Pre-Student Teaching (EDUC 362: Teaching Experience I) serves as the initial field experience for prospective student teachers and is completed the semester prior to student teaching.
I went to Ladera Elementary on Tuesday from 8:30-11:30. I observed Mrs. Schritter teach Phonics and I also observed her conduction small reading groups. She has 5 reading groups that have 4 to 5 kids in each. For each group they made inferences based on the pictures and what they had read before going on to the nest page. Each group had a different book to read based on their level. After reading the book, which were only 6-12 pages long, they had to re-tell the story as a group, and then each student was given sentence strips to place in the correct order. They were using the sentence strips to work on their retelling and also sequencing of the story. While some students were participating in their reading group the other students were doing center work. There are 4 centers and each group of students rotates to a different center each day. The centers are Art, Math, Spelling, and Writing. I was able to go around from center to center and make sure students were on task and also to answer any questions. I really enjoyed my time in the classroom today, and look forward to next week.
Wow what a busy day for the students. I like the idea about retelling through sentence strips and placing them in order. I think students will be able to comprehend the story better with these activities. I like the idea of the centers with the art, math, spelling and writing because it promotes the understanding of the unit even more. It sounds like you are comfortable with the classroom environment already, good job and Ladera Elementary-Hooray!
Okay lets see if I get it now... Hello everyone. My school is located in Kirtland. It is Kirtland Elementary. I will be in the fourth grade and I love my classroom. The room decor is what caught my eye at first, then the students that are in the classroom are amazing and welcoming. I observed the classroom while Ms. Begay was reading the book "Witches" by Ronald Dahl. I loved the way she read the book to the students. The accent she used was great, the students paid attention except for a few boys but the room was silent. She had a wonderful sign for "listen", she raises her hand and sure enough the students quiet down. For my lesson, I will be working with the "Treasures" reading program. I am excited yet still a bit nervous. All in all, a wonderful experience so far.
I am so glad that you are enjoying your time in the classroom! I have not read the book, "Witches" yet but I think I will look into checking it out from the library now! I have never heard of the "Treasure" reading program, could you tell me how it works, or what you know about the program. At Ladera, Mrs. Schritter uses CAFE Literacy. I really like how this program is laid out. Sounds like you are off to a great start!
Thank you, for posting how your week has been. Went to visit your teachers last week and they are all proud of you and are enjoying your teaching with them in their classrooms.
Hi everyone!! I hope you are all having a good time in your classrooms. I am at Apache with Ms. Acosta's 5th grade class. I am in the classroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last week they were having career week and many different people came in to talk about their jobs. I also helped her with a new organizational tool for reading. It is called CAFE Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanded Vocabulary. They have a list of questions under each category and have to reflect on them. It is a really good assessment tool because you see what they are working on. We also talked about my lesson. She gave me good feedback on how to improve my assessment. My lesson was on Problem Resolution in the book they are reading "Hoot." She also said that having a class discussion is better than writing sometimes because for students who have a hard time writing can discuss instead. It just depends on what you are trying to asses. Overall it was a good week!!
Jena, It sounds like you had a very productive week! In the 1st grade class that I am working in. The students and teachers really seem to like it. It sounds like a fun activity to bring in people from the community to talk to your students! I am sure your lesson will go as planned! Good luck!!
Hello Everyone, I taught a lesson on classification of numbers. I began with a hook watching a video clip form "Night At The Museum" from the website http://www.math.harvard.edu/~knill/mathmovies/swf/night__museum.html. My students really enjoted the clip of the bobble heads of Albert Einstein discussing what pi is. Then I discussed that pi is an irrational number. Next we discussed the definitions of each of the classications of numbers from real numbers to rational numbers to irrational numbers and so on and so forth. Then we discussed a disgram of the relatedness between each classification providing the students with a visual representation. We transferred next to TUBS. I divided my students into groups and they did kinesthetic activities, Marzano's 6 step vocab, and made diagrams for thier better understanding. We ended with my students compleing half of the TUBS within their groups. At the end of the lesson my students went out for recess so I discussed with the teacher my concern that one certain boy did not grasp what I was teaching. I asked what I could do to have him "get it." My cooperating teacher stated he learns best through storytelling and also suggested doing an acronym. The next day I made up a story about classification of numbers and showed realtionshps between those in a kingdom liken to those of the classifications I also made up an acronym about the story. I felt great when I saw the light buld switch on in the head of my student when I read the story. I then had the boy come up to the board and depict how he could remember the concept he drew the princess as a number 1 with a hat on the top and skirt on bottom. I knew he had got it. Next we went back to the TUBS and the students completed the activities. I really enjoyed teaching math. The teacher stated she would read the story and the acronym everyday for the next two weeks to solidify the classification of numbers concept. Overall, I had a great experience and the students asked when I could come back to teach again.
