The first day of school is always an interesting day for students. A new start. Seeing friends again. Until recently, I actually never gave any real thought about the teachers' opinions about the first day. Our first official 412 teaching lab was quite an interesting dry run for me today, but I learned somethings that really wouldn't work and other great ideas I can think about including.
As lab preparation, I spent a lot of time preparing and brainstorming creative ideas to get the students involved RIGHT AWAY with my class expectations, procedures, and consequences. Upon entering the classroom, I handed each student a strip of paper with one or two expectations on it. My plan was to have them take turns reading the class expectations, procedures, and consequences to the class instead of me; however, it was a mess and they were all so confused! Well that idea flopped, but at least I know now!
Another technique used was a handout activity that had my classroom expectations, procedures, and consequences listed with words missing. It was an in class activity to fill in the worksheet and then sign at the bottom. I think this was a successful idea.
Finally, the 'trouble' students were really quite a distraction. I really didn't think that I would get so flustered, but I did! I wonder that if I just ignored some minor issues with students, it would be better. I spent so much time waking up students, quieting students, and taking their 'toys' away, that I completely lost my train of thought and therefore lost confidence. We are going to be so prepared for real life after this semester of lab! We are going to think teaching high schoolers is easy compared to these "should-have-been-theater-majors- college-kids!" Alright, I'm just joking about that part, but we do have some good distracters in our teaching labs!
I love your blog Emily! This was well written and the images add a lot to the piece. I agree with you on the students being a distraction. It was a "think on your feet moment" trying to get them to reengage with the class. I think you are making great strides because you can see when some items fail, and then how you can make them better! This first lab was interesting to say the least, but I know with time we will all become much better at this "teaching" thing.
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ReplyDeleteYour blog is awesome! I think that teaching ideas flop sometimes but that is ok! Whats important is that you are tying new things and being innovative. I also think the classroom management will come with time. I found it difficult to dealing with the bad kids. They were really distractive and I got frustrated quickly with the irrelevant questions.
Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteI think its really easy to be hard on ourselves and over critical when we know what should have happened and what really happened. But what's nice about situations like this is that you're the only one that really knew how that exercise should have happened. Being in the class and one of the trouble makers that had their toys taken away I thought you did a really great job keeping your head on straight! I think that if all we get out of this lab is classroom management than were way ahead of the game, and since I know we'll get way more than that we'll definitely be ready! Great Job Emily!
Hi Emily,
DeleteI think you had a great reflection on your first day of school teaching lab. Yeah, an idea flopped but you have others that really jumped out and did well. You came prepared with different attacks and won the fight.
Third time is the charm! After some struggles with technology, I'm glad that I can finally post on your blog! Great reflection! It is evident that you have seen the amount of work that being a great teacher is going to take. I was in the same boat with you not realizing how challening the first day can be! However, as we move forward, it will be great to build on this lab just as teachers build off of their first day!
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection Emily. I want to start by saying that I like your idea of the in-class assignment with filling in the worksheet while going over it is amazing. It is a way to show that your students are really paying attention to what you are trying to tell them.
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