Monday, November 15, 2010
Journal Blog for Week Nov. 15-19, 2010
Post your reflections here, in this blog, of your experiences in your practicum site this third week of November. By posting to this blog, I will have evidence that you were there and I can grade you for the week. Also, remember to have your cooperating teacher, or the tutor in charge, sign your timesheet that was in the handbook I gave you. This is required as documentation of hours completed.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Simle Hours 23-25:
ReplyDeleteToday was less hectic than yesterday. It was fun and productive though. I helped several students with language arts packages. They were not able to attend a movie with the rest of their class and had to hang out in the tutoring area. They were bummed, but worked well. I then spent about 15 minutes in the study hall class for a while. This was Mrs. H’s A day and this group of children are much more cooperative for her. I then spent the rest of my practicum in the Title VII room. I got to tutor students in Algebra! Yeah! All in all it was a great day. Five more hours left and I will be sad to end my Middle School Practicum.
Simle Hours 19-21:
ReplyDeleteToday was an action packed and adventurous day! I started the day out in the morning tutoring area. I was able to work with a young lady on her math homework. After she was finished she had to read a book until the period was over. She initiated a conversation with me to pass the time. I learned that she (Caucasian) was currently living in a group home in Bismarck and that she was originally from Mandan. I asked her questions about how group home life was structured and her likes and dislikes about daily life. She was very open and was not afraid to express her thoughts. She also mentioned that she would someday like to go to college to become a veterinarian. She was a pleasant young lady and we had a great conversation. I thanked her for allowing me to assist her with her work and for the conversation and told her to hang in there and finish school before we were each whisked to our next period.
I then found myself entering the “battle ground” which is commonly referred today as Study Hall. Duunduunduuunnnn!...LOL What a day it was. Mrs. M had a struggle to keep children on task today. A few of the students were quite defiant and uncooperative. Some also lashed out verbally. Like a true professional, Mrs. M maintained her composure and resolve while redirecting the students to complete a successful class period. All the while, I served as tutor for several students simultaneously throughout the class period. The subjects ranged from algebra, science, history, and language arts. I feel like I was able to be comfortable in the role that I served. I was effective, the students completed work, and they were receptive to me as a teacher. After some thought, I have realized that their cooperation, acceptance, and approval mean very much to me and reinforce my confidence in my abilities to become an effective teacher. Today was a great day!
The above post is for hours 20-22.
ReplyDeleteWednesday Novemeber 17th, went as planned. I arrived just in time for the first group of 7th graders. There were about 8 students in this group. Mr. Leinert was not there today, so there was a sub. Mrs. H was there and she had to discipline one student that was kind of talking back. He had been warned a few times and it didnt work so she had him move to the front of the class room. It was pretty serious. When she told him to move to the front, the sub kind of shot me a surprised look and I didnt want to give him any reaction, so I started sorting through the students homework. I seen him go up to the student at the front of the room and kind of joke around and tell the student to get to work. Im not really sure what was said but his 'jokingness' might of got through to the student. The boy wasn't disruptive anymore. The second group was the 8th graders. There was a full room of students and this room was a bit more challenging. One girl had to get sent to the office and I had to be the one to walk her there and tell the office that she was not working during lunchtime tutoring. I have to admit that was kind of intimidating, but none the less it had to be done. I shouldn't have felt intimidated and I have to giggle at myself now for that. But that is why we are doing this; for the experience right?
ReplyDeleteSoon after, we headed to Study Hall. Mrs. Maher had everything under control so I joined Mrs. H next door. I assisted a student who was working on a persuasive paper. Her topic was; Middle School should start in 6th grade, rather then 7th grade and 9th graders should join the high school. She just needed a little boost and seemed to have everything figured out on her own. She stated her points so matter of factly. It was interesting to watch her talk. I had to think back and I wondered if I was ever as vocal as her. It was another busy day at Simle, looking forward to the next.
Friday, November 19th
ReplyDeleteIt was a pretty quiet morning for tutoring downstairs in the cafeteria. Only one student came down. After the bell rang I went to Mrs. Maher's study hall. There was a girl who needed to go to the cafeteria. I was asked to go where ever she needed to go. She expressed to me how much she didn't like the teachers always thinking she is going to do something bad or get in trouble. After she was done tutoring we went back to study hall. I helped a boy with his history homework. We worked on a worksheet about Vice Presidents becoming Presidents. He got easily frustrated if he was unable to find the answer. I worked with him till the bell rang. I went to lunchroom tutoring. I couldn't help out too much, there was a few students working on french and german.
Wednesday, November 23rd
ReplyDeleteToday there was only one student in morning tutoring. Surprisingly this was the first time I had seen and worked with this student; from the looks of how much homework he was behind on I would think he would be in tutoring more often. We went through all his missing assignments and found out he had most of the assignments done but just didn’t turn them in due to the clutter in his binder. By the time we got him organized it was time to transition into study hall. After tutoring, I worked in Ms. Lord’s room for the remaining time. The students worked on “folder work”, Ms. Lord and I helped them if they needed any assistance.