March 1, 2011
After having a week off of school everyone was readjusting to a normal schedule and remembering what we had been studying before our “break”. We spent the beginning half of the week continuing to work with vocabulary and culture that we had been studying.
I have been working hard on keeping my student’s focus and interest. This is definitely a challenge because 15 year olds have a lot of things on their minds, and Spanish is usually at the top of the list. I have been trying to create and do multiple activities so that the students do not get bored of one thing. I think that I did better with that this week. Students seemed to be more interested. I also have been trying hard to relate the information to their own lives and to get invested in their lives. The students enjoy talking about themselves, their likes and dislikes, etc. It is difficult with Spanish 2 because the students can only express so much with their limited language skills. So I have been trying to make the information personal and interesting to my students.
March 4, 2011
This has been a long week. We had our first full week in a long time, and I was pretty exhausted. The students are doing great catching up and keeping up with the new information. We have been working on vocabulary, culture and grammar this week. Today John and I experimented with iClickers and were able to use them with the students for a fun activity. The language department has two sets of iClickers that can be used. The students really enjoyed using the technology and trying something different. I think we will use them again this week because they enjoyed it and it was a great review activity for the culture we had been studying. There were some technical difficulties during first period but it all worked out the rest of the day. With stuff like that we just had to work on our feet and luckily we had second period prep so we were able to play with it then.
I have still been working on my LAMP and should be starting that in the near future. Once I have that unit taught and the BSU side of it turned in I will feel a lot better and relieved. This week is Ball State’s spring break, but I have my high school’s spring break the first week of April.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Week 7 - Mother Nature strikes again
Week of February 21, 2011 – No School
This turned out to be quite the week and practically Spring Break #1. We had 4 out of the 5 days cancelled due to ice, snow, etc. And the one day we did have school was Wednesday and I stayed home because I was still getting over the flu that I got on Monday evening. (I wouldn’t have taught that Wednesday anyway because it is a block day with Spanish V and John has been working with them recently).
Once again I have missed out of many valuable days of teaching experience that I will not get back because we are following BSU schedule and I finish May 4 no matter what. So besides getting sick and getting over my illness, I spent some time working on my LAMP (Learning Assessment Model Project). That is a big BSU project that we complete for a 2-week unit that we create and teach during our student teaching. So it was good to get going on that.
Hoping for a better week during week 8! Can’t believe we are this far into student teaching!!
This turned out to be quite the week and practically Spring Break #1. We had 4 out of the 5 days cancelled due to ice, snow, etc. And the one day we did have school was Wednesday and I stayed home because I was still getting over the flu that I got on Monday evening. (I wouldn’t have taught that Wednesday anyway because it is a block day with Spanish V and John has been working with them recently).
Once again I have missed out of many valuable days of teaching experience that I will not get back because we are following BSU schedule and I finish May 4 no matter what. So besides getting sick and getting over my illness, I spent some time working on my LAMP (Learning Assessment Model Project). That is a big BSU project that we complete for a 2-week unit that we create and teach during our student teaching. So it was good to get going on that.
Hoping for a better week during week 8! Can’t believe we are this far into student teaching!!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Week 6
February 16, 2011
This has been a week of firsts! Starting with administering a test on Monday and Tuesday. The administering part was not a big deal, but grading two parts (writing and chapter test) in just a few days was slightly overwhelming. Luckily, John and I shared and we each graded two class periods. Even having two periods to grade felt like a lot. On Monday I also went to a Webinar with a few other staff members. We listened to a pre-recorded webinar by Ken O’Connor about grading and assessment in the schools. It was interesting; he has some different ideas and suggestions. To continue my week of new “firsts” John and I ate lunch in the teacher’s lounge on Wednesday. We usually eat in our room and continue working or planning. It was nice to meet some other teachers, because I have been kind of isolated in our foreign language area and only know the teachers that are in our wing of the building. Wednesday evening I also attended my first sporting event. I went to part of the girl’s gymnastics meet. We have four girls in our classes on the team and it was neat to watch them compete! I am hoping to go to a few more extra curricular activities to support the school and students.
