I'm combing the first two weeks of school not only for my sanity, but also because week one was such a whirlwind. The first week of school started in a frenzy due to not only my cooperating teacher getting put in a new classroom and having to teach a new subject, but also thanks to many schedule changes and rearranges. We finally got a schedule in place this past Monday (the 14th) and it seems to be working for both students and teachers thus far. The Friday of my first week of school may cooperating teacher was gone for a wedding, so I basically took over the classroom while the substitute provided silent moral support. It was both nerve wracking and exciting to have (almost) total control of a classroom. While there are still a lot of language barriers, I think I'm starting to be more comfortable with the many different students and am learning more about them each day. Recently while trying to explain a lesson to a student that only speaks Spanish, another student offered to help me translate, which I thought was very kind and helpful. However, I am finding that while a large majority of the students are very helpful and sweet, quite a lot of them have behavioral and attention issues. This revelation was daunting at first, but after seeing how my cooperating teacher was firm and held her ground with some of the more challenging students, I started to be more comfortable with how the disciple system works in this school. Students are given a warning and then a strike for most indiscretions, and if you reach a certain number of strikes in a given period of time you are made ineligible for the next upcoming "free" activity. Examples of these activities are Friday jeans day, extra recess time etc. So it has been enlightening to see how these disciple methods go into effect and develop with the students.
In the first full week of school, I have taken turns teaching a lesson or two, and observing my cooperating teacher and learning from her. I am still very nervous and often feel overwhelmed and under-prepared, but I hope that will wear off as time goes by. This week I will be observed on Tuesday during one of the 6th grade social studies classes. A goal for this class is to model them through an FQR chart and help guide them to make one on their own. I'm very nervous, but hope it will go well. Another goal I have for this week is to try to sit down with my cooperating teacher and really lay down a plan for the remainder of my time in her classroom. I do my best work when I have vivid instructions, guidelines, structure and plans, and it has been a challenge for me because my cooperating teacher and the school I am currently in do not necessarily make as many formal plans as I would prefer. I have a hard time building confidence and flourishing when I constantly feel lost and unprepared. So, my goal for this week is to try to build up a plan. Week three, here I come!
I'm glad you are trying to be consistent with your CT's classroom management approach with keeping students in line in regards to their behaviors. You'll also see as you provide them with engaging and challenging lessons where they are aware of all your academic expectations, and when they see they can trust you providing you with mutual respect and rapport, the students will easily show their best behaviors in order to show you they care and appreciate your positive support and structure. So if you find one lesson goes pretty rough as far as more off task behaviors, think of ways that you could change that same lesson to keep them more interested and engaged. Always remember to stop often to provide them with your academic and behavioral expectations. If observed when I come to visit, I'll give you some examples of where you can fit this in during your lesson.
ReplyDeleteHopefully I can ease some of your nerves when I come to visit. I want to be a positive support for you so I'll try my best to give you just that. I can also help advocate for you during our meeting with your CT on trying to set up some structure of your plans for the next few weeks. I have some ideas to share. Hopefully your CT will agree with them. See you soon.