Student Teaching Friends...
So far, so good with your posting to the blog. The next blog assignment is combined with an online video that I have selected for you. I posted the information on Blackboard under Week 2. The video entails new teachers and their experiences. Your post should surround your thoughts about the video and how they compare and contrast to your first weeks of student teaching experience. If there are any unique aspects of the video that you'd like to discuss. Here's the opportunity to do so.
Happy Blogging until next week...
Dr. Licata
So far, I have loved my experience as a new teacher. It makes me so happy to know that every morning when I wake up, I am going to make a difference in the lives of my students. Like the video said, I think a lot of people take for granted the fact that teachers influence children who will eventually influence the world. Our influence reaches much farther than we will ever realize; that's so exciting to me!
ReplyDeleteSomething that I really liked in the video was how Ms. Felix took the time to not only get to know her students, but also had them recognize how valuable they are. She noted how important it is to talk positively to students, and to help them learn to respect themselves. In my classroom, my co-op is really into this concept. Even when students are doing something undesirable (like not turning in homework, or whining about doing their work), she reminds them that by accomplishing these tasks, they are growing as responsible individuals. One of our behavior systems that I helped establish, focuses on their perseverance and respect of themselves and others. Once the students started to understand that they are accountable for their actions, they have really grown as students.
Another concept that I related to from the video was the challenge of varying abilities within the classroom. In my school, the students switch classrooms for language arts and math. In our particular room, we have the "advanced" language arts students and the "proficient" math students. Even though the students are "leveled" by classroom, there are still great differences within each "level." My teacher and I have started to break our classes down further into small groups to ensure that all students are getting exactly what they need. So far, we have seen a great improvement for all students of varying abilities. This tells me that all students (no matter their level) learn best when they are met where they are as they move forward into the curriculum.
I also found the classroom management part of the video interesting. First, I didn't like that Ms. Felix asked her students, "Are we going to be mature today so we can use the whiteboards?" I didn't think that this was a very respectful comment, considering she was trying to get the students to respect themselves. I also didn’t find it appropriate that both teacher had students that swore in their classroom, and they didn’t say anything about it! If students in my classroom are using inappropriate words, they are immediately warned and reminded that what they are saying is not acceptable for the classroom. However, I could relate to the dilemma of the students talking when they are bored. Sometimes, especially in language arts, my students become very bored because the block of time is almost three hours long. I try to keep them interested with more challenging, higher-level work. However, I find that it is sometimes a difficult balance between challenging work, and work that will not take the students too long to accomplish! In contrast to the video, however, my school has very high expectations for their students, so this helps with challenging them to do work that will help them grow.
Like both teachers in the video, I see several challenges ahead of me, including how to most effectively manage my classroom, as well as balance all of the demands of being a teacher. However, I am also encouraged to see how my students have grown over the time that I’ve been with them, and hope to use what I’ve learned to far to better my teaching abilities.
Stephanie, I think you hit the nail on the head with what you said about promoting student self-respect. This is such an important part of life, not just inside of school, but everywhere in our sometimes cruel, testing world. Sometimes people forget that. In some of the children in my placement, I can see the sadness that comes with a lack of self-respect. Sometimes I think a few of them would not have ended up at the Opportunity School if they had been taught to respect themselves more. It is so important for us to do.
DeleteStephanie, I absolutely loved the way Ms. Felix got to know her students but also touched on their self worth. At that age, students start to develop a lot of insecurities especially when it comes to school. I think she did a great job of introducing self worth on the first day of school. I think that this helps students form a community in the classroom of where they can be themselves. I loved this part of the video.
DeleteI agree with you in that one has to get to know the students and appreciate each of them for them and promote their self-worth. I must admit,
DeleteI also took for granted that high school students don't know how to be "students". When I think of behavioral issues I think more along the lines of little children problems. What has been confirmed in my thoughts is that students will attempt to push the limits no matter what age and how we respond to it will determine the outcome.
Regarding the foul language, I have to say that I was a bit shocked this was unaddressed. I find that there is no place in the classroom for this type of language however I realize that in some instances alternative word choice may need to be taught.
Overall I found this video to be a great eye opener and appreciate the opportunity to have seen it.
Stephanie,
DeleteI agree with you so much that all students can take leaps and bounds when you meet them on their own level. Some teachers miss that and their students struggle. A student simply cannot learn at a higher level than they are at at that time. However, with the appropriate help, they can one day get to that higher level.
I also liked that you talked about her comment on the whiteboards. I must say that seem very disrespectful to the students. Even if you are frustrated with how the students are acting or have acted in the past you cannot let that show in the way you talk or act. I think she let them get to her and that is where that comment came from.
Last, I want to share something with you about the usage of inappropriate language. In my undergraduate study I had to observe in John Harris High School in Harrisburg. They cursed quite a lot, and it really bothered me because no one in my small school would have ever done that! However, I questioned the teacher as to why he said nothing to them. He said that you need to pick your battles with these kids. In an urban school, that is not always a top priority to get them to stop cursing. It is seen as less important than getting them to learn. You have to remember that those students were from LA and that kind of language is common. I am not saying that you should not stop the students from saying it, but just remember that sometimes it's not worth the battle and maybe that is why these two teachers didn't say anything to them.
I also loved the fact that Ms. Felix's first plan in the classroom was to improve upon the students' own views of themselves. I think sometimes we as teachers can get caught up in the lesson planning and classroom management and we can forget that these students may not get support at home, or may have had some unsupportive teachers in the past, and we need to be there for them. I think building on student's self-worth is extremely important, in any grade level. I have seen children's faces light up when my cooperating teacher says good morning to each and every one of them when they walk into the classroom. This seems like such a small gesture but for a child who may not get that attention anywhere else in his or her life, it can mean the world. I think that it is so important to constantly reinforce the fact that regardless of anywhere else the children go during the day, their teacher cares for each and every one of them. This is imperative to a positive learning environment.
DeleteWe have all talked about what to expect, and how to prepare ourselves for our first year in the classroom but it was so nice to actually follow 2 teachers on this journey. Discussing the topic can only go so far, but actually seeing what it is like during the first year was really valuable.
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about my student teaching experience so far, I can relate most to the comments about the various levels of abilities in the classroom. Granted, I am in a preschool classroom but it is still hard. I find it is an adjustment to group students appropriately and challenge those that need the challenge as compared to just redirecting those that need to focus. I understand and agree that one of the most challenging parts of teaching is knowing how to hit all students, at all different levels. I also have seen my co-op implement what these teachers also discussed- personalizing the experience for students and making them all feel like an important member of the classroom. At 4 years old, my kids come in with some of the strangest yet funniest stories to share or comments to say, and my teacher does a nice job of appreciating what each student has to say (within reason, as long as it is appropriate). I think if the students know you are on their team and not against them, that can go a long way.
Certain parts of this video really stuck out to me. For one, I enjoyed the comparison to creating a sword. At the beginning of the video the male teacher said only the strongest, finest steel is used to create the sword. We made it this far, we are all incredibly strong, determined individuals who can and will make a difference in the classrooms. Sometimes, we all need to be reminded of that and this comparison was a nice way of doing so.
I agree also with the emphasis on classroom management, and take that a step further. Establish a routine. I see how much my students rely on that daily routine, and how much easier it makes things for my co-op when the students know what to expect. They are well behaved and easy to manage when they know their expectations and know what each day is going to bring. Overall, I think this video offered great insight into what to expect, and allowed me to reflect on myself and the type of teacher I hope to be.
Jessica, I absolutely loved that comparison as well. I think students forget how much they are really worth especially in a school like the video. Students need that constant reinforcement to think they will become something one day because a lot of the time people tell them otherwise. Students need to know they can do anything they put their minds to and I think that is where our job comes into play. I think students need to be reminded of that as well because they sometimes forget that they bring a lot to the classroom environment!
DeleteI find that my students also really love to share personal stories, however, many times it is not on the topic we're discussing during the lesson. I have to remember to take a step back and let them talk for a minute before jumping in and asking if their story is related to what we're talking about. I don't want to stomp on their chance to make a connection because it's really important to allow them to do that. I do have to make sure we stay on track and finish the lesson.
DeleteI agree with how challenging it is to meet the needs of all learners without just asking them to refocus themselves. In my placement, there are 6 students who are identified as gifted and several others with learning disabilities and emotional/behavioral issues.
