Friday Questions 9/4

1. There are a couple of things I learned this week that I haven't mentioned in my other blogs. One is to always let kids explore new materials. We have a new math curriculum so my teacher let the kids have 5 minutes to just look through the new book. It really got them excited and wondering about things to come. The second is when you have a student model how to do something for the class, pick a student who will have a hard time with it. That way when they are acting out later you can say "You showed us you know the correct way to..." She used this when she had a student model silent reading and although she didn't have to get on anyone for acting out later it was good for that ADHD student to get praise for doing it correctly right up front.

2. The big question I've been dealing with this week is how much I want to know about my students ahead of time. I know there are things I need to know to differentiate instruction and know my students, but I don't want my view and expectations biased by other teachers. I thought our discussion on Friday about this was great and helped me out. The other thing I have questions about is how the integrated classrooms in our school work and who is assigned to these and why. I'm going to ask my master teacher about these this week and I'm going to ask to observe some of these rooms to get a better understanding too.

3. I am anxious that I am not asking enough questions of my master teacher and I won't get enough out of this experience. I hear others talking about all the things they have discussed and think I'd better get with it. I've really just trusted my master teacher to tell me what I will need to know and I've tried to let the experience evolve and to be really observant. Right now our class seems pretty easy student behavior wise and I'm thinking I wish we had some tougher cases, although I know this is going to come back to bite me as the kids begin to show their true colors. And lastly I am also anxious about balance in my life, but it sounds like I am not the only one!

4. I am excited to have another week in the classroom and really get into full swing. This week is the first staff meeting and the PTA BBQ so that will be interesting.