Hi everyone! I went to observe my cooperating teacher, Gina Ott (3rd grade) at Sunnyside Elementary last Wednesday, Oct. 26. Believe it or not, I arrived at 7:45 a.m. and was able to visit with her for a few minutes before the students arrived. They are so great! It really feels good for me to be back in the classroom again, working with students. Students have a review (DLI-Daily Language Instruction) worksheet on their desk and they begin work right away. Gina doesn’t waste a minute of learning time! She goes over their DLI with them and then does something I think is really important. Listed on a poster-size dry erase board is the daily schedule, which she reads through with them. This way, they are prepared for the day and know what to expect. She leaves this board visible for them always so they can refer to it. After that they have “Mad Minute” which is a timed Math quiz. Each student works on Math facts at home, trying to get to the next level. Gina keeps track of where each of them is on a chart at the front of the class. I noticed that some are still working on addition/subtraction facts, while a few top students are already doing multiplication/division. After that they have a math lesson and work in math groups. Gina was teaching measurement. The other third grade class next door trades out so the groups are working at their ability levels. Gina takes the top group and I noticed that she really has to keep on top of her lesson to keep them engaged – some of them are really bright and also easily distracted! As the morning progressed through Reading, recess and then Target Reading, I was so impressed with Gina’s classroom management. It was a rainy day so the students were “squirrelly” and she had to redirect them: “I know you’re excited about the weather, but what do we need to focus on right now?” Students are used to her language and answer altogether, “Reading!” She kept things moving, even though she was not feeling well herself (she had a cold) and I admire that a lot. She is totally involved with her students – she is engaged, so they stay engaged. I really like being a part of her classroom!
Heather and Vicki, It seems like you are learning a lot in your classrooms. Heather, you seem really in tune to your students. Good job on accommodating the student that likes acronyms. Vicki good observation on keeping the students engaged no matter what!!! Looks like your both a good match in your classrooms!!!
I have to agree with Jena, she said it all! It sounds like you are really enjoyed your students and learning a lot! Cant wait to hear how your unit goes Heather.
Wow, I am behind. Does that really surprise anyone though? Last week I had to work at one of my other jobs on Tuesday so I didn't get to do any observations, but we had a great week in my classroom at GPA. Last week we worked on writing an essay. I used a powerpoint to help the students understand the parts of a paragraph and the parts of an essay. The students then wrote an essay on "Are You Proud of Your Country?" The essays were for a writing competition put on by the VFW. We did a rough draft on Wednesday and did a short writing workshop where each student got a peer to read their paper and give them feedback, then each student met with me for a 1-on-1 so they would have a plan for what they needed to work on for the rest of the week on their essays. The essays turned out really well and all fit in the limit of 300-400 words after some tweaking. I turned the essays into the VFW and the students are excited at the chance to win a savings bond. I will also be grading the papers as a writing grade in class.
Reading some of the other posts I had an idea for next time that I teach about writing an essay and paragraphs. Emily's blog is where the idea came from. The students who used strips of paper for parts of the story, I could do that with paragraphs and essays. This way students could pick out the intro paragraphs, body paragraphs, and conclusion. They could also pick out the topic sentence and thesis statement in a paragraph by using strips of paper. Thanks for the idea!
It sounds like everyone is really busy, but enjoying the experience and learning a lot. I look forward to reading more stories from the coming weeks!