DeleteI think students at any age like to share personal stories. For example, I am in a fourth grade classroom and they just finished reading a book where the main character suffers the loss of his dog that was hit by a car. Almost every student wanted to talk about their dog or cat that died and how old the animal was when it happened. I think the key to dealing with a situation where everyone wants to share is to listen to a few and then tell the students that we can talk more about it later. Maybe that would help because you are not saying you don't want to listen to what they have to say, but are still keeping the lesson moving.
I completely agree with the classroom management tactic for establishing a routine. Even at the middle school level, the students are grounded to a routine. They know what is expected of them each day when they walk into the classroom. Things run much more smoothly when the students come in, write down their homework, and get their materials out to begin class. It makes things much easier for the students, as well as myself, when they know what is expected of them every time they walk into the classroom.
DeleteEven though this video focused on high school, I think that the topics it discussed are relevant to teachers at any level. The aspect that stuck out to me the most was the discussion of how to reach students at varying levels within the classroom. I am in a first grade classroom, but we have several students who are below a kindergarten reading level. I have experienced firsthand the importance of differentiation, as well as how difficult it can be for a classroom teacher to differentiate for students who are below the rest of the class. That being said, my cooperating teacher does a spectacular job of creating a positive community of learners in her classroom, and the students never know that assignments are being modified and instruction is being differentiated for their classmates. I think that the importance this video placed on trying to reach all learners is one of the most important things we can do as educators. If we are not succeeding in impacting each student in our classroom in a positive way then what are we doing?
ReplyDeleteI also appreciated the emphasis that this video placed on the importance of classroom management. I do think that while cell phones are cursing are not issues in my first grade class, the management techniques are universal. I agree that classroom management is one of the most difficult things to establish in a classroom, but I think that it is the most important. Once a positive and supportive classroom environment is established, we as educators can then really work on our instructional techniques and reaching each of our students.
I liked the fact that this video also pointed out several times how challenging the first year is for all educators. Even now while student teaching I find myself questioning how I am going to start the first day of my first year, and set up the classroom, etc. It was somewhat comforting to know that it is not uncommon for teachers to be unsure their first year, and that teaching is always truly a learning experience, no matter how long you've been in the field. I see that now with my cooperating teacher as well, because although she is a veteran teaching, I witness her constantly changing her instructional techniques in order to sufficiently meet the goals she has for her instruction.
Hi Candace! You are 100% correct, teaching is always a learning experience! No matter the victories that we have, there is always a learning experience to be had, or another challenge just around the corner!
DeleteI too, enjoyed seeing exactly how the teachers in this video went about setting up their classroom, setting up classroom management procedures, etc. I feel that as student teachers, it is hard for us to gain perspective on this, as we are coming into a classroom that is already established for the most part. I'm thankful that my co-op allows me to try out some of my own management procedures, to give me an idea if I will use them in my own classroom some day. Classroom management is a huge issue for all new teachers, and the video and our discussions give me a peace knowing that I am not alone with this particular issue!
Differentiation is a challenge that I am not looking forward to tackling. My last placement was in a kindergarten, so it was acceptable to do centers and have the children rotate through with their guided reading groups. This is a strategy that may not work with older grades. In the placement I have now, the students switch classrooms for reading and math based on their ability levels, so I do not have to worry about differentiation, since I know all of the students in my group are on the same level.
DeleteI think that maybe it is a skill that will develop in time. As we fill our teacher-toolboxes with tips and ideas and knowledge, we will begin to formulate our own ways to differentiate and we will know what our students need based on our prior experiences. Either way, it will be a learning experience that we get to explore and experiment with.
Candace,
DeleteI love your question : "If we are not succeeding in impacting each student in our classroom in a positive way then what are we doing?" That is a great question. MY answer would be that if you are not impacting EVERY student in your classroom in some way you are teaching ineffectively. It is important to make sure students are touched every day in some way. It may not be that they learn a huge concept, but maybe they learn a small part of a huge concept or maybe they learn something beneficial to life. Regardless of what they learn every student should learn something every day.
Second, I love that you have noticed that your cooperating teacher changes her plans and techniques to meet goals. I think that all good teachers do that! Being willing to change your plans is vital. Teaching is not a perfect art form that can be designed perfectly in a lesson plan. As a teacher I know that I always need to be willing to change a plan when it is not working.
I agree that differentiation is very important in teaching. I have learned through this placement that it is important to differentiate not only for those struggling students but also for the advanced students. Classroom management in my first grade classroom is not a big deal. For the most part my students are well behaved; however, some do try to test me and see how much they can get away with. I think that the students were doing that to the new teachers in the video too. Classroom management will always be an issue even for veteran teachers depending on the students in their classrooms that year.
DeleteI can definitely relate to the first week of teaching for these individuals with my first week of student teaching. Having come in already halfway through the year, like everyone else, there were already expectations set and a classroom management system put into place. However, I still had to set my own expectations with the students and develop a rapport with them. I wanted to show the students that I was a part of their community for the next several weeks and we were going to work as a team. I started by getting to know them and talking with them individually about their strengths and weaknesses to hopefully let them know I really cared about them as individuals.
ReplyDeleteAs I watched the video and saw all the different obstacles the new teachers faced, I thought about what I am dealing with now in my first couple of weeks. Meeting the needs of all the students has been somewhat of a struggle because of the nature of the class (K-6). However, I have not had to deal with the physical needs such as the student using braille technology. It was interesting to see how the teacher handled explaining math to the student and watching the student respond. I have also been faced with the struggles of students who don't want to learn. Each and every day there is at least one student who is defiant and will shut down mid lesson. This is where clear expectations come in to play and consequences need to be utilized. For me, all I had to do was learn what that was and put it into action. For the new teachers, they need to make sure students are fully aware of what that is before it can become successful. I think I learned a lot when the male teacher's mentor discussed with him about putting his foot down and raising his voice. I have not found myself doing that yet with such a diverse group of students doing many different things but I have had to do that in the past. I really saw what a difference it made just by showing the students you mean business and there still needs to be a sense of structure in the classroom.
Another concept I related to in the video was the students becoming bored with basic material, such as the warm up. I have done many lessons where the students already know the material and so they get angry because they don't want to do it. With emotional support, there has to be a good balance between easy and difficult. Too easy is boring, and too difficult means they can't do it and don't always know how to ask for help. When the material is easy I try to keep moving along and praise the students for doing a job well done. Lesson learned for next time.
I really liked the idea behind letting students retest. This is a good option for high school students because it lets them be in control of their learning rather than thinking they can't do anything and giving up. I have not found this strategy effective in my classroom because the students don't do a lot of subject/unit testing. So far I have only seen benchmark testing. Instead, the students do a lot of project-based and formative assessments.
So far, my student teaching experience is only a taste of what new teachers experience. By watching this video, I hope to remember some of the important strategies and concepts brought out by the teachers and their mentors. Even if I can't use everything right now, it has definitely given me insight for my next placement or even my first teaching job.
Hi Anna. I really liked your comment about getting to know your students and showing that you care about them. I also agree that building a positive rapport and becoming part of their community are essential to sucess (both yours and the students). Without these things, teaching will be difficult and ineffective.
DeleteI believe that it was a wonderful idea to create a video that follows first year teachers. The teachers featured in the video had at least one mentor, this appeared to very beneficial. Classroom management was an issue for both teachers. This is extremely applicable to me, as student teachers we are waking into established classrooms. It can be difficult to manage a classroom that is not your own. The video mentioned "status symbols", such as space and keys. I believe that these are the unspoken things/events that occur in schools. As a student teacher I have already gotten a sense of how these 'status symbols" are established. I also agree with the fact that a new teacher must consider his or her relationships with other faculty members.
ReplyDeleteI really like that both of the teachers moved throughout the classroom while teaching and did not appear to lecture, read, or teach through powerpoints. There was a lot of one on one attention being given to students. After student teaching for only two weeks, I know that it is necessary to give individualized attention to students. This can become difficult, as you do not want to neglect any of your other students.
The video mentions that teaching is so much more than teaching and that teachers take on many roles. I agree with this one hundred percent. I have always known that teachers worked hard and served in many capacities. I did not know how hard they worked or how many hats they wore until I began in the classroom on a daily basis. Miss Felix stated that "you do not have a life the first year of teaching". I am already getting a sense of that now.
During a meeting in the video, several faculty members were discussing cellphones and technology. This is a huge issue in most schools. I am in a first grade classroom and we try to integrate technology as much as possible. During a faculty meeting that took place this morning, the building principal announced that during his observations he will now be looking for elements of technology to be integrated during the lesson.