February 18, 2011
For the second half of the week I started a new chapter with Spanish II. We started with some vocabulary activities first. I think right now the main areas I need to be working on are giving clear accurate directions in Spanish using words the students are familiar with. I need to remember that with Spanish II the students have a pretty limited vocabulary and I need to be clear and concise. Some of my activities have not gone as well as I had hoped and directions and explanations are part of the problem. I also need to constantly remember who my students are, what interests them, and figure out how I can engage them. Ideally it is better to have multiple short activities so that students do not get bored. If possible, I need to try and get them up and moving around in the classroom as well. These goals are going to take time and experience to feel more comfortable with them, but they are definitely something that I am aware of and trying to work on.
p.s. I cannot believe I am already 6 weeks into this!! Only 10(ish) more left! WOW.
This has been a week of firsts! Starting with administering a test on Monday and Tuesday. The administering part was not a big deal, but grading two parts (writing and chapter test) in just a few days was slightly overwhelming. Luckily, John and I shared and we each graded two class periods. Even having two periods to grade felt like a lot. On Monday I also went to a Webinar with a few other staff members. We listened to a pre-recorded webinar by Ken O’Connor about grading and assessment in the schools. It was interesting; he has some different ideas and suggestions. To continue my week of new “firsts” John and I ate lunch in the teacher’s lounge on Wednesday. We usually eat in our room and continue working or planning. It was nice to meet some other teachers, because I have been kind of isolated in our foreign language area and only know the teachers that are in our wing of the building. Wednesday evening I also attended my first sporting event. I went to part of the girl’s gymnastics meet. We have four girls in our classes on the team and it was neat to watch them compete! I am hoping to go to a few more extra curricular activities to support the school and students.
February 18, 2011
For the second half of the week I started a new chapter with Spanish II. We started with some vocabulary activities first. I think right now the main areas I need to be working on are giving clear accurate directions in Spanish using words the students are familiar with. I need to remember that with Spanish II the students have a pretty limited vocabulary and I need to be clear and concise. Some of my activities have not gone as well as I had hoped and directions and explanations are part of the problem. I also need to constantly remember who my students are, what interests them, and figure out how I can engage them. Ideally it is better to have multiple short activities so that students do not get bored. If possible, I need to try and get them up and moving around in the classroom as well. These goals are going to take time and experience to feel more comfortable with them, but they are definitely something that I am aware of and trying to work on.
p.s. I cannot believe I am already 6 weeks into this!! Only 10(ish) more left! WOW.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Week 5
February 8, 2011
I have been working this Spanish II this week. Monday and Tuesday we went over a composition (8 sentences) that the students were supposed to have completed for their homework, which of course not many did. John and I sat at a table and the students had to bring their compositions up to us and we would make corrections. The students then had to make the corrections and continue bringing their compositions up to us until we gave them a stamp of approval. This writing piece was aimed to specifically work with AR preterit verbs.
The lack of homework completion amazes me. The students are assigned Spanish homework on a daily basis but it is never a huge amount. It should take them 10-15 minutes, in my opinion, to complete. Yet, majority of the students do not complete their homework, so when we try to go over assignments in class the students respond with their favorite phrase, “no sé” (I don’t know). I hope to try and find a way to motivate students more, and help this issue. Back when I was in high school, (4 years ago ☺) was I the only one who always did their homework?!
February 11, 2011
Thursday I taught the entire day, (even though we had a delay) classes were still an hour and four minutes long and I had four of them back to back with no break except lunch during 5th period. It was slightly exhausting and at times I felt my voice going out, but it was a good day. It was my first time teaching a lesson that I had prepared all by myself. It went pretty well! The last activity I planned didn’t go over as well as I had hoped so I am learning to be quick on my feet and made a few slight adjustments for the later classes and I think it went over better. Thursday was also my first day staying “late” at school, until 7. I had given a quiz during the day and needed to have them graded, recorded, and returned the next day. So, I stayed after to work on those and to make some copies for Friday as well.