Wow! What a week! I was welcomed back to Esperanza Elementary (4th grade) with shouts of, “Mr.Gene, Mr.Gene!” Almost half the class are returnees from last year’s intervention 3rd grade reading class. Ms. Fernandez is a wonderful Master Teacher and will be an incredible resource for me to access. Of course, I started out the class, amid exclamations of, “you’re gonna love this…” from the returnees, bringing the “new” students into our family. This week they incorporated Science, key terms, and vocabulary words into their reading time. Ms. Fernandez already has graciously allowed me to write next weeks’ thematic unit. We have also devised a strategy to heighten their learning experience. I will guide the ELL students in group discussions, as well as, write a sub-lesson plan focused on their development. Julie Ellison, our principal and UNM teacher, gave us an astounding compliment – last year’s 3rd grade class had the highest increase in reading proficiency in the school! That only means the expectations for this class are that much higher.
I have really enjoyed working in Mrs. Lubcheco's 2nd grade classroom at Country Club Elementary. The first couple of visits to her room I mostly observed, but she also let me read through the students' reading response journals and comment in them. The students had watched a video of a storyteller presenting a very funny story: "The Swamp Monster." Before it was over, the video was paused and the students wrote in the response journals whether they would rather face the swamp monster or their mother when they lose their brand new shoes. The responses were hilarious.
This week I wrote and taught my first lesson plan. Mrs. Lubchenco had asked me to do a lesson on measurement to prepare them for their fieldtrip to berg park where one of their tasks was to measure specific items. I started with a read-aloud called 12 Snails to a Lizard- a very funny book that introduces measurement conversions. I did a review and then a fun activity- a measure hunt. I presented the activity in pirate speak wearing a Pirate hat. The rules were presented as Ships rules and the activity wrap up was a drawing activity where they drew a treasure chest with their measured items in it. They were very engaged and the teacher said it was a great way to scaffold them into the park activity. There were minor things I would change- writing the measurement terminology on the board for one, but all in all, it was a successful lesson. I posted it on my portfolio if anyone wants to see it. The kids are great and I know I will learn a lot from them!
I went to Ladera Elementary on Tuesday from 8:30-11:30. I observed Mrs. Schritter teach Phonics and I also observed her conduction small reading groups. She has 5 reading groups that have 4 to 5 kids in each. For each group they made inferences based on the pictures and what they had read before going on to the nest page. Each group had a different book to read based on their level. After reading the book, which were only 6-12 pages long, they had to re-tell the story as a group, and then each student was given sentence strips to place in the correct order. They were using the sentence strips to work on their retelling and also sequencing of the story. While some students were participating in their reading group the other students were doing center work. There are 4 centers and each group of students rotates to a different center each day. The centers are Art, Math, Spelling, and Writing. I was able to go around from center to center and make sure students were on task and also to answer any questions. I really enjoyed my time in the classroom today, and look forward to next week.
ReplyDeleteEmily
Wow what a busy day for the students. I like the idea about retelling through sentence strips and placing them in order. I think students will be able to comprehend the story better with these activities. I like the idea of the centers with the art, math, spelling and writing because it promotes the understanding of the unit even more. It sounds like you are comfortable with the classroom environment already, good job and Ladera Elementary-Hooray!
ReplyDeleteOkay lets see if I get it now... Hello everyone. My school is located in Kirtland. It is Kirtland Elementary. I will be in the fourth grade and I love my classroom. The room decor is what caught my eye at first, then the students that are in the classroom are amazing and welcoming. I observed the classroom while Ms. Begay was reading the book "Witches" by Ronald Dahl. I loved the way she read the book to the students. The accent she used was great, the students paid attention except for a few boys but the room was silent. She had a wonderful sign for "listen", she raises her hand and sure enough the students quiet down. For my lesson, I will be working with the "Treasures" reading program. I am excited yet still a bit nervous. All in all, a wonderful experience so far.
ReplyDeletePhyllis,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are enjoying your time in the classroom! I have not read the book, "Witches" yet but I think I will look into checking it out from the library now! I have never heard of the "Treasure" reading program, could you tell me how it works, or what you know about the program. At Ladera, Mrs. Schritter uses CAFE Literacy. I really like how this program is laid out. Sounds like you are off to a great start!