The last few minutes of the video were most beneficial for me. It was interesting to watch the new teachers reflect back on their first year. I thought that they made great suggestions for improvement. It is easy to get discouraged but it is remarkable when a person can reflect and improve. Informing students of the purpose for learning material, giving instant feedback, and having students reflect will greatly improve student engagement. I also believe that providing real life connections or scenarios is necessary to engage students. In addition, I felt that Miss Felix's printout was a fantastic idea. The printout benefited her, as well as her students.
I am greatly enjoying my student teaching experience but there are times when it is stressful. It is helpful to watch someone go through something similar and be able to relate. I agree that the ideas and strategies in this video will become tools for me to use now and in the future.
I definitely agree that it was nice to see teachers who are in a similar boat as we are now, and how they managed. I liked how you said it is easy to get discouraged, but it is important to reflect and improve- I think this is something we all, as new teachers, can relate too. Nobody is a perfect teacher, and not every lesson goes as planned, but it says a lot about a person and a teacher who can reflect on what they did and improve where necessary. Also, classroom management is always an issue for first year teachers I think, and I agree, it's nice to know this is an issue for most beginning teachers.
DeleteI completely agree with reflecting on our lessons and teaching. By reflecting, we can grow as teachers and become more confident in our abilities. It also definitely essential that we provide feedback so students could reflect on their own learning. Giving feedback to students would somewhat be useless if we do not use feedback to reflect on our own teaching and learning.
DeleteI agree on how great the video is. I like that nothing was sugar coated and you saw very real, authentic situations. I also liked the reflection piece of the video that was shown. It was interesting to see how the teachers reflected on what they did well and what they think they can improve on. I felt a bit conflicted when watching the meeting they showed where they talked about technology. I agree that technology should be integrated, but I do not know if incorporating cell phones is a good idea. I am in a classroom where we are lucky enough to have 6 laptops and 6 iPads that the students can use at different points throughout the day.
DeleteI agree that it was almost a confidence boost to see that teachers do struggle with the same things, and that new teachers are always going to be nervous about the first day, classroom management, etc. Sometimes I think that being around our veteran cooperating teachers everyday makes us think that we need to be just like them by the time we get our first teaching job, and that's just not possible. It was so nice to see that these first year teachers may not have done everything perfectly, but they still had a positive impact on their students, and enjoyed their profession. I think it reiterated the fact that we are in this for the students, and if we put the students first and focus on each student individually, that means so much more than having a perfect first day, or a perfect lesson plan.
DeleteIt was very informative to watch two new teachers evolve and grow over their school year as well as listen to the advice that their mentor teachers gave them. It would be wonderful if all new teachers had a team to help them improve their teaching techniques! I felt that I could relate to their struggles and accomplishments and watch them reflect on what they would change or adjust over the school year or in their next classroom.
ReplyDeleteOne aspect that I liked about the video was the honesty, not a lot of sugar coating about first year teaching. The two teachers were very candid about their concerns, hopes, strengths and weakness. The mentors gave solid advice but also did not just pat them on the head and move on. They seemed very committed to the teacher program as well as providing a quality education for the inner city students and supporting the new teachers with honest feedback.
I feel the video capture many of the same struggles that I see in my seventh grade classroom. Many students have skated by with just the basics and are not interested in learning anymore than the bare minimum. I also see students bored and tired of putting up with the same misbehaving students but do not know how to advocate for change. I also see many students off task and not engaged with the task or assignment. So in some regards it was reassuring to see that it’s not just GM seventh graders behaving this way but teenage students in general.
I was inspired to watch Ms. Felix build a classroom community based on mutual respect and genuine concern for her students. She seemed to be truly bothered by the students that were retaking biology for the second or third time. She also wanted to create lessons that engaged and challenged the students not simply covering the material in 5 weeks regardless if they understood the material or passed the test. She wanted to share her love of learning and science as well as create relationships that fostered a desire to excel.
It was interesting to watch the male teacher struggle with classroom management and how to keep the side conversations to minimum while he was attempting to teach the students. He did not seem to want to play ‘bad cop’ in the classroom and may have lost some control of the students as well as losing an opportunity for content to sink in with the students. It is easy to sit back and watch it happen to someone else but what will I do in the same position? I need to remember the advice the mentor gave him and keep the upper hand without giving up the mutual respect. It is a fine line to walk.
Watching a video like this during our student teaching puts the classroom experience into a different perspective than if we watched in a sophomore or a junior education class. Now that we have experienced some real world teaching and student behaviors, the emotions and expectations of teaching are relatable. I enjoyed watching how the new teachers handled situations and I gained insight on what I will be experiencing in my first classroom.
Hey Rebecca! I agree, I really liked the fact that the two teachers in the video had mentors from their program follow up with them after their first year teaching. As teachers, we are really never finished learning, and even after a year of teaching, we are still "rookies" and have so much to learn from the "professionals," so to speak. I liked what you said about the mentors giving the teachers solid advice, and not just giving them a pat on the back for their successes. The most useful type of feedback (at least in my opinion) is constructive criticism. In the video, I felt that it was especially powerful that they videotaped the teachers so that they could look back on exactly what it was that made them successful, and gave them insight on how they could have done better in specific situations. I hope that in my first "real" job that I can have a mentor to help me improve and use my past mistakes as learning opportunities!
DeleteTeenagers can be a little tricky sometimes when it comes to pushing themselves to do more. Some want to learn as much as they can but have a fear of being ridiculed by their peers. I sometimes feel as if they are often held beck by those who aren't motivated to do anything. I would be a little fed up with the constant misbehavior hindering what could potentially be an awesome class. If only there was some magical power to get everyone involved and participating, but that's not reality. We have to deal with what's in front of us and make the most of it.
DeleteOh yes! after today's classes- I wish I had that magical power too!!
DeleteI agree with you in the fact that these mentors seemed like such a valuable relationship. I think that so often in those types of situations its easier for a mentor to simply complement what is going well, and move on, or brush over what may not be going so well. I loved the fact that these mentors seemed so involved in the first-year teacher's lives. It seemed that they genuinely wanted to help, and although they commented on things that needed to be improved; they did it in a very supportive way. I can only hope that we as first year teachers can have similar experiences.
DeleteI really enjoyed watching the video! I think we, as student teachers, are still learning how to become a teacher. It is very beneficial to see what happens when we finally get our first job. I have always had questions regarding this issue. I always wondered how I would set up my first classroom, how my first week would go, and what classroom management system I would want to implement. This video helped me further think about those questions and see examples of how they could be answered.
ReplyDeleteThis video compared to my field placement in more than one way. I have seen teachers here similar to the male teacher and teachers similar to the female teacher. Every teacher has his or her own style on how the classroom should be managed. My cooperating teacher is more on the strict side. She still smiles and jokes around with the students. However, she raises her voice when needed and will not let disruptive and rude behavior take place in her classroom. It actually has been helpful for me because it caused me to be similar to that management. Up to this point, I have never really been strict with students. I have always been too forgiving and let behavior be excused, that probably should not have been excused. So far since I have been here, my classroom management has improved and I have better control over the classroom.
In the video, the female teacher explained how she wanted to influence lives. This teacher also explained that she wanted to make the students feel like they mattered and could succeed. This is something I have also seen in the field. Unfortunately, I have not seen every teacher represent this. I agree with the teacher from the video. Students should matter, we should respect them, and we should show them we care. A quality I really appreciate in my cooperating teacher is that she can be strict and loud, but she always shows the students she cares and that she is here for them. She takes the time to make meaningful lessons that will help benefit and improve the students learning.
In regards to the male teacher, his classroom was not as structured and organized as it could have been. That is another trait I have seen in other classrooms in the building where I am student teaching. I think activities and projects are fun for the students. I think students should have choices in different assignments. However, I strongly believe that there should be some structure. Structure holds students accountable and helps reinforce positive behavior. I think classrooms that are completely unstructured are typically very chaotic.
Overall, I really enjoyed this video. I think watching it while student teaching is the best time. We are very close to graduating and one day we are going to be first year teachers. I look forward to that and now feel a little at ease after watching other teachers go through it.
Chelsea, you made some really good connections to what you've seen in the field. I thought the same thing when watching the male teachers classroom- it could have been more structured. I think though, this is a good representation of how that first year is going to go. As much as we will strive for structure and order, there will be times it breaks into chaos. It was nice to see he wasn't a perfect, experienced teacher just yet. I think seeing good examples of classrooms is just as helpful as seeing these realistic examples- it helps us determine what we want to try and avoid doing. I think when it comes to being strict in the classroom- that is something we will all learn with time, because I am the same way. I need to learn how to be stern without being mean, and be more forceful in controlling certain behaviors. But, I don't think we are alone in this!
