Week 10

Monday:

    "Hallelujah, subtraction with regrouping is finally over with!" This was my thought in the morning, before we started working on word problems. My thought afterwards; "I wish subtraction with regrouping came back..." Word problems are difficult with this group of students for two reasons. First of all, they have difficulty reading. So, simply reading the word problems is hard enough for them. Second of all, I practically give them the answer; and they still look up at me with blank stares!

    Don't get me wrong, they started picking it up a little bit at the end. And to be fair it was the first day! However, I was still a little disappointed because I figured word problems would be much easier! We found a four-step plan online that makes figuring out the problem much easier! Hopefully as the days continue, they will improve with how to solve the problem. One thing that will be a difficulty that I can't really get rid of is the fact that they can't necesarily read the problems. That is one aspect of teaching that keeps resurfacing in this placement. All subjects connect; and if you really struggle in one (especially reading), the rest of the subjects may give you difficulty.

    Although this isn't with my placement, our class tonight has me thinking a lot about my future and how I want to integrate technology into my classroom. One problem with this is that there is literally no technology at my placement. It's amazing what you can do with an abundance of resources! Hopefully I can figure out a way to be a little bit more creative when it comes to integrating technology at my placement, because it really is an important aspect of school today.

Tuesday:

    Today seemed so long even though we had early dismissal! We had another SIPP day today; which is basically a teacher inservice day. However, we were able to work with another school in the district. We went up to Oak Crest Elementary to talk about the Common Core. The principals wanted a pamphlet about the Common Core to explain to the parents. Unfortunately a lot of the teachers don't know enough about the Common Core to even implement it into their own classroom. A lot of them were pointing out the fact that they need to first unpack it themselves before trying to explain it for parents. Honestly, it got a little awkward at times because the teachers were so upset; but they have a right to be. So we ended up spending the afternoon just talking about what the Common Core is. Hopefully they will have a pamphlet for the parents by next year!

    Other than the SIPP day, we had even more going on! It was a little girl's last day here. I'm not sure if she got adopted or if she is going back with her mother, but she is gone. I was sad to say goodbye to her, but I'm really hoping that she ends up in a better situation than she has been. Along with her leaving, the afternoon was interesting for its own reason.

    Andrea had a doctor's appointment, so we set it up that the principal would come check in every now and then to make sure things are going well. All that was left at the end of the day was a read aloud and packing up. However, since it was someone's last day, everyone wanted to make her a card! So packing up took about 20 minutes since everyone was making her a card and giving her their phone number. It was really cute, and I definitely wasn't angry by any means. I'm happy they were able to do that for her, and I really hope someone does stay in contact with her. (Mostly because I want to know how she's doing. =)

Wednesday:

    I feel like I'm just going through the motions sometimes while I'm here. Honestly, I need to start switching things up to keep them interested, and me excited to go to school. We do the same type of thing in Social Studies every day, a similar routine in math; I mean, I feel like the entire day is routine! I understand younger grades need that consistency, however I need to find a way to make little changes here and there. Because to be honest, it's driving me crazy! I like change, I like new things; so why not make my teaching reflect that?

    Although it is very routine, I feel like we had a little bit of a break through in math today! The students are getting much better at the word problems. They understand the steps and how to go about solving it. As I said on Monday, a lot of them have trouble reading. Since we included different steps, I think it makes it a lot easier to understand the problem and solve it! All of them did a fantastic job today, and I'm honestly kind of proud of them. They know that they are lower in math, and they all have no problem saying it. I need to try and instill more confidence in them; perhaps it would empower them more and give them motivation to try harder!

    I'm really falling in love with these kids, and it's kind of sad to think I only have about 8 weeks left with them, if that! I still don't know if I want to apply at this school or not. Even if I didn't get the job, I could sign up to be on their substitute list. However, I'm starting to think I have officially made a decision to not stay around here. I'm not sure where I will end up; but as i said before, I get sick of routine and I love change. I think a new country or new state to teach in would help refresh me a little bit. =)

Thursday:

            Today I finally realized something. One of the main reasons I feel like my lessons are kind of flopping lately is because I haven’t been putting in as much time as I did before with planning them! It’s unfortunate, but having that guide as you go along with the lesson really makes it that much better. Even though I don’t use it very often while teaching; actually planning out exactly what you want to say makes you so much more prepared than if you just know the topic.

            The past two weeks I have just been figuring out the topic and the main points that I want to discuss. So today I decided that for each actual lesson I teach, I’m going to still write out the sequence of learning activities. Although it won’t be as detailed as the actual lesson plans, it will definitely help with feeling more prepared! I need to make sure I don’t start getting too comfortable, because it affects a lot more people than just me now. When I wouldn’t put forth a lot of effort in school for homework, it only affected me. However, if I don’t put in enough effort in teaching; that could affect my entire class in understanding an important concept!

            I’m really hoping that I stick with this, because it’s very important to me that I become the best teacher possible. And if that means I have to continue writing out things I was so excited to get rid of; well then I guess I’ll just have to suck it up and do it! =)

Friday:

            So two main things I want to talk about and think about today. Next Monday is my first day full-time teaching; YIKES! I’m so nervous, but so excited! I’ve pretty much been full-time except reading, but still! Its a lot more pressure I feel like. The other point is about parents. Although this wasn’t directly in my classroom, it still definitely ties into school.

            I do after-school care at a neighboring district Tuesday-Friday now. I’ve noticed that a lot of the parents are kind of disappointing with their children. Some of them, when they come in they are asking a million questions about how their day was; and that’s great! But there are other parents that come in, angry at them because they’re frustrated they had to pick them up because it was an inconvenience to them. Or I’ve had the students who openly tell me that they do whatever they want at home, basically because they’re ignored. (Granted kids can blow things out of proportion, but I have seen the interactions; and its very accurate.)

            I just came to the realization today that these are going to be some of my students’ situations. They may have a neglecting family at home, where no one really cares. It’s ridiculously sad what some of these kids have to deal with. I just don’t know how I’m going to be able to focus on teaching them when I know how some of them are really just hurting deep down. Just a kind of random thought for the day… But other than that it was a good week! =)