Monday January 31st

Today I had my first official teaching assignment. I read a book to the children called “Knuffle Bunny”. This is one of my favorite children’s books so I wanted to share it with the children. There weren’t any behavior problems and I felt confident with the children’s attention. The one thing that was a problem was when I went to dismiss the children they left for free time before I had a chance to dismiss them a few at a time. I asked them who dismissed them and they sat back down and I dismissed them by shirt color. I got to lead the class back from Gym class as well today. It was a great day and I wasn’t even nervous about reading the story- I hope this isn’t a bad thing!

Friday January 28th

Today was another day of just observing. I thought it would be a good idea to take an authoritative role and get the children ready for the hall in their line, and I was thinking Mrs. G. might let me lead them in the hall, but this did not happen. I’m sure if I would have asked she would have let me but the whole focus of the day is the children so it’s hard to find time to communicate with her. I was able to interact with the children and keep them busy while Mrs. G. was taking care of a behavior issue. All the children were sitting at the table ready to make pizza with us and I decided to have them raise their hands to see what toppings they were going to pick. It helped the children get excited and I felt good that I had kept them occupied and out of trouble for those couple minutes. It was a good day that ended with Mrs. G. having me leave early to get my district badge- which lets me get 15% off at Joann fabrics! Awesome! I am looking forward/am nervous for getting to do some teaching because it is starting to get kind of boring.

First day student teaching

Day 1-Thursday, January 27^th

Today was a day I have been very nervous for for a long time now. I was nervous to make a good impression on my cooperating teacher Mrs. G, who is a very nice, helpful and funny woman. She seems to have a lot of knowledge and I am eager for her to share some of this with me! On my first day I think things went well. Most of what I did was observe the class and routine, and get to know the children. I know all their names and some of their quirks or personalities. I have gotten to know a couple of children who need help in certain areas. For example, there was a little girl who would not talk to teachers. She wouldn’t talk to me or Mrs. G, or the music teacher. I see this as an obstacle and a challenge. Mrs. G. said she is often just refusing to be oppositional and defiant. Wow! I got to share a little about myself during morning meeting as each of the children shared a little bit about themselves. At the end of the day I am very tired, but am looking forward to tomorrow!

Student teaching

Thursday I start student teaching.

My thoughts on this are suspended. I was scared out of my mind on Monday when I had to met with my cooperating teacher for the first time.

My boyfriend shared some wisdom with me and I am just going to take the experience as it comes and try to learn as much as I can from it. Another goal is to put forth my maximum effort; because I don't always do this and I need to in order to know if teaching is right for me.

I have to start a daily journal. I think i will post some if not all of my reflections on here.

The class I will be in is a kindergarten classroom in a local school. It takes me about 5 minutes to get there so I am glad of this because of my problems waking up. I have swore to be early every day. I have to be at the school 8am-4pm. This is something I'm scared of too.

The class is in a school which has a grant that lowers class sizes (yay!) but does so because of the poverty in the area. Should be interesting. Also have heard there are a lot of special needs in the class. The teacher also said this is her best behaved class in 20 years. This I have to take with a grain of salt as I'm sure it won't be smooth sailing.

The cooperating teaching is a very nice woman who says she doesn't allow lateness or absence, but said she was willing to work with me on parts of the class I will take over if I am not ready for them. She presented me with a binder of information saying "welcome miss B" on the front. It really did make me feel welcome!