Friday, August 28, 2009
Week 1
Alright. After the first week of school I have had to destroy millions of trees, it seems, to have handouts prepared for students and I now understand what is required of teachers before students arrive in class. The class seating assignments, meetings, and etc.
The first day of class I just introduced myself and handed out my student contracts which may not make a lot of difference but after I post them all over the room I hope for it to be a constant reminder of the promises they made to be respectful, participate, and to return assignments in a timely manner; they are due Monday. Second and third days were easy days. I had them do an introduction assignment where each student was to bring a past photo of themselves or something apart of their life, a present item they have with them almost all the time, and a future idea of something they want to do next week, in a year, after they graduate. The students were reluctant to public speak but with some push every student came up and presented even if it wasnt their best effort.
Overall the first week was interesting, overwhelming, and exciting. Interesting because there is more drama that goes with administration and politics, overwhelming because I have so many ideas and the action reasearch is stressful, and exciting because I feel like I can make a difference. :) We will see...
The first day of class I just introduced myself and handed out my student contracts which may not make a lot of difference but after I post them all over the room I hope for it to be a constant reminder of the promises they made to be respectful, participate, and to return assignments in a timely manner; they are due Monday. Second and third days were easy days. I had them do an introduction assignment where each student was to bring a past photo of themselves or something apart of their life, a present item they have with them almost all the time, and a future idea of something they want to do next week, in a year, after they graduate. The students were reluctant to public speak but with some push every student came up and presented even if it wasnt their best effort.
Overall the first week was interesting, overwhelming, and exciting. Interesting because there is more drama that goes with administration and politics, overwhelming because I have so many ideas and the action reasearch is stressful, and exciting because I feel like I can make a difference. :) We will see...
week 2
Second week in and activites are calming down at shhs. I was able to start teaching with a projector (SCORE!) so now students are able to have visual with the section lectures. I started the period that is involved with my action research with setting up their blogs. I am including my host teacher and coordinators emails to the list of authors so that if the rowdy 16 year boys want to act like immature 16 year old boys they can be repremanded and I am in the clear.
I have been upbeat and excited to teach all this week except for when friday hit and I got the results of the section quizzes from my classes. Averages of Ds, Fs, and Cs...not exceptable. I told the students that it was the first quiz so not to worry themselves to death BUT to be aware of what they need to do to get the good grades; be it outline notes, study the section better or ACTUALLY study. I hope that they will kick it into gear and start caring about the quizzes. Next week is a short week because of labor day and we get to go over the vikings...how is it that i am more excited about relearning about vikings than they are to learn about them!?!?!
I have been upbeat and excited to teach all this week except for when friday hit and I got the results of the section quizzes from my classes. Averages of Ds, Fs, and Cs...not exceptable. I told the students that it was the first quiz so not to worry themselves to death BUT to be aware of what they need to do to get the good grades; be it outline notes, study the section better or ACTUALLY study. I hope that they will kick it into gear and start caring about the quizzes. Next week is a short week because of labor day and we get to go over the vikings...how is it that i am more excited about relearning about vikings than they are to learn about them!?!?!
week 3
SO my third week is going much smoother except for my last class where all of the students seem to be fighting for attention and control. They will not win.
My room has been terribly hot because we do not have an air conditioner, a little birdie told me that we would be getting one soon which would be wonderful. I have students who think about how hot it is compared to what we should be learning about, Christopher Columbus! Last weeks tests were better but I felt like that was the easiest test I had made up. AND (i know starting a sentence with and isn't proper but...it makes for good effect) if i have to make up each test I think I might break down. Book tests do not sit well with the students but I do not know what else to do because I do not think I have the time to make up the tests myself each week!!!
Starting on Columbus should make things easier because it is a refresher course from what their third grade teachers taught them, even though it was extremely sugar-coated history.
Last thought. I am starting to worry about Action Research next week I start trying to find the cameras and master the program but I am afraid that I am not going to get information OR I am going to be overwhelmed with information and become unorganized. The other interns in my cohort at this moment would be telling me, " Breathe...it is only the third week...Woooo Saaaaa."
My room has been terribly hot because we do not have an air conditioner, a little birdie told me that we would be getting one soon which would be wonderful. I have students who think about how hot it is compared to what we should be learning about, Christopher Columbus! Last weeks tests were better but I felt like that was the easiest test I had made up. AND (i know starting a sentence with and isn't proper but...it makes for good effect) if i have to make up each test I think I might break down. Book tests do not sit well with the students but I do not know what else to do because I do not think I have the time to make up the tests myself each week!!!
Starting on Columbus should make things easier because it is a refresher course from what their third grade teachers taught them, even though it was extremely sugar-coated history.
Last thought. I am starting to worry about Action Research next week I start trying to find the cameras and master the program but I am afraid that I am not going to get information OR I am going to be overwhelmed with information and become unorganized. The other interns in my cohort at this moment would be telling me, " Breathe...it is only the third week...Woooo Saaaaa."
Week 4
AIR CONDITIONER INSTALLED!
I had to learn this week how to be flexible as a teacher. My room was at random days and at random times being destroyed and then built up again with a new fancy a.c. (Do not get me wrong I am very thankful but it was very stressful as well) I had to teach two of my classes in the cafeteria, standing on a chair, and projecting (thanks theater classes) so that every student could hear me. It turns out that the Spanish Intern could hear me all the way into her class room! The other classes had class in the computer lab which was tricky because they had to take a test and trying to make sure eyes were not wondering when blocked my computers was difficult.
After the classes that took the test, I went over their midterm grades so that they could understand what they needed to improve. I pulled every kid so that no one would feel pinpointed. Everything was going well, the students were taking advice and I was listening to what they were saying were their largest obstacles. Again everything was fine until I had a "tif" with a student about their grade. They turn in their work, participate, but have a lot A LOT of trouble reading. I had to speak with my mentor teacher after and the special education teacher who watches the student. We came to a conclusion but the whole situation made me uneasy. I in no-way-shape-or-form will give a student a grade. I will work with the student and give differentiated instruction to help but I have to give the student the grade they earned. This might sound ignorant because the student is apart of the special education program but...it is how i feel.
I had to learn this week how to be flexible as a teacher. My room was at random days and at random times being destroyed and then built up again with a new fancy a.c. (Do not get me wrong I am very thankful but it was very stressful as well) I had to teach two of my classes in the cafeteria, standing on a chair, and projecting (thanks theater classes) so that every student could hear me. It turns out that the Spanish Intern could hear me all the way into her class room! The other classes had class in the computer lab which was tricky because they had to take a test and trying to make sure eyes were not wondering when blocked my computers was difficult.
After the classes that took the test, I went over their midterm grades so that they could understand what they needed to improve. I pulled every kid so that no one would feel pinpointed. Everything was going well, the students were taking advice and I was listening to what they were saying were their largest obstacles. Again everything was fine until I had a "tif" with a student about their grade. They turn in their work, participate, but have a lot A LOT of trouble reading. I had to speak with my mentor teacher after and the special education teacher who watches the student. We came to a conclusion but the whole situation made me uneasy. I in no-way-shape-or-form will give a student a grade. I will work with the student and give differentiated instruction to help but I have to give the student the grade they earned. This might sound ignorant because the student is apart of the special education program but...it is how i feel.
Week 5
End of week 5 and I have just started my Action Research project. One of my classes started and finished filming this week. We had MANY problems. First, the school computers were not letting any of the film clips load. Second, there were not enough computers that had editing on them (without school control lock things) to have each group edit. Two groups went home and edited their videos and they turned out AWESOME! Then I edited another groups to show a basic layout. Instead of editing the films we played with the program to better understand it as a group. Students blogged and the problems that were happening between group members faded after they finished the film :). Hopefully we can get this technological problem out of the way because we really need to get into the computer lab in the next two weeks to film again. *YIKES*
One thing that I am learning is that the school is a playground for germs and I have been sick more times than I have ever been within a week! AND I am loosing my voice because some students see me sick and then think they have control over class, not the case. It is frustrating though when some classes I have class management plans that work and the other classes don't seem to want to follow.
One thing that I am learning is that the school is a playground for germs and I have been sick more times than I have ever been within a week! AND I am loosing my voice because some students see me sick and then think they have control over class, not the case. It is frustrating though when some classes I have class management plans that work and the other classes don't seem to want to follow.
Week 6
Week 6 over and I have been basically on my own this entire week. My host teacher is out because of back problems so there has been substitutes throughout the week. The classes that are normally great are acting up a little and the class that is normally trouble as been great. So I have mixed feelings about Mr. Tate being gone :-P
The students finished their introductory films and did a section in the book like the rest of the students. They did not do as well as I had thought on the test. I am starting to reevaluate my teaching. I am getting nervous that some are not getting it. But since we are doing the first actually historical film the students are getting excited and I think they will read more and study more and learn more...hopefully.
Every week I feel like I have to reorganize myself so make sure I have everything I need for WVU and for my classes. I need to keep trying to stay as organized as possible!!!
I look forward to next week because of the filming and the students in the other classes are presenting their projects that I had them do. I am also excited that students are responding to the website and their blogs in my Action Research class! (missgrandick.webs.com) (blogger.com)
The students finished their introductory films and did a section in the book like the rest of the students. They did not do as well as I had thought on the test. I am starting to reevaluate my teaching. I am getting nervous that some are not getting it. But since we are doing the first actually historical film the students are getting excited and I think they will read more and study more and learn more...hopefully.
Every week I feel like I have to reorganize myself so make sure I have everything I need for WVU and for my classes. I need to keep trying to stay as organized as possible!!!
I look forward to next week because of the filming and the students in the other classes are presenting their projects that I had them do. I am also excited that students are responding to the website and their blogs in my Action Research class! (missgrandick.webs.com) (blogger.com)
Week 7
So this week was cut short with faculty senate and administrative things but I was still able to finish up chapter 3 which was very important because I began to feel as if the class was going at a snail's pace. I do NOT want to get behind but I also want to make sure student's understand things. What I do not understand though is that I am taking my time with the subject matter and classes are still getting D averages on tests. AH!
Filming the first historical films took place AND I had to give them an extra day to film because we did not have school on Friday. This was good because on Monday Amy Kuhn can observe my student's participating in my Action Research and they will be editing which is something she enjoys so maybe she can help!
Friday was interesting. Some parts of the meetings all I could think about were my lesson plans or things I needed to get done but some other parts were very interesting. (for example the writing across the cirriculum). This got me thinking about my own abilities in writing and reading. It also got me thinking of including more writing and reading activities in my lesson plans. My action research class blogs every week...so they end up writing but my other classes get frusterated when they are asked to write a paragraph. SO I am going to start doing more writing in my other classes and helping the students write.
Last thing. I feel like most of my students have trouble with their study skills, writing and reading skills. I find myself teaching them how to take notes rather than social studies.
Lie...that was not the last thing, this is. I had to start two new rules to some of my classes to help with management. Two of my classes get sooooo off track soooooo easily and are chatty chatty chatty so by the advice of Ms. C here are my two new rules: No questions until after the bellringer AND when the bell rings that means no talking. It has helped a lot in one of my classes but the other classes is very very resistant. I feel bad because I began the classes being very open and talkative/interactive in my classes so the students began to get used to free speech and now since many students are abusing that power I have to have new rules. *sigh*
Filming the first historical films took place AND I had to give them an extra day to film because we did not have school on Friday. This was good because on Monday Amy Kuhn can observe my student's participating in my Action Research and they will be editing which is something she enjoys so maybe she can help!
Friday was interesting. Some parts of the meetings all I could think about were my lesson plans or things I needed to get done but some other parts were very interesting. (for example the writing across the cirriculum). This got me thinking about my own abilities in writing and reading. It also got me thinking of including more writing and reading activities in my lesson plans. My action research class blogs every week...so they end up writing but my other classes get frusterated when they are asked to write a paragraph. SO I am going to start doing more writing in my other classes and helping the students write.
Last thing. I feel like most of my students have trouble with their study skills, writing and reading skills. I find myself teaching them how to take notes rather than social studies.
Lie...that was not the last thing, this is. I had to start two new rules to some of my classes to help with management. Two of my classes get sooooo off track soooooo easily and are chatty chatty chatty so by the advice of Ms. C here are my two new rules: No questions until after the bellringer AND when the bell rings that means no talking. It has helped a lot in one of my classes but the other classes is very very resistant. I feel bad because I began the classes being very open and talkative/interactive in my classes so the students began to get used to free speech and now since many students are abusing that power I have to have new rules. *sigh*
Week 8
Made it through the week. Changed up my tests so that students don't recieve the same multiple choice tests and I am getting mixed reviews! I started incorporating the films into the instruction and I believe that it is helping from the reactions of the students. They seem more engaged...and I hope they are listening and reading along to see what comes next in the films. Thursday I had a miraculous 4b class. I had been having 8 weeks of trouble until that day where I can say that that class was the best class I have had since my time at South Harrison. They were engaged, quiet when needed, discussing when needed and they all said they enjoyed reading this time around. THANK GOODNESS. I do not think I did anything different...I think that since report cards went out that many students got a lecture at home and now have a fire lit underneath them! YAY for report cards.
Friday was interesting. I was there for a half a day and my first class which is normally enjoyable was putting up a fight because It was friday and they did not like that they had a quiz. Salem Witch Trials kept the attention of the students who do not normally and the other students were disengaged. I tried my best but fridayidus got the best of them. Because of talking I did have to assign extra homework which displeased the students who listen in class...the four today, but hopefully they will get creative with the assignment.
I CANT BELIEVE IT IS THE 8th WEEK?!?
Action Research Panic mode is setting in.
Friday was interesting. I was there for a half a day and my first class which is normally enjoyable was putting up a fight because It was friday and they did not like that they had a quiz. Salem Witch Trials kept the attention of the students who do not normally and the other students were disengaged. I tried my best but fridayidus got the best of them. Because of talking I did have to assign extra homework which displeased the students who listen in class...the four today, but hopefully they will get creative with the assignment.
I CANT BELIEVE IT IS THE 8th WEEK?!?
Action Research Panic mode is setting in.
Week 9
Nineth week and I can not believe how fast time is going. I feel somewhat of a failure to my film action research class because they are seriously 500 year behind everyone else. It took three weeks to work on my action research and now they are three weeks behind. I am trying my best to get them going faster but I do not want to disrupt their learning by going toooo fast. I will just have to try my best.
I feel like with some of my students I am not looked at as a teacher. When Mr. Tate walks in the room they all get quiet. I have to ask them to be quiet 10 times before they do, it feels like. I want to be fun with them and have good relationships but I feel like I am loosing my command as a teacher.
I know we only have 6 or 7 more weeks left and I want to try and fit in 2 more movies so that I have enough date for my research. AND I want to know how to keep the test scores for data... I am just a little stressed out because time is going soooo fast and I want to have everything so that I am not scrambling at the end for things for action research.
I feel like with some of my students I am not looked at as a teacher. When Mr. Tate walks in the room they all get quiet. I have to ask them to be quiet 10 times before they do, it feels like. I want to be fun with them and have good relationships but I feel like I am loosing my command as a teacher.
I know we only have 6 or 7 more weeks left and I want to try and fit in 2 more movies so that I have enough date for my research. AND I want to know how to keep the test scores for data... I am just a little stressed out because time is going soooo fast and I want to have everything so that I am not scrambling at the end for things for action research.
Week 10
There have been many issues that have come up during this week. SO before I start rambling off about the negative I will start with somethings positive.
My last class of the day has become one of my most enjoyable. I don't know what I did or what they did to become interested in learning but now the majority are :)
My action research class is begging me to start filmming again. I told them we only had 2 more films left and they were very distressed over it. So I am going to assume the most of them really like making the films. I am giving them more demands on this film so that there can be more structure to allow historical facts rather than a comedy short.
Now onto the interesting moments throughout the week. I had to have my first student/teacher/principal meeting during my class! when I had a sub....I was sooo nervouse but I tried to stay calm and afterward the principal said that I handled it very very well. Still some of the things the student said about me or tried to imply just threw me for a loop.
After that incident a parent called in saying that I was spreading communist/socialist ideals to their child(my student). NUMBER 1: I teach an early American history class where we haven't even reached the American Revolution...where would I have time to stick in communist/socialist ideals?!?!?! NUMBER 2: When a student tries to bait me into political conversations I listen and reply with a comment that will quickly end the conversation because it is off topic for an early American history class. NUMBER 3: Telling a student before I am to have a poltical discussion about capitalism/communision/socialism/dictatorship that they need to read primary documents/any professional document is not offensive nor a communist/socialist ideal.
FINALLY I don't understand the need to catagorize everyone and everything while in high school or after high school. Trying to catagorize me as a teacher and my ideals into "conservative" or "liberal" is a waste of time considering most of the time I just play devil's advocate. I did not think this whole situation, as a teacher would be such an ordeal.
I did get to go make sure kids weren't doing anything crazy at the homecoming dance which was fun... But made me feel very old...
I look forward to the last 5 weeks to scramble to get all my Action Research gathered and stress out :)
My last class of the day has become one of my most enjoyable. I don't know what I did or what they did to become interested in learning but now the majority are :)
My action research class is begging me to start filmming again. I told them we only had 2 more films left and they were very distressed over it. So I am going to assume the most of them really like making the films. I am giving them more demands on this film so that there can be more structure to allow historical facts rather than a comedy short.
Now onto the interesting moments throughout the week. I had to have my first student/teacher/principal meeting during my class! when I had a sub....I was sooo nervouse but I tried to stay calm and afterward the principal said that I handled it very very well. Still some of the things the student said about me or tried to imply just threw me for a loop.
After that incident a parent called in saying that I was spreading communist/socialist ideals to their child(my student). NUMBER 1: I teach an early American history class where we haven't even reached the American Revolution...where would I have time to stick in communist/socialist ideals?!?!?! NUMBER 2: When a student tries to bait me into political conversations I listen and reply with a comment that will quickly end the conversation because it is off topic for an early American history class. NUMBER 3: Telling a student before I am to have a poltical discussion about capitalism/communision/socialism/dictatorship that they need to read primary documents/any professional document is not offensive nor a communist/socialist ideal.
FINALLY I don't understand the need to catagorize everyone and everything while in high school or after high school. Trying to catagorize me as a teacher and my ideals into "conservative" or "liberal" is a waste of time considering most of the time I just play devil's advocate. I did not think this whole situation, as a teacher would be such an ordeal.
I did get to go make sure kids weren't doing anything crazy at the homecoming dance which was fun... But made me feel very old...
I look forward to the last 5 weeks to scramble to get all my Action Research gathered and stress out :)
Week 11
This week is the week we begin filming for my video to add to my E-portfolio. I am going to film 4a because they are my action research and they are the most cooperative! I think how I will go about this is filming on monday the instructions to the week long film project. Then I will film the groups working with each other and me getting in the frame when ever anyone needs any help. After on thursday I will film the students using the computer lab editing there film and then on friday I will record them watching the videos and doing a worksheet.
Even though 4a is cooperative I still get nervous filming them because they are all hams and sooo chatty! I will try and keep them focused but I have an odd feelings some students will be making faces or something just for the attention! I have turned the film class into a bunch of hams and attention hogs!
Even though 4a is cooperative I still get nervous filming them because they are all hams and sooo chatty! I will try and keep them focused but I have an odd feelings some students will be making faces or something just for the attention! I have turned the film class into a bunch of hams and attention hogs!
Week 12
This week only has 4 days! I am excited because we have been going for a very long time without a break! Spirit week was semi-laid back but we had to still have lessons planned. I want to do something regarding Veteran's day but I am so far behind in my classes that I think It may only be the bellringer.
I have come to the realization that I am the slowest teacher in the world! I hope that the extra time spent on subjects is really helping the students because if not I have just created a sticky situation for Mr. Tate who has to teach a certain amount of material with the block classes because their classes end sometime soon after winter break. 4a and 4b are slowely getting to where they need to be so I am not worried. It is really cool too see the foreign exchange students that are in the 4a speak better and come out of their shell more. Also their classes last throughout the year so Mr. Tate can share his wisdom and cover a variety of topics over that period of time to get them caught up.
I have come to the realization that I am the slowest teacher in the world! I hope that the extra time spent on subjects is really helping the students because if not I have just created a sticky situation for Mr. Tate who has to teach a certain amount of material with the block classes because their classes end sometime soon after winter break. 4a and 4b are slowely getting to where they need to be so I am not worried. It is really cool too see the foreign exchange students that are in the 4a speak better and come out of their shell more. Also their classes last throughout the year so Mr. Tate can share his wisdom and cover a variety of topics over that period of time to get them caught up.
Week 13
This week is the Talent show. I am super excited about it. I really want to see what South Harrison can come up with. I found out that Mr. Tate was in the talent show when he was in high school which was surprising. I did not know that he was musically talented. He also shared with me that he plays the guitar and that his father was a musician.
Besides chatting up my mentor teacher I got to bond more with a student who asked me to sing with her in the Talent show. This was wonderful because I love doing anything on stage and I love that she really wanted me to sing with her. Even if she doesn't have straight As in my class, that obviously doesn't affect the relationship I have with her. This is refreshing because normally any student who doesn't have they grade that they want seem to think that I have something to do with it, not their motiviation or work. Some students seem to think that I give them their grades and that they do not earn it.
Besides chatting up my mentor teacher I got to bond more with a student who asked me to sing with her in the Talent show. This was wonderful because I love doing anything on stage and I love that she really wanted me to sing with her. Even if she doesn't have straight As in my class, that obviously doesn't affect the relationship I have with her. This is refreshing because normally any student who doesn't have they grade that they want seem to think that I have something to do with it, not their motiviation or work. Some students seem to think that I give them their grades and that they do not earn it.
Week 14
Evaluations and contracts are due. We had to figure out what we wanted to do and many suggestion came up. It would be great to have a study abroad program that would count for contract hours but Its seems that the education program is not as advanced as I would like it. I am not trying to say that the program is terrible because their isn't a study abroad I just think they should start some programs because It will really help us learn about international education systems and develop a universal pedagogy of teaching.
In my classes things are starting to boil in my 3rd block. I have a couple of students who just say stuff for attention that are inappropriate. No matter how many times I write them up nothing seems to be done. I do not want to go very further into because It will only make me more upset BUT I really think that any discrimantory apparel, comments or actions should be dealt with punishment regarding race, aptitude, or sexual preference.
In my classes things are starting to boil in my 3rd block. I have a couple of students who just say stuff for attention that are inappropriate. No matter how many times I write them up nothing seems to be done. I do not want to go very further into because It will only make me more upset BUT I really think that any discrimantory apparel, comments or actions should be dealt with punishment regarding race, aptitude, or sexual preference.
Week 15
I have finished teaching Block 1 and 3 which is a load off of my shoulders. We have reached the American Revolution and Mr. Tate is an expert (and loves LOVES the subject) so he has begun teaching. This is also great because If I were to sit in 3rd block for any longer I would drive myself crazy. The same students that have been discriminatory are continueing. Many other teachers have made comments but nothing is being done. It is ridiculous.
Period 4b has become one of my favorite classes because for some odd reason the class mentality changed and they want to do their work. They will soon be finished though by the end of the week because we are wrapping up the French and Indian war and then move onto the American Revolution where Mr. Tate takes over. When going over my last unit "the French and Indian war" I had the students write a paper as a character in the war of their choice. They were to write about the war through the eyes of their character. The requirements were 2 pages double spaced size twelve font. They received a rubric, got a peer review, a rough draft corrected by myself and a chance to rewrite their final draft for a great grade...I thought that this project would be simple but it was as if I was asking them to build a space rocket. I gave them 3 90 minute class periods to write this and the papers still have people who cheated and did not put any effort into it. There were a few though that took advantage and really did make a great effort.
Period 4b has become one of my favorite classes because for some odd reason the class mentality changed and they want to do their work. They will soon be finished though by the end of the week because we are wrapping up the French and Indian war and then move onto the American Revolution where Mr. Tate takes over. When going over my last unit "the French and Indian war" I had the students write a paper as a character in the war of their choice. They were to write about the war through the eyes of their character. The requirements were 2 pages double spaced size twelve font. They received a rubric, got a peer review, a rough draft corrected by myself and a chance to rewrite their final draft for a great grade...I thought that this project would be simple but it was as if I was asking them to build a space rocket. I gave them 3 90 minute class periods to write this and the papers still have people who cheated and did not put any effort into it. There were a few though that took advantage and really did make a great effort.
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