I have decided that I am not a huge fan of block days. I prefer the 7 period school days with 45ish minute classes. Today we did a little bit of review because the students have a writing assessment for the chapter on Monday and a chapter test on Tuesday. Next week, I get to experience my first time grading 105 tests and writing pieces ☺ I think I am in for a treat haha.
If you live in Indiana, you have most likely heard of all of the controversial proposed bills and such going on at the state level with the education field. My CT and I have many conversations about this, as well as with other teachers in the building. I am trying to read and stay up-to-date on all of these issues. All of the proposed changes and unknowns are scary and it will be a very interesting next couple of months to see what happens to the education world in Indiana at the same time as I am job searching.
I have been working this Spanish II this week. Monday and Tuesday we went over a composition (8 sentences) that the students were supposed to have completed for their homework, which of course not many did. John and I sat at a table and the students had to bring their compositions up to us and we would make corrections. The students then had to make the corrections and continue bringing their compositions up to us until we gave them a stamp of approval. This writing piece was aimed to specifically work with AR preterit verbs.
The lack of homework completion amazes me. The students are assigned Spanish homework on a daily basis but it is never a huge amount. It should take them 10-15 minutes, in my opinion, to complete. Yet, majority of the students do not complete their homework, so when we try to go over assignments in class the students respond with their favorite phrase, “no sé” (I don’t know). I hope to try and find a way to motivate students more, and help this issue. Back when I was in high school, (4 years ago ☺) was I the only one who always did their homework?!
February 11, 2011
Thursday I taught the entire day, (even though we had a delay) classes were still an hour and four minutes long and I had four of them back to back with no break except lunch during 5th period. It was slightly exhausting and at times I felt my voice going out, but it was a good day. It was my first time teaching a lesson that I had prepared all by myself. It went pretty well! The last activity I planned didn’t go over as well as I had hoped so I am learning to be quick on my feet and made a few slight adjustments for the later classes and I think it went over better. Thursday was also my first day staying “late” at school, until 7. I had given a quiz during the day and needed to have them graded, recorded, and returned the next day. So, I stayed after to work on those and to make some copies for Friday as well.
I have decided that I am not a huge fan of block days. I prefer the 7 period school days with 45ish minute classes. Today we did a little bit of review because the students have a writing assessment for the chapter on Monday and a chapter test on Tuesday. Next week, I get to experience my first time grading 105 tests and writing pieces ☺ I think I am in for a treat haha.
If you live in Indiana, you have most likely heard of all of the controversial proposed bills and such going on at the state level with the education field. My CT and I have many conversations about this, as well as with other teachers in the building. I am trying to read and stay up-to-date on all of these issues. All of the proposed changes and unknowns are scary and it will be a very interesting next couple of months to see what happens to the education world in Indiana at the same time as I am job searching.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Week 4 - The Blizzard
February 3, 2011
So far our only day of school this week was Monday, thanks to the blizzard! Although on Monday I did teach the entire day by myself (for the second time). We were in the language lab on Monday and we continued working with the preterit for Spanish II and vocabulary with Spanish V.
Once again, first period was pretty rough. I wrote a few comprehension questions about a song we listened to for Spanish II and they ended up being too opened ended for the students. Thankfully, second period is a prep and John and I were able to make some changes to the activity to make it easier for the kids to follow. We gave them options to choose for the comprehension questions. The same lesson went MUCH smoother the rest of the day. In the language lab at CHS we use a program called Virtuoso and everyone wears headsets and they hear me talk to them and I can display what we are working on with the projector. With the program, Virtuoso, I can put the students into pairs so they can hear and talk to another student. I can also launch files, like the song we listened to, to each of their PCs. It is a really neat program and I am getting more and more comfortable using it.
On Monday John stayed in the classroom for the first two periods but he felt comfortable enough to leave for the last three and work on something else in his classroom. I think that it is a good sign that he is feeling confident with my teaching and allowing me more time to work on my transition into being the main teacher. He and I are still doing a lot of collaborating with planning, which I am very thankful for!
