It’s Thursday.
As usual, my brain is filled with my teacher reflections of things that have happened this week…funny things my students have said…mistakes I’ve made (and hopefully learned from), and miscellaneous ramblings.
Thankfully, I have this blog to vent to.
Onward…
Upon my return to school this week, one of my students approached me, gently touched my arm, and said, “Is it really you, or is this a hologram?”
I had to laugh. I’ve spent most of October outside of the classroom…immersed in training.
My students have not been impressed, although I plan on wowing them with the fabulous new strategies I’ve learned about.
Oh, who am I kidding. They’re not going to be impressed…at least not until they grow up and go into education or have their own progeny to take care of.
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I found out that the substitute who filled in for me on Friday is the mother of one of the seniors I taught last year. Yes, I know. How could I miss the connection? Well, I never met the mother, and her last name is different from my student’s. She told my students about our connection and what a wonderful teacher I am. 🙂 My students really liked her.
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Kagan structures are time-consuming to teach, but I see lots of benefits. My students are getting more comfortable sharing with one another. They’re validating each others’ ideas and gaining confidence as others validate their own thoughts.
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I observed one of my county’s highly touted reading teachers. He was everything and more.
I took a few pictures of things from his classroom because teaching is all about “stealing” ideas from others. Why reinvent the wheel?
Root Words - Words are written in the center and words that contain the roots (for example, automobile) are written on the flaps surrounding the center with the definitions written under the flaps
Context Clues Posters - Sentences were handed out. Students had to define the word and name the context clues provided in the sentences. They also had to illustrate the definitions!
The teachers at the school post these outside of their classrooms with the names of the books they are reading. These posters are used to promote literacy by setting the example that teachers are reading. I might make these and have the students place them in their own folders...changing the titles as they begin new books.
Another vocabulary activity - Multiple meanings...elementary but fun!
A fun game for a reading station!
Text Structures Group Activity - Blurbs were typed out. Students, after receiving group instruction, had to categorize each blurb. They were allowed to use a handout that was distributed and reviewed during the group instruction.
Station Rotation Poster - This was for a 9th grade reading class!
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I learned a new strategy for getting students to stop talking.
My friend, Barb, used this strategy when she modeled a lesson on fluency.
Barb is a very even-keeled woman. Her students love her.
Her method was simple. She stood and stared at the clock.
Then she explained what she was doing.
She was counting the seconds that students were wasting. Every second wasted would be given back to her after the bell rang.
Oh yes, students would be staying after class.
She wrote the seconds on the board every time she had to stop, and it didn’t take long for my students to catch on.
She gave them an out though. She explained that if the students could keep the time under one minute, they wouldn’t have to stay.
They only accrued 55 seconds (she was quite generous, but she’s a gentle soul).
I used this strategy for my third and fourth period classes.
It worked like a charm.
I didn’t have to raise my voice.
Lesson learned.
By me, that is.
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For every step forward, there seems to be a step backward.
I ate crow during every class today.
It was humbling.
They say it’s good for students to see you apologize after you make a mistake. I’ve heard it said that it makes teachers appear more “human.”
There is absolutely no way I’m going to be confused with a four-legged creature after all of the apologizing I did today.
Sigh.
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This week, I was reminded of how important it is to discover which student is the ringleader of poor behavior and help that student manage his or her behavior. Done properly, other students take notice and more easily fall into line.
It’s not easy though and requires much fortitude.
I am determined.
In other words, I am stubborn.
I’m seeing success, but it’s slow-going. But, I’m sharing my small victories with my fellow newbies. Fortunately, I have the experience of being a mom for almost 20 years, so I know how important it is to discipline children by following through on consequences. Although I may only be a second first-year teacher, I’ve raised my own teenagers. That should make me almost equal to a veteran teacher of 30 or more years. LOL
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One of my small victories…
I only allow my students to drink water in my class…no sugar drinks…no coffee, etc.
One of my students brought in coffee a few days ago.
I gave him a choice the first day…throw the drink away or put it on the back counter to drink after class.
He became very disruptive because he didn’t like his choices.
The next day, the same student returned…another cup of coffee in his hands.
I pointed to the door, and he left, only to return after the tardy bell had rung but minus the drink.
I quietly marked him tardy and proceeded to teach.
Today, this student came into class with his coffee cup (can you believe it?).
Before I could say a word, he asked if he could set the cup on the back counter until the end of class.
I smiled and agreed.
I think he’s learning.
Small victories.
Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: context clues, procedures, teaching, vocabulary | 2 Comments »
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