Emily
Thank you, for posting how your week has been. Went to visit your teachers last week and they are all proud of you and are enjoying your teaching with them in their classrooms.
ReplyDeleteOkay
ReplyDeleteHi everyone!! I hope you are all having a good time in your classrooms. I am at Apache with Ms. Acosta's 5th grade class. I am in the classroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last week they were having career week and many different people came in to talk about their jobs. I also helped her with a new organizational tool for reading. It is called CAFE Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanded Vocabulary. They have a list of questions under each category and have to reflect on them. It is a really good assessment tool because you see what they are working on.
ReplyDeleteWe also talked about my lesson. She gave me good feedback on how to improve my assessment. My lesson was on Problem Resolution in the book they are reading "Hoot." She also said that having a class discussion is better than writing sometimes because for students who have a hard time writing can discuss instead. It just depends on what you are trying to asses.
Overall it was a good week!!
Jena,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a very productive week! In the 1st grade class that I am working in. The students and teachers really seem to like it. It sounds like a fun activity to bring in people from the community to talk to your students! I am sure your lesson will go as planned! Good luck!!
Emily
Hello Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI taught a lesson on classification of numbers. I began with a hook watching a video clip form "Night At The Museum" from the website http://www.math.harvard.edu/~knill/mathmovies/swf/night__museum.html. My students really enjoted the clip of the bobble heads of Albert Einstein discussing what pi is. Then I discussed that pi is an irrational number. Next we discussed the definitions of each of the classications of numbers from real numbers to rational numbers to irrational numbers and so on and so forth. Then we discussed a disgram of the relatedness between each classification providing the students with a visual representation. We transferred next to TUBS. I divided my students into groups and they did kinesthetic activities, Marzano's 6 step vocab, and made diagrams for thier better understanding. We ended with my students compleing half of the TUBS within their groups. At the end of the lesson my students went out for recess so I discussed with the teacher my concern that one certain boy did not grasp what I was teaching. I asked what I could do to have him "get it." My cooperating teacher stated he learns best through storytelling and also suggested doing an acronym. The next day I made up a story about classification of numbers and showed realtionshps between those in a kingdom liken to those of the classifications I also made up an acronym about the story. I felt great when I saw the light buld switch on in the head of my student when I read the story. I then had the boy come up to the board and depict how he could remember the concept he drew the princess as a number 1 with a hat on the top and skirt on bottom. I knew he had got it. Next we went back to the TUBS and the students completed the activities. I really enjoyed teaching math. The teacher stated she would read the story and the acronym everyday for the next two weeks to solidify the classification of numbers concept. Overall, I had a great experience and the students asked when I could come back to teach again.
Hi everyone! I went to observe my cooperating teacher, Gina Ott (3rd grade) at Sunnyside Elementary last Wednesday, Oct. 26. Believe it or not, I arrived at 7:45 a.m. and was able to visit with her for a few minutes before the students arrived. They are so great! It really feels good for me to be back in the classroom again, working with students. Students have a review (DLI-Daily Language Instruction) worksheet on their desk and they begin work right away. Gina doesn’t waste a minute of learning time! She goes over their DLI with them and then does something I think is really important. Listed on a poster-size dry erase board is the daily schedule, which she reads through with them. This way, they are prepared for the day and know what to expect. She leaves this board visible for them always so they can refer to it. After that they have “Mad Minute” which is a timed Math quiz. Each student works on Math facts at home, trying to get to the next level. Gina keeps track of where each of them is on a chart at the front of the class. I noticed that some are still working on addition/subtraction facts, while a few top students are already doing multiplication/division. After that they have a math lesson and work in math groups. Gina was teaching measurement. The other third grade class next door trades out so the groups are working at their ability levels. Gina takes the top group and I noticed that she really has to keep on top of her lesson to keep them engaged – some of them are really bright and also easily distracted! As the morning progressed through Reading, recess and then Target Reading, I was so impressed with Gina’s classroom management. It was a rainy day so the students were “squirrelly” and she had to redirect them: “I know you’re excited about the weather, but what do we need to focus on right now?” Students are used to her language and answer altogether, “Reading!” She kept things moving, even though she was not feeling well herself (she had a cold) and I admire that a lot. She is totally involved with her students – she is engaged, so they stay engaged. I really like being a part of her classroom!