DeleteI could not agree with both of your comments more! It is difficult to create a nice yet stern presence in the classroom. I believe that it will be easier when we all have our classrooms. Right now, I feel as though I am blending my classroom management style with that of my cooperating teacher. It has been eye opening to be in the classroom full time. I believe my classroom management skills are being refined daily.
DeleteClassroom management is one of my biggest problems. I am trying to find a balance between being strict and being (for lack of a better word) friend with them. My students do not always respect authority. They have severe behavior issues and frequently defy it, so being strict does not always work. Sure, I raise my voice and let them know when something is not okay, but I try to only do that if I have to. I have found that being the "cool" teacher works better for me. I relate to them and talk to them as people. One of my students loves WWE and Wrestlemania, so he and I talk about that in the mornings as he is getting settled. It is hard to explain, but by showing them that I am a real person and not some mean person that is out to get them, they want to do what I ask, since they know it will make me happy. I know this is not the case for everyone, but it is what works for me in this moment. Maybe it will change in my next placement. I don't know, but I'm excited to find out.
DeleteI also feel like I was never very strict with students in past placements. I feel like maybe it was because I never saw how misbehaviors and disturbances, no matter how big or small, can have a significant impact on the learning and the classroom environment. During my weeks of student teaching so far, I have this more clearly and do use a more stern voice with the students when they are off task and being disrespectful of one another. I think I am starting to find my "teacher voice". Mr. Torres's lack of classroom structure is something I am concerned about when I have my first teaching job. I sometimes worry that I will not be able to keep that thin line between an open, easy and fun learning environment and a chaotic environment with no structure.
DeleteI always enjoy watching videos about educational professionals but, unfortunately, I did not find this one very relevant to my own experience. At first I thought the reason for this was that the teachers in the videos were in a high school setting, but I soon realized it was because of the uniqueness of my placement. There were, however, some things that certainly applied to me.
ReplyDeleteJust as the teachers in the video,and with teachers everywhere budgeting is an issue. The Opportunity School simply cannot afford all of the hands-on supplies their students need to thrive. This leaves much of the responsibility to gather material on the shoulders of the individual teacher, most of whom cannot afford to buy their students everything they need. This is a struggle all educational professionals will deal with one way or another,to which there is a remedy in creative recycling and high-en dollar stores.
In the video, the teachers struggled with defiant and frustrated students. For some of the kids at the Opportunity School, this is their constant state. The day then becomes a struggle to pull students out of that state, not often separate from teaching them. The key seems to be introducing concepts in a way that makes the students forget they are in school, forget they are learning. These students absolutely CANNOT have the learning process formalized, or they will rebel. Instead the communication of discreet facts and understanding must be disguised by hands-on and dramatic introductions, followed by a dynamic lesson that pulls them out of their seats, and out of their defiant mindset. As time goes on, hopefully students will become more adept with learning for the sake of it, but for now, they need a massive hook to get started, and some pretty tasty bait to keep going.
As of now, I feel good at this placement. Sure, I'm overwhelmed, but I come home with a headache and a smile every day. I do, however, feel the same "honeymoon" anxiety that one of the teachers from the video mentioned. I have only, after all, been at the Opportunity School for about three weeks. I have no idea if I could hold a steady teaching job in an environment like this. The only way to find out would be to do it, but for now I am just getting through each day without questioning whether or not I can. I just do it.
Justin,
DeleteI'm impressed by your determination! I know for sure that I could not teach in an environment like this every day, and it takes a lot of patience to do so! From what I understand, the Opportunity House is only a temporary placement; is that right? I'm curious about the fact that many of the students are only willing to learn when they are enticed to do so in a more desirable situation. Are the students eventually weaned off of this? I would imagine that they would eventually have to learn how to learn in the conventional sense for when they get to higher levels? I have a student in Emotional Support who is only in my classroom for math. Some of his behaviors can be quite challenging at times, and I am learning how to deal with him in a stern but fair manner, while trying to build a positive rapport with him as well. It's a very different experience than I'm used to, but I'm glad for the learning opportunity! Best of luck!
Hi Justin, it sounds like your placement definintely has its challenges, but I am sure there are great rewwards as well. There are four student in my class that have behavior/emotional issues. I find their behaviors frustrating at times, yet I also try to understand their situation. After dealing with several severe misbehaviors, I remain puzzled at how teachers can be mean to students, react with anger or hold a grudge. I am truly attempting to understand all of the students in my class. After having been in class with you for the past few semesters, I am sure that you are doing wonderfully at the Opportunity House. I hope that as the weeks go on, you will share some of your experiences and how you have dealt with them. Good luck!
DeleteHey, Justin. The Opportunities School can be a challenge sometimes, especially with the group of students you have, but you are doing a phenomenal job. I thought it was very resourceful to print out the pictures of the Pokemon for the one student to use for math. I also liked that you were playing with them at the end of the day. By doing this, you cement the idea that these are for play, so when you bring them out for math, he does not register that it is actually work. You are doing a wonderful job. Keep it up! The students adore you.
DeleteThats really tough when a school cannot afford to purchase all of the materials for their students to use to become successful. I know so many teachers who use their own money to purchase something to help their students understand a topic or to enhance their learning. I think its great that you are really thinking outside the box in order to get your student interested in learning and to hold their interest throughout the lesson.
DeleteI like how Justin brings up dealing with defiant and frustrated students. It reminds me of my last placement and how similar my students were to his current class. It's hard to balance getting the material to the students, managing the behaviors, and keeping it "fun" and engaging.
DeleteJustin, I can imagine that this placement is exhausting. Having to come up with a way to teach students when they don't think they are learning is a difficult task. You must be learning a lot from your cooperating teacher and coming up with some different ways to teach. This experience is good to look back on if you ever have a classroom like this. Unfortunately, one of the struggles of being a teacher lies in budgeting. First of all, teachers are not paid that much, then when we have to go buy all of the supplies it gets really expensive, but I bet you are coming with some creative ways to use materials for different subjects/activities.
DeleteThe video really hit home for me. Within the first minute, I related to it. The new teachers were trying to get their students to be engaged in the lesson, and the students refused. That is exactly how I have felt so many times, in this placement especially. Just today in reading, I remember thinking "Everything I say is going in one ear and out the other. They have all but tuned me out." It is comforting to know that it is not just me, but it is terrifying to think how frequently this occurs and that this is a problem that I will be facing on multiple occasions.
ReplyDeleteBoth Mr. Torres and Ms. Felix had beautiful metaphors. Mr. Torres compared creating a teacher to making a sword. Ms. Felix talked about teaching being like a first love and being in the "honeymoon phase" of her first few days. I think this analogy is absolutely spot on. Right now, I am so new and fresh and I think the world of my students. As time goes on, they begin to test me and their quirks drive me up a wall sometimes. But at the end of the day, they are still my students and I will do everything I can for them to help them, because at the end of the day, that's why I'm there. I don't teach a curriculum; I teach students.
A few days ago, some of my students and I had a conversation about how wonderful valentines day is, because there is candy everywhere. I saw how excited they got about the candy and went home that night and looked up some ways to incorporate candy hearts into my lessons. I know they will learn more and be more focused if it involves something they enjoy. (And I picked a math lesson, since it's right before lunch, so they can get all their sugar jitters out during lunch and not during my lesson)
"I don't teach a curriculum; I teach students"- 100% agree! But, I've also been in the same position, as I'm sure many of us have, where I just really don't think any of the students are listening to one of my lessons. It is so frustrating to know that I want to help, and I want to reach my students, and they could care less that I am even in front of the room. Also, I agree that it isn't going to be the last lesson that we teach to a group of unfocused students- I think it just comes with the job sometimes. Great thinking with incorporating candy hearts into your lesson! That is the best way to relate to students and keep them focused, when their interests are included. I hope that lesson goes well, best of luck to you!
DeleteI loved the example of the sword! You are so right in saying we are all so fresh and new. At this point, we could be molded into any type of teacher; it's up to us to choose which direction we wish to take. The issue of unfocused students has forever been a challenge and will continue to challenge us as new teachers, but I trust that we have all the knowledge to get the students back on task!
