The Last One.

Through out the course of the semester in this class I have learned a lot. And it has all been helpful. I adored getting to go and do fieldwork right-off-the-bat and really enjoyed making those connections and having to put myself directly into the world of teaching. I learned so much by simply watching how the classroom dynamic works and by observing how different teachers teach and treat their classes and how different and individual students learn and how they are effected by the way that the classroom works. I have gotten such a new insight into this career and while it may scare other people off and away from teaching, everything that I have done and learned so far in this class has just made me that much more excited and prepared for the day when I finally get to have my own classroom and my own students! I have learned so much and all the knowledge that I have gained has been important and needed. Everything from laws to the way that people learn, to how to manage a classroom...and while all these things are well and good, I don't think that they are the most important thing that I have learned.

I think that the most important thing that I have learned so far and the thing that I think resonates with me the most that I hope to carry with me throughout the rest of my career is this: to enjoy it. Have fun and stay positive even when it has been a long, hard day. I'm not saying the most important thing is to be as perky and happy as Pharrell all the time, but you know what I mean. One thing that I really noticed was how much the teachers' attitude really influenced the overall tone and mood of the classroom and the students. When the teacher seemed to be off, or having a bad day or something, the class just seemed to misbehave more and to talk smack to the teacher, and the overall, "because I'm happy" feeling just seemed to disappear, but everything seemed opposite when the teacher was in a good mood or when she was smiling (even if she was putting on a brave face). When you could really see that the teacher genuinely loved what she was doing it just made everything seem so much better...even if there was the kid who wouldn't sit in his seat or the one that kept eating his paper or the girl who kept messing up her desk. Each teacher that I had the opportunity to work with told me that the most important thing was to just try and stay positive and to look for the good that the class was doing and simply just enjoy your job, because you'll be doing it the rest of your life most likely. I know that this post sounds a little touchy-feely and cliche, and maybe it seems a little over-the-top and dramatic, but hey, I honestly do feel that the most important thing that I learned was a love of the job.

                                                           

P.S. just a little side note/thought...Thank you Professor Leonard for teaching all that you did and for being so patient with me when I turned things in late! I most definitely am pursuing this career, and I am so glad that I chose it!

                                                                                       

Rules Are Rules.

The classes that I have observed have both been very well-behaved, so I have not seen a whole lot of rule bending or breaking or punishment for such actions. But I have noticed that the classroom rules in both classes have been very similar and had a very common theme. Which I guess you could say could be expected. Here are the main rules that I have noticed in both classes:

1. Keep your hands to yourself.
2. Respect other students' property.
3. No talking when the teacher or another student is talking.
4. No tattle-tales.
5. Be a friend and treat others how you would want them to treat you.
6. and the classic, be on time and ready to learn!

I think that these rules and similar ones are a pretty common theme in most classrooms and schools. I haven't seen a lot of rule breakers or punishments, but usually punishments that I have seen are things like, skipping a recess, having to do schoolwork instead of having free time, not getting to clip up at the end of the day, or having to get something taken away...and there is always the looming, "I'll have to call your parents if you do that again, and you don't want that do you?". But like I said, both classes have been really well behaved (at least when I'm there) so, I guess I just lucked out with that one.

Actively Engaged?

Through out my observations, I have seen the teacher do several different things to keep her class engaged in active learner. But here are a few of my favorites.

• Scavenger hunt! I thought this I idea was just fun and creative. Having the kids work in pairs or small groups to find answers to clues in order to solve a mystery or find the treasure! It keeps the kids involved in learning, but it makes it fun. The kids loved this!
• Songs! It could be a song to help them learn the 50 states, or a song to help them memorize a poem or a story. I have seen both, and the kids seem to enjoy it too. I've seen a few littles running around by themselves singing the little tunes even long after the class had practiced.
• Races! I've seen this technique a lot. Having the kids work either in their tables or in small teams, it keeps them learning all while they are trying to beat the other teams. It seems like the kids enjoy this one too. Its all about keeping them learning while making the learning fun!

These three techniques are my personal favorites (maybe that stems from my elementary school years), and from what I have observed in the classroom, the teachers and the students seem to love them too!

Difficult Importance

Well, I would have to say that there are two things that I think are equally difficult and important that teachers need to do. First, trying to meet the needs of the whole class and the individual students at the same time. I am not a teacher yet, but it's not hard to imagine that a teacher (or anyone for that matter) would want every individual student to succeed in class. This brings me to my next point, which admittedly may be a little sappy or mushy or sensitive, but personally I think that this is one of the most crucial things a teacher can do. So what is it? Teaching children to believe in themselves. I think we live in a world that increasingly places pressure on people to conform and mold themselves so as to fit into a certain ideal or image. I think that it is important for teachers to teach children that individuality is important and that it's okay to be different from other people. I think that children need to be taught that they can be whoever they want to be, that they can accomplish great things and do whatever they put their minds to. I believe that we live in a world where a lack of belief in one's self is ever increasing, and I think that as teachers teaching belief and confidence in their students can be one of the most difficult and challenging and incredibly important things they can do.

