Student Teaching
My first weeks of teaching have gone well. For the first week, the students behaved very well. My cooperating teachers asked if I would rather have them be in the classroom with me at the beginning, or leave in the beginning and come back to observe later. I requested that they leave at the beginning, which they both did. I felt that I would have more authority if it were just me in the classroom, and the students would only have me to go to if they had questions. I think it worked well, also, I felt more confident in the material, and in my classroom management. The first week I set up the classroom routine of the first part of class giving notes, and the second half of class doing some sort of activity or writing assignment. I've had minor struggles with my students whining at me that they "didn't know how to think", but the more writing and thinking assignments I have given them, the less whining I've been hearing.
My second week went much like the first, just trying to get into the routine. Dr. Martin came to observe at the end of the first week and the beginning of the second, and had helpful things to say. The students were a little less well behaved ( I think because they know me better now, whereas the first week, they were a little unsure about me, now they've relaxed and their true colors are showing). I gave my first formal test on friday, and the majority of students did very well. That made me feel good, as it showed that I was actually teaching them something. I have a few frustrating students that I really like, but who aren't working up to their potential (that sounds like such a cliched teacher thing to say, but its true). Hopefully I can find ways to motivate them.
My third week was my first week of teaching three classes. It was certainly added stress, having another class to prep for, but luckily, it was Suffolk spring break, so I had extra time. My days were half as long, and that made a huge difference in my week. I really felt that I could prep much more effeciently with the extra time. I get frustrated that with my Suffolk classes, and work, I am not being as good of a student teacher as I could be if it were my only commitment. I've talked to my mom about this frustration, and she has told me I can only expect myself to be as good as I can "under the circumstances", which are not ideal. This also applies to the less-than-ideal situation I find myself in at North Quincy. It is certainly not a good classroom situation, as Dr. Martin observed. I often refer to my situation as "teaching in a hallway". There are so many disruptions, and not from my students! Its also not the best situation in terms of my cooperating teachers. Though they are great people, I know that I cannot go to them for help with interactive classroom activities, since they only give notes. Therefore, I am struggling to think of daily activities all on my own. It is also a big struggle for me to keep the material interesting and relevant for the students. I am teaching material that I personally find extremely boring, and, especially after the third week of teaching, it is really wearing me out. At Dr. Martin's suggestion, I am using maps and writing on the boards, which is helping. I also came to the decision this week that I am not going to be able to do all of the activities that I do with my 1st period with my 3rd period. This is mostly due to my room constrictions, but also I have more students, and they are more rowdy than my first period.
Hopefully, this next week and a half will be better material-wise, as I am talking about the Constitution, which is very relevent to students everyday lives.