I love working with the Spanish V kids. They are a small group and they are in the advanced level because they enjoy and care about Spanish. They are able to hold lengthier conversations and discuss opinions about things. They understand jokes in the language and enjoy playing back. Spanish V does a conversation journal and I have taken those over. Each student has a notebook and we take turns writing a page or so to one another. The teacher gives a prompt and the students respond. Prompts could be about a topic we are currently studying, it could work with a grammar structure we are working with, or relate to current events etc. It has been fun for me because it allows me to get to know the students on a more personal level and through writing.
While I have had my three days off of school I have gotten myself caught up with some BSU requirements. So that has been nice ☺ We will see what happens tomorrow with school…. Some Muncie area schools are already closed for Friday, 6 day weekend for them! We had some sunshine today and that helped melt some snow but there are supposed to be extremely low temps tonight and everything might freeze over again??
February 4, 2011
Our first day back at school since Monday! We had a delay so the day flew by and we had so much to cover. I taught the whole day and the classes flew by. We were barely able to get much done and everything is pushed back. This week was my first week doing a lot of planning and trying to teach the whole week, but life doesn’t always go as we plan ☺ I am learning that lesson in a few different areas of my life right now.
So this was technically our 4th week of school and I have missed a total of 5 days, so I have missed a week of school. Because we are student teaching and we follow Ball State’s schedule, those are missed days that I will not be making up. Which kind of stinks because that is a week of experience and time in the classroom I wont be getting back this semester. I am getting ready to watch the Super Bowl (mainly for the commercials ☺) and work on some school stuff for this week.
So far our only day of school this week was Monday, thanks to the blizzard! Although on Monday I did teach the entire day by myself (for the second time). We were in the language lab on Monday and we continued working with the preterit for Spanish II and vocabulary with Spanish V.
Once again, first period was pretty rough. I wrote a few comprehension questions about a song we listened to for Spanish II and they ended up being too opened ended for the students. Thankfully, second period is a prep and John and I were able to make some changes to the activity to make it easier for the kids to follow. We gave them options to choose for the comprehension questions. The same lesson went MUCH smoother the rest of the day. In the language lab at CHS we use a program called Virtuoso and everyone wears headsets and they hear me talk to them and I can display what we are working on with the projector. With the program, Virtuoso, I can put the students into pairs so they can hear and talk to another student. I can also launch files, like the song we listened to, to each of their PCs. It is a really neat program and I am getting more and more comfortable using it.
On Monday John stayed in the classroom for the first two periods but he felt comfortable enough to leave for the last three and work on something else in his classroom. I think that it is a good sign that he is feeling confident with my teaching and allowing me more time to work on my transition into being the main teacher. He and I are still doing a lot of collaborating with planning, which I am very thankful for!
I love working with the Spanish V kids. They are a small group and they are in the advanced level because they enjoy and care about Spanish. They are able to hold lengthier conversations and discuss opinions about things. They understand jokes in the language and enjoy playing back. Spanish V does a conversation journal and I have taken those over. Each student has a notebook and we take turns writing a page or so to one another. The teacher gives a prompt and the students respond. Prompts could be about a topic we are currently studying, it could work with a grammar structure we are working with, or relate to current events etc. It has been fun for me because it allows me to get to know the students on a more personal level and through writing.
While I have had my three days off of school I have gotten myself caught up with some BSU requirements. So that has been nice ☺ We will see what happens tomorrow with school…. Some Muncie area schools are already closed for Friday, 6 day weekend for them! We had some sunshine today and that helped melt some snow but there are supposed to be extremely low temps tonight and everything might freeze over again??
February 4, 2011
Our first day back at school since Monday! We had a delay so the day flew by and we had so much to cover. I taught the whole day and the classes flew by. We were barely able to get much done and everything is pushed back. This week was my first week doing a lot of planning and trying to teach the whole week, but life doesn’t always go as we plan ☺ I am learning that lesson in a few different areas of my life right now.
