The one aspect this week that I found most valuable was how teaching 10th graders is so much different then teaching eighth graders. I picked up my fourth class this week which is teaching computer projects to the sophomores and found that their needs, wants, and level of learning are so distinct then the eighth graders which I have been teaching. I have realized that putting together their lessons and activities are different then when I plan for the eighth graders. In addition, I have found that teaching two classes before I teach the 10th graders that at times the transition is sometimes difficult. I do look forward to teaching this new class and the challenges that will come with it.
Another aspect this week that I found most valuable has been on teaching databases to the eighth grade computer concepts classes. This is a new concept for these students and having to introduce this has been difficult. It will be interesting to see how the students do with this unit. I know they will eventually understand the concept.
The one thing that I would change this week if I had the chance to start the week over would be to revamp how I introduced the concept of databases to the eighth graders. I have learned that I have to break this concept down even more and take this concept even slower then when I taught spreadsheets to them. Even the gifted students are having difficultly with this unit. I have come to realize that teaching database is without doubt going to take time, but I am up for the challenge.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Week 6
1. What aspects of my week did I find most valuable?
Taking on a third class this week has been a challenge in regards to classroom discipline. This class of eighth graders is completely different then the other two classes that I have been teaching. This group has many in it that have behavioral problems which means having to be on top of them at all times. Also, they are a group who are more hands on then lecturing, so I have to take a different approach to teaching the material.
On Friday while giving a test first period, two of my students were called to the office for disciplinary problems. The first student called was about half way finished with their test and when returned finished the test but bombed the second half. When the student had returned, they did not seem to be upset but it was obvious that they were. The second student who was called was finished with their test but returned crying during second period (which is a prep peroid) and made the statement that they were going to "kill themselves. " I had to calm them down and asked if they needed to go see someone in the office. They said no but my co-op who had also heard what the student had said had to report it to the office. The student returned during activity period and thanked me for caring. Once again just showing that you care makes a big difference.
Also on Friday, during the third class that I teach, just as I was going to start class, a student said to another one "don't take my picture again." Just as I turned around to see what was happening the student did take another picture and the one who made the statement before said "Mrs. Huntington so and so is taking pictures." My co-op heard that too and both of us approached the student with my co-op asking the student quietly to give her the camera. The student did without making a scene. This was a great way to start the class but I did without any difficulty. I learned how to deal with a situation like this by staying calm and taking control of the situation.
2. What I would have changed if I had the chance to start the week over.
I would change the way I handled the third class regarding classroom management this week. I started on Monday with going over the classroom rules and disciplinary policy with them just as I have with my other two classes. On Thursday it was very clear that they were not going to be able to have any of the came privileges that the other classes have. On Friday I had to go over the rules and disciplinary policies again and had to make myself very clear on what they now have lost in regards to privileges. Classroom management is one of the most important aspects when teaching and this class is proving this to me.
Taking on a third class this week has been a challenge in regards to classroom discipline. This class of eighth graders is completely different then the other two classes that I have been teaching. This group has many in it that have behavioral problems which means having to be on top of them at all times. Also, they are a group who are more hands on then lecturing, so I have to take a different approach to teaching the material.
On Friday while giving a test first period, two of my students were called to the office for disciplinary problems. The first student called was about half way finished with their test and when returned finished the test but bombed the second half. When the student had returned, they did not seem to be upset but it was obvious that they were. The second student who was called was finished with their test but returned crying during second period (which is a prep peroid) and made the statement that they were going to "kill themselves. " I had to calm them down and asked if they needed to go see someone in the office. They said no but my co-op who had also heard what the student had said had to report it to the office. The student returned during activity period and thanked me for caring. Once again just showing that you care makes a big difference.
Also on Friday, during the third class that I teach, just as I was going to start class, a student said to another one "don't take my picture again." Just as I turned around to see what was happening the student did take another picture and the one who made the statement before said "Mrs. Huntington so and so is taking pictures." My co-op heard that too and both of us approached the student with my co-op asking the student quietly to give her the camera. The student did without making a scene. This was a great way to start the class but I did without any difficulty. I learned how to deal with a situation like this by staying calm and taking control of the situation.
2. What I would have changed if I had the chance to start the week over.
I would change the way I handled the third class regarding classroom management this week. I started on Monday with going over the classroom rules and disciplinary policy with them just as I have with my other two classes. On Thursday it was very clear that they were not going to be able to have any of the came privileges that the other classes have. On Friday I had to go over the rules and disciplinary policies again and had to make myself very clear on what they now have lost in regards to privileges. Classroom management is one of the most important aspects when teaching and this class is proving this to me.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Week 5
Aspects of the week I found most valuable.
This week has been one of many different changes in the period schedule because of PSSA testing. My first period class I only taught once this whole week. They were taken out Tues-Fri, so now they are four days behind the other class. This coming week will be one of getting them caught up. As I have said before, you learn to be flexible.
Tuesday I had the opportunity to sit in on a Parent/Teacher conference with regard to one of the student's I have been teaching. This has given me a better understanding of the student and where we will be going in the future of getting this student grades up. Also, this week we had a Parent/Teacher Open House which gave me the opportunity to meet with several parents. Through both of these experiences I have learned even more that keeping excellent records of each student is valuable, not only their grades, but all work which has been graded (which my co-op has a folder for each student to place their work in) gives you the proof that you need to show the parent of what their child has been doing.
On Friday, I had an activity that was a WOW teaching moment. The students enjoyed the activity and were excited about doing it. This made my week! In addition, my co-op asked me if I would teach the other class this acitivity which I did. This gave me another opportunity to work with this class since I will be picking up this class on Monday.
What I would modify or change if I had the chance to start the week over.
I would modify one of the activities that I had the students complete. I would make the activity more current and exciting for them. I know now that this would make them more interested in the concept that I had taught them.
Another thing that I would change would be that during one of my lessons and when I was asking questions within the lesson one of the students was dominating the class. I have now turned that around and have learned from my mistake.
This week has been one of many different changes in the period schedule because of PSSA testing. My first period class I only taught once this whole week. They were taken out Tues-Fri, so now they are four days behind the other class. This coming week will be one of getting them caught up. As I have said before, you learn to be flexible.
Tuesday I had the opportunity to sit in on a Parent/Teacher conference with regard to one of the student's I have been teaching. This has given me a better understanding of the student and where we will be going in the future of getting this student grades up. Also, this week we had a Parent/Teacher Open House which gave me the opportunity to meet with several parents. Through both of these experiences I have learned even more that keeping excellent records of each student is valuable, not only their grades, but all work which has been graded (which my co-op has a folder for each student to place their work in) gives you the proof that you need to show the parent of what their child has been doing.
On Friday, I had an activity that was a WOW teaching moment. The students enjoyed the activity and were excited about doing it. This made my week! In addition, my co-op asked me if I would teach the other class this acitivity which I did. This gave me another opportunity to work with this class since I will be picking up this class on Monday.
What I would modify or change if I had the chance to start the week over.
I would modify one of the activities that I had the students complete. I would make the activity more current and exciting for them. I know now that this would make them more interested in the concept that I had taught them.
Another thing that I would change would be that during one of my lessons and when I was asking questions within the lesson one of the students was dominating the class. I have now turned that around and have learned from my mistake.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Week 4
1. What aspect of my week did I find most valuable?
After teaching the lessons and having the students complete the exercises on spreadsheets in computer concepts, the students have been able to expand on their knowledge through specific projects. Seeing these students put what I have been teaching them into creating their own spreadsheets correctly has given me a feeling of accomplishment. The students are enjoying the projects which can be seen in what they have been turning in and telling me at the end of the class.
Picking up my second class this week which has 30 students in it has given me an experience of learning classroom management in a new way. I am using more of the peer assistance strategy for when the students need help which keeps things under better control. This is a class of upper level learners so keeping them busy after they have completed their exercises is a must. They are a good group of students, but learn at a different speed then the other class that I have been teaching, so I have learned to approach the lesson in a different way.
Also, I have had a week of having quite a few interruptions. On one of the days, I had just started the lesson when the principal came to the door with two administrators from the Vo-Tech school to speak to the students. On another day, I would just start to introduce the lesson when there would be an announcement, not just once, but this happened three times in a row. On starting the fourth time, I started the lesson again, waited, the students laughed and I was able to continue on. I know that this happens and we all have to just go with the flow.
2. As I reflect on the past week, what I would change if I had the chance to start again.
My co-op was out sick one day this week and I had a substitute who I have worked with before. This substitute was trying to help me out, but was telling the students one thing while I was telling other students something else. I know that the next time that I have this substitute (who by the way is not a business teacher) I will have to explain exactly what I want the students to do and how before the class starts. This has been a learning experience for me.
In addition, I would change the handouts with the project outlined that I have made up. The one hand out was plain, just the instructions on it. On Friday, I had a hand out that was more interesting for the students, with a boarder and clip art on it. The students seem to enjoy it. Something I have learned and will use from now on.
After teaching the lessons and having the students complete the exercises on spreadsheets in computer concepts, the students have been able to expand on their knowledge through specific projects. Seeing these students put what I have been teaching them into creating their own spreadsheets correctly has given me a feeling of accomplishment. The students are enjoying the projects which can be seen in what they have been turning in and telling me at the end of the class.
Picking up my second class this week which has 30 students in it has given me an experience of learning classroom management in a new way. I am using more of the peer assistance strategy for when the students need help which keeps things under better control. This is a class of upper level learners so keeping them busy after they have completed their exercises is a must. They are a good group of students, but learn at a different speed then the other class that I have been teaching, so I have learned to approach the lesson in a different way.
Also, I have had a week of having quite a few interruptions. On one of the days, I had just started the lesson when the principal came to the door with two administrators from the Vo-Tech school to speak to the students. On another day, I would just start to introduce the lesson when there would be an announcement, not just once, but this happened three times in a row. On starting the fourth time, I started the lesson again, waited, the students laughed and I was able to continue on. I know that this happens and we all have to just go with the flow.
2. As I reflect on the past week, what I would change if I had the chance to start again.
My co-op was out sick one day this week and I had a substitute who I have worked with before. This substitute was trying to help me out, but was telling the students one thing while I was telling other students something else. I know that the next time that I have this substitute (who by the way is not a business teacher) I will have to explain exactly what I want the students to do and how before the class starts. This has been a learning experience for me.
In addition, I would change the handouts with the project outlined that I have made up. The one hand out was plain, just the instructions on it. On Friday, I had a hand out that was more interesting for the students, with a boarder and clip art on it. The students seem to enjoy it. Something I have learned and will use from now on.
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