Intern Posting 6

This week was my second week of teaching math in the classroom. Although the first week went pretty well, this week started off roughly. I began this week by teaching the kindergartners how to compare two or more patterns. The students have done an excellent job with shape and color patterns so far but when I introduced comparing the two, the students had great difficulty.

The purpose of my lesson was to show how a color pattern such as red, blue, red, blue could be represented by a shape pattern such as square, circle, square, circle. Both patterns have two repeating attributes and can therefore represent one another; red equals square and blue equals circle. Before I even began this lesson I knew it was going to be difficult to teach because I had a difficult time understanding the teacher's manual. I reviewed the on-line math with the students and also did a manipulative activity, but the students still were not catching on.

I am still wondering what I could change about this lesson to benefit the students more. I know that I found myself explaining the information and talking with the students more than I usually do during lessons. I felt that the students weren't understanding so I was trying to explain, but I wish I would have explained the lesson more visually or with a hands-on approach. A few students did understand by the time we reached the assessment portion of the lesson, but the majority did not. I definitely want to practice this skill more with different approaches in order to determine what works best for the students.

Intern Posting 5

Although I have been in school for five weeks now, this was the first week that I truly realized I was teaching school but still going to school myself. I had two seminars this week, one for the exit portfolio and one for action research. At the exit portfolio seminar, we talked about the video tape assignment that will be included in our exit portfolio. At first I was not aware of the importance of the assignment but after hearing the information regarding the assignment, I am excited to get started!

On Monday of this week, I recorded myself during the 40 minute morning meeting. I wanted to record this part of my day because there are several activities that go on during this time. For example, in this short 40 minute period the students and I say the flag pledge aloud, call the weather hotline and talk about the weather and time for the day, we sing and dance to activity songs, review calendar information, and count how many days we have been in school together. I am happy with what we are able to accomplish during this time, but reviewing the video allowed me to look at the morning meeting with a different perspective and I was able to find some things that I would like to tweak.

For the video tape assignment, we are encouraged to record ourselves teaching at least once a week. That way, at the end of the semester we will have several hours of teaching time recorded that we can cut and edit to fit into our exit portfolios. With several recordings I will be able to present myself as the teacher I wish to be, and am. I will visually be able to portray my teaching styles, my beliefs, and my interactions with my students. I will most certainly record myself as much as possible and am excited that I am on my way!

Intern Posting 4

Now that I have been in the school for a few weeks and have caught on to the daily routine, I have seen parts of myself progress as an educator. Although throughout this program I have been in several different classrooms and have spent time teaching, I have never been in a classroom full time. Everyday I am able to interact with the students and practice my teaching skills. That continual practice and experience has made a world of difference for me.

On the first day of school this year I was so excited, but nervous at the same time. I'm not sure if I was not very confident in myself as a teacher or maybe I am just more comfortable in a kindergarten classroom, but I like the progressing teacher that I am in this classroom. Although I believe my behavior management skills still need some more work, I am beginning to take charge in negative situations and also reward students for good behavior. I have learned that when students see others being rewarded they, too, wish to be on good behavior and be rewarded.

I have also seen my time management skills strengthen this semester. In the past when I had too much free time in a lesson, I would often get nervous and struggle to think of time fillers. With the morning meetings that I conduct each day with my students, I have been able to take my time, review information, and repeat information as necessary. I have learned that there is always something to learn and act on in the classroom. I love being in this kindergarten classroom and can't wait to see what I learn next!

Intern Posting 3

Today was a new and exciting day for me and the kindergartners because today was the first day that I was totally in charge of the morning activities. Up until now, I have been assisting my mentor teacher, learning the rules of the classroom, and simply getting the "feel" as to how a kindergarten classroom is supposed be. I have learned behavior management systems and how to conduct inventory during the first month of school, as well as how to manage students who do not fully understand the classroom rules. Without a doubt, I enjoyed these last two weeks of school but I was ready to begin teaching!

When I arrived at school this morning I was nervous, but not as nervous as I thought I would be. I had seen my mentor teacher review the calendar, the weather, and the morning message so many times that I had confidence in myself. I think that little bit of confidence really helped me out this morning because I was relaxed and knew my mentor teacher would be there to help me if I needed it. Being prepared for all lessons is something that I have learned is a necessity in the education field.

Thankfully, the kindergartners were wonderful and gave me the respect that I had asked for prior to any of the morning activities. Almost all of the activities went very well and I was happy to learn that the students were excited about the Candy Land behavior management chart that I had made and introduced to them today. However I did seem to struggle with keeping the students interested during calendar time, but I think incorporating a song/dance activity before beginning calendar will help the students stay focused. I had so much fun today and can not wait until tomorrow!