Yesterday was pretty good as far as the Field Experience. We did run into a couple of problems. The canvas that we were supposed to use for the project did not come in. So, instead we are using thick paper to melt the crayons on. I did a sample just to make sure it would work and it did. I was pleased with the results of the sample so I think the student’s projects will turn out good as well.

I was interested to see how the class would do without a lecture to hold their attention. Moving into a project means working independently and having to keep yourself focused on the task at hand. I gave directions to the class and then let them work quietly. I walked around and answered questions as well as assisted them with different things.

I personally felt that it was a good day, although my cooperating teacher did not seem to think so. She found the class to be noisy and unproductive. That is one area that we differ greatly. I am not bothered by students talking quietly to each other whereas she likes for the room to be completely silent. Neither is necessarily the right or wrong way to do things, it is just a difference in preference.

Today I will be observed again. Hopefully the few things that threw us off yesterday will not be a problem today since we found a solution. I will check in tomorrow. Bye!

Hey guys! I want to update you on last week’s Field Experience.

I went in thinking I was going to get to finish part two of my Crayon Art Lesson. However, I had to wait because the supplies we ordered were not yet in. So, instead I was able to start another lesson about Photography with a small group. We talked about the elements and principles of art as well as some photography techniques.

The first day we walked around the school and just tried to get familiar with the cameras. I explained to them how important it is for a photographer to pay attention to things that most people do not notice; to find beauty in the unexpected. We also discussed at looking at things in another perspective; farther away, closer, above, below, upside down. I wanted them to learn to find the most interesting way to present their subject.

The two days we focused on the actual project. We looked inside and outside the school for objects that took the form of letters of the alphabet. It was pretty difficult, but they did a really good job of finding letters.

This week I do not know what to expect, but I am glad that everything is going well so far. Only three more weeks ahead and they are going by fast! I keep you posted!

As you can see I am a little late posting my reflection of my last day of week 2. One thing about the Field Experience is that it keeps you very busy and it can be kind of tiring. So, today I want to tell you about my third day of last week.

I was not nervous my last day of last week. I think it was due to the fact that I had already had my observation done the previous day, and I was more comfortable with how I wanted to present my information. I had a good time in front of the students. Something that I absolutely love about working with the children is the fact that they are so curious. They love asking questions and getting more details. This makes me feel that I have done a good job in selecting and presenting my topic because they are interested and want to know more.

This week I hope to accomplish just as much and even more than I did last week. Wish me luck!

Nerves. That was all I was feeling at the beginning of my observation today. I’m not really sure why I was so nervous but I could not stop thinking about every little thing. Despite that, I am pretty happy with how things turned out. I improved a little from yesterday and had the opportunity to add a few new points here and there. I also think that my Teacher Cadet instructor was pleased with my performance. I’m sure that there are some things that I need to work on and I think we will be discussing those things soon. I’m glad that my first observation is over though because now I know what to expect for next time.

One more day to go this week. Update you then!

So, today was my first day teaching my class. I have to admit that I was not very excited because I did not get much sleep last night. I felt so tired and I was worried that I would not have enough energy when I got up to teach. However, I did pretty good considering it was my first time up there.

I was also worried about if the kids would hate my lesson. The reason this concerned me was because I have a two part lesson. One part (today) would be going over elements and principles of art, non-objective art, and safety rules for part two (the actual “fun” part of the lesson).

As soon as I passed out the handouts one student was moaning to himself that it was going to be boring. That made me feel a little worried. But by the end he was very excited about the project and was engaging in the discussion. That made me feel better.

One thing I really liked about it was that all of the kids seemed just as excited about it as me. They were asking questions and getting involved in what we were doing. They seemed more excited this week when I told them I would be back next week. Last week, of course, they did not really get to talk to me so they really did not care if I came back or not. But when I waved goodbye to them today  they all smiled and said goodbye and that that they would see me next week. It was very rewarding to see the kids enthusiastic about the project.

Tomorrow I will do the same lesson with another class. My Teacher Cadet instructor will be there to observe me. I am kind of nervous but I think I will do okay.

I will fill you in again tomorrow! Bye!

Today I spent time getting ready for the lesson I will be teaching this week. I think preparing for the lesson is a lot harder than actually teaching it. There is so much research that goes into it. You also have to be very creative in figuring out how to present the material in a way that the students will get the most out of it.

I also try to plan my lessons for each type of learner.

Auditory Learners- I lecture and involve the class in discussion.

Visual Learners- I use pictures, posters, demonstrations, and handouts.

Read/Write Learners- I use handouts and review sheets.

Kinesthetic Learners- I use interactive demonstrations as well as hands on projects.

Even though it is a lot of work, I enjoy creating the lessons and have just as much fun teaching them. I am excited about this week’s lesson and I cannot wait to fill you in about it tomorrow!

