Looking over my blogs this week, I can see that one of my biggest areas in need of improvement are classroom management and lesson planning. It's been difficult for me to create ideas and use plans that work for me. As this assignment states, it's easy to focus on the negative. But I have had some small successes, such as keeping my confidence up, at least in front of the students, and finding ways to connect with the students so that they feel that I'm approachable. Most of my small successes this week have been personal things that I've always been trying to work on.
However, perhaps my biggest "success" thus far has been perseverance. Because believe me, there have been plenty of times this semester when I've just wanted to give up. Part of it may be due to the many difficulties outside of the classroom that I've had this semester, but it's been tempting just to run away. Being in the classroom, I realize that I love getting to talk with students, to have discussions, both whole-classroom and one-one-one, but the work that surrounds it is more than I realized. Hopefully, I will be able to keep my perseverance going so that I can finish the semester and graduate.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Success Journal - October 25, 2013
It's been a very long week, and honestly, it was difficult to stay positive throughout the day. However, shortly after lunch, I realized that I needed to loosen up a bit. By the last period, I tried to have more fun with the students and relax. I think it worked, as it was much less stressful letting go a little bit for the end of the week. I can certainly see how stressing myself out will only result in failure, and I need to learn how to relax to be an effective teacher.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Success Journal - October 24, 2013
Today I felt that I was a positive example to my students by donating blood. I know it's not specifically academic, but I felt that I was doing the right thing. It was also a chance to let some students see me outside of the regular class time, which I believe is important, as students begin to see you as a real person, not just someone who stands at the front of the classroom. Afterwards, I felt very woozy, but I took care of myself and stuck with the rest of the day, even though I honestly just wanted to go home. So overall, today was a very long and tiring day, but I persevered.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Success Journal - October 23, 2013
This morning I was running behind and was slightly under-prepared. Therefore, my first period was rather rough in terms of delivery. However, by second period, I was able to pull together a bit better and the rest of the day went more smoothly. I was proud of myself for being able to adjust and persevere and get through the day without falling apart, as I can be a little overly critical of myself and shut down. It makes me feel that I might be getting the hang of this.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Success Journal - October 22, 2013
Today, I was able to keep up with all my paperwork, particularly grading. I know that many teachers (especially us English teachers) tend to get bogged down with the amount we have to read and evaluate. I felt accomplished in getting caught up with the mountain of papers I had to grade. I was also able to enter the grades into the grade-book and computer with relative ease. It's the little details like this that take up so much time, and I feel that being a detail-oriented person, I will continue to succeed in this area.
Success Journal - October 21, 2013
Sorry for being a day late! Internet problems...
Today (the 21st), I had a student offer me cupcakes. I also had another student tell me that they saw me shopping this past weekend and wanted to say hello. While that may not seem like much, it was a sign to me that I am building a repertoire with my students. These particular students are very shy and quiet. They've gotten comfortable with talking and joking around with me when appropriate. I feel that I'm a very approachable person, and hopefully, this will encourage students to feel comfortable approaching me with any concerns in the future.
Today (the 21st), I had a student offer me cupcakes. I also had another student tell me that they saw me shopping this past weekend and wanted to say hello. While that may not seem like much, it was a sign to me that I am building a repertoire with my students. These particular students are very shy and quiet. They've gotten comfortable with talking and joking around with me when appropriate. I feel that I'm a very approachable person, and hopefully, this will encourage students to feel comfortable approaching me with any concerns in the future.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Reflection #2
1. Sometimes, offering only multiple choice or chapter tests limit a student's intellectual and creative processes when students have the potential to do so much more. These types of test only assess knowledge of students, not the skills or ideas they may have. In the poem "Chapter 14" the author describes their questions and thoughts about the subject. However, the author's expanding inquisitiveness is halted because the author is more concerned about the test, not about the knowledge they may gain by following through with their thoughts and questions.Many times, students who are allowed to express their own personal input show more interest in the subject and overall success in the classroom.
2. Two types of formative assessments I use are one-on-one communications with students, such as asking them specific questions, and classroom discussions, where students are allowed to express their own thoughts and concerns about a question given to them and exchange ideas.
Two types of summative assessments I use are unit tests, such as over a book or literary period, and papers, such as an expository essay over several subjects we cover in a unit.
It is important to have both types of assessments for students so that their day-to-day progress can be monitored while they have something "tangible" that reflects their growth and success.
One assessment I would like to try is a portfolio of students' work and progress throughout a six weeks. I would do this by collecting their papers, assignments, and any other crafts they create. Another assessment I would like to try is exit slips. I would have each student answer a question before they were allowed to leave the class. Finally, another assessment I am interested in are interviews. I think this would be great practice for all students who will need formal one-on-one communication skills in their lives. I would like to schedule times for students to answer both objective and subjective questions verbally, based on a topic or unit.
2. Two types of formative assessments I use are one-on-one communications with students, such as asking them specific questions, and classroom discussions, where students are allowed to express their own thoughts and concerns about a question given to them and exchange ideas.
Two types of summative assessments I use are unit tests, such as over a book or literary period, and papers, such as an expository essay over several subjects we cover in a unit.
It is important to have both types of assessments for students so that their day-to-day progress can be monitored while they have something "tangible" that reflects their growth and success.
One assessment I would like to try is a portfolio of students' work and progress throughout a six weeks. I would do this by collecting their papers, assignments, and any other crafts they create. Another assessment I would like to try is exit slips. I would have each student answer a question before they were allowed to leave the class. Finally, another assessment I am interested in are interviews. I think this would be great practice for all students who will need formal one-on-one communication skills in their lives. I would like to schedule times for students to answer both objective and subjective questions verbally, based on a topic or unit.
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