In this module we have been learning about routines/procedures. Today I observed a second grade class. Immediately, I could tell that something in the class wasn't quite right. I hadn't been to this class before and I don't know the teacher. When I walked in, it was total chaos. The students were supposed to be measuring things with their rulers. Instead, however, they were hitting each other with them and only a few were on task. I realised why, there was a substitue! Let the chaos ensue.
Luckily, I have been able to see some awesome teachers in action. I got to be in charge of a few of the activities in the lesson plan. Thankfully, because of this course, I was able to use the skills that we have talked about in this and some of the other modules. I calmed the class and gave them instructions. When they knew what was expected of them they really focused on the assignment.
I am sure that normally the class runs much smoother than it did today. The teacher left the lesson plan with the substitute, but she wasn't well prepared. Those kids ate her alive! As soon as they were asked to accomplished something with a clear set of instructions, they did really well.
I know that this week I am supposed to watch how class rules and procedures are done, but I feel like I learned so much more about what happens when those rules and procedures are NOT followed. Phew, second grade problems!
Friday, February 28, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Recess IS My Favorite Subject
I had the best time observing second graders today. I have been learning about how teachers can actively engage students. These are a few things that I observed.
This teacher did a great job. The students have been learning about adjectives and were being tested on finding adjectives in texts that they were reading. Before the test the teacher prompted the kids by walking around to different students in room and asking the class to use adjectives to describe different objects that they were wearing. This held their attention well, and made them laugh while illustrating exaclty what the adjectives were.
Later the class read a story over the projector. Every time they spotted an adjective in the story they wrote it down on a peice of paper. They really liked doing this, some of the kids would even help their neighbors if they missed one.
The best activity, was one that they have been working on for a few days. The students were in groups and were reseaching animals. They each had a part to work on in the groups and were incharge of editing their partners work. They did extremely well with this. It was fun to watch. They had never done an activity like this before and even asked to do more like this. It was very impressive.
Last, but not least, the best part of the day was RECESS! We all needed a well deserved break. They were very actively engaged in this activity :) The cutest little boy happened to be in this class, my son, Cohen.
This teacher did a great job. The students have been learning about adjectives and were being tested on finding adjectives in texts that they were reading. Before the test the teacher prompted the kids by walking around to different students in room and asking the class to use adjectives to describe different objects that they were wearing. This held their attention well, and made them laugh while illustrating exaclty what the adjectives were.
Later the class read a story over the projector. Every time they spotted an adjective in the story they wrote it down on a peice of paper. They really liked doing this, some of the kids would even help their neighbors if they missed one.
The best activity, was one that they have been working on for a few days. The students were in groups and were reseaching animals. They each had a part to work on in the groups and were incharge of editing their partners work. They did extremely well with this. It was fun to watch. They had never done an activity like this before and even asked to do more like this. It was very impressive.
Last, but not least, the best part of the day was RECESS! We all needed a well deserved break. They were very actively engaged in this activity :) The cutest little boy happened to be in this class, my son, Cohen.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
More Than the Three R's
While teachers are primarily responsible to teach students things like (the three R's) reading, writing and arithmatic, there are so many other things that they are teaching. One thing that I have noticed while observing the more interesting and sucessful teachers, they teach self confidence, social, and life skills. These things are not measured on a standarized test.
There was a cute little boy who snuck into the classroom durring lunch with his friend and they took some very tempting candy out of the teachers candy jar. The teacher now had to walk a fine line of discipline for these cute boys. If she turned her head she it would have been much easier. She chose to keep them in for part of recess and talked with one of the boys parents. She helped teach them a bigger life lesson than what they may have learned in math or science.
Dont get me wrong, I know that teachers teach students many lessons that will be measured by the end of year testing. They also teach in many ways that parents, students and administration never see and can not measure.
Which one is more important? Trick question! Neither, the student is most important.
There was a cute little boy who snuck into the classroom durring lunch with his friend and they took some very tempting candy out of the teachers candy jar. The teacher now had to walk a fine line of discipline for these cute boys. If she turned her head she it would have been much easier. She chose to keep them in for part of recess and talked with one of the boys parents. She helped teach them a bigger life lesson than what they may have learned in math or science.
Dont get me wrong, I know that teachers teach students many lessons that will be measured by the end of year testing. They also teach in many ways that parents, students and administration never see and can not measure.
Which one is more important? Trick question! Neither, the student is most important.
Friday, February 7, 2014
"Write Your Name on Your Paper, Write Your Name."
I got to work with an impressive class today. They were polite and followed directions very well.
This week we have been learning about assessment, both for teachers and for students. I haven't been asked to do much clerical work until today. I started by giving them a spelling test. They did a great job listening and keeping on task. After, I corrected the tests while the teacher read to them and asked them questions for comprehension.
This teacher did a great job. She kept the kids focused but in a way that she and the students were enjoying each other. She did a few activities that are getting the students ready for the standardized testing at the end of the year. She had them read a sentence and then had them choose a word to fit with the sentence. The words were multiple choice and had a bubble to fill in next to it. This will give the students an advantage when testing starts because they will be familiar with the testing format. I think that is very smart. She incorporated some test taking skills into their everyday activities, which will make testing less intimidating.
I also learned a fun song to remind me to write my name on my paper.
"Write your name on your paper, write your name.
Write your name on your paper, write your name.
If we don't write our name, then they all look the same.
Write your name on your paper, write your name!?
This week we have been learning about assessment, both for teachers and for students. I haven't been asked to do much clerical work until today. I started by giving them a spelling test. They did a great job listening and keeping on task. After, I corrected the tests while the teacher read to them and asked them questions for comprehension.
This teacher did a great job. She kept the kids focused but in a way that she and the students were enjoying each other. She did a few activities that are getting the students ready for the standardized testing at the end of the year. She had them read a sentence and then had them choose a word to fit with the sentence. The words were multiple choice and had a bubble to fill in next to it. This will give the students an advantage when testing starts because they will be familiar with the testing format. I think that is very smart. She incorporated some test taking skills into their everyday activities, which will make testing less intimidating.
I also learned a fun song to remind me to write my name on my paper.
"Write your name on your paper, write your name.
Write your name on your paper, write your name.
If we don't write our name, then they all look the same.
Write your name on your paper, write your name!?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)