So this was technically our 4th week of school and I have missed a total of 5 days, so I have missed a week of school. Because we are student teaching and we follow Ball State’s schedule, those are missed days that I will not be making up. Which kind of stinks because that is a week of experience and time in the classroom I wont be getting back this semester. I am getting ready to watch the Super Bowl (mainly for the commercials ☺) and work on some school stuff for this week.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Week 3
Jan. 26, 2011
Today is my first normal Wednesday! (Due to previous snow days) It is a block day with a different schedule. Wednesday morning the students have late start and the teachers have collaboration time. It was great to sit down with all of the other language teachers. Although, I have already met them all individually throughout the past two and a half weeks. I am getting to know some of the other teachers and it will be nice to collaborate and get to know other staff in the school.
With the way my CT’s schedule works out he really only has one class he teaches on Wednesdays. Late morning he has a homeroom/activity period time. But he does not really have to lead instruction during that time. At the end of the day he has Spanish V. So we have taken advantage of the plan time and he and I have been doing a lot of co-planning and getting ready for the rest of the this week and next week. Some of the planning we did together and I was able to work on some of the rest by myself. I am still receiving guidance and help. I submit my plans and lessons to my CT and we go over them together before we print and make copies, etc. Thursdays are also block schedule days and for my CT they are non-stop. He has all four classes of Spanish II back to back. I hear it can be an exhausting day. We have not had a normal Thursday schedule yet either due to delays/cancellations.
I am excited to see how the next few days go as I begin to take more and more responsibility for the classes. Both of the Spanish classes are about to start new chapters and new sections of the class so it is great timing for me to jump in and take more responsibility.
Jan. 28, 2011
Thursday and Friday I did some more teaching and I have been working on my transition into the classroom as the main teacher. I felt like Thursday went really well. I am getting more comfortable being in front of the class. I have been working on speaking more slowly and clearly and part of that is being confident and comfortable. Thursday was interesting because it was a block day and it was four 90 minute blocks of Spanish II in a row, non-stop. The day went pretty quickly because it was non-stop.
Friday was my first full day teaching the entire class period. I had never taught first or third period because usually I watch John during those periods. I am definitely in transition with the students because they were testing me a little and weren’t always sure how to respond to me. Some of the students were testing me by not following the class rules as closely as they normally do when John is teaching.
First period was definitely “rough”. It was my first time teaching these kids and my first time teaching the lesson for that day without previously seeing it modeled. The students hung in there with me and we made it through. Thankfully the lesson got better and better as the day continued.
I am really working on pacing and being authoritative. Students need to know that I am here to teach them and my job and role is important to me. I am working on finding a balance between firm and friendly. When I taught on Friday a few of the classes seemed to go faster than others. I had extra activities ready but I need to work on keeping the same pace as much as possible.
It felt great to teach an entire day by myself and next week I will be doing a lot more of that. I am looking forward to the transition and hoping that it continues to get smoother. Thanks for all of the thoughts and comments ☺
Today is my first normal Wednesday! (Due to previous snow days) It is a block day with a different schedule. Wednesday morning the students have late start and the teachers have collaboration time. It was great to sit down with all of the other language teachers. Although, I have already met them all individually throughout the past two and a half weeks. I am getting to know some of the other teachers and it will be nice to collaborate and get to know other staff in the school.
With the way my CT’s schedule works out he really only has one class he teaches on Wednesdays. Late morning he has a homeroom/activity period time. But he does not really have to lead instruction during that time. At the end of the day he has Spanish V. So we have taken advantage of the plan time and he and I have been doing a lot of co-planning and getting ready for the rest of the this week and next week. Some of the planning we did together and I was able to work on some of the rest by myself. I am still receiving guidance and help. I submit my plans and lessons to my CT and we go over them together before we print and make copies, etc. Thursdays are also block schedule days and for my CT they are non-stop. He has all four classes of Spanish II back to back. I hear it can be an exhausting day. We have not had a normal Thursday schedule yet either due to delays/cancellations.
I am excited to see how the next few days go as I begin to take more and more responsibility for the classes. Both of the Spanish classes are about to start new chapters and new sections of the class so it is great timing for me to jump in and take more responsibility.
