Reading Response Journals

I decided to end my lead teaching with the whole class reading the same book, The Sign of the Beaver. I created a journal for each student that includes questions and activities to complete after every section we read as a class. Once a week students will respond to prompts in their journals. Six times students will write responses to these prompts asking questions, answering questions, making observations and making predictions about the chapters we have just read. We will read the book aloud each day together. Sometimes I will read the entire text, other times we will read as a group and occasionally we will popcorn read to keep students on top of things. It seems like the perfect way to phase out of this year, as a class. This activity (I hope) will engage and allow everyone to enjoy reading a little more. It has been a challenge of mine engaging students in lessons and grabbing their attention 100% of the time . I really hope that students take ownership over their work during these last few weeks and enjoy the book and my last few weeks, as much as I have enjoyed them this entire year!

Freedom Writers

If you are a teacher or plan on becoming one, I suggest watching or reading Freedom Writers. It is an inspirational movie/book about a group of disadvantaged students take on their social stereotypes through writing and activism. I wish I would have watched this movie awhile ago because it is so moving. Yes, movies can be sensationalized, but after reading and watching the movie it is true the teachers can make a difference in student's lives. My job as a teacher is to give students the opportunity to be successful both in and outside the classroom, it is the students job to take that opportunity and run. Some students will take advantage of the tools you give them, others won't, but those that don't can't be given up on, they need to be challenged and approached in other ways. I'll keep this story in the back of my mind as I continue to grow and learn as a teacher and hopefully I will have success like the real life teacher in the movie. http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

Choral Reading

I had one of my most successful lessons this year this week. Students learned about the different kinds of poetry this week and on this day students had to perform a poem in front of the class using choral reading techniques. I was weary of letting students work in partners of their choosing, but I wanted to allow the students to pick their own partners so that they felt comfortable in front of that class during their presentations. Students worked on their performances for 15 minutes after we talked about choral reading and watched an example on YouTube. Students came to the front of the class and gave great performances! I was impressed with how well the students worked together and I was pleasantly surprised how engaged the students were with their performances. I highly recommend using choral reading as a relationship/fluency building exercise.

It's been awhile...

and I have a lot to write about. I have been '"lead teaching" or teaching and taking on the entire classroom responsibilities for the past 4 weeks. This 4 weeks has been challenging in and outside the classroom. On top of taking on the teaching responsibilities I have also been in search mode for a job.

Where I have been over the past 4 weeks...I traveled to Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado last weekend to test the waters and see if there were any job opportunities out there. It seems there job market is as flourishing as Michigan's and jobs are far and few between. I did however, come in contact with some great people and had a chance to test out my interviewing skills a few times. I think getting in front of principals and school districts is important to landing a teaching job and by getting out to job fairs early, I think you can improve your chances of getting a job. Michigan State does a excellent job preparing you to be a great teacher, but they don't do the best job in preparing you to get a job so that you can be a great teacher.

What I am happy about...I finally feel as though I am on top of my planning and am starting to feel comfortable managing what little time I have to get things done. Being prepared is one of the things a teacher needs to be. It is so important to be prepared a week or two ahead just in case something doesn't work.

What I am disappointed about...I arranged my kids in groups in anticipation for exciting and engaging lessons, instead I ended up with clashing personalities and hurt feelings. It seems the students in my class cannot get along regardless of where I put them in the room. I am disappointed that I had to move the seating arrangement back to rows and I am even more disappointed that my kids couldn't get along. Over the next few weeks I am going to incorporate more team building activities to try and build relationships.

What I am excited about...lead teaching is winding down and I am finally getting a grasp on how I like to teach and I feel that students are enjoying me more as a teacher.

What I still need to work on...Talking!!!! Students continuously jabber and it can be really draining on my lessons and my day. I need to hold students accountable for their behavior, regardless of which student it is and when the behavior took place. I have missed the passed couple Fridays and students that weren't finished with their work for the week were getting off the hook instead of staying in for recess. This past week I was a stickler and made sure everyone that had missing work stayed in.

I will try to continue to post more and more as my responsibilities in the classroom lessen. I have learned a lot this year and am continuing to learn things everyday!

Stay tuned....