Despite this, I am encouraged by our ability to work out this miscommunication and move on.
Week 5, five words: Remember to plan for pictures!
Things I'm excited about: grading double-entry journals, seriously. I want to see what my students think about the books they're reading.
Things I want to work on: Transitions in class...smoothness, making sure I'm teaching the content on the tests while still taking advantage of teachable moments, establishing a voice level that doesn't strain my throat. :)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Week #4: Where oh Where has my host teacher gone?
Because of unplanned sickness and planned travel, Mr. Conrad was absent three days last week. Things went surprisingly well.
Highlights:
I am learning the value of being over-prepared. I worked hard to improve the Powerpoint that Barb and John used last year -- adding pictures and elaborating on the text/concepts. I think the students were fairly interested (though the subject is Puritans, so any interest is appreciated) and I'm glad that I put in the extra work for the lesson.
Teaching finally feels real! Everything is suddenly my responsibility, from accessing prior knowledge, to instructing and assessing progress. I've had snippets of this experience across the past two years, but never felt the responsibility with such...weight. It feels good. A little scary, but good.
I need to work on clarity of directions. Like I mentioned before, a lesson last week kind of bombed because I confused the kids. Then this week I mentioned "the blog" to a class that was unfamiliar with the concept and a student said (with playful frustration), "Stop saying things we don't understand." Though she was joking, I know it's something I need to work on. I jump around sometimes, too fluidly. I need to be more cognizant of the students that really need a concrete structure (especially in my collaborative classes).
Speaking of collaboration, I wish that I had more time to work with Ms. Sambol and Ms. Cappellini. They are both leaving at the end of the week. I feel like they are running errands and not teaching. However, in our planning meetings, they say things like, "Don't throw us to the wolves." I'm trying to find the balance between being the dominant teacher and giving them content with which they aren't familiar.
Mr. Conrad mentioned the importance of reviewing your technology, and I'm glad I listened to him. I had several computer/technology malfunctions that could have thrown my lessons off significantly.
I feel about 75% successful most of the time. Passing, anyway. :) Learning, for sure.
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Week 4, Four Words: I can do this?
Things I'm excited about: writing instruction
Things I want to work on: secretarial organization. Keeping track of that stuff gives students a sense of your responsibility, and the structure of the class. I just need to be on top of it. Period.
Highlights:
I am learning the value of being over-prepared. I worked hard to improve the Powerpoint that Barb and John used last year -- adding pictures and elaborating on the text/concepts. I think the students were fairly interested (though the subject is Puritans, so any interest is appreciated) and I'm glad that I put in the extra work for the lesson.
Teaching finally feels real! Everything is suddenly my responsibility, from accessing prior knowledge, to instructing and assessing progress. I've had snippets of this experience across the past two years, but never felt the responsibility with such...weight. It feels good. A little scary, but good.
I need to work on clarity of directions. Like I mentioned before, a lesson last week kind of bombed because I confused the kids. Then this week I mentioned "the blog" to a class that was unfamiliar with the concept and a student said (with playful frustration), "Stop saying things we don't understand." Though she was joking, I know it's something I need to work on. I jump around sometimes, too fluidly. I need to be more cognizant of the students that really need a concrete structure (especially in my collaborative classes).
Speaking of collaboration, I wish that I had more time to work with Ms. Sambol and Ms. Cappellini. They are both leaving at the end of the week. I feel like they are running errands and not teaching. However, in our planning meetings, they say things like, "Don't throw us to the wolves." I'm trying to find the balance between being the dominant teacher and giving them content with which they aren't familiar.
Mr. Conrad mentioned the importance of reviewing your technology, and I'm glad I listened to him. I had several computer/technology malfunctions that could have thrown my lessons off significantly.
I feel about 75% successful most of the time. Passing, anyway. :) Learning, for sure.
--------------
Week 4, Four Words: I can do this?
