Cody-
It was interesting for me to read your comments about communication and how hard communication between parents, students and teachers can be. Some people say that parents are the hardest part of teaching, but like you said it is learning how to talk with them and explain how their child is doing so that everything is positive and hopefully encourages their involvement. I agree that parents are the ones who should be raising their children, but it does seem like more and more teachers are expected to teach children things that were previously taught at home. Hopefully we will all have more experience with this next semester so that we are better prepared in our own classroom.
Alyson
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reflection 3 response
Amy,
I love how you and your teacher had a 'Diversity Day' for the students! That is such a great way to promote understanding of diversity in the school and really let students ask questions and explore their own prejudices. I'm sure this also let the older and newer ESL students explain their backgrounds and how they have "adapted" and become accustomed to the US.
Alyson
I love how you and your teacher had a 'Diversity Day' for the students! That is such a great way to promote understanding of diversity in the school and really let students ask questions and explore their own prejudices. I'm sure this also let the older and newer ESL students explain their backgrounds and how they have "adapted" and become accustomed to the US.
Alyson
Reflection 4
Emily,
I completely agree with you on assessing that one of the roles a teacher will have to play in the 6th grade classroom is a mentor. 6th grade is so different than high school in that they really look up to you as a teacher and are really relying on you for guidance because they are still in the elementary mode. I also think it was great that you addressed the fact that sometimes teachers have to play contradicting roles. Do you think being a friend to your students but also being the disciplinary figure will be tough for you?
I completely agree with you on assessing that one of the roles a teacher will have to play in the 6th grade classroom is a mentor. 6th grade is so different than high school in that they really look up to you as a teacher and are really relying on you for guidance because they are still in the elementary mode. I also think it was great that you addressed the fact that sometimes teachers have to play contradicting roles. Do you think being a friend to your students but also being the disciplinary figure will be tough for you?
Reflection 3
Rebecca,
I think it's neat how Shawsville tries to find ways for students to release some of their pent up energy on intramural days. However, I think it's kind of weird that they wouldn't want their students to eat their lunches slowly and then not go running around afterwards. I know that a bunch of my students used to complain that their gym time was right after lunch and they always had upset stomachs. I do really like how your school initiated a bullying system by nominating certain students to be leaders to prevent bullying incidents in the future. Do you think being around students who were not completely engaged in their learning will help you with teaching next semester?
I think it's neat how Shawsville tries to find ways for students to release some of their pent up energy on intramural days. However, I think it's kind of weird that they wouldn't want their students to eat their lunches slowly and then not go running around afterwards. I know that a bunch of my students used to complain that their gym time was right after lunch and they always had upset stomachs. I do really like how your school initiated a bullying system by nominating certain students to be leaders to prevent bullying incidents in the future. Do you think being around students who were not completely engaged in their learning will help you with teaching next semester?
Reflection 2
Erica,
I really enjoyed reading this reflection because even though we taught in the same building, I think it is incredible that our classroom setups were so different. I think it would be neat to see 6th grade students working together in a normal science classroom at tables rather than only having that collaboration in the actual science lab. I couldn't help but wondering why the classroom setup would be so different because we did have the desks all aligned in a row facing the front of the classroom. I suppose that 6th grade still needs to have a bit of the same structure that was present in their elementary school and we also had math class and science class taught in the same classroom. Do you think observing in such a discussion-driven classroom will help with your student teaching next semester?
I really enjoyed reading this reflection because even though we taught in the same building, I think it is incredible that our classroom setups were so different. I think it would be neat to see 6th grade students working together in a normal science classroom at tables rather than only having that collaboration in the actual science lab. I couldn't help but wondering why the classroom setup would be so different because we did have the desks all aligned in a row facing the front of the classroom. I suppose that 6th grade still needs to have a bit of the same structure that was present in their elementary school and we also had math class and science class taught in the same classroom. Do you think observing in such a discussion-driven classroom will help with your student teaching next semester?
Reflection 1
Erin,
I really enjoyed reading your first reflection about your experiences in Auburn Middle School. I have an appreciation for that school because I have driven past the row of schools you mention in your paper and I had to smile every time I drove through there because it just seemed somewhat picturesque. Even though the layout of my town from back home is much different than the town in Riner, I feel that I grew up in a similar type of community. My Dad graduated from the same high school I graduated from, went to Virginia Tech, and then moved back to Palmerton to start his career. I thought it was funny that one of the teachers went to school in the same three schools that were there and ended up going back and teaching at Auburn as well. Do you feel that growing up in a more diverse area helps you feel more comfortable teaching in all kinds of environments?