Things I've Done..

For the most part I have mainly just been doing observations. But hey, don't knock it, there is A LOT you can learn from just watching people. However, when I haven't been doing observations, I have helped out with little responsibilities here and there.

One of the first things that I ever did was grade some math and spelling pretests. The teacher told me not the be scared away because of how bad they were. I wasn't, but they were pretty awful. But I had confidence in this first year teacher's responsibilities. I have also done quite a bit of reading with students one-on-one. I have learned how to help them when they get stuck, and I've learned to love their individual reading voices. I just can't even handle it sometimes. They are hilarious.

Mostly I just do simple prep around the classroom. Things like: sharpening pencils, getting materials ready for crafts, setting out assignments, putting papers in cubbies, setting up stations for activities, and mainly just helping the teacher and class out with little things here and there.

Helpful Things.

So, throughout the course of the semester so far and through do my fieldwork, I have learned a lot of helpful little tips and tricks and rules of thumb from not only the class, but most specifically from other teachers. I have learned about little things to do inside the classroom, and things that are fantastic resources for teachers. Here is a little list of a few of the little things I've learned.

Inside the classroom:

• Write a small list of the the things that students need to be doing during quiet times of work and study. It helps to stay on track and on top of work because they can visually see what they need to work on, and they can mentally check off the list.
• Use fun little phrases to get the classes attention (ex. "1, 2, 3 eyes on me.."). My personal favorite is, "ready to rock"..."ready to roll". 
• At the end of the day, after the kids clean up, pack up and stack up, have a little competition for the "magic piece"...it gets them to clean up and it makes it fun.
• Create separate and small reading groups, this helps students who are not only struggling but it allows kids who are on different levels of reading to learn with kids on the same level. It goes back to the idea of the "increasing 'staircase' of complexity" that we talked about in class.

Resources for teachers:

• www.uen.org - great for looking at the curriculum and getting lesson plan ideas.
• www.teacherspayteachers.com - great for finding fun little lesson plans and ideas and a great resource for finding classroom supplies like signs, posters, boarders, pictures, etc.
• My favorite, PINTEREST! Great place to go for lesson ideas, classroom ideas, projects and crafts, and parties! 
• Craft stores like Michael's and  Hobby Lobby--great places for arts and crafts or different kinds of projects.
• Map World, which is actually is a large teacher supply store. I never would have thought of going there, but it actually is pretty fantastic.

All these little things I have learned have been really helpful and have made me that much more excited to become a teacher! I hope that it helps any future teachers and existing teachers out there! 

The biggest thing that I have learned so far that you just have to enjoy what you're doing and have fun, even when it gets hard and stressful. 

NO. 2 - One-On-One's and Goodbyes.

Through out the past two weeks, I have grown very fond of these cute little second graders that I have been with. They have definitely become some new little friends and I can't wait until I can go back and visit them one day!

Mainly I observed the class and Miss Watson, while I would walk around and help students with assignments and activities and answering any little questions they may have. But, every once and while, Miss Watson would have me go and do some little one-on-one reading sessions with students. I really enjoyed it! I loved being able to help teach her adorable little students, even in the smallest ways. And they liked it too!

While they read to me their books, I helped them sound out, pronounce and learn new words. When they got stuck, we used different reading techniques like chunky monkey (recognizing familiar chunks of letters and sounds to make sense of a word or phrase) and stretchy snake (sounding out individual letters and putting them together to make words). I helped them cross of their reading charts by seeing how fast they could read a list of words with out making any mistakes. That was always fun! I helped some students with expression while they read, because while they were super smart and fluent, they lacked some personality and enthusiasm in their reading. As I was helping them with their reading, I could pick out the students who were most likely auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. Auditory learners would often choose the stretchy snake technique while visual learners would choose chunky monkey. Kinesthetic learners would use their fingers to follow along while they read.

I really enjoyed the time that I spent with these littles. So on my last day I took them all a little treat and valentine, and left those little second graders for the last time. Not gonna lie, it was a little heartbreaking. However I was lifted up a bit by one little girl drawing me a picture, and by my favorite little boy (I know bad of me to have favorites -- I loved all of them though) giving me a massive bear hug and asking if he could please, please, please take me home with him. Haha. I am going to miss those little second graders so much! It's a good thing I'm friends with Miss Watson so I can go visit them often!