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.
This week I focused on learning my girls' names and getting ready for my first lesson. Mrs Hunt and I worked on a lesson plan. I really like her organization for planning. Another really great thing I am learning about kindergarten is how nice it is to have a full time aide in the classroom. I did my lesson and Mrs Hunt gave me some really good feedback. Having the video was nice to refer to. Getting to know the girls this week was fun. There are more girls than boys in the classroom and some of them are really shy so its harder to not lose them in the crowd.
I am glad to hear that you are getting along well with your class. I know that at times it is hard to make sure that you are not losing some the the more shy students in the crowd.
Aren't aides AMAZING?! When you have a good one, you know it. I have worked with some wonderful aides who have such a positive impact on the classroom.
This week I worked on a bulletin board. My students each did a poem in rain drops. I then put up an umbrella with the words showers of spring poetry. I also began my 10 day solo teaching. I am taking over the math lessons. We are working on probability.
You have connected with your students, April. Your lesson and centers on probability were student-centered and engaging. Ms. Patton and you make excellent teaching partners! Thank you, Frances
Week two was definitely better in Mrs. Grimes's class. The kids were in a better groove with the testing so they were less fried by the time I got them in the afternoon (although one girl had a slight panic attack during the first day of math testing- poor thing!). On Monday, we were able to play the Division Bingo and the kids loved it. They quickly discovered the importance of checking your math work (I only called the correct answers). Then on Tuesday I got to teach a lesson on Energy. I used their text book as a guide, then came up with an activity. We read the lesson aloud, discussing the different forms of energy. Afterwards, we played a version of hangman with the vocabulary from the chapter. I passed out a worksheet with pictures that represented the vocabulary words. When the kids solved the hangman puzzle, we had to figure out which picture demonstrated the vocabulary word. This was a great activity that really cemented their knowledge of the vocabulary, especially with the ELL students. Mrs. Grimes was worried about the science portion of the test and the kids knowing the different organ systems of the body. They had learned them earlier this year, but it had been a while since they reviewed. So on Wednesday, we reviewed the different organ systems. I then divided the kids into groups of five. Each group was assigned a body system to draw and label. It was a beautiful day outside, so we were able to go out onto the sidewalk to do our drawings. I brought large pieces of colorful butcher paper and markers and the kids went to work. One group member laid down on the paper while the others traced their body. They then had to work together to draw the details of the system and label the parts. After drawing, we went back into the classroom and shared our diagrams. The kids loved it. I was so excited for Thursday, because it was the last day of testing. The class has been listening to "The Little House on the Prairie" on CD. I decided to do a 6 day writing unit based on the book. On Thursday, we talked about the book and what had happened so far (the family moved from Minnesota to the plains). For the unit, the kids will be writing a travel piece where they get to move anywhere in the world. On Thursday, we did some brainstorming with the kids putting all of their ideas into a graphic organizer that I made for them. Next week we will have a couple days of writing, one day for editing, and one day for sharing. I am so excited to see what they come up with!
I feel so bad that a student had a paniac attack over the testing that the state requires. I know that this tests are long and very stressful for students. It is no wonder students hate tests with all of the tests that we have to give them. I am glad that you were able to create some lessons that covered some of the things that they might find on the test. I really enjoyed your idea of using the butcher paper and having the students trace their bodies. I think it is a great idea of having them draw the systems and label the body parts using the tracing of their body. Great job!
Enjoy reading your adventures in your classroom, Whitney. Remember during the writing process to include time for peer conferences, especially during the editing and revision stage. This will mean much more to students as we treat them like real authors who get feedback about their work -from their peers, in addition to you - to guide their next editing and revision. Will they have an Author's Chair to share their work. Will you invited outside guest. Send out invitations to parents and family. Make a celebration of their writing! Thank you, Frances
Although I am really enjoying working with the kindergardeners I realize reading your post about the content I am not teaching :( Science and the body! How fun!