ReplyDeleteHeather and Vicki,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you are learning a lot in your classrooms. Heather, you seem really in tune to your students. Good job on accommodating the student that likes acronyms. Vicki good observation on keeping the students engaged no matter what!!!
Looks like your both a good match in your classrooms!!!
I have to agree with Jena, she said it all! It sounds like you are really enjoyed your students and learning a lot! Cant wait to hear how your unit goes Heather.
ReplyDeleteEmily
Wow, I am behind. Does that really surprise anyone though? Last week I had to work at one of my other jobs on Tuesday so I didn't get to do any observations, but we had a great week in my classroom at GPA.
ReplyDeleteLast week we worked on writing an essay. I used a powerpoint to help the students understand the parts of a paragraph and the parts of an essay. The students then wrote an essay on "Are You Proud of Your Country?" The essays were for a writing competition put on by the VFW. We did a rough draft on Wednesday and did a short writing workshop where each student got a peer to read their paper and give them feedback, then each student met with me for a 1-on-1 so they would have a plan for what they needed to work on for the rest of the week on their essays. The essays turned out really well and all fit in the limit of 300-400 words after some tweaking. I turned the essays into the VFW and the students are excited at the chance to win a savings bond. I will also be grading the papers as a writing grade in class.
Reading some of the other posts I had an idea for next time that I teach about writing an essay and paragraphs. Emily's blog is where the idea came from. The students who used strips of paper for parts of the story, I could do that with paragraphs and essays. This way students could pick out the intro paragraphs, body paragraphs, and conclusion. They could also pick out the topic sentence and thesis statement in a paragraph by using strips of paper. Thanks for the idea!
It sounds like everyone is really busy, but enjoying the experience and learning a lot. I look forward to reading more stories from the coming weeks!
Wow! What a week! I was welcomed back to Esperanza Elementary (4th grade) with shouts of, “Mr.Gene, Mr.Gene!” Almost half the class are returnees from last year’s intervention 3rd grade reading class. Ms. Fernandez is a wonderful Master Teacher and will be an incredible resource for me to access. Of course, I started out the class, amid exclamations of, “you’re gonna love this…” from the returnees, bringing the “new” students into our family. This week they incorporated Science, key terms, and vocabulary words into their reading time. Ms. Fernandez already has graciously allowed me to write next weeks’ thematic unit. We have also devised a strategy to heighten their learning experience. I will guide the ELL students in group discussions, as well as, write a sub-lesson plan focused on their development. Julie Ellison, our principal and UNM teacher, gave us an astounding compliment – last year’s 3rd grade class had the highest increase in reading proficiency in the school! That only means the expectations for this class are that much higher.
ReplyDeleteOk... I have found the blog!!! So here we go:
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed working in Mrs. Lubcheco's 2nd grade classroom at Country Club Elementary. The first couple of visits to her room I mostly observed, but she also let me read through the students' reading response journals and comment in them. The students had watched a video of a storyteller presenting a very funny story: "The Swamp Monster." Before it was over, the video was paused and the students wrote in the response journals whether they would rather face the swamp monster or their mother when they lose their brand new shoes. The responses were hilarious.
This week I wrote and taught my first lesson plan. Mrs. Lubchenco had asked me to do a lesson on measurement to prepare them for their fieldtrip to berg park where one of their tasks was to measure specific items. I started with a read-aloud called 12 Snails to a Lizard- a very funny book that introduces measurement conversions. I did a review and then a fun activity- a measure hunt. I presented the activity in pirate speak wearing a Pirate hat. The rules were presented as Ships rules and the activity wrap up was a drawing activity where they drew a treasure chest with their measured items in it. They were very engaged and the teacher said it was a great way to scaffold them into the park activity. There were minor things I would change- writing the measurement terminology on the board for one, but all in all, it was a successful lesson. I posted it on my portfolio if anyone wants to see it. The kids are great and I know I will learn a lot from them!