Looking back on the execution of our lesson I was pleased with the overall product. I think the students were engaged and enjoyed the process of creating a bedroom and choosing the different items. The conversations between groups and partnerships was all on topic, the kids were discussing what items they had in their rooms. When kids are choosing to talk about the task or topic at hand I think the lesson can be counted as a success. The lesson execution from a teacher standpoint, in my opinion, was awkward. It didn't flow very well even though we previously discussed which parts of the lesson we would be sharing with the kids. It was my first time team teaching any lesson to kids. It was also my first time teaching a class that wasn't my own, other than substituting. With those factors included I have a better idea of what to do next time, if there is a next time, that I team teach a lesson. I learned a lot about my own teaching style and preference through this lesson.
Looking back on this class as a whole I am very pleased with the work I have done and the information I have acquired through these two short weeks. This is by far the best class I have taken post BA. Thank you for making this class purposeful and practical. I really enjoy your teaching style.
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I enjoyed the project where we created and designed our own school. It was fun the way it was set up with poker chips, plus having a winner really makes it more exciting. More then the project I liked the concept of thinking about the way a school is set up, a foundation, the classes, mascot, etc. It was interesting listening to everyones ideas of the "perfect school". I really enjoyed the freedom to be as create as we want. I feel like I get bogged down with being so realistic all the time that my imagination suffers. I always default to "that's too expensive" or "my district won't allow me to do that". While being a realist is practical it keeps me from dreaming and possibly achieving big things. As teachers things will only change if we continue to be create and keep those conversations flowing and grow from one another.
I am pleased to say that I am thoroughly enjoying this class and this Masters Program. I was nervous to start my Masters Program so quickly after completing my credential, but I am glad I did. Even though this is my first class I can honestly say this is the most challenging class I have taken since my time at CSU Stanislaus. I am feeling challenged in the greatest way possible. As a teacher we are all lovers of learning and sometimes I forget that fact about myself, but this class is reminding me of this fact everyday. I am enjoying reading "The Big Picture" and even more so I am enjoying coming to class every day to discuss, debrief, and bounce ideas of one another. I am excited to be getting a head start on our Masters Project and Lit Analysis. I am glad I found a topic (Restorative Justice and Relationships within the classroom) that I am enjoying reading and researching more. I am excited to be in front of students and interacting with them again on Thursday when we present our lesson. I am very happy to be in this class and start my summer vacation off this way. So thank you Mr. Andrew Griggs for starting my experience as a Masters student off in the best way!
As we walked onto the Sequoia School Campus I was incredibly unsure of what to expect, how to act, and what was about to happen. Back on TCSJ's campus before we became shadows I felt exactly that same way. I had a hard time filling out the prep worksheet because I didn't know what questions to ask. I looked around as my classmates furiously wrote their questions and expectations of the day and a cloud of confusion swarmed over me. I decided to lean into the unknown *ta-da* and just go with it. I knew that no matter what happened during the shadow day I knew that it was all dependent on my attitude and my ability to connect with a students, both of which are in my control. Student interactions and relationships are by far my favorite part of my job so I knew that it wasn't going to be difficult to connect with a student. Once we walked into the door I was drawn to a young girl named Nelly. She was very sweet and excited that I chose to be her shadow. Despite being only 15 years older than her Nelly insisted on telling EVERYONE I was her "mom". So that was something new. This experience reinforced somethings that I already knew about myself and my management styles like I can't stand repeating noises or when children talk over one another. I observed some wonderful new things like listening to kids ideas and encouraging or forcing students to take risks and think for themselves comes incredibly naturally for me. When we left a lot of the students were asking if we would be coming back the next day. It did seem a little unfair to pop in for such a small amount of time, but I am looking forward to going back next week. Overall I thought this was a unique and interesting concept. It is something that I will keep with me, I look forward to shadowing more students throughout my career.
My overall feeling leaving this class is a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I am leaving feeling very positive about spending so many consecutive hours in this room. Our class today was the right amount of engaging with hands on activities and reading educational, but interesting articles. In my opinion todays class went by fairly quickly. I was not watching the clock awaiting lunch time or dismissal and for that I am excited about spending the next two weeks here. On the other hand I am feeling anxious about our upcoming group project/presentation. I am no stranger to feeling anxiety because I get overwhelmed when things are new or unfamiliar to me. The project/presentation is exciting to me because it is different than the rest of the projects that we have been doing for so long. I love the idea of shadowing a student and actually designing a lesson to teach to a group of students. Although it is exciting, I am anxious to hear the details of the assignment. The homework is a bit overwhelming as well. However this is the first time in my adult/college life that I have been going to school but not working so I think that will take a load off my shoulders and allow me to focus on having classes back to back with homework expectations each day. I am looking forward to the class and the whole masters process.
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