Fundraiser

The students worked hard today. Their behavior was good; therefore, we had more time to concentrate on instructional time. In group time, the students worked hard as well. My clinical teacher wrote “Good job” on a student’s paper. The student was excited to have it written on her paper. This afternoon we had an assembly to kick off our annual fundraiser. The students were excited to hear about all the prizes that they could win. In the auditorium, their behavior was also good. Although they enjoyed the presentation, it did take away from the time we could have been in the classroom.

Good Behavior

Today the class was a little talkative; however, they behaved for the most part. One student in my class has been in trouble quiet a few times this year. Today he asked me over and over if he was being good. I let him know that he was being very good. I also tried to take up some extra time with him. We talked about what he did over the weekend and about his birthday. He turned six years old on Saturday. I believe he is a student who needs a little extra attention.

Johnny Appleseed

To finish our study on apples we celebrated Johnny Appleseeds’ birthday. We read books about him and made hats for the students to wear. We made the hats yesterday so that they would be ready for the students to wear this morning. The students seemed excited to wear the hats. We also talked about apples some more. We have worked hard this week and the students have seemed to enjoy learning about apples.

Visitors

I had an exciting day! This morning we had visitors from the central office. Our assistant superintendent and our principal came into our classroom. They observed me teaching. I was not nervous while they were in our classroom and the students were well behaved. About an hour later, my supervising teacher came to observe me. I believe he observed me teaching for about thirty minutes. I had the opportunity to talk with him whenever the students went into their small groups. He had positive comments about my teaching. I was delighted with his visit.

Apple Tasting

This week we have been studying about apples. My cooperating teacher helped me come up with a lesson for today using our five senses. As part of the lesson, the students tasted various types of apples. Afterwards, we did a class graph in which the students picked their favorite apple. We used apple cutouts and the students placed their cut out on the graph. Then we counted to see which apple had the most votes. The students seemed to enjoy the lesson and I was pleased at how well it went.

New Information

The students worked hard today. We were busy all day and their attention was good. I started teaching them beginning sounds and I was impressed with how much they were able to do. A few students did not seem to understand; however, the majority of them were able to identify the beginning sounds of various letters. We also started using the Waterford Program. The students were excited to use the computers. The only problem was that it took away from the students completing their work. Some of the students did not complete their in class assignments because they were using the computers during seat work. Whenever the students had a free moment, I tried to help them catch up. Although it is hard work, I enjoy working with the students.

Waterford Training

I did not teach at all today. Our school is getting the Waterford program; therefore, we had a workshop all day. The Pearson representative allowed us to have hands-on training. I learned how to use the program to teach whole group activities, which will be fun. I experienced what kindergarten students would if they used Waterford. In addition, I learned how to enroll classes into the program. I helped Mrs. Bennett enroll her students. It was interesting to see all the features that Waterford has to offer.

Good News

My clinical teacher told me that she thought I did a good job at keeping the students’ attention today. I was glad to hear that! I want the students to listen as I teach them most importantly I want them to learn. I was pushed for time today because we had an early release. After the students were dismissed, I went with Mrs. Bennett to a PIMUST Workshop at another school. It was based on number concepts and the speakers did make some good points about teaching students about numbers. I am glad I was able to attend.

Visiting Author

The students were better today. We used small groups in order to complete worksheets. It worked out better as opposed to using whole group. We did have a busy day. The author, Michael Finklea visited our school. He talked to the students for a while before reading them a book. He autographed books that the children bought as well. After school, we had a staff meeting. It lasted for about 45 minutes. Then K-2 teachers had to meet with the principal. I was glad whenever all the meetings were over.

Choosing the Right Song

The children seemed to be more talkative today. As I taught, some of them wanted to talk to each other. I stopped teaching in order to redirect them. My clinical teacher also helped with redirecting the students. One thing I noticed was one of the songs that we sang was too long. I discussed it with Mrs. Bennett and she agreed with me. She suggested another song that helps with phonics; