Observing Others Classrooms

Goodbye Party (Part 1)

• My teacher was really nice and brought in doughnuts and milk as a going away party for me today. She also bought blue sugar cookies for tomorrow even though she will not be there. It was so surreal as everyone hit the table in preparation for my ceremonial first bite, which was followed by cheering. I am really going to miss this class. I am glad that I will get to check on them from time to time as they grow up.

Turning Mixed Numbers into Improper Fractions

• When the students came in, I was copying an anchor chart onto a fresh piece of chart paper. One of my girls came up to me and said, "you messed up, didn't you." I replied with, "yeah." She comforted me by saying, "it's okay, everyone messes up." This conversation meant so much to me. Even though I was not too upset about messing up on the original anchor chart, it was nice to know that she supported me. 
• This lesson went pretty well. I like the anchor chart that I found. It is easier to remember the steps when using the acronym MAD. After I went through the steps, one of my boys asked what that improper fraction would look like as a model. After I drew that on the board, a lot of students seemed to suddenly get how this lesson connected to what we learned yesterday and they seemed to feel more confident. Because it was so helpful, the students suggested that I draw that model on the anchor chart. I love how involved these students are in their own learning. I am really happy with how this lesson went. 

Observing a reading lesson in another classroom

• Another teacher was kind enough to ask me if I would like to observe her teach a lesson. I brought it up to my teacher and she supported that idea and agreed to take over teaching while I went. The teacher gave me some resources to help me in the future. I like her powerpoint and how it had text features to discuss each text feature. As I observed the students completing their work, I also checked their understanding and helped a few students. 

Observing Read 180

• It was like a giant guided reading time. I like that they have software that is specific to Read 180. I had always wondered what went on during Read 180. I am glad that my teacher sent me down there while the students were taking the ISTEP+ math portion. 

Recess Drama

• I had to take five students to the principal during recess. A girl from another class caused a few fights. I did not see the first incident, but as one student was telling me about it, I noticed what looked like a rough game of tag followed by some swinging. I could not tell if the swinging was real or not so I asked the students. One girl in my class said that they were playing. I told the girls that we don't play like that because it could turn into a real fight. I tried to talk the situation through with the two original girls, but quickly found out that the situation was more complicated than what I should handle on my own as a student teacher. As I got to the other teachers, the office used the radio to request that the girl come to the office to go home. I told the teachers a little about the situation and they suggested that I take the girls to the office. The girl told her dad and the principal that she had been in a fight. While she was in the office, she dropped more names so I had to fetch more children. In the commotion, I also found out that one of my students had threatened another one of my students. I felt sorry for the principal for having to deal with all of this. I hate this part of spring fever. 

Mock Interviews

• I did pretty well overall tonight. My main suggestion for improvement was to be more specific with details about what I am talking about. I tend to get lost in the question or I get anxious to get to the end of the question. I was more relaxed than I figured I would be. I am really glad that IUS offered this event.

I'M GRADUATING!!! 

• Thank you to everyone who helped me learn and grow this semester. 
• I have been wearing my class ring for the past few days. It is nice to know that it has the right year on it. 
• When I talked to Dr. D. and Terri tonight, they told me that I am definitely graduating this semester. Dr. D. also told me that I will be very happy with my Impact binder because he loved my presentation as well as my binder. I scored a proficient. Then, he shook my hand and I was so excited that I gave him a very firm handshake and smiled.