This week I focused on learning my girls' names and getting ready for my first lesson. Mrs Hunt and I worked on a lesson plan. I really like her organization for planning. Another really great thing I am learning about kindergarten is how nice it is to have a full time aide in the classroom. I did my lesson and Mrs Hunt gave me some really good feedback. Having the video was nice to refer to. Getting to know the girls this week was fun. There are more girls than boys in the classroom and some of them are really shy so its harder to not lose them in the crowd.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that you are getting along well with your class. I know that at times it is hard to make sure that you are not losing some the the more shy students in the crowd.
DeleteAren't aides AMAZING?! When you have a good one, you know it. I have worked with some wonderful aides who have such a positive impact on the classroom.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis week I worked on a bulletin board. My students each did a poem in rain drops. I then put up an umbrella with the words showers of spring poetry. I also began my 10 day solo teaching. I am taking over the math lessons. We are working on probability.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea about the spring shower of poetry! And good luck with teaching probability! Let us know how that goes.
DeleteYou have connected with your students, April. Your lesson and centers on probability were student-centered and engaging. Ms. Patton and you make excellent teaching partners!
DeleteThank you, Frances
Bulletin boards are great place to show case student work. Poetry is fun!
DeleteWeek two was definitely better in Mrs. Grimes's class. The kids were in a better groove with the testing so they were less fried by the time I got them in the afternoon (although one girl had a slight panic attack during the first day of math testing- poor thing!). On Monday, we were able to play the Division Bingo and the kids loved it. They quickly discovered the importance of checking your math work (I only called the correct answers). Then on Tuesday I got to teach a lesson on Energy. I used their text book as a guide, then came up with an activity. We read the lesson aloud, discussing the different forms of energy. Afterwards, we played a version of hangman with the vocabulary from the chapter. I passed out a worksheet with pictures that represented the vocabulary words. When the kids solved the hangman puzzle, we had to figure out which picture demonstrated the vocabulary word. This was a great activity that really cemented their knowledge of the vocabulary, especially with the ELL students. Mrs. Grimes was worried about the science portion of the test and the kids knowing the different organ systems of the body. They had learned them earlier this year, but it had been a while since they reviewed. So on Wednesday, we reviewed the different organ systems. I then divided the kids into groups of five. Each group was assigned a body system to draw and label. It was a beautiful day outside, so we were able to go out onto the sidewalk to do our drawings. I brought large pieces of colorful butcher paper and markers and the kids went to work. One group member laid down on the paper while the others traced their body. They then had to work together to draw the details of the system and label the parts. After drawing, we went back into the classroom and shared our diagrams. The kids loved it. I was so excited for Thursday, because it was the last day of testing. The class has been listening to "The Little House on the Prairie" on CD. I decided to do a 6 day writing unit based on the book. On Thursday, we talked about the book and what had happened so far (the family moved from Minnesota to the plains). For the unit, the kids will be writing a travel piece where they get to move anywhere in the world. On Thursday, we did some brainstorming with the kids putting all of their ideas into a graphic organizer that I made for them. Next week we will have a couple days of writing, one day for editing, and one day for sharing. I am so excited to see what they come up with!
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad that a student had a paniac attack over the testing that the state requires. I know that this tests are long and very stressful for students. It is no wonder students hate tests with all of the tests that we have to give them. I am glad that you were able to create some lessons that covered some of the things that they might find on the test. I really enjoyed your idea of using the butcher paper and having the students trace their bodies. I think it is a great idea of having them draw the systems and label the body parts using the tracing of their body. Great job!
DeleteEnjoy reading your adventures in your classroom, Whitney. Remember during the writing process to include time for peer conferences, especially during the editing and revision stage. This will mean much more to students as we treat them like real authors who get feedback about their work -from their peers, in addition to you - to guide their next editing and revision. Will they have an Author's Chair to share their work. Will you invited outside guest. Send out invitations to parents and family. Make a celebration of their writing!
DeleteThank you, Frances
Although I am really enjoying working with the kindergardeners I realize reading your post about the content I am not teaching :( Science and the body! How fun!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete