Week Two

 

I can't believe that I am already going on my second week at Hamlin Upper Grades in Alsip, Illinois. I found this week to more difficult than the last. This could be because I am making the move as an observer to a teacher in a matter of a week. I was given a lot more responsibility this week and I really just want to try my best in this placement.

I felt by having a shortened week that my students were more restless. I noticed that they acted out more to me and would fight more among themselves. I had to send a certain student twice to the social worker for saying harmful things about herself or others. This week proved how important it is to have a behavior management plan in order and what the routine of the room is. I am working on how to deal with students and when they misbehave. For the most part I think I have done well but I did have trouble in my larger class of fifteen students to all pay attention at once. Hopefully, I will be more prepared this week and how to keep my class in order.

 Last week I was able to pick up two subjects and to teach them independently. My teacher told me that she thinks that I am doing well and has allowed me to start teaching two new subjects this week. I am now covering social studies, math, science and language arts.

I am very grateful that my cooperating teacher trusts me to be covering these subject areas. Being in a middle school, we have seven periods during a day and during my fifth period is when I have my plan time with my cooperating teacher. Even though I am teaching four out of the seven subjects in my placement I am only doing one subject that is created 100% by me. In our plan books I created a week of what I want to do for our science lesson. We are currently learning about astrology and I moved into learning about the solar system this week. On Monday, I will have students pick a planet name from a jar and they will have to fill out a “research sheet.” The following day I want them to create some type of form of technology to share their findings to their peers. I am very excited to see how the week unfolds of my ideas being used in the classroom. I also found that creating my unit plan from Education 380 has come to use. I created it for a special education classroom at a fourth grade level. I never thought i  be placed in a middle school classroom at a 3^rd-4^th grade learning level. It's been incredible seeing my unit plan come to life in the classroom.