This week, I conquered three fifths of the day. (Like my math, there?) It has really been a time for me to learn about myself, my teaching techniques and other stuff. There are some really hard days and in all honesty, I just want to go to bed. There are things that I really don't want to do.
My biggest issue is still classroom management. There are so many mixed models out there. For example, when the teacher is teaching and a few students start chattering the teacher has two options. 1. They stop their teaching and ask the students if they would like to share with the whole class what is more important than the subject they are learning. 2. They continue teaching hoping that the students will realize that they really need to pay attention. I get very frustrated, not at their chatter, but at the million questions after, "what do we do,again?" "Wait, I don't get it." "Can you help me?" It's instances like this where I take advantage and say well, this is why it is so important not to talk during the lesson and pay attention. Then I get the infamous, "I wasn't talking. It was my neighbor." Then the whole conversation loses purpose because you get into a different subject. The students need to learn how and when to be quiet and how and when they can be loud.
The curriculum is not too bad for the school district. However, it keeps changing. I'm in the middle of a geometry unit and the new pacing guide tells me that I should be teaching multiplication. The problem is that the students have monthly math assessments that are made up by the entire team the district. Stuff that we should be covering in class. Well half way through the unit, it is tough to just change things around.
The student I talked about last week had lunch suspension for 3 days and he had a couple of meltdowns in class. We decided to form an alliance in efforts to help this guy out. The school Dean, Social Worker, Homeroom Teacher, P.E. Teacher, last year's Homeroom Teacher and myself all joined efforts to find ways to keep him motivated and on task. I think we came up with a couple great ideas. I cannot wait to implement them! :)
Schmidt
In the chapter entitled, "Teachers can Speak Tongues," I really wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. As I started reading, I realized it had to do with parent communication. I really learned a lot of things I didn't know before. Having experiences that vary from summer camps to administration I thought I had an advantage to communicate with parents. Thankfully this chapter shed some light on the situation. Standard 8 states, "The competent teacher builds and maintains collaborative relationships to foster cognitive, linguistic, physical, and social and emotional development. This teacher works as a team member with professional colleagues, students, parents or guardians, and community members." This is exactly what Schmidt talks about in her chapter. She notes that parents and teachers are commonly ships sailing at night; we pass one another awkwardly and don't know how to interact. It's all about being enlightened. Each brief encounter we have with a parent allows us to see a bit more into the life of the child. "Parents quickly discover that by talking to the teacher they get a more accurate picture of their child at school and what they can do to encourage learning." Basically, it's a two way street. We want to learn about the student, but we also want to share. Share the student's growth and knowledge, not just the negative stuff.
After this chapter, I think about the stuff we send home, how to make it look, how to think like a parent. The list of the 10 essential notes on effective communication stood out to me the most. Parent teacher-conferences are in November and we've had quite a interactions with parents already.. It will sure be exciting! I now know that I need to be more blunt and to the point with the parents and not beat around the bush. I cannot be afraid to contact them but I also cannot bash their child for their behavior.
You raise many good points in your reflection. On top of the list is classroom management. Remember, Jackie, you are not teaching math, you are teaching students math. Do you see the different emphasis? Classroom management comes first! There are more than two options to inappropriate behavior. Other options are:
ReplyDelete1. Tell the whole class that you are waiting to go on with the lesson when everyone is quiet. Then wait.
2. While instructing, just walk over to the desk where the chatter is coming from and touch their desk, frown at them, motion for them to be quiet by putting your finger to your lips.
3. Tell the whole class, who is behaving properly..."I like the way this group is listening." "This group is ready for instruction."
4. Go over proper behavior before the lesson begins..."Learning math (reading, social studies, etc) is easy as a,b,c
a. Mouth closed
b. Eyes on me
3. Hands quiet
Remember you can have the best lesson but if no one is paying attention you might as well be teaching the classroom wall.
Next is your reading of Schmidt: A word to the wise....
When you talk to the parents, remember to give at least 2 positive behaviors to every negative one. First, the parents you really want to talk to probably won't show up. They already know their child needs help and behaves inappropriately. They are discouraged and upset.
So praise those who come. Tell them that you are a team with them, etc.
Then speak to them about their student only in behavioral terms leaving out any judgement. Give behavioral examples: "here is his math test" or
"when I was instructing, George was throwing his pencil at Judy."
See what I mean?
Of course, you are tired. Teaching takes a great deal out of someone. You are doing a great job and your reflection denotes the thinking of someone who is really working to develop their craft. Thank you! You will become a great teacher as you work at teaching students subjects.
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteI love the ideas that Mrs. Greene gave you about classroom management. First and foremost you need to remember that managing well is over 1/2 the work of impacting student learning. So make it a goal this week to work on that. Being prepared with lessons will also help you manage well.
You captured great thoughts from Schmidt. Communicating well with parents is key to having a strong relationships. Being positive about working together for the betterment of the child will help this relationship.
Stay on top of staying well. Get good rest. Teaching isn't easy at all. It's too bad that teachers make it look easy because that is the furtherest thing from the truth.
I hope your week goes well.