Things I'm excited about: writing instruction
Things I want to work on: secretarial organization. Keeping track of that stuff gives students a sense of your responsibility, and the structure of the class. I just need to be on top of it. Period.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Weekly Reflection #3: Realizations
So last week was generally not disastrous! I know I have a lot of room for improvement, but that improvement seems fairly manageable.
Highlights from last week:
I glanced down at a student's desk and saw a date at the top of her notebook page and the word "Um" and about 20 tally marks. I cocked my head in thought for about 3 seconds and realized she had been counting my "ums."
I make eye contact with students sometimes during quiet times. Usually I smile or, if I know the student pretty well, I wink or something. I guess subconsciously I had been thinking that they were looking at me for some kind of teacher-student connection, a kind look of encouragement, for example. Last week I realized that most of them want to know if I'm watching them because they want to pull out a cell phone or work on other homework. By no means am I allowing myself to become jaded after my first week of teaching -- but I am going to try to cut down on my naivety.
I was officially observed in 6th period by Mr. Conrad this week. The lesson went pretty bad, even though I had made modifications between 3rd and 6th periods. We had a great debrief session about it though, and what seemed like a big problem (poor lesson design) turned out to be more of a management problem (make the kids quiet and listen before you expect them to listen to and execute directions). So, that was really productive and helpful.
----------------
Week Three, Three Words: Here we go!
Things I'm excited about: I received good feedback on my Action Research proposal, which taking shape nicely. The question is going to be something like, "How can I integrate technology into the secondary ELA classroom to support 21st Century Learning Skills?" And if all goes well, my professor mentioned that I should expand my research into the spring semester and turn it into a professional development project.
Things I want to work on: clarity of directions/class time.
Highlights from last week:
I glanced down at a student's desk and saw a date at the top of her notebook page and the word "Um" and about 20 tally marks. I cocked my head in thought for about 3 seconds and realized she had been counting my "ums."
I make eye contact with students sometimes during quiet times. Usually I smile or, if I know the student pretty well, I wink or something. I guess subconsciously I had been thinking that they were looking at me for some kind of teacher-student connection, a kind look of encouragement, for example. Last week I realized that most of them want to know if I'm watching them because they want to pull out a cell phone or work on other homework. By no means am I allowing myself to become jaded after my first week of teaching -- but I am going to try to cut down on my naivety.
I was officially observed in 6th period by Mr. Conrad this week. The lesson went pretty bad, even though I had made modifications between 3rd and 6th periods. We had a great debrief session about it though, and what seemed like a big problem (poor lesson design) turned out to be more of a management problem (make the kids quiet and listen before you expect them to listen to and execute directions). So, that was really productive and helpful.
----------------
Week Three, Three Words: Here we go!
Things I'm excited about: I received good feedback on my Action Research proposal, which taking shape nicely. The question is going to be something like, "How can I integrate technology into the secondary ELA classroom to support 21st Century Learning Skills?" And if all goes well, my professor mentioned that I should expand my research into the spring semester and turn it into a professional development project.
Things I want to work on: clarity of directions/class time.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Weekly Reflection #2: Moment of Truth
So, all is well in the world of student-teaching.
I have narrowed my action research to something interesting and manageable. I have written my first set of week-long lesson plans. I have made jokes. I have taught (mostly) clear lessons, and facilitated class successfully. I have beaten my host teacher's scores on the Praxis. ;)
All of this confidence...but I'm concerned that I've simply yet to be challenged. I have not disciplined. I have not conducted a lesson without a model. Really -- I haven't run into any problems yet. So (hence the title of this blog post) this week feels like the moment of truth. I feel a little silly saying that because many of the other interns have already taken the reigns from their host teachers. But still -- this is my first time taking over a class completely -- and I'm unabashedly excited/anxious about it.
Here's to a successful (and short!) week.