I really enjoyed reading your first reflection about your experiences in Auburn Middle School. I have an appreciation for that school because I have driven past the row of schools you mention in your paper and I had to smile every time I drove through there because it just seemed somewhat picturesque. Even though the layout of my town from back home is much different than the town in Riner, I feel that I grew up in a similar type of community. My Dad graduated from the same high school I graduated from, went to Virginia Tech, and then moved back to Palmerton to start his career. I thought it was funny that one of the teachers went to school in the same three schools that were there and ended up going back and teaching at Auburn as well. Do you feel that growing up in a more diverse area helps you feel more comfortable teaching in all kinds of environments?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Reflection 4
Amy,
I think it's comical that the characteristics of your 6th graders that you call "elementary tendencies" are still seen in the 10th graders at CHS. At the beginning of the year I was grading a test the students had taken and a lot of them didn't check the back of the paper, so only completed half of the test! I was shocked! It goes to show that even when they're one year away from being able to drive they still are too lazy to flip the paper over.
-Cherise
I think it's comical that the characteristics of your 6th graders that you call "elementary tendencies" are still seen in the 10th graders at CHS. At the beginning of the year I was grading a test the students had taken and a lot of them didn't check the back of the paper, so only completed half of the test! I was shocked! It goes to show that even when they're one year away from being able to drive they still are too lazy to flip the paper over.
-Cherise
Reflection 3
Amanda,
I like how in your reflection you referred to team collaborations to discuss student improvement. At the high school level teachers may discuss students with other teachers, but it is usually not cross content. CHS is divided by subject, so there is little partnership among content areas, inhibiting group effort to help struggling students. I also think it is interesting you bring up the students' social lives because that, I've found, is also very important in uncovering why a student is misbehaving or doing poorly on school work. Overall, I'm looking forward to team collaboration when I go to BMS next semester. I think it really helps the students improve their achievement in your class.
-Cherise
I like how in your reflection you referred to team collaborations to discuss student improvement. At the high school level teachers may discuss students with other teachers, but it is usually not cross content. CHS is divided by subject, so there is little partnership among content areas, inhibiting group effort to help struggling students. I also think it is interesting you bring up the students' social lives because that, I've found, is also very important in uncovering why a student is misbehaving or doing poorly on school work. Overall, I'm looking forward to team collaboration when I go to BMS next semester. I think it really helps the students improve their achievement in your class.
-Cherise
Reflection 2
Alyson,
I enjoyed reading your 2nd reflection! It gave me a good idea of what I should expect going into BMS next semester. I think one of my favorite parts of your reflection is that you referred to the students as little high schoolers. I think it's funny because I was intimidated by high schoolers at first, but once in the schools I thought of them as big middle schoolers. HAHA! So I guess we can safely assume that once you pass elementary school, the kids are basically the same, just in different packages. It's a comforting thought.
-Cherise
I enjoyed reading your 2nd reflection! It gave me a good idea of what I should expect going into BMS next semester. I think one of my favorite parts of your reflection is that you referred to the students as little high schoolers. I think it's funny because I was intimidated by high schoolers at first, but once in the schools I thought of them as big middle schoolers. HAHA! So I guess we can safely assume that once you pass elementary school, the kids are basically the same, just in different packages. It's a comforting thought.
-Cherise
Reflection 1
Cody,
I too was expecting more of the university's impact on the demographics of CHS. However, that was not the case. Like BMS, there is a good 50-50 mix of rural to suburb students. The big difference I feel is that there is less parent interaction, which you would get more of with professor's children. The students at CHS are very apathetic and few, unless backed by parents, have collegiate for after graduation. Is there more of a parent involvement at BMS with the closer location to the university?
-Cherise
I too was expecting more of the university's impact on the demographics of CHS. However, that was not the case. Like BMS, there is a good 50-50 mix of rural to suburb students. The big difference I feel is that there is less parent interaction, which you would get more of with professor's children. The students at CHS are very apathetic and few, unless backed by parents, have collegiate for after graduation. Is there more of a parent involvement at BMS with the closer location to the university?
-Cherise
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Reflection 4
Erica,
As you know, I had a very similar field experience to yours. I too am sad it has come to an end. I agree with your comments about what a great cooperating teacher you had, and how her energy and enthusiasm is apparent in everything she does. I think this is a very important aspect of teaching. I have had professors who are clearly not interested in teaching, and it is such a drag having to go to their class, when no one in the whole room wants to be there. On the other hand, I have had professors that are very enthusiastic and passionate about their work, and it helps my attitude about the class. I hope to maintain a high level of energy and enthusiasm throughout my student teaching experience next semester.
As you know, I had a very similar field experience to yours. I too am sad it has come to an end. I agree with your comments about what a great cooperating teacher you had, and how her energy and enthusiasm is apparent in everything she does. I think this is a very important aspect of teaching. I have had professors who are clearly not interested in teaching, and it is such a drag having to go to their class, when no one in the whole room wants to be there. On the other hand, I have had professors that are very enthusiastic and passionate about their work, and it helps my attitude about the class. I hope to maintain a high level of energy and enthusiasm throughout my student teaching experience next semester.
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