So my internship is over. The last two days were great! There weren't even any fights. I really enjoyed being at this school this semester! The teachers have taught me a lot! They love their students and work so hard each day to help them learn!
I am pretty excited about starting my new internship... 1st graders! This will be completely different from anything I have experienced in a school. So far, the youngest age I have been with is 5th grade. And the town and school will be a totally different story from my previous experiences. But I am excited. So much is happening right now, it is crazy!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
wednesday = fight day
So this week we had another fight. This time it was not so successful. Seeing as how the fight started in the hallway right before lunch- every single 8th grader was out there and could not be stopped from running to "help." It was pretty frustrating because while my clinical faculty was frantically calling security I was frantically calling the office- neither of which were answering. Meanwhile 120 8th graders are fighting in the hallway.
I ever thought teaching would be easy, but this whole fighting business is getting old. I know it has a lot to do with their age and even more to do with their circumstances outside of school, but I just don't know. I left Wednesday thinking that I could not be at that school each day. Then I was reminded that I was at a school just like that every day for four months- and loved it. So maybe its different when you know the kids better and have a different relationship with them?
I have two days left at my internship. Only one of them is a Wednesday. If there is another fight, I might go crazy.
I ever thought teaching would be easy, but this whole fighting business is getting old. I know it has a lot to do with their age and even more to do with their circumstances outside of school, but I just don't know. I left Wednesday thinking that I could not be at that school each day. Then I was reminded that I was at a school just like that every day for four months- and loved it. So maybe its different when you know the kids better and have a different relationship with them?
I have two days left at my internship. Only one of them is a Wednesday. If there is another fight, I might go crazy.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
This week at my internship was very interesting. I taught my second lesson. And while the lessons went well in each class, all of the time in between the lessons was crazy.
First- teacher drama. Let's just say, I am not naive enough to think that there will not be drama among teachers, but seriously. Sometimes it is so ridiculous. I just wanted to tell a few people that they should grow up and deal with it. But I didn't. Instead, I just didn't say anything- which seems to be working.
Second- fight. Yes. There was a fight. I have always wondered how would I react in a scary situation at school. This week I found out. There was a small fight in our hallway. It seemed to be broken up by a few teachers, when out of nowhere one student decides he's not done. So he takes off chasing the other kid toward my classroom. Since it is in between classes this meant that every other student in the hallway (about 60) was also running towards me. I had the fleeting thought that something bad was going to happen. So I immediately closed the door, pretended like nothing was happening in the hallway and began class. Much to my surprise the students already in class trusted me to get class started and cooperated even though the bell had not rung. Essentially when my teacher came in ten minutes later (with a few more students) the students in class had no idea there had even been a fight. I was feeling pretty good about this. Maybe I can do this- even in Middle School.
Last- I was sick. I woke up feeling okay, but by the start of 1st hour I was losing it. I was tired, had a headache and had a growing stomachache. Although nothing serious is wrong, I felt BAD. But it was okay. I was able to teach the lessons and the student's learned...even though I felt like I wasn't making any sense at all.
Countdown- 2 weeks until Thanksgiving break... 3 more weeks until end of semester... 1 more week until Christmas (and yes, Christmas decorations are up!)
First- teacher drama. Let's just say, I am not naive enough to think that there will not be drama among teachers, but seriously. Sometimes it is so ridiculous. I just wanted to tell a few people that they should grow up and deal with it. But I didn't. Instead, I just didn't say anything- which seems to be working.
Second- fight. Yes. There was a fight. I have always wondered how would I react in a scary situation at school. This week I found out. There was a small fight in our hallway. It seemed to be broken up by a few teachers, when out of nowhere one student decides he's not done. So he takes off chasing the other kid toward my classroom. Since it is in between classes this meant that every other student in the hallway (about 60) was also running towards me. I had the fleeting thought that something bad was going to happen. So I immediately closed the door, pretended like nothing was happening in the hallway and began class. Much to my surprise the students already in class trusted me to get class started and cooperated even though the bell had not rung. Essentially when my teacher came in ten minutes later (with a few more students) the students in class had no idea there had even been a fight. I was feeling pretty good about this. Maybe I can do this- even in Middle School.
Last- I was sick. I woke up feeling okay, but by the start of 1st hour I was losing it. I was tired, had a headache and had a growing stomachache. Although nothing serious is wrong, I felt BAD. But it was okay. I was able to teach the lessons and the student's learned...even though I felt like I wasn't making any sense at all.
Countdown- 2 weeks until Thanksgiving break... 3 more weeks until end of semester... 1 more week until Christmas (and yes, Christmas decorations are up!)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
i heart teaching.