DeleteI also really liked the analogies both teachers made. Mr. Torres's speech about the sword really helped me feel that although I will feel unsure and like I am sinking sometimes, I can handle it because we have been "put through the fire". We all have the knowledge, resources, and ability to make it through. I especially liked your comment that we teach students, not the curriculum. As teachers, we need to get to know our students and provide them with every opportunity to learn and grow. Such a creative way to show you are getting to know the students and to make the math lesson more meaningful by incorporating the candy hearts.
DeleteI agree Becky! There have been times that I have felt un-engaging. Its almost as if one has dug oneself into a hole and can not get out. I must say however, this is where reflection has been a life saver. I know we may not yet have had the opportunity to teach the same lesson more than once but I know that after reflection each lesson seems to get better.
DeleteI also liked the analogies both teachers used in this video. They were true and vivid. Definitely examples that will stay with me forever.
Becky,
DeleteI love your philosophy, "I don't teach a curriculum; I teach students." That is exactly what every teacher should be doing! It is far more important that you meet students where they are than hitting the curriculum 100%. The curriculum is definitely important, but if a student is not where the curriculum needs them to be it's more important to teach them where they are.
I also love the candy heart idea. It should help the students to learn more. However, I would warn you to check with your school on their policy on giving students candy. Most schools have policies against that since the healthy food act that Michelle Obama helps to promote. It takes almost all sugar out of a school's menu.
Last, it is definitely good that you are terrified that your students may not be learning. That is totally normal and I would go farther and say all good teachers should worry about that because students learning is the number one priority!
Becky, I completely agree when you say that your students aren't listening and what your saying is "going in one ear and out the other". Sometimes with my first graders, I can tell they are jittery or unfocused and have to stop the listen for a brain break to allow them a minute before getting them refocused. Also, I teach social studies right at the end of the day, and by that point I know their attention spans are gone, and I try to keep my lessons short and sweet with a lot of student engagement.
DeleteThis has been such an experience so far and I have loved every minute of it. I cannot wait to see how the rest of this student teaching experience goes. This video really had me thinking of how I am in the classroom. Withing a few minutes of watching the video I connected to it immediately. We are all taught for four years on how to become an educator to various age groups, but in reality teachers are constantly being taught even after their countless amounts of years at different colleges.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I really enjoyed watching was how both, Ms. Felix and Mr. Torres, reacted on their first day. This is how I reacted in a way. I was so nervous yet excited to meet my students. I did not know if they were going to take me serious or even listen to me. I especially liked how Ms. Felix made them think about their self worth. This is one thing I have trouble with because even though we are their to help, students sometimes think we are the bad guys and out to get them. I liked how Ms. Felix made it known she is there for them and will be there to see them succeed. I want my students to see that I am there for them and not out to get them. I want them to know they can rely on me and I will do everything I can to help them because I want to see them succeed not fail.
Another thing I connected with was how difficult it is to maintain a classroom management plan. In the beginning Ms. Felix told her students their expectations where Mr. Torres did not. He later said in the video that he wished he would have done that. I think in the beginning of the school year students test their teachers to see how strict they are going to be. If you do not tell your students their expectations upfront this can create a lot of controversy. In my placement, every time we do an activity I review my expectations just to give them a little reminder of how they should be acting. Both teachers wanted their students to like them and I think that is what a lot of new teachers experience because I know I did. I think both teachers wanted their students to like them that they forgot they were the teachers. I think there can be a fine line with having your students like you, but showing them that you are the teacher and there are expectations the students need to follow.
In my placement, my students know I have very high expectations for them because they are about to be in the fifth grade. I like to have fun while learning and I try to incorporate that as much as I can with my class. They tend to be bored very easily. Before I even introduce what we are about to do we go over the expectations I have as well as the classroom rules. I feel that most of the students respect me as their teacher but also as someone to be there for them. They do open up to me, but they know I am their teacher not their friend.
I feel as though it's easier to get their respect as a student teacher when their regular teacher is in the room. I don't have a lot of difficulty with the students until the teacher steps out. Then, I have to remind them and sometimes raise my voice to get their respect again. I definitely expected them to push their limits with me and they still do but I always remember that there are expectations they need to be held accountable for. It's really important not to hesitate to give them consequences or you will lose them.
DeleteI did like how Ms. Felix laid out her expectations for her students in the beginning of the year too. I think this is a great way to let the students know what they should be doing and what they will be expected to do as time goes on. The biggest problem with many new teachers is that they want their students to like them and to be their friend, but i have learned that most times students will have more respect and admiration for you if you give them rules and truly stick to them. It is good that you have come to realize that so early on in your teaching career.
DeleteI agree Ana. I had a sub for half the day and I was doing the Read A loud and the students tried to take advantage right off the bat. I gave them 2 warnings and they kept going so I took away a PowerPoint presentation that I had prepared for them. I had planned to finish reading the book Vacation under the Volcano and then show them pictures about Pompeii, the clothing, meat shops, etc. It sucked because I prepared this but I barely got to finish reading and we still had other things to do. The students who were listening quickly got upset with those who were acting up and the ones who were being bad began to feel responsible because everyone lost out because of them. My co-op received a bad note so she changed the their seats. Now when I do Read Aloud they get one warning and after that they go back to their sit and listen from there. Now they all raise their hands when they have a question and sit next to someone they know won't distract them.
DeleteI love that you review your expectations explicitly. I always tell the students what we will be doing that lesson but sometimes they just need a little reminder how they should act, too.
DeleteMy student teaching experience thus has been nothing short of amazing! There have of course been challenges along the way so far, but it has given me the opportunity to create and implement new things for my students. I have adjusted many lessons to benefit all of the students in the classroom. The best part is that I had the opportunity to really get to know my students last semester during my professional semester. Like Saray and Alex in the video, it is most important to get to know the students first, find out what they enjoy, or what upsets them. Knowing your students is the first step of instruction, in my opinion. I cannot teach my students if I don't know how they learn best, or if I don't what motivates them. I feel that student teaching is a taste of what a new teaching experience may be like. Saray, in the video, allowed the students to help her create rules and consequences together which requires the students to be responsible for these rules. In my placement so far I HAVE been tested by my students because they know I am a new authority type figure coming into the classroom and they want to see what they can get away with. After teaching a few full days and seeing how the students were acting, and not being satisfied with their behavior I chose to make a change. I first had to observe the students and see what motivates them before I could sit down and implement something. Before I implemented my behavior plan I sat down with the students on a thursday and said that next week things were going to be different, that we were going to try something new, during this conversation I asked the students what it means to be a first grader and various things a first grader should do and how they SHOULD act, and explained how the examples they gave me they did not display during the week. Once the boundaries are set in the classroom, and the teacher stands firm to them, then the classroom will likely run more smoothly, and I have seen this take place in my placement. The ideas of getting to know the students immediately, and immediately setting the tone of the classroom is something i really connected with in this video. In additon, I enjoyed when Alex gave the students an activity to give them an opportunity for higher order thinking, but after a few minutes he lost them. This is such a realistic event that occurs, and I could definitely connect with this because it's important to check back with the students so they remain on task, and in addition during this same scene Alex was told that it is okay to stop being nice and step in and be the boss or 'the father'. This is a struggle I had in the beginning, I was afraid of 'laying down the law' and having the students not like me, but in the end they respected me more when I held them accountable.
ReplyDeleteI love that you mentioned how you're being challenged in the classroom. It truly is a way to implement new things into the lessons, things the students have not seen before. I used Think, Pair, Share in my geography class one day. I was nervous to see how the students would handle it, hoping they weren't just going to sit and talk, but rather talk educationally. They were phenomenal; they exceeded my expectations to the fullest! It's like you said, they respect you even more when you set high expectations and hold them accountable.
DeleteI agree with what you said about getting to know your students. For any teacher, no matter how experienced, you need to know your students and what makes them tick. It is our job to help them best learn the material. How can we effectively do that if we don't know how they learn best? I also very much agree with gaining the respect of our students from the get-go. If our students don't respect us and see us as an authority figure in the classroom, we are not going to be able to accomplish anything and the students won't learn. It is important to set the ground rules and stick to them. Overall, I feel very lucky that I haven't had too many issues with the students and gaining their respect. There was an instance where I had a student complete his math worksheet during their indoor recess. I did this because he was fooling around and talking during Math rather than completing the worksheet (the fact that there was a sub that day probably had something to do with it). He tried to fight me on it by telling me that their teacher never has them do that but he had been warned by the Learning Support teacher and she had told me what was going on (my teacher co-teaches Math with the Learning Support teacher). He and the other boy he was talking to had to complete the worksheet. While the one boy tried to fight me on it, the other boy did it with no problem. I knew I had to stick to my guns and have him complete it because he needed to respect me and realize that just because his regular teacher is absent, that doesn't mean he doesn't have to do the required work.