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. You just posted this morning! Well, our Teacher Cadet teacher is out today and we are in the library. Our substitute said that we should work on our blogs. Of course, I already did this morning when I had some free time in first period.

So I guess I can use this post to tell a little more about myself.

One thing I have been thinking a lot about lately is movies. I just got off a 31 day fast from television, movies, youtube, and any video type material. Something that most people know about me is that I love movies and t.v. It is just one of those things that interests me.

Some of my favorite movies are

1) Stand By Me

2) Dream a Little Dream

3) It’s Kind of a Funny Story

4) the Lost Boys

5) the Breakfast Club

…just to name a few…

Well, I think I’ll go now and read some other blogs! See ya!

So today is Friday! It is the end of my first week of the Field Experience and I have to say I think it went pretty well. I learned a lot and had a good time just observing.

Yesterday was my third day in the classroom. It was a little different than the first two days. This class talked more than the other two classes. They were about the same size as the class I had on Wednesday.

The major difference was the amount of disruptions. I will say that comparing it to one of my normal high school classes, the disruptions (for me anyways) were not distracting or frustrating at all. There was one student who would complain and talk when the teacher told him to stop and another who kept gesturing across the room. Other than those two, the class was pretty peaceful aside from some whispering.

Things I Noticed About My Cooperating Teacher

1. For her, a successful class period is when the students are completely silent

2. She gives verbal warnings and corrections

3. When correcting a student she then addresses the whole class on proper conduct

4. When verbally praising a student she uses them as an example for the other students to recognize

After many verbal corrections during the time I was there, the students were quiet for the rest of the class. Along with observing I also assisted my cooperating teacher by making a poster.

I cannot wait for next week because I want to interact more with the students. So I guess I will update next week!

Hello everyone! I am sorry that I did not post yesterday. I really wanted to being my first day of the Field Experience and all but I was very busy. So I am excited to tell you about how my first two days went.

I found out that I would be with the Elementary School’s art class. I was happy to hear that because it was my first choice. One thing about the art program at the elementary school is that everyday there will be a different class. This means that I will have three different classes to work with. This makes me happy but a little worried to because I have so many names to learn! However, I think I will do okay.

Yesterday I met my first class. They were pretty small having only thirteen students in all. At the beginning of class my cooperating teacher introduced me and I said hello. Then I sat down and took a few notes on what was going on (what they were doing, procedures, classroom arrangement, etc). After watching and taking notes for a while I went around the classroom and said hello to the students individually and asked them their names. I made sure to write them down so I could remember them and put names with faces. Then I went back to my seat and observed the end of class procedures (cleaning, lining up, exiting the room, etc). When the students left I took a few minutes to ask my cooperating teacher questions about the class, certain students, her thoughts, and what I should expect in the upcoming weeks. The last thing I did was meet the principal. My cooperating teacher took me to her office and we talked for a few minutes. I introduced myself and told her that I was looking forward to my experience in the classroom. She seemed happy to have me there as well as the other Teacher Cadets.

Today was very much like yesterday because I had a different class. The procedures, of course, were the same. However, I had a whole new group of students to introduce myself to. This class consisted of twenty one students. That is a lot compared to the small class I will have on Tuesdays. I think this will be an advantage to me though to see how different sized classes work. I, once again, went around and said hello to all of the students and wrote down their names. I also helped one of the students with some supplies she was having trouble with. I was happy to have done something helpful.

Tomorrow I will have to meet a whole new class. Then I will begin forming some ideas for lessons. My cooperating teacher already wants me to start teaching within the next couple of weeks. I do not mind because I am excited and know what I want to teach. Of course she has already approved the idea and now all we have to do is get some supplies.

A few things that I noticed these past two days are:

1. Both classes were mostly quiet (quieter than I am used to, my cooperating teacher said they are usually quieter, though)

2. All the students know exactly what to do when it comes to classroom procedures

3. Each student learns differently (some knew what to do after having directions explained to them once, while others needed to be told how to do something many times)

4. The teacher goes around and assists, demonstrates, gives advice, and offers more efficient techniques for the students to use.

5. The classes were very orderly (minimal disruptions, outbursts, etc)

Hopefully tomorrow will be just as great as these first two days have been. I have really had a good time so far. I will update tomorrow to round out the week. See ya!

Next week is the beginning of our Teacher Cadet Field Experience. I have my cooperating teacher on board and I’m pretty excited about getting started. Today we wrote Introductory Letters to the teachers we will be working with. I will be in an art class so I am happy I will be able to focus on some of my strengths. Most of my classmates do not seem very excited about getting started but maybe when they get into the classrooms they will feel differently. I sure hope so! I am anticipating a fun time and I hope they get to experience that as well.

The bell is about to ring and I just wanted to give you a little update on what was going on. So, I will post again sometime soon to let you know how the Field Experience goes! Bye!