Chapter 2 identifies organization, classroom management, knowing your students, and teaching effectively as survival skills for the first year of teaching. What can you start doing today to prepare for these survival skills? Select at least one skill and provide an example of how you can prepare for this.
Did you know that the sharing of food creates community? If you would like to bring food to class tomorrow bring something you can share with one another. I think I'll bring cheese and crackers. What would you like to bring? Also the room we are in can be cold so I would suggest bringing a sweater, sweatshirt, etc.
Remember to bring your first assignment to class (an object that identifies your philosophy of life). I have added a rubric for this assignment under course tools. Please print this rubric out and bring to class with you tomorrow.
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As a near my graduation in two years, there are several things that I am doing to prepare for the survival skills of my first year of teaching. One of the main things taht I am doing is volunteering my time in a 2nd grade classroom as much as I can. I was fortunate to be placed with a wonderful teacher in my Block 1 class, and she has since welcomed me back into her class as often as I want. By helping her, I am given the opportunity to learn little techniques that can be used to create a fun and successful classroom environment. She has shown me creative ways to file and organize papers, take attendance, maintain a community within her classroom, and different ways to reach all types of learners through her teachings. Aside from working in her classroom, I have found myself becoming more organized at home, creating a place for everything so that I know exactly where I can find it. I also do a lot of researching on the internet to stay on top of the latest information about inclusive classrooms and effective teaching strategies. I feel like you can never be too prepared when you step foot into your classroom on the first day. I enjoy picking teacher's brains about situations (I'm sure Professor Pratt would agree) because I feel some of the best advice on a topic will come from someone who has been through it before.
ReplyDeleteAll four skills are extremely important for survival during the first year of teaching, but for me knowing my students will be on top of that list. How can I possibly be an effective teacher if I don't know or understand their needs and wants as a student? Moreover, students need to know what I as a teacher feel responsible for in their learning process. It is imperative as teachers that we know as much as we can about each member of our classroom. Like I had said in my previous post, I feel a "Get to know you week" would be a great way to start off the school year. This can include using questionaires, games, spotlight students, etc. Without being nosey, I think it is important to have an open relationship between the teacher and parents as well. With the economy in crisis, many families are losing their jobs and struggling to provide. Although not many would want to admit that to a teacher, it could help pin-point any problems that may arise with the student in the classroom. Often, divorces can cause a child to act out in negative ways, and if the teacher was aware what was going on, he/she would be able to address the situation with more background information.
PS: Count me in for bringing a dessert to share! :)
ReplyDeleteI have worked summer camps at the YMCA for a few years and there is nothing worse than a group of kids that are out of control! When they don’t respect you or see you as an authority figure, it makes you want to curl up in a ball and just cry. The biggest thing that I want to learn in my education classes is classroom management. As of right now, I don’t feel like I am aware of the proper way to manage a classroom and make sure that all of the children show respect. As for organization, that too is a very important skill. I had a teacher in seventh grade that was about as unorganized as a person can get. We always started class thirty minutes late and we were always sitting there when she was trying to find materials for us to do labs. Most of the time she would just have us read out loud out of the book while she was looking for the materials. I am currently a therapeutic horseback riding instructor-in-training for an organization called the EEU. I teach children with special needs how to ride a horse and we work on stretching, balance, and building their self confidence. Every night I have at least two lessons and I have to make a lesson plan for each lesson. This is helping me learn how to manage my time and organize all of my thoughts onto paper. It is also helping me learn how to instruct the kids and it also shows me how to be flexible and adapt lessons to fit personal needs. It does take a lot out of me but it is a small step towards my goal and every little bit helps. I am looking forward to getting into a classroom and helping out this fall. I am also looking forward to our little picnic. I will bring some kind of snack!
ReplyDeleteDeveloping as a professional teacher is incredibly intimidating to me even though I have been substitute teaching as well as volunteering in my children’s classrooms. Often I think how am I ever going to develop the skills that these wonderful teachers have? They so often just know what to say and when to say it.