DeleteI agree with you Christine. I was at first scared to raise my voice at the students because I didn't know them and I wanted to be liked. Once you learn to lay down the law because if not they will take advantage, it becomes eaiser. I like getting hugs and fixing problems or finding the answer to things, the motherly side of me. But I have developed the mean look and am very proud to say when I make that face, the student knows I'm not happy and they get to work right away. I see myself being more of a coach in the classroom. Being the mentor, teaching new techniques, but also being disciplinary and following through with my consequences.
DeleteWhile watching the video, “The New Teacher Experience”, I could not help but relate to the issues both Mr. Torres and Ms. Felix faced. One of the first things addressed in the video was how the new teaches felt the first week of school. They both felt nervous and anxious and wanted to set the right community in their classroom. I too felt nervous and anxious when starting student teaching. Although I rolled over from last semester, I was gone for a month and knew this semester would challenge me. Another thing mentioned in the video was the waste of instructional time during the first two weeks of school when students try to change their schedules. Although the change of schedules is not a problem, I have seen the constant CDT, benchmark, and 4Sights testing waste valuable instructional time and it burns the students out. Yes, data from these tests can be useful, but students are being over tested.
ReplyDeleteAnother issue addressed in the video that I have seen during my first few weeks of student teaching is the wide range of abilities in students. Due to the range in abilities, every lesson needs to be differentiated to keep the students engaged and properly challenged. My co-op and I spend every day, both during school and after school, readjusting the lessons and work. Another part in the video I related to was when the new teachers talked about talkative and passive students in the classroom. I have seen students sit and chose not to complete the work. I feel this is because they were able to sit and wait for another student or the teacher to tell them the answer in previous grades or classes. My teacher has set up a safe and respectful environment that holds the students accountable and responsible for their work, so thankfully, most of the students take the class and work seriously. I hope that I can maintain that safe and respectful environment and keep the students engaged and challenged when I start teaching all four classes.
During class on Friday, as I was teaching two-step equations to the class that I have taken over, the one student’s hand shot up and he exclaimed that he “got this”. I was able to see that light bulb go off in his head when he connected the pieces and I could not help but smile. This reminded me of the part in the video when Mr. Torres was explaining the concept of simplifying radicals to the one student and as he explained the concept the student’s face lit up with pride and understanding. I know it is these light bulb moments that will make all the hurdles, challenges, and frustrations of teaching completely worth it.
I thought it was brilliant when Mr. Torres used angles in the crime scene investigation activity. He got the kids engaged in math and they had fun. One of the key things he said during the video, for me, was to make the concepts taught real-world applicable. He said that he wanted activities that make the students think about math rather than just doing the math. As a future math teacher, I could not agree more with his idea. The activities and learning will be more meaningful and allow for students to use inquiry-based learning. The students would also be less likely to just “chug and plug” because they would have a deeper understanding of the concepts. One of the main take-away points from the video, in my opinion, was when Ms. Felix said that teachers need to invite students into the learning process. Teachers need to tell students the purpose of each lesson or else the students will think it will be useless. A typical thing I have heard in every single math class I have ever been in is, “When am I ever going to need this”. I think it is important that students realize that the skills they learn in school, if utilized, will help them become successful in life and that there is meaning behind what they learn. This video was very enlightening and I will take the tips and advice given in the video to help guide me in the remaining weeks of student teaching and to better prepare me for my first year of teaching.
Jess I would agree with you that student ability level is very challenging to accommodate. Yes, it is an awesome feeling when one can see the bulb light up but in the same breath one can see the frustration in others. Then it becomes a question about how do I re-teach and challenge all in the same lesson.
DeleteAlso, I would say that testing is exhausting and burns out both teachers and students yet some of the information it yields is so valuable. Coming to a happy medium does not seem to be a reality but we have to face it head on and do the best we can!
I agree with both Jess and Jessi! Accommodating can be hard but well needed with all the levels in the classroom. The gaps are only getting bigger which is very sad, but as determined teachers, we must make it work. I do quick checks at the end of my math lesson to pull those kids who are not getting it and try to give them more individual time. It is time consuming during a school day that is already strict, but it does help me determine if I move on or reteach. I try to have my enrichment work for the students who finish early but I can't have it everyday so if they do finish early I allow them to finish old work or read silently.
DeleteThus far, being a new teacher is not nearly as scary as I have always pictured it in my head. The experience is truly like no other, and I am so grateful that I am able to wake up every morning knowing I am in a profession I love. However, I have only been in this role for a month.
ReplyDeleteI was happy to see that the video acknowledge the fact that many new teachers become burnt out around November. It's comforting for me to know that all teachers have faced these difficulties at one point or another and have persevered through adversity. When I feel myself becoming overwhelmed and swamped, it eases my mind knowing that the struggles will allow me to become a better teacher. Like the video said, if you are feeling overwhelmed, you are exactly where you should be.
I have learned that things are not always going to go as planned, and that is okay. I am going to have bad days, students are going to have bad days, some days all the work will not get completed in one class period, and that is completely acceptable. Being flexible is key when it comes to a functioning classroom.
In the video, Ms. Felix acknowledged that students are going to challenge you. They are going to challenge you day in and day out. Students not completing work is unacceptable, yes, but yelling and scolding isn't going to get the job done for most of the students. For a first year teacher, Ms. Felix handled it in a way that was not condescending or patronizing. She had built relationships with the students that allowed her to simply say that she expected more from them, and they knew she did, too. She did not have to yell or write up or threaten; she just had to say she expected more.
It's fortunate that I am student teaching with the same students I had in the Fall because I did not have the issue of getting to know names and faces. However, when I am in my first year of teaching, I think it is important to get to know the student by more than just his or her name. I liked Mr. Torres's idea of name cards as a means of getting to know the students. In pairs, the students talked with one another and then created name cards for each other based on what each student told the other. The cards had the student's name, drawing, colors, sports, anything that represented that student in any way.
This video was really beneficial in that it showed the trials and tribulations of a first year teacher, but it also showed the little victories throughout the year. The video was ultimately reassuring for me. I can rest easy knowing that myself, as well as the rest of my education peers, are going to be just fine when we finally have our very own classroom.
Kaila, I agree completely with you! I have always had a slight fear of how teaching would be when we would officially take over the role. However, from only being this role for a few short weeks, it does not feel scary at all. It is actually very exciting and rewarding. I also agree that it is important to know the students. My cooperating teacher told me how she always has the student's names memorized before the first day of school. She takes home their name cards over the summer and will say each student's name as they walk in the classroom on the first day. I think it is important for the students to know they are cared for, rather than just another face in the classroom.
DeleteRegardless of all the training one may have I don’t think one can fully prepare for the first day of school. Wow! I cannot imagine the feeling one must get the moment that key is placed in your hand the key to your first classroom! A key that will not just open your classroom door and maybe the bathroom door, but a magical key; one that will open the door to little minds, collaboration, experience, memories, friendships, and so much more.
ReplyDeleteThe initial question of how the new teachers were going to establish a classroom culture in their classroom is one that became real when I saw this video. I can appreciate Mr. Torres’ idea of the personalized name cards. This is an idea that spans many ages and creates an opportunity of student interactions. Although many ideas sound good in theory the real challenge lies in the moment.
Classroom management is another aspect of teaching that has my brain going round and round. I do agree with Mr. Torres when he says one has go into it with a well-designed plan. Not all plans are going to work all of the time for all of the classes but one has to certainly give much thought to how one will manage the classroom and attempt to create a well-designed plan. Overall, it was very comforting to see that classroom management is a challenge all teachers face. It makes one feel that one is not alone in the struggle and that no matter the age of the students teachers will be challenged.
Lesson planning the other challenge that theoretically works until the plan is set in motion. Like the new teachers in the video I believe one has to develop his/her own planning style. I also believe this is a matter of trial and error and success will come with experience.
Ironically, I mentioned to my supervisor the other day that I feel like I don’t have a life and I felt completely exhausted by the end of the night. Then I heard the same comments in this video. Again it was comforting to know that I am not alone. It was nice to hear that the feeling of being overwhelmed is normal and shows signs of growth.
