Observations:
This week I've observed how awesome of a staff OPES has. On Friday mornings there is a morning meeting held in the center of the school that everyone goes to. The principal basically runs the announcements here and gives out special awards. The principal and vice principal are on the kids' level the whole time and make this time so fun. They put on relatable music and dance along with the kids and know every student's name that they come in contact with. The principal had to walk in my classroom on Friday and she knew all the students' names and things about them. I think the personal relationships that she develops with her kids makes the biggest difference.
Learning Experiences:
I learned how to discipline my classroom this week. I've never had a problem with correcting a student's behavior but I've never been in the position of teaching to the entire class and needing to get all of them to pay attention again. During my calender on Wednesday I noticed that they were especially chatty and gave out barrel bucks to those who were doing what they were supposed to. The rest of the lesson I was in control and had a perfect class--they desperately want barrel bucks.
Reflections:
Wednesday was my lesson that was observed, and I was a little nervous about it! My class was especially hyper that day (as mentioned above) and it takes a lot of patience to get six kindergartners to read along in a book with no words. It went well and my kids made me proud! I think I have the smartest group of kindergartners, I'm serious.
Stories to Share:
For Earth Day, one of the boys in my class had his mom come speak to all of the kindergarten classes about preserving energy and cleaning up the Earth. It was a fun demonstration and then he got to tell our class about how he planted an apple seed hoping that it will turn into an apple tree. He was so proud and I thought it was adorable.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
4/21 Blog
Observations:
This week I observed how important routines are at this age. I have gotten in my routine and know my job in the classroom but the kids have their specific way of doing everything and when to do it. This routine helps keep the classroom in order and takes care of a lot of behavorial issues. There is not much time for the students to talk or get in trouble with the schedule that they have. At this age, they are so stuck in their ways and change is hard for them to adapt to.
Learning Observations:
We have really been focusing on the beginning, middle, and end of stories during literacy stations. The reading level is to the point that most kids can read all of the words in their books, but are focusing so much on getting the words right that they miss what is actually happening in the book. In some literacy stations the students are reading by themselves or are practicing writing sentences with Mrs. Martin. In my literacy station we are trying to grasp what is happening in the stories so we are reading books without words so the kids have to rely on the illustrations.
Reflections:
I have been doing the calender (morning activities) for awhile now, but it is still tough getting the kindergartners to understand that Mrs. Hartline and I are different people and are going to teach differently. Since they are so young, they like their routines and it is taking some getting use to for them to see me teach the exact thing Mrs. Hartline has always taught but in a different way. I enjoy doing the calender and working with the class as a whole. I get a feel for having to keep the attention of all 16 students just like Mrs. Hartline has to do all the time.
Stories to Share:
All of my kids are so cute and it makes me happy everyday when they run to hug me when I leave! I love hearing their stories that they call me over to tell me during snack time or when they are walking from one table to another. I wish I saw more of them outside of school!
This week I observed how important routines are at this age. I have gotten in my routine and know my job in the classroom but the kids have their specific way of doing everything and when to do it. This routine helps keep the classroom in order and takes care of a lot of behavorial issues. There is not much time for the students to talk or get in trouble with the schedule that they have. At this age, they are so stuck in their ways and change is hard for them to adapt to.
Learning Observations:
We have really been focusing on the beginning, middle, and end of stories during literacy stations. The reading level is to the point that most kids can read all of the words in their books, but are focusing so much on getting the words right that they miss what is actually happening in the book. In some literacy stations the students are reading by themselves or are practicing writing sentences with Mrs. Martin. In my literacy station we are trying to grasp what is happening in the stories so we are reading books without words so the kids have to rely on the illustrations.
Reflections:
I have been doing the calender (morning activities) for awhile now, but it is still tough getting the kindergartners to understand that Mrs. Hartline and I are different people and are going to teach differently. Since they are so young, they like their routines and it is taking some getting use to for them to see me teach the exact thing Mrs. Hartline has always taught but in a different way. I enjoy doing the calender and working with the class as a whole. I get a feel for having to keep the attention of all 16 students just like Mrs. Hartline has to do all the time.
Stories to Share:
All of my kids are so cute and it makes me happy everyday when they run to hug me when I leave! I love hearing their stories that they call me over to tell me during snack time or when they are walking from one table to another. I wish I saw more of them outside of school!
Monday, April 15, 2013
4/14 Blog
Observations:
This week I observed how crazy excited my students were to be back from Spring Break and see all of their friends again! I now realize how much harder it is for teachers to come back to school after break compared to students. The students just had to get used to their schedule again and using their inside voices...Mrs. Hartline on the other hand had to prepare a lesson for the day and settle down 16 kindergartners.
Learning Experiences:
The class continued on with the literacy centers that were started before break. Vowels are still being worked with but another focus is actually understanding stories--not just reading the words. These concepts are really hard to grasp, especially since they are still learning words and how to read, so putting everything together is a lot for 5 year olds! To make it a little easier, we are working with books that have only illustrations so that they really have to focus on what is happening during the story.
Reflections:
I have now taken over the calender, which is the majority of the morning activities before instructional period! Between that and the hands on time during literacy stations, I'm teaching the whole time I'm in the classroom. I feel lucky to have gotten the classroom and teachers that I did! Everyone is so paitent with me and I have learned so much since I've been there.
Stories to Share:
Monday was our first day back, which was also the kids first day back! A lot of my kids remembered I went to Italy and asked how it was!! It made my day. I like going on M, W, F weeks because the class shares on Mondays and Fridays and because OPES has morning meetings on Fridays!
This week I observed how crazy excited my students were to be back from Spring Break and see all of their friends again! I now realize how much harder it is for teachers to come back to school after break compared to students. The students just had to get used to their schedule again and using their inside voices...Mrs. Hartline on the other hand had to prepare a lesson for the day and settle down 16 kindergartners.
Learning Experiences:
The class continued on with the literacy centers that were started before break. Vowels are still being worked with but another focus is actually understanding stories--not just reading the words. These concepts are really hard to grasp, especially since they are still learning words and how to read, so putting everything together is a lot for 5 year olds! To make it a little easier, we are working with books that have only illustrations so that they really have to focus on what is happening during the story.
Reflections:
I have now taken over the calender, which is the majority of the morning activities before instructional period! Between that and the hands on time during literacy stations, I'm teaching the whole time I'm in the classroom. I feel lucky to have gotten the classroom and teachers that I did! Everyone is so paitent with me and I have learned so much since I've been there.
Stories to Share:
Monday was our first day back, which was also the kids first day back! A lot of my kids remembered I went to Italy and asked how it was!! It made my day. I like going on M, W, F weeks because the class shares on Mondays and Fridays and because OPES has morning meetings on Fridays!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
4/7 Blog
Observations:
I was only in the classroom for one day this week because I left to go to Italy! I observed that kindergarteners are just as excited about spring break as seniors are, but the reaction is much different. My students were very hyper and talkative this week. Mrs. Hartline dealt with this by separating them for group work, but the groups were very strategic. I've also noticed how much some of the students have been growing in their vocabulary by playing educational games!
Learning Experiences:
We have switched gears into Literacy Stations so the focus is mainly on reading, expanding vocabulary, and noticing patterns. The students have been working on vowels a lot and incorporating them in their writing. In Literacy Stations, there are many small groups and Mrs. Hartline, Mrs. Martin, and myself all are in charge of our own and then some are responsible for themselves. I've definitely been learning the benefit of having multiple teachers in a classroom, especially of this age.
Reflections:
I've been given more responsibility in the classroom and I really like it. The students have started to see me as another teacher rather than just their friend which is a nice change. Working with the kids can be challenging just in the way that you word things and trying to get across what you are thinking but on their level. I love being in a kindergarten class because of their age and also the challenges!
Stories to Share:
Whenever it is time to share all of the kids fight to sit by me and many times they run to give me a hug when I walk in the door! I think they really like me and I look forward to going everyday. Birthdays are my favorite because they get to decorate their own crown to wear for the day and everyone eats their favorite snack. When it is one person's birthday, they all feel the need to tell me how long it is until their next birthday haha I miss being that excited about my mine!
I was only in the classroom for one day this week because I left to go to Italy! I observed that kindergarteners are just as excited about spring break as seniors are, but the reaction is much different. My students were very hyper and talkative this week. Mrs. Hartline dealt with this by separating them for group work, but the groups were very strategic. I've also noticed how much some of the students have been growing in their vocabulary by playing educational games!
Learning Experiences:
We have switched gears into Literacy Stations so the focus is mainly on reading, expanding vocabulary, and noticing patterns. The students have been working on vowels a lot and incorporating them in their writing. In Literacy Stations, there are many small groups and Mrs. Hartline, Mrs. Martin, and myself all are in charge of our own and then some are responsible for themselves. I've definitely been learning the benefit of having multiple teachers in a classroom, especially of this age.
Reflections:
I've been given more responsibility in the classroom and I really like it. The students have started to see me as another teacher rather than just their friend which is a nice change. Working with the kids can be challenging just in the way that you word things and trying to get across what you are thinking but on their level. I love being in a kindergarten class because of their age and also the challenges!
Stories to Share:
Whenever it is time to share all of the kids fight to sit by me and many times they run to give me a hug when I walk in the door! I think they really like me and I look forward to going everyday. Birthdays are my favorite because they get to decorate their own crown to wear for the day and everyone eats their favorite snack. When it is one person's birthday, they all feel the need to tell me how long it is until their next birthday haha I miss being that excited about my mine!
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