ReplyDeleteBeing a very organized person, from my past as an event planner, I am confident in that area, but classroom management is where I believe my development really needs confidence. Through being a guest teacher I find that getting and keeping the attention of the students has been my biggest feat. First of all, I am not their “real” teacher and have limited time to gain their respect. My newest way of gaining ground is by insisting that I have a seating chart and calling each student by name, it is amazing how children react when you know their name. also, being fortunate enough to work in schools where I know a few of the students, makes a huge difference when they walk in the class and see me, light up and give me a hug. Most of the time the rest of the classes ask questions on how they know me, making them popular that day!! Also, I make a point to have students show me things that normally happen in class and believe me, if someone tries to pull a fast one; others are speedy to speak up.
Being an extremely nice person sometimes it is hard to discipline other people’s children, especially when I think or even know that they are just seeking attention. My piers, friends and family comment on how “tight of a ship” that is run at home and that I would make a wonderful teacher. My children have a routine along with expectations, including cleanliness of personal space, grades and extra activities. If I could just find it in me to treat each child as they were my own and knowing that is the best option for both parties. So again, confidence in this area is where I feel that my training and experience yet to come will benefit my class the most.
What I plan to do at this point is tutoring, learning to motivate each child on an individual level and in turn learning to manage and motivate a large group.
On a different note, I am sad to miss our first class tomorrow. I have not heard back from Professor Pratt, but I have a chance to earn a lot of money tomorrow and after loosing my job, well I hope you understand. Next week I intend on making up for it by bringing a snack and hopefully being able to make up my presentation then. ;--)
Organization is something that I do need to work on. I feel organized enough in my life and schoolwork, and I am really helpful to other people and in projects when we need to organize something. However, if someone were to come into my life and try to find something, they probably wouldn't be able to. I think that if I had more room for files and boxes and drawers in my living space, it could be easier. There are a lot of piles and things shoved under things in my room. I've started binders with resources that I've collected from other classes. I know that I had more.....but I can't remember where they are (bet you saw that one coming!).
ReplyDeleteI have my classroom management plan from last semester, which will help me start out with an idea. I also volunteer in a first grade classroom and plan to do the same next semester, so that I can get more experience with real kids and situations, and also be exposed to new methods of classroom management.
Teaching effectively is so important and it will help classroom management in the process. I have my resources, knowledge and skills from other classes.
I place a very high importance in knowing my students. I want to get to know each child so that I can give them the best instruction and guidance for them. I will do this by being inquisitive and always asking "Why?" Spending the first week or so devoted to getting to know each other will help build community and help everyone get to know and be comfortable with each other. I know that there are going to be "difficult" children but I also know some strategies for how to deal with different types of children. (Deb, if you have that activity, could I please get a copy of it? Thanks!)
I love how we always get to have food in education classes! :) I'll try and go to the store tonight and pick something up for tomorrow morning. How about juice or Hawaiian Punch?
Something that I would like to do to get prepared is volunteer in a school or daycare. I think for me that would be a great learning experience. I want to learn how to get to know my students, what are the best ways, and how to make learning fun. Its a good question I never really thought what skills are needed. I kept on saying I still have time to do certain things but time is going by so fast. I should start real soon.
ReplyDeleteI'll bring something to drink!!
Ok Iris, I got a 2 liter of lemonade and a hawaiian punch. I think there are cups at school already, but I think I have some at my house to bring.