Overall, I have many feelings about becoming a new teacher. It is exciting and intimidating all in one but I definitely look forward to making a difference in the lives of all my students.
Jess, I love what you said about a magical key! As teachers, we really are changing student's lives. I also agree with the fact that all teachers will be creating their own planning style. From my experience so far, I have seen that it is better to have something planned rather than just making it up as you go. I think it benefits the students more when the lesson is prepared ahead of time. This video also gave me relief, in the sense that classroom management is something all teachers struggle with.
DeleteI agree with you Jess. I can't remember the last time I had a real social life. It's definitely soothing to know that other people are going through the same issues you are and that it's normal. I am looking forward to getting a mentor to help me reflect and remind me of all the positives I'm doing when I'm getting overwhelmed. My math lessons go smoothly because they are well planned out and I review them the night before. I need to get my Read Aloud to that level of organized questions and a meaning for it all. My last two fields have been so welcoming and helpful that I am actually really looking forward to getting my first big girl job and making a difference in children.
DeleteI feel like my classroom management will be one of my strong points because I have had a lot of practice with it in my fields and my jobs. I can be a nurturing motherly figure but I can also be the disciplinary coach ;) I think my biggest problem will be staying on top of all the meetings and being prepared with materials will be my hardest thing. Making sure to be organized and that everything is ready to go material wise. I like to let thinks go until tomorrow and many unexpected things come up so I need to be proactive and get things done right away!
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ReplyDeleteThere is so much I could say about this video. I absolutely loved the whole thing. It relates so well to my first 3 weeks as a student teacher, and it relates even more to the 2 years of substituting I have done through the guest teacher program. I am going to try and keep this as brief as possible, but I definitely have a lot of points I would love to discuss about the movie. These are my thoughts that came up during the movie and they are in order of how they came up.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I heard the comment, "no matter how well prepared you are you never know how it is until you do it." I could not agree more with this. I took all of the undergraduate education courses, and now master's level courses. I am still surprised daily when I substitute, and now as I student teach. Teaching is one of those things that you need to do it to know what it is all about.
After that, I loved the story about the forger’s fire that was told at the graduation. He said they went through it, but I think it actually extends to our classrooms in that we must aim to put our students through the forger’s fire. We should have them come out at the other end of our class a new and better student, person, and citizen.
That ties right into my next point. The video talked about your desire to be in the classroom. I know for a fact that you need to be 100% committed to your teaching. I had a professor in my undergraduate tell me that if you are not all in then you should do it at all because it's not fair to the students. That is the comment that made me drop out of my undergraduates education program because I knew he was right, and I knew I was not all in. After graduating I started substituting and I knew I was wrong. I am all in! I know this is what I was created to do in life!
The next few all relate to classroom environment and management. First, it is huge to set up a good classroom environment. The students need to know what is expected of them, they need to know you respect them, and they need to know what happens if they don't do what they are supposed to do. I loved that the one teacher let the students discuss what the classroom rules should be. This helps to create ownership of the rules, and often times it will help them to obey them more. It also shows that you respect their opinion which is huge! I also liked that they said it is okay to be relaxed and make jokes with your students. The teacher I am with does this all the time. However, there needs to be a line. The students need to know when it is time to do their work.
Overall, mutual respect is what builds a good classroom. I loved when the one mentor said that the students were good in your room because I was here and that means they respect you. This is so true! As a substitute I could tell almost immediately what kind of relationship the students and the teacher have. I could tell if they respected the teacher, feared the teacher, or just didn’t care what the teacher thought. If you have a good relationship with them it will show when you are not in the classroom.
Last, there were a few concepts that are new to education. First, there was the thought that students can redo work to get a better grade. That hits the nail on the head in my eyes. A student needs to be able to learn instead of just failing. If they do not understand the material it is time for the teacher to fix that somehow. Second, technology can be hugely beneficial if you use it right. Third, be creative and get the students involved and they will learn more. Finally, explain to the students why you are doing things. If they think it is just busy work then there is no desire in them to get anything out of it.
Zane:
DeleteI loved your comments! Thank you for sharing so much of who you are in your post!
As I watched this video, I felt that there were so many things that I could identify with already, even as a student teacher in my first few weeks. I can tell, now more than ever, that I am going to love being a teacher, despite the challenges that I have faced, and have yet to face.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the problems that these teachers were having with classroom management is something that hit home for me. In one of my class periods in particular, I have been having issues with my classroom management, and motivating the students to do their work. I know that this is something that all new teachers struggle with, but it was very helpful for me to see it in action for another new teacher.
The video also stressed the importance of planning your lessons out completely and knowing what you are going to do every day. I could not agree with this more. Since I have been teaching, we have had snow days and two hour delays which have messed up my plans for certain days, and I have had to constantly adjust my plans. However, having a clear plan for the week before that happens, makes it so much easier to adjust what I am going to after my plans are interrupted. In both math and history, I have had to adjust my plans for weather, CDT testing, and other circumstances.
In my pre-algebra classes right now, we seem to be stuck on using the textbook. I thought the crime scene investigation lesson was awesome. It would be such a great change of pace for my math students to take part in something like that. With a lesson like that, I think the students are much more likely to remember the concept they are working on because it is so unconventional and makes it fun and relevant. I think creativity is one of the most important qualities a teacher can have. I worry that, as a new teacher, I will be too overwhelmed to be truly creative with my students. However, I think that by fostering a good relationship with my students, and making my classroom a place that embraces creativity, I will be able to overcome those obstacles.
Katie, I really dislike when the curriculum sticks right to the book and is so scripted. I love to have "fun" while learning and I know the students do as well. When they are having fun it is also educational but not all the time do the students think like that. That's why I loved the crime scene investigation activity.
DeleteI totally agree. I crime scene investigation was engaging and educational. I do envisions for math and it's all scripted but I still write up my own lesson plans and add a twist to it or something fun. With the multiplication, I get their blood pumping by doing jumping jacks, squats, running in place while skip counting. It allows them to either get ready for the lesson and wake up, give them a break in between the lesson and kill some energy, or end the lesson and review. I also usually do extra guided practice and make them word problems that are real life connections for them so they can relate. It makes it more fun and easier to understand. I am not a fan of the envision math videos, I think they are boring but every once in a while to introduce the lesson is not a bad thing.
DeleteKatie, I agree with you. Scripted curriculum makes it much harder to differentiate and isn't as much fun as switching up the materials. I feel as though students would get bored and be unengaged if all the lessons were scripted and followed the same structure.
DeleteI did like that the teachers started by getting to know their students in the beginning of the first day of class. I think that as a teacher you should care about each child. They might not be your favorite student but they are your responsibility from August until June. Building the rules as a group is a good idea to make the students feel responsible to uphold the rules. In my first grade classroom we are working on having more of a responsive classroom. This means that we take the personal comments about behaviors out and use more of an "i noticed...." phrase along with the specific action that was expected.
ReplyDeleteI liked the part where it mentioned meeting the needs of all students. The guy said that all teachers struggle with this meeting the needs of not only the students who are below basic but also those who are average and above average. In my classroom i have many bright young students; however, they are quite immature and throw tantrums when something doesn't go their way. Their needs may not be academic but they are social and emotional needs that need to be met in order for them to thrive in school. It is always easier to adapt for someone who is below basic but the challenge arrives when you have to adapt for someone who is above average.
I can't believe that these teachers do not have a structured discipline system to deal with problem behaviors in the room. By the mid year it is almost too late to begin disciplining. Discipline is something needs to be implemented in the beginning of the year.
I believe that growing up with two parents as teachers in a public school district has grounded me and made my expectations more realistic for when i begin my journey as a first year teacher. I know what to expect when it comes to meetings, work to take home, and how tired i will be when i get home. It would have been more beneficial to see elementary school teachers go through this process instead of high school teachers.
Sarah, I agree completely with what you said about meeting the needs of all of the students. Some students may not have academic needs, but in order for them to thrive academically, their social and emotional needs need to be met as well. In my placement there is a similar foundation. My students are all emotional support student and they needs to have their emotional needs met before doing anything academic at all.
DeleteIt was nice to see real first year teachers in an urban setting get through their first year. Classroom management is a big deal now and I plan to be proactive about that matter. I already have a rocket ship for my behavior plan that I created for the South Reading Youth Initiative Program with the Holleran Center. I like that Ms. Felix has morning work for the students to do in the morning. I plan to have minute math or D.O.L. I also like the crime scene investigation that Mr. Torres did. The engagement was there and it reinforced his previous lesson. I did like the setting the culture in the classroom in Mr. Torres class and the name cards and Ms. Felix's stars and making rules as a class. I think my first week of school will be on getting to know the students, practicing the routine in the morning, finding out where they left off the previous year, and setting that friendly/educational environment.