Jan. 28, 2011
Thursday and Friday I did some more teaching and I have been working on my transition into the classroom as the main teacher. I felt like Thursday went really well. I am getting more comfortable being in front of the class. I have been working on speaking more slowly and clearly and part of that is being confident and comfortable. Thursday was interesting because it was a block day and it was four 90 minute blocks of Spanish II in a row, non-stop. The day went pretty quickly because it was non-stop.
Friday was my first full day teaching the entire class period. I had never taught first or third period because usually I watch John during those periods. I am definitely in transition with the students because they were testing me a little and weren’t always sure how to respond to me. Some of the students were testing me by not following the class rules as closely as they normally do when John is teaching.
First period was definitely “rough”. It was my first time teaching these kids and my first time teaching the lesson for that day without previously seeing it modeled. The students hung in there with me and we made it through. Thankfully the lesson got better and better as the day continued.
I am really working on pacing and being authoritative. Students need to know that I am here to teach them and my job and role is important to me. I am working on finding a balance between firm and friendly. When I taught on Friday a few of the classes seemed to go faster than others. I had extra activities ready but I need to work on keeping the same pace as much as possible.
It felt great to teach an entire day by myself and next week I will be doing a lot more of that. I am looking forward to the transition and hoping that it continues to get smoother. Thanks for all of the thoughts and comments ☺
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Week 2
Jan. 18, 2011
On Monday this week we spent time in the language labs. I was able to get familiar with the lab and all of its features. I learned how to use all of the buttons and control the sound functions. During 7th period I was able to lead instruction over the headsets and lead part of the class. For me, it was not as nerve wrecking because I was not directly looking at the students. I was speaking into a headset and giving directions. I enjoyed it!
On Tuesday I was able to help pass out homework and give directions in Spanish II. In 7th period I lead part of the class by showing a short video, administering a quiz and hanging out homework. For this quiz students did a trade-and-grade and John and I were able to enter grades during the day. I am becoming more familiar with the grade book program. It is pretty easy to use.
I like how John is slowly easing me into leading activities. By the time 7th period comes around I have already seen him model the lesson multiple times and it isn’t hard for me to take over. I think by slowly adding me into the course I will be able to build my confidence quicker.
I have been planning a few grammar lessons for next week. It looks like I will be leading a block period for Spanish II next week on demonstrative adjectives. I first “scouted” for information and activities and compiled a list of ideas and calculated how long I thought they would take. Next I placed them in an order that I thought would work. I showed John and he and I discussed the plans and he gave me a few tips and ideas of how to tweak the ideas. Overall, he liked what I had planned and I am going to work on creating all of the materials needed (tweaking a PowerPoint, making worksheets, etc). Spanish V will be doing a quick review of the future tense and will be practicing this tense. I have been scouting for ideas and hope to show John what I have come up with tomorrow.
Jan. 21, 2011
Yesterday I taught an entire class period all by myself for the first time. I was really nervous and I think it showed a little in my voice and actions. The students behaved pretty well for me. There was some extra talking and I had to ask them to be quiet a few times. The lesson I taught as some practice with “gustar”. John had planned the lesson and modeled in the 3 previous classes of Spanish II and so I felt comfortable with what I was doing. I taught 7th period and in general they are a more rowdy class with 29 students and it is the end of the day. I felt better after know that I had my first 45-minute class period under my belt. You have to start somewhere and I was anxious to get my first teaching experience over with so I can begin to feel more comfortable. John gave me some great feedback and I learned that I need to let the students know who is boss and not be so nice. I am in an awkward position for the students because I am in transition and their classroom teacher is still in the room, but I cannot be afraid to let them know that I am a teacher and I mean business.
Today John and I decided it would be good for me to teach two entire class periods. Once again, John had planned the lesson and it was more with “gustar”. I watched him teach it to the first two class periods and I followed suite for the second two periods of Spanish II. I felt waaay more comfortable today in front of the class. The students respected me and we accomplished all that we were supposed to. I was worried I might rush through the lesson and have extra time at the end of class, but we ended right on time and at the same point for both classes.
