Well, I made it! The goals I had for the week were transitions and giving student feedback. I had a lot of practice transitioning kids. And at first I would become frustrated with the process but have learned that jumping in and acting is better than losing my patience and letting chaos reign. So, I think I've been doing better with that. Giving the kids feedback requires my undivided attention, but everytime they talked I tried to be more intentional with praising them for a specific detail that they added to class discussion. These areas still need work, but I feel good with the progress I'm making.
Two new goals for this week are to be as helpful as I can (since it's my last week at Southwest and I won't be doing a lot of teaching) because there's standardized testing going on all week, and to continue to observe classroom management strategies. I feel like this is the crux of what could make or break me in the next classroom environment that I'll be going into.
A word I would use to describe this last week was bittersweet. I feel like I really started to enjoy teaching some of the subjects, and it felt good to feel confident and work with the students. I am finding that I prefer Reading above all the other subjects, so that's led me to be prayerful about possibly looking into education after Trinity and seeing what the possibilities are, if I decide to not go the route of traditional elementary school teacher. I've definitely been learning from one of the best, and I'm thankful that I was placed in the classroom I've been in. The kids are great and I'm going to miss them. Some of the girls were already asking me if I would come back and visit them.
A lesson that went really well happened this week. I was teaching about inferring during reading. What it taught me was how important it is to offer several opportunities for students to have guided practice before they are ready to practice a skill independently. I was able to see growth in their understanding, and it was an awesome moment.
I think it's imperative that I master the content I'm teaching so that I'll be confident and able to steer the class. It won't be as easy for my lessons to become derailed on questions/behavior if I know what we're talking about, where we need to go, and the skills I need the students to learn and practice.
My lesson objectives do accomplish assigning, but could do a little better at assessing. I've noticed that while I'm drawing to a close. This is an area I can improve on.
When reflecting upon Bloom's Taxonomy I understand why Creating is at the top. If students simply remember what was taught, that doesn't mean they're understanding the concept or applying it. Creation is the highest form of learning because they're recreating an example of what they have internally processed and comprehended. This impacts my teaching because I won't be as likely to have drills on memory as forms of assessment. I will seek to create assessments and guided practice which will allow my students to create, rather than do drills.
Frannie:
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful to finish up this placement and see the growth you have had? I am not surpised that you enjoy teaching reading. There are many ways to find your niche in education, and student teaching is a good place to begin thinking about what that will be. I know we also talked about you getting bilingual and ESL endorsements. Those tend to work well with reading, because you are teaching the language arts: reading, writing, speaking, listening in both.
Have a good time observing this week! It is very interesting to see how teachers approach instruction differently. Though we all have the same goals, everyone has their own pedagogical identity. What is yours? :)
Take Care,
Dr. Vallone
Fran,
ReplyDeleteIt has been such a joy to see you grow so much in such a short period of time. In the past 7 weeks I have seen a confindence in and joy of teaching blossom in you. Your desire to grow and become the best you can be is admirable. I'm looking forward to seeing what your 2nd placement has in store for you!
Dr. Vallone, I feel like I'm still trying to figure that one out. I spent so much time trying to model and kind of implement my first teacher's strategies, and I feel like that helped me in many ways. However, I feel like I was not quite to the point where my identity showed up. Right now, after spending my first week in 1st grade, I feel like it's a different atmosphere, and I think more of my identity will come out. I know I'm adding song and music as much as possible throughout. I think it's time that my acting skills came out, because that's been one of my biggest discoveries in this process. Teachers are many times dramatic actors. :)
ReplyDeleteProf Lenarz:
I'm thankful that you see that. I think you've seen the uncertainty and then the new found courage, so it is pretty neat that you've been with me on this journey. I feel like I have a long way to go, but in many ways I feel more prepared. I'm excited to go into this placement, faith first and not focusing on my tendency toward perfectionism. I intended to learn so much about teaching, but I'm learning a lot about myself, my view of God, and really find myself being transformed in a great way (from the inside out). I hope the inside stuff starts showing on the outside, because I think there is definitely a lot of growth going on. Thank you for your support, prayers, feedback, and grace. I appreciate it!