Wk 2- Mar 29
Today we got to class as normal and our CT Mrs. R was on the phone. She informed us she had to go to Urgent Care and a sub would be coming in. She told us to continue with the small groups and research papers we started the day before. A guest teacher came in and when the class came back didn't help us quiet them down. My CP and I ended up taking over the class for 45minutes before the Sub could get there. It was a little overwhelming having my CP and I do everything while this guest teacher didn't do anything or offer to help. We did the best we could trying to remember when everything started and when to do transitions. We didn't realize until later that we completely skipped one groups vocabulary lesson. Our CT was in contact with us via text checking on the students and making sure everything went ok. We told her it had, there were a few bumps but we got through it! I noticed the energy level increases when she is not there and all manners and attitudes go out the window. It was a hectic day for sure and I feel very drained. My CP and I made a list of things to talk to her about and to ask where certain things are located in case this happens again! That way we can be a little more prepared.
March 30
Each week our class has an essential question they go over for literacy and this weeks question was "How are children from around the world different from us". So I found a book called "This Is the Way We Go to School. A book about children from around the world." By Edith Baer. Today I completed my first solo read aloud to my 2nd grade class. I was really nervous but excited. The first couple of minutes I felt very anxious but after I got into it, it went smoothly. The kids were really engaged in the book and looking for new vocabulary they hadn't heard before. My CT said I did really well and that as she listened to me read it sounded like a teacher was reading. That definitely boosted my confidence :) one thing to remember she said was to make sure to wrap everything up at the end. Which I had planned on but we all got to talking about the book that it completely slipped my mind :( definitely next though!!
Mar 31
We had a sub today and I felt myself getting "mama bear" feelings of protection over the kids. I didn't care much for the subs tone of voice when he wanted to get them to quiet down. My CP (cooperating peer) and I ended up taking over the classroom and what needed to be done. It released some stress off of the sub and it got the students to calm down too. It was a great learning experience being in charge. I liked it a lot :) My CP and I did our first guided reading with the upper level students and I think it went well. We followed the little card that comes with it the best we could. For our first time I think it went well. I think we'll do better next time!
The first week of classes, we had a sub come in because out CT was still on spring break, and it's crazy how much the class can be thrown off by this. I have a kindergarten classroom, and the kids were all over the place. The atmosphere changed dramatically when our CT got back because the students were able to get back into their routines. This just showed me how important their routine really is going from day to day.
ReplyDeleteHow is it working with a sub instead of your co-teacher? Did you get to see if a lesson plan was left for the sub? I'm glad you are liking your field experience a lot! Nice !
ReplyDeleteI love that you've bonded with your field placement class so much that you already have "mama bear" feelings to protect them! It sounds like you've gotten a lot of experience in many aspects of teaching in short amount of time! It also sounds like you and your CP get along great--which is wonderful, considering you had to deal with the unusual circumstances of substitutes last-minute (and maybe not professional subs).
ReplyDeleteYour 3/31 post reminded me of my classmate in our class, fully taking on mama bear roles when someone uses the wrong tone with "our" kids. Quite an intense experience to start week 2 but hopefully looking back on it was a terrific learning experience. I think some of the most challenging times for me have now evolved into those feelings. I shared the similar feedback as you after your first read aloud, remembering to wrap up. After my first few books I read the final word and just sat there hoping the CT would instantly take the wheel.
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