It is really nice to have a slower transition like this so the students and I can both adjust. I have been planning a grammar lesson on demonstrative adjectives to teach next week. I am looking forward to it. It is the first lesson that I have planned and will teach on my own.
My goals for this week were to get to know the building better and to work on learning student’s names. I stayed after school this week and used the weight room, which is on the other side of the building. This gave me an opportunity to become more familiar and to get used to the school layout. Monday I will be going into the freshman academy (which is connected) to observe a Spanish I teacher. I am feeling a lot better with students’ names. I’ve passed out papers a few times this week, which really helped, and I take attended and when I was teaching lessons I used students’ names to call on them.
On Monday this week we spent time in the language labs. I was able to get familiar with the lab and all of its features. I learned how to use all of the buttons and control the sound functions. During 7th period I was able to lead instruction over the headsets and lead part of the class. For me, it was not as nerve wrecking because I was not directly looking at the students. I was speaking into a headset and giving directions. I enjoyed it!
On Tuesday I was able to help pass out homework and give directions in Spanish II. In 7th period I lead part of the class by showing a short video, administering a quiz and hanging out homework. For this quiz students did a trade-and-grade and John and I were able to enter grades during the day. I am becoming more familiar with the grade book program. It is pretty easy to use.
I like how John is slowly easing me into leading activities. By the time 7th period comes around I have already seen him model the lesson multiple times and it isn’t hard for me to take over. I think by slowly adding me into the course I will be able to build my confidence quicker.
I have been planning a few grammar lessons for next week. It looks like I will be leading a block period for Spanish II next week on demonstrative adjectives. I first “scouted” for information and activities and compiled a list of ideas and calculated how long I thought they would take. Next I placed them in an order that I thought would work. I showed John and he and I discussed the plans and he gave me a few tips and ideas of how to tweak the ideas. Overall, he liked what I had planned and I am going to work on creating all of the materials needed (tweaking a PowerPoint, making worksheets, etc). Spanish V will be doing a quick review of the future tense and will be practicing this tense. I have been scouting for ideas and hope to show John what I have come up with tomorrow.
Jan. 21, 2011
Yesterday I taught an entire class period all by myself for the first time. I was really nervous and I think it showed a little in my voice and actions. The students behaved pretty well for me. There was some extra talking and I had to ask them to be quiet a few times. The lesson I taught as some practice with “gustar”. John had planned the lesson and modeled in the 3 previous classes of Spanish II and so I felt comfortable with what I was doing. I taught 7th period and in general they are a more rowdy class with 29 students and it is the end of the day. I felt better after know that I had my first 45-minute class period under my belt. You have to start somewhere and I was anxious to get my first teaching experience over with so I can begin to feel more comfortable. John gave me some great feedback and I learned that I need to let the students know who is boss and not be so nice. I am in an awkward position for the students because I am in transition and their classroom teacher is still in the room, but I cannot be afraid to let them know that I am a teacher and I mean business.
Today John and I decided it would be good for me to teach two entire class periods. Once again, John had planned the lesson and it was more with “gustar”. I watched him teach it to the first two class periods and I followed suite for the second two periods of Spanish II. I felt waaay more comfortable today in front of the class. The students respected me and we accomplished all that we were supposed to. I was worried I might rush through the lesson and have extra time at the end of class, but we ended right on time and at the same point for both classes.
It is really nice to have a slower transition like this so the students and I can both adjust. I have been planning a grammar lesson on demonstrative adjectives to teach next week. I am looking forward to it. It is the first lesson that I have planned and will teach on my own.
My goals for this week were to get to know the building better and to work on learning student’s names. I stayed after school this week and used the weight room, which is on the other side of the building. This gave me an opportunity to become more familiar and to get used to the school layout. Monday I will be going into the freshman academy (which is connected) to observe a Spanish I teacher. I am feeling a lot better with students’ names. I’ve passed out papers a few times this week, which really helped, and I take attended and when I was teaching lessons I used students’ names to call on them.
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