The fresh smell of new notebooks,
the sound of mechanical pens, and fancy new highlighters with their bright
colors! Oh the joys of the beginning of school. I love every minute of it,
especially buying the school supplies and organizing for the semester. I always
start off very organized at the beginning of the school year, and the
organization slowly declines as the school year progress. It seems inevitable. I
find papers stuck in my books and in the back of my car… Anyone else have that
problem? I’m hoping to change that this year! This is goal number one.
Well, what a joy to work with
students and a great CT this semester. I am hoping to use my knowledge of
classroom management, lesson planning, and content-specific strategies to get
my “teacher-mojo” into full gear. I am
also looking forward to expanding my knowledge in these different areas so that
I learn how I can improve and become a superstar teacher!
I’m working in a classroom that
focuses on teaching students how to become better readers. The students that
are in my classroom struggle significantly with reading, they’re in the 8th
grade and I would say they may have a 2nd grade reading level. So
far we have read-aloud together, taken computer quizzes to pre-assess the
students’ literacy level, and diagrammed sentences. The students that I have in
my classroom are great. I can see myself working with them with various
strategies I’ve learned in my literacy class last semester in Core II.
My teacher is having me sub for
my hour tomorrow because she will be at a wedding. I get to set up the
projector, (I was trained today on how to do so), diagram sentences with
students, and conduct a read-aloud. I’m looking forward to it! I see many
opportunities for co-teaching with my CT. She is very open to ideas and I have
the advantage of having worked with her previously, so I see that my goal of
implementing my own ideas of lessons and co-teaching strategies will be a
breeze.
I am also hoping to get involved
in the school itself, possibly check out the after-school programs, set up for
the fall dance, and volunteer my assistance in any way that I can. I think that
it’s very important to build community with the school and the students and I
look forward to having the opportunity to do so this semester. I have Fridays
off this semester and I’ve talked to my CT about going in for the whole school
day so I can get into the groove and transition smoothly into student teaching
in the spring.
It should be a fantastic semester! I’ve been placed at a
school that I truly enjoy being at, the atmosphere is welcoming and inviting. I
am working with a teacher who has been teaching for many years, and I know that
this experience will be what I make it. I also hope to get ahead in the KPTP
portfolio and lesson planning prior to next semester. Let the fun begin! J
It is so nice that your CT has allowed you to sub for a day! That shows that she trusts and respects you already, which is wonderful! I have also wondered about getting involved in school activities. You are right- getting involved in our placement schools would really help us feel comfortable and build community. This year we truly have an opportunity to make a difference, and it sounds like you are! I look forward to hearing more about your experiences working with students with low-reading levels.
ReplyDeleteYou seem like you're off to a great start Isabela! It's so great and humbling to be able to work with a cooperating teacher who's both flexible and open to giving you the best possible experience. As for your goals, I think you've set some very realistic and achievable ones.
ReplyDeleteOrganization will help both now and in the long run. My CT is very dependent on order and structure. Her combination of organization and time management is what keeps the students on track. They never waste time asking where the spare pencils can be found or where they can find bell work. She's always prepared and it pays off so significantly.
I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job student teaching this year. Good luck with everything!