So this post will have two weeks of updates- first on the list... I taught my first lesson!
In my other internships, and in my classes I have written and taught many lessons (too many sometimes). But this was the first time I got to write my own lesson and actually teach it to KIDS! It was pretty exciting. Overall they were very receptive to my lesson and did awesome. They were interested in what we were talking about, worked well together during their group work, and actually completed the assignment. I was pretty nervous at first, but once we got going the first hour it was awesome. As much as I don't love being in charge- I LOVED being in charge. It was great. And I was surprised at how nice it was that they could do things for themselves and we could have actual semi-adult conversations.
Last week I did my internship with a peer of mine observing her teaching. It was pretty interesting. She did a great job teaching her lesson. It was really different for me to be in a different classroom, with different kids, and a different teacher with a completely different teacher style from my teacher. None the less it was a learning experience.
Now I am writing my next lesson that I will teach this week. It might be a little different since we will be playing a game in which they must throw a ball to each other. And yea, they are 8th graders. But we will try it. It may not work, but that wouldn't be the end of the world!
In other school news, in two weeks I am taking the Math OSAT and the OPTE. The OPTE is the last test I have to pass to become certified upon graduation. I am starting to get nervous since it is in 2 weeks and I haven't studied at all... and I don't plan on studying. OH well. Hopefully I already know the stuff.
School is winding down... 3 weeks until Thanksgiving break, 7 weeks until the semester is over and 29 weeks until graduation.
So close...
In my other internships, and in my classes I have written and taught many lessons (too many sometimes). But this was the first time I got to write my own lesson and actually teach it to KIDS! It was pretty exciting. Overall they were very receptive to my lesson and did awesome. They were interested in what we were talking about, worked well together during their group work, and actually completed the assignment. I was pretty nervous at first, but once we got going the first hour it was awesome. As much as I don't love being in charge- I LOVED being in charge. It was great. And I was surprised at how nice it was that they could do things for themselves and we could have actual semi-adult conversations.
Last week I did my internship with a peer of mine observing her teaching. It was pretty interesting. She did a great job teaching her lesson. It was really different for me to be in a different classroom, with different kids, and a different teacher with a completely different teacher style from my teacher. None the less it was a learning experience.
Now I am writing my next lesson that I will teach this week. It might be a little different since we will be playing a game in which they must throw a ball to each other. And yea, they are 8th graders. But we will try it. It may not work, but that wouldn't be the end of the world!
In other school news, in two weeks I am taking the Math OSAT and the OPTE. The OPTE is the last test I have to pass to become certified upon graduation. I am starting to get nervous since it is in 2 weeks and I haven't studied at all... and I don't plan on studying. OH well. Hopefully I already know the stuff.
School is winding down... 3 weeks until Thanksgiving break, 7 weeks until the semester is over and 29 weeks until graduation.
So close...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
success.
Today I went to my third day of my internship. I just have to say it is so hard to be a kid these days. The things that the kids go through each and every day is amazing to me. I am sure that some of their parents are doing the best they can to raise them, but sometimes (actually) a lot of times it just breaks my heart. Like today. Imagine being in 8th grade, and you have had some issues with another kid in the class. You have every class with this person and you are always getting into arguments. SO the teacher calls both of your parents to let them know what has been going on. As a result, your mom decides she should talk to the teacher in person. So she brings you into school and in the middle of the hallway starts reaming into you about the situation. There you are standing in the hallway with the entire 8th grade and your mom is yelling so loud everyone can hear and to make matters worse you are so frustrated and upset about it you start bawling in the hallway before 1st period.
Yeah.
It just broke my heart. I wanted to go get him and hug him and take him away from the situation. But she is mom and has the "right" to do that. Sadly. this is what happens in a lot of homes. And in some homes kids are dying for their parents to pay that much attention to them that they would actually care to talk to their teacher.
And for a good story. I was able to help a student find a book. He is a Spanish speaking student and told me that he hates to read everything because it is hard and things are different in English than in Spanish. I proceeded to quiz him for about five minutes on things that he likes to do. Which of course was all because I love reading so much and believe so much in how big of a difference it can make in education! So. I finally got him to tell me that maybe he would read something if it was funny. So we found out their library has a Spanish section and got him "Captain Underpants" in Spanish. He promised me he would read it. So we will see! But I was so happy, he actually seemed genuinely excited to read the book!
Needless to say today was one of those days that you remember why you want to teach.
So that was that. Day 3, a success.
Yeah.
It just broke my heart. I wanted to go get him and hug him and take him away from the situation. But she is mom and has the "right" to do that. Sadly. this is what happens in a lot of homes. And in some homes kids are dying for their parents to pay that much attention to them that they would actually care to talk to their teacher.
And for a good story. I was able to help a student find a book. He is a Spanish speaking student and told me that he hates to read everything because it is hard and things are different in English than in Spanish. I proceeded to quiz him for about five minutes on things that he likes to do. Which of course was all because I love reading so much and believe so much in how big of a difference it can make in education! So. I finally got him to tell me that maybe he would read something if it was funny. So we found out their library has a Spanish section and got him "Captain Underpants" in Spanish. He promised me he would read it. So we will see! But I was so happy, he actually seemed genuinely excited to read the book!
Needless to say today was one of those days that you remember why you want to teach.
So that was that. Day 3, a success.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
different... in a good way
Ok. So far- not too good at blogging. Especially since I have only done it once.
Anyway I have officially started my internship. Last Wednesday was my first day at the middle school. I have been assigned an 8th Grade Reading Class. Not to be rude, but 8th grade was not my first choice. But so far it is okay.
The school is in Tulsa and is very different from the make-up of Owasso. However, the school is very much like the school I worked at in Joliet. Even though I am somewhat used to what this means, it is still hard. The students are dealing with different issues and school is sometimes the last thing they are concerned with. But, I am determined to have a positive impact on them, as I am sure they will on me. (Confession: as great as it would be to work in Owasso, I am excited about working in a school where the students really need people to be there for them. No, I am not their teacher and will only be around one day a week, but I WANT to be there. And this is more than I can say for some of the teachers.)
The teacher I am working with is awesome! I am really excited about learning from her each week. She has been teaching for five years. Before teaching she was working in the Business World, and it shows. She very much treats her students as equals but still has control in the classroom. The students respect her because she respects them. Another thing I am excited about is the fact that she is the 8th grade TEAM leader. This means that each week they have a meeting (on the day I am there) to go over procedures and basically anything the Principal wants the teachers to know. It also works in my favor that there are 3 first year teachers in the 8th grade. So in each meeting, the experienced teachers are a little more detailed about things. Needless to say I am learning a lot.
It is going to be a good semester!
Anyway I have officially started my internship. Last Wednesday was my first day at the middle school. I have been assigned an 8th Grade Reading Class. Not to be rude, but 8th grade was not my first choice. But so far it is okay.
The school is in Tulsa and is very different from the make-up of Owasso. However, the school is very much like the school I worked at in Joliet. Even though I am somewhat used to what this means, it is still hard. The students are dealing with different issues and school is sometimes the last thing they are concerned with. But, I am determined to have a positive impact on them, as I am sure they will on me. (Confession: as great as it would be to work in Owasso, I am excited about working in a school where the students really need people to be there for them. No, I am not their teacher and will only be around one day a week, but I WANT to be there. And this is more than I can say for some of the teachers.)
The teacher I am working with is awesome! I am really excited about learning from her each week. She has been teaching for five years. Before teaching she was working in the Business World, and it shows. She very much treats her students as equals but still has control in the classroom. The students respect her because she respects them. Another thing I am excited about is the fact that she is the 8th grade TEAM leader. This means that each week they have a meeting (on the day I am there) to go over procedures and basically anything the Principal wants the teachers to know. It also works in my favor that there are 3 first year teachers in the 8th grade. So in each meeting, the experienced teachers are a little more detailed about things. Needless to say I am learning a lot.
It is going to be a good semester!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
new to blogging.
So for a long time I have resisted it. I never really thought I had anything worth blogging about- I don't have kids, I don't have an interesting job and I am not especially great at writing. But here I am, blogging.
The truth is- I have to. Kind of. For my internship this semester, we are told to keep a journal. We are supposed to keep a list of resources and things we are learning, but also a journal of general reactions to our experiences. So I thought, in case I ever need to turn these thoughts in, I should make them electronic. Why not make them electronic on a blog.
I have also been inspired by Allison who has begun a blog since beginning her first year of teaching. I have already learned so much from her! Anyway, I though next year, when I am teaching, I might want to have this as a way of debriefing from the day.
So here goes.
The truth is- I have to. Kind of. For my internship this semester, we are told to keep a journal. We are supposed to keep a list of resources and things we are learning, but also a journal of general reactions to our experiences. So I thought, in case I ever need to turn these thoughts in, I should make them electronic. Why not make them electronic on a blog.
I have also been inspired by Allison who has begun a blog since beginning her first year of teaching. I have already learned so much from her! Anyway, I though next year, when I am teaching, I might want to have this as a way of debriefing from the day.
So here goes.
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