Weekly Update #7

Highlight:

I had my first supervised lesson this week and according to my supervisor: I WAS AWWWWESOOOME! Our lesson was on Irony and different kinds of irony in the texts that they have read before. 

The students got to work in groups which usually does not happen. They really surprised me =)

Something that makes me think differently about teaching:

The curriculum is always a changing element. I just learned that next year they are having a new focus on grammar instruction that usually is put on the back burner. 

A Practice that I wish to Adopt!!!!

A better attention-getter to bring the students back and focus back up to the front.

Conflicting situations:

There is going to be a sub this Friday who did not have the best experience with my particular class. I am going to be the "behind-the-scenes" observer for my master teacher for behavior. Hopefully it will go well.

M

Educational Pin of the Day: Very Punny

m

Direct Instruction Presentation: Can you fill in the chart?

m

Weekly Update 6

Highlight:

This week I was able to sit in on a student teacher conference. The student was struggling with simple tasks like turning in their work and even remembering to bring a pencil to class. With the help of the mother, counselor, and the teachers of the student, they were able to put together an action plan. The plan included consequences (lunch detention) if the student could not complete the action plan. This was a really interesting experience and something that I was glad to witness and possibly be using in the future.

Something that makes me think differently about teaching:

Teachers love gossip. Especially English teachers.

A Practice that I wish to Adopt!!!!

My teacher has a role that the students earn for good work. He calls it "royalty." Each week a student is recognized for their in class achievement and receive special privileges.

Conflicting situations:

I am having a hard time getting my students to turn in their release of information forms. There are a select few who seem to always need a new copy.

m

Weekly Update 5

Highlight:

This week I was allowed to sit in on MSP testing. It was an interesting experience! I keep trying to compare the MSP to my experience with the WASL, but the differences are much more apparent than the similarities.

Similarities: It is a high stakes and stressful test for the students.

Differences: Most of the tests are taken online and are graded by computer. The students are restricted to a character count on short and in depth responses.  Students also have longer overall testing time, the WASL was a max of two weeks before the schedule returned to normal and MSP is basically the while month of May.

Something that makes me think differently about teaching:

Does the MSP really benefit the students? I don't see it. I would like to see how these test benefit the student instead of how it effects the teaching.

A Practice that I wish to Adopt!!!!

I want to be able to showcase my students' work. Some of what they have created is amazing and they should have the opportunity to share that work and be recognized for it.

Conflicting situations:

I came across a possible bulling situation. Though nothing was concrete, it was a big eye opener for me to have to be the one that takes control to break it up and take action.

m

Educational Pin of the Day: Chemistry

M

Weekly Update 3

Highlights!!

This last week was crazy, but I have had a wonderful time engaging with the students. They seem to know me now as a real person, instead of the stranger who sits in the back of the room and takes notes. I love helping out and I feel so grown up being called Miss Murphy. My favorite part about this week was getting responses from students who normally are quiet in the class. (mostly the girls) My mentor teacher hypothesizes that this maybe because I am a female teacher and the shy students see compassion from my gender stereotype. I don't know how to feel about this, but it is interesting to think about how different students will act with different teachers.

Something that makes me think differently about teaching:

GRADING!!! IT TAKES WAY LONGER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD!

A Practice that I wish to Adopt!!!!

My teacher really makes connections for the students when concepts are new or difficult to understand. He does this by telling funny stories that are entertaining and useful to the students. He brings them up in different contexts and they can use these stories to connect new information.

Conflicting situations:

The students I have found really like to do whatever they can to not do work. My favorite way that they choose to not do work, is to keep asking for clarification to every single aspect.

M