Sara Jane

This week I tried something new. I didn’t like the way class discussions were going-only a couple students raising their hands to answer questions-so I decided to do something about it. I have these note cards with each students name on them and now I use them in discussion. So I tell the students beforehand that I will be using the cards and whomevers name comes up needs to answer the question. At first I really didn’t like this idea. I don’t like calling on kids who don’t want to be called on because it makes me uncomfortable. I think that some students really don’t like the attention or pressure of answering questions in front of the class. But I got over that and used the note cards. It actually went well. It was really nice to hear other students opinions, thoughts, and ideas. I believe class and discussions get boring when there dominated by a few voices. So I think I might keep doing the note card thing. It makes students responsible for the material we are covering and it keeps them on their toes.But to get here I had to realize that it’s not about me and what makes me uncomfortable, it’s about the students.

This week I also took the students to the library to pick out free choice novels and it was crazy. Some kids we here and others were there. It was pretty hard to manage them in the library. So if your’e planning to go to the library be prepared. I think the students thought it was like a field trip.

Well that’s what I got for this week. Hope everyone is well.

Best,

Sara

Well, during class and in our readings we (me & the students) come upon many interesting topics. So sometimes something from my past comes to me related to the topic and I tell a funny little story. I think this is a good idea. I believe it lets the kids get to know me and allows for some fun. The only drawback is is that all the students then want to tell a story about a time when….. fill in the blank it can be about anything. So this is not really a problem because I let a couple people tell a short story and then get the students back on track. I just think it’s funny.

Also this week I had a parent come in whose child is not turning in work. The kid is always in class and always a pleasure. So his mom came in to see what was going on. We got everything figured out but she said something interesting. She said that while walking around the school she realized how much help kids have with organization and homework at this school. It’s true all the classes have agendas on the board that tell the students what we are going to do that day. The woman said that in her time no one reminded you to do your homework. I thought it was funny because I think we do remind the students a lot about everything. So it’s nice to hear that parents see it that way because it seems like students still forget no matter what. You start to think am I being clear enough? Anyway, it was interesting.

That’s all the news I have for today. Hope everyone is well.

Sara

Hi everyone,

So I started off the year thinking that the students would just generally like me and listen to what I have to say (I have no idea why I thought this). This, of course, has not turned out to be the case. There are the students in each of my classes who do not stop talking no matter what, it is so annoying! So in result I have become Ms. Storrer the hardass and I actually like it. I am surprised by how easy it is for me to be strict with the students. Lately, if students are talking when I am talking I stop and then tell them that this is their warning and from now on I will be keeping them a minute after class. It really works. Students actually start telling each other to be quiet so they don’t have to stay after. I have never actually had to make the students stay after either. The threat seems to be enough to scare them into being quiet. In addition, I have also began to send students to sit in the hall while we play a game if they can not seem to handle it (this has only happened once). Anyway the classes have become more manageable and they don’t seem to completely hate me. I was worried about being really strict but I think that as a new teacher I need to be just so that I can get things done. The other day I asked my mentor teacher if she thought I was being too mean and she said “no way” which was great to hear. Anyway, I get off track and start rambling on this blog so sorry if it isn’t linear. I hope all of you are well.By the way does anyone else count down the days until student teaching is over? I do.

Best,

Sara

Alright, open house was awkward. I felt like a little kid in front of the parents. Just when I became semi-comfortable in front of the kids their parents show up. Nothing horrible happened but I really wasn’t comfortable speaking to parents. Luckily, my mentor teacher did most of the talking. On another note, I was surprised by meager showing of parents/guardians at the event. There were about 3-4 parents in each class. I was surprised. When I was growing up I thought everyone went to open house-me and my mom always did. On a more positive note the parents that were there seemed genuinely interested in what their student would be doing that year. I think, as I’m sure you all do, that parent involvement is crucial to student academic success. Another important occurrence this week was my supervisor(Cheryl) visiting. I was nervous for her visit because she is the one who judges if I get my license or not. Talk about high stakes. Anyway, things went fantastic! I told the students the day before that she would becoming and they all behaved well(which they usually do). Anyway 1 visit down 4 to go. Okay well that’s all I have to say. I really hope everyone else is surviving and doing well. Only 2 1/2 more months until graduation!!!

Best,

Sara

Hello budding teachers! I am excited to have made it through the first “real” week of school. This week I found that the mood of my students and classes changes everyday. Somedays I feel that class has gone really well and then conclude that I have gotten through to them. But I have learned that this is not the case. It seems that each day I am starting back at square one with the students. I have learned that you have to take teaching day by day. For me, some days are “good” and some days are “bad.” I guess this keeps it interesting. I do feel that as I get to know my students better this phenomenon may subside. Has anyone else noticed this?

Best,

Sara aka Ms. Storrer