ReplyDeleteI think classroom management is a big issue, but also being organized. Mr. Torrez mentioned that he wanted to do so many things but because of all the meetings and unexpected things occurring, it made it hard to have all the materials. Now sometimes I save making copies for the next day and that can be stressful because everyone is trying to make copies in the morning. I do not move on in math unless my students understand the material. I do Quick checks after I teach before I hand out their homework. I pull the students to the back that have IEP's and the ones I know need extra help to work in a small group with me. I then collect the quick check, check them, make a decision to review quickly and move on the next day or review in depth and hold on to the practice and do it the next day as more guided practice.
I also learned that just like they said in the video that if you tell the students what we will be doing they will be more involved and want to master that objective that you set for them. Also in your closure letting them know what tomorrow brings gets them excited and lets them know what to expect. I did a lesson on multiplication. I was ending with the 11's and 12's and closed the lesson by review the Commutative Property of Addition and Associative Property of Addition. After that I told them we will be learning to multiply using 3 factors and that we needed to learn all our facts first in order to do the harder stuff. I also told them that we are going to use the Commutative and Associative Property again but in Multiplication. They loved it and we excited. I also review fact families a lot in my lessons because after we finish multiplication we will start division and I want them to see the connections. They are secretly doing division and will be better prepared when I do start it. Also a big plus to elementary school teachers is students are in their prime where they love learning and want to impress the teacher. They don't have the attitudes or at the rebellious age yet, so we got to take advantage let them soak in as much as possible.
Whether in a suburban or urban school, not all students are at the same level and you will not have a perfectly behaved classroom. I have a couple IEP's and Emotional Support students in my classroom and it's hard sometimes to adjust and make sure all the needs are being met. Once I got some strategies and got to know the students it has made my lessons go better and the students are being challenged at their levels. Sometimes my differiation is just making sure I have papers with the multiplication sentences already written on the paper so that those students have more time. Sometimes it's reviewing vocab words and doing extra guided practice and being consistent with the way I'm solving.
Jenn, I also agree that it is important to let the students know what they will be doing. From my experience, I have noticed that students like to be aware of the lesson. They get excited and are more likely to be engaged. In my field placement now, the students complete DOL (Daily Oral Language) and rocket math. Both go very well and the students appear to like both. I think they are beneficial activities for the students to participate in. I also agree that it is sometimes hard to adjust everything in the classroom to make sure all needs are being met.
DeleteJenn, I agree that sometimes it is hard to differentiate whole group lessons to fit the needs to all the students in the classroom. In my placement, we have a lot of small group instruction which I think works best for students. However, right now I am teaching China and Writing whole group, and I know some days my students with IEPs might have caught everything I wanted them to know, so I try to make a point to check in with them during independent work.
DeleteI like how in the beginning of the video, we have a chance to see how teachers handle the first day of school. Although I won't be teaching in a high school, I like how Mr. Torres introduced himself and gave some background information on himself so that the students know something personal about him. I also liked that when he wanted the students to make name tags, he allowed them to talk amongst themselves to learn more about one another in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that Ms. Felix encouraged the students to collaborate with one another. I like that she started off the year with the students providing positive thoughts about themselves. This way the students start off the year with a positive attitude on the year. All the students need to have a positive attitude, and the fact that Ms. Felix wanted the students to know that likes to keep positive attitudes in the classroom sets the ton for the rest of the year.
It is a huge surprise to me that the school does not have any formal way of handling behaviors. Since I have background knowledge in Special Education and positive behavior, it is important that students are reinforced on good behavior and bad behavior. Even in my first grade classroom, our behavior chart is set up and although it is not always used the students who need to change colors do.
Classroom management is always a struggle for beginning teachers. Classroom management comes from experience. It doesn't matter if the students are in first grade or twelfth grade, classroom management will always be a constant struggle for teachers who do not have a lot of experience. In my placement, the students know the structure and know the routine, so it makes it easier to manage the classroom. I think it is important to have routines, and schedules within the classroom in whatever grade you are in. The students start to follow the routines and it is easier to handle behaviors when most of the students are following the routine and making good choices.
I agree with the idea that letting the students know what they will be learning today. I find it is easier to stay on topic if the students know from the beginning what they are learning and what we will be doing throughout the lesson. Also, for some students they like to know exactly what is going so it is important to tell your students exactly what you expect from them.
Cortnee, I agree that Mrs. Felix and Mr. Torres did the right thing on their first day by setting a positive tone and giving background knowledge about themselves so that the students know where they are coming from. I was interesting to see how they introduced themselves and handled the class on their first day. Once a few days go by and the students begin to get comfortable, they begin to test what they can and cannot get away with. It was also surprising to me that there was not behavior plan implemented in the school. Even though they do not have a color system as seen in a lot of elementary classes, I would think that a high school would have some type of system as well. I agree that a good way to have a clear picture of what is ok and what is not is to tell the students straight out what is expected of them.
DeleteThis video was great in many ways but what I liked the most was trying to reach all students. I am in an 2nd grade classroom and I have a large span of abilities. There are multiple students that are gifted in reading and math. But then students who have SLD in the same subjects. Then students who have behaviors that impede their learning. Even the "typical" students have a large range. It has been amazing to see the team work that my grade engages in on a daily basis. It is great to see the support that they give each other. The curriculum does a great job providing many different leveled assessments and it's really nice that the students who get something different aren't singled out from their peers.
ReplyDeleteAnother great part of the video was the point that educators impact their students in profound ways. In addition to a wide array of learners, we also have students of all kinds of economical backgrounds. One student in particular, not only comes from a low income family but he also has a heartbreaking home life. My teacher and her friend bought this student and his sister their Christmas gifts this year because they wouldn't have received any otherwise. They all came from Santa so the boy never knew.
I also love how this is a video of first year teachers because this will be us in just a few short months it is always helpful to get advice from the experts but sometimes people forget what it is like to be new at something. My teacher isn't too much older than I am. She could be an older sister or cousin. Sometimes I just walk around the room and I am quiet and she sometimes just knows that I am taking note of the supplies that I will need to gather or similar things.
These teachers are very similar to mine in that they move around the classroom constantly. It's just a great way to make sure the students are on task, understanding the subjects, and managing behavior.
I love my student teaching so far. The kids and my teacher have really taught me a lot so far. I am so excited for the next few weeks.
I enjoyed watching this video. I could relate to both teachers as they went through their first few weeks of teaching. I think it is important to get to know the students first. Both teachers made this their goal for the first day or two. When I first went into my classroom there was only one student. I spent most of the day just talking to her. She was not shy at all. She way telling my cooperating teacher about her boyfriend and the letter that she is writing him, and the next time she will see him. It was good to see the kind of connection that she had with the teacher. I can tell in my placement that most of the high school students have more of a connection with my teacher than they do with their teacher. Every time they get a break, they students come over to my classroom and just hang out and talk to Mrs. Courtney, my cooperating teacher. Mrs. Courtney spent some time telling me about how important it is to build a relationship with these students. They need you to understand their situation before they can trust you. They are only in this school because something happened that they couldn’t be in public school anymore. I realized fast that building a relationship with the students just like the two beginning teachers in the video is one of the most important things to do.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that I got out of the video was the need for classroom management. I have always wondered what my first week of teaching would look like and how I would manage the behaviors in my class. I agree with Mr. Torres that it is difficult developing a system that works for you. Ultimately you need to try different things and see what works for your students. Mr. Torres said that he started off implementing consequences for certain behaviors but then the administrators told him that if the students are doing the curriculum they should be busy at all times and therefore not getting into trouble. That obviously was not the case, so he had to come up with something different. In my classroom I think the classroom management could be better. Mrs. Courtney lets the students pretty much go at their own pace. I agree that sometimes letting students listen to music while they work is good, but every day giving them an easy worksheet to complete in an hour is not getting them anywhere. One day Mrs. Courtney told the student that she could write a letter to her boyfriend for reading because she was still using her language skills. After reading the first sentence of her letter, I realized that it was not standard English and it was not appropriate. This placement is showing me some things that are great to implement into my first classroom, and also some things that I know I will not do. Overall, it is a great experience and I am learning a lot, just like Mr. Torres and Mrs. Felix.