ReplyDeleteI also think that it is very important to have structure in the classroom. I am an organized person but sometimes I tend to let people intimidate me. I need to work on my confidence in front of others. It is going to also be very importamt to have communitcation with parents. Right now, I am a 6th grade cheer coach. It may sound funny, but I have really broadened my horizons just with that. There are many times that I have to deal with parents adn other times when I have to "disapline" the girls. I believe that the key to respect is to also respect the children. This is one way that helps me to get involved with a school while I am getting my education.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I am doing to prepared for survival skills is volunteer teaching. At my church I teach a class for Vacation Bible School. It is a blast! I have to prepare and get materials for each day of Vacation Bible School. I have to make lesson plans to go along with the days theme/idea. Finally I get to watch kids transform from being shy and not talking to me in the beginning of the week to being my best friends at the end. I am also a substitute teacher for Religious Education. With being a substitute I am give some notice or I am given no notice at all. I still have to gather materials and lesson plans. Sometimes I have 15 mins. to do so! These experiences have taught me, that teaching is tough work but in the end it is worth every minute! I also have two Elementary school teachers in my families. They are my cousins but since I am an only child they are my brothers and sisters. I go to them with all of my questions and they give me all the answers and advice I need. I am grateful to have such a great family and resources!
ReplyDeleteI will bring something too!!
ReplyDeleteOrganization is something that I definitely need to work on. I feel like I am organized enough then when I need something specific I can not find it. I am very helpful to others though when it comes to projects and needing to be organized. However, if u lived with me you would have a hard time finding things because I randomly put them where I think I’ll remember. I started to buy more binders and folders to become more organized but I can help myself and others by just having specific areas for specific things instead of everything just scattered. I could also be more prepared by organizing my paperwork for school and my personal papers. When I start teaching I that is defiantly something that I need to be, organized!
ReplyDeleteTeaching effectively is also very important. It helps with classroom management in the process. I have gained my knowledge and skills from working in a daycare for two years.
It was and still is very important to me to know each child individually. It helps make the child feel more comfortable and have a better understanding of the child. If the child is comfortable a lot can be accomplished.
I really could benefit from working on my organizational skills. I have always been slightly organized, and would love to reach the next level. I think that planning ahead and being organized can definately help maximize the classroom time. I have been talking to a few friends that are teachers and they recommend making lesson plans that are flexible to change if needed, and making notes in my plans for the following years. I really am looking forward to volunteering in a classroom. I think that will be a huge help in getting tips on keeping everyone on track and how to handle situations that come up in the classroom. In the movie, the new teacher mentions asking other teachers for advice, and I think that is a great resource. I remember the names of almost all of my elementary teachers and I hope to leave the same positive impression.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I will bring some sort of snack too!
Organization is something that I definitely will not have to work on. I believe sometimes that I live my life overly organized. Lessons plans will not be a problem for me. At the beginning of the week of every week, I plan out what I have to get done and what my plans will be for everyday and night of that week to make sure that I get everything that needs to get done accomplished. Crazy I know ha ha. Making lesson plans for the week should be somewhat easy for me since I have had some sort of similar experience.
ReplyDeleteThe experience of substitute teaching and volunteer teaching is something I have unfortunately not had the oppurtunity to do yet. However, I have 17 little cousins in my family between the ages 1-10 so I feel as if I get a lot of experience with children management. I know baby sitting is nothing like managing a classroom, but knowing that I have at least had the experience of being around so many children will help me in the future.
Substitute teaching is something that I will definitely love to take part in sometime in the near future to better help my classroom management skills.
Amy H.,
ReplyDeleteI did respond to your email on Wednesday, May 13th. Here is a copy of the email that I sent.
Amy,
The decision is yours to miss class on Friday the 15th. In the syllabus I have the following policy concerning attendance.
Policies and Procedures:
Assignments:All assignments must be turned in during class on Fridays. Late assignments are not accepted. If you are absent and an assignment is due it is your responsibility that the assignment be turned in the following week.
Attendance: Since this is a hybrid course it is imperative that you are in class every Friday. Failure to attend class will adversely affect your learning. Please be punctual. Arriving late and leaving early is considered unprofessional. In order to learn and process information you must be in class. Participation points will be given for your attendance in class.
A-Absence
0-1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A
25 points 15 points 5 points 0 points
You can see from the policy that you will still recieve full points if you miss one class session however you will not be able to do the 1st assignment and will lose earning the points.
Prof. Pratt
Thank you.. for some reason I did not receive that email.. Looking forward to meeting you on Friday!!
ReplyDelete