Wow, this level II teaching experience is flying by so fast, it doesn't feel like I have been in my class for three weeks already but I suppose time flies when you're having fun. The experience has been an eye-opener on many levels and I am so thankful for my coordinating teacher, she has been so helpful and her willingness to let me take over the class is awesome.
Although I have only been in class six times with the students I have already been able to create and develop a relationship with the majority of students, that is to say I have made a effort to engage in conversation with each and every one of them. Whether or not I am making a lasting impact on every student I do feel like that I have with a few. With those that I have they are always the first to say hi to me when they walk in class and I can attribute that to the fact that the role was switched during my first week. Taking the extra time to know all the students' names and say hello when they first walk into class really does a lot for that delicate student-teacher relationship.
What I have enjoyed this week was my position in the class. I was able to see the interaction between the teacher and the students when it came to punishment for breaking the class's rules. Slowly but surely I am developing my own way of dealing with student behavior that isn't positive toward class function. Not to say that the way my teacher handles students is wrong but I glad that I am forming my own methods of teaching, instruction, and classroom management.
One of my greatest joys this week was an interaction that I had with a student who would be labeled as a trouble student. Instead of going in with the expectation that he/she was going to be troublesome I envolved him/her as much as I could, as he/she gets very bored in class. When I give him/her positive attention, which is really what most 'trouble students' want he/she was engaged in the class with the best behavior that I have ever seen him demonstrate.
One of the great things about getting to experience many different classrooms throughout your teacher education program is the chance to see many different teaching styles and methodology. Each school poses new challenges and new advantages --- it's one of the reasons teachers must be good at adaptability!
ReplyDeleteI'd like you to reflect overall about what you've learned about classroom management --- specifically, dealing with student behaviors in a way that establishes yourself as an authority in the classroom, while also seeking to build a strong relationship with that student. Can you write about a specific time you handled a student behavior with a success? What specific tools will you take with you as you venture on to your next field experience?
Looking forward to your final lesson on Tuesday. Also curious as to why the students didn't get their journals turned in this week?