This week brought new challenges for me. Not only was this a short week, but on Monday I started a large project with the Computer Concepts classes. The students were placed into groups to start putting together a PowerPoint presentation on "Going Green at Benton Middle/High School." The groups will be presenting their findings and recommendations at the end of next week. Having to control groups is a new experience, but by Tuesday things were going well. The students are really getting into the project and I am looking forward to seeing their presentations.
The Computer Projects class has been working with budgets and spreadsheets this past week. It seems as though they are once again having difficulty with the spreadsheet formulas. These formulas are basically the same ones that they were using in the previous chapter. Even my co -op said that she cannot understand why the students are once again having difficulty with the concept. These students have had two years of working with the basic formulas. When we return on Tuesday, I will have to review again, but I realize that this is part of the job of teaching. If I can assist these students with the concept, then I know I have done my job.
Teaching the two keyboarding classes has been different. The one class I have three times out of the week, while the other one is only there two times a week. This means that the one class is always behind. Trying to keep track of which class is doing what has been an experience, but I have been able to keep on top of it.
If I could change one aspect this past week, I would change how the groups were selected in the one class of thirty students. The groups are working well now, but it was a rough start. Selecting groups is difficult and no matter which way you do it, there will always be some problems.
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Wow Bettie, I can imagine how difficult it is to keep track of where each class is if you have one twice a week and one three times a week. I try to keep all of my Computer Apps I classes at the same place which can be challenging and these classes all meet five days a week. I have a new respect for your organization skills and I'm sure this challenge has made you a better teacher! We're almost there!
ReplyDeleteMaribeth is right. Teaching the same class three times a week versus another class two times a week in the same 36 or 18-week periods seems a bit unbalanced. I am wondering how the total class time is justified by administration to students and parents.
ReplyDeleteDoes one class actually have your course only two times a week while another section has it three times a week? Or is it just that particular week with a Day 1-6 schedule? I had the same problem at HMS with my sixth graders having computers every other day. One week, the even sections had the course three times while the odd sections had it only two times the same week. The next week it was vice versa. It still made it difficult to keep it all together especially when we had activity days or in-service days thrown in there. :)