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Week Two, Two Words: more progress
Things I'm excited about: teaching by myself
Things I want to work on: long term planning: action research, unit plans
I have narrowed my action research to something interesting and manageable. I have written my first set of week-long lesson plans. I have made jokes. I have taught (mostly) clear lessons, and facilitated class successfully. I have beaten my host teacher's scores on the Praxis. ;)
All of this confidence...but I'm concerned that I've simply yet to be challenged. I have not disciplined. I have not conducted a lesson without a model. Really -- I haven't run into any problems yet. So (hence the title of this blog post) this week feels like the moment of truth. I feel a little silly saying that because many of the other interns have already taken the reigns from their host teachers. But still -- this is my first time taking over a class completely -- and I'm unabashedly excited/anxious about it.
Here's to a successful (and short!) week.
-------------
Week Two, Two Words: more progress
Things I'm excited about: teaching by myself
Things I want to work on: long term planning: action research, unit plans
Weekly Reflection #1: Back to School
All along, I knew that the beginning of my Intern Year would necessarily feel different than any other time in the 5 Year program. Full time teaching, no university classes, altered sleep schedule --- the differences in lifestyle are numerous -- but all this mental preparation aside...I've been amazed by how positive and engaging this placement has been so far.
I feel so lucky to be teaching at University High--which is so close to my own community--in a classroom with John Conrad, who is a alumnus of both UHS and the Benedum 5 Year Program. He is an impressive teacher and mentor -- and everyone at UHS has a great deal of respect for him. We're teaching two sections of Honors English 11, two of 11 collaborative, and two of English 12. I'm excited for the content, and (as far as I can tell) the students seem nice and interested. Additionally, Mr. Conrad has a ridiculously vivacious collaborative teacher (Mrs. Solly) who brings so much excitement and heart into our classroom. I feel as though I am in a place of great support, knowledge, and positivity in beginning my next step as a teacher -- and that's incredibly reassuring. And that feeling of security is important because I have a lot of learning to do, and I know that--as a student--I need to feel safe to take risks and test out my skills. I'm grateful that I have such a perfect space to grow as a teacher.
In particular this week, I have spent a lot of time observing Mr. Conrad's teaching and classroom management style. Sometimes I feel too timid in the classroom, but I wanted to get to know the environment before I interacted fully. And I think that decision was correct, because my observations have produced valuable insights about teaching. I am definitely excited to teach; however, this transition time has been more productive for me than I ever imagined. And I'm looking forward to Week Two!
---
And here's something I want to continue for every reflection....
Week One, One Word: Insight
Things I'm happy about: just about everything
Things I want to work on: being more present in the classroom
I feel so lucky to be teaching at University High--which is so close to my own community--in a classroom with John Conrad, who is a alumnus of both UHS and the Benedum 5 Year Program. He is an impressive teacher and mentor -- and everyone at UHS has a great deal of respect for him. We're teaching two sections of Honors English 11, two of 11 collaborative, and two of English 12. I'm excited for the content, and (as far as I can tell) the students seem nice and interested. Additionally, Mr. Conrad has a ridiculously vivacious collaborative teacher (Mrs. Solly) who brings so much excitement and heart into our classroom. I feel as though I am in a place of great support, knowledge, and positivity in beginning my next step as a teacher -- and that's incredibly reassuring. And that feeling of security is important because I have a lot of learning to do, and I know that--as a student--I need to feel safe to take risks and test out my skills. I'm grateful that I have such a perfect space to grow as a teacher.
In particular this week, I have spent a lot of time observing Mr. Conrad's teaching and classroom management style. Sometimes I feel too timid in the classroom, but I wanted to get to know the environment before I interacted fully. And I think that decision was correct, because my observations have produced valuable insights about teaching. I am definitely excited to teach; however, this transition time has been more productive for me than I ever imagined. And I'm looking forward to Week Two!
---
And here's something I want to continue for every reflection....
Week One, One Word: Insight
Things I'm happy about: just about everything
Things I want to work on: being more present in the classroom
Welcome to the New Blog!
I needed to switch blogging locales because the other one is tied to an old email.
This makes my life a little easier -- hope it's not too inconvenient for you. :)
Thanks!
This makes my life a little easier -- hope it's not too inconvenient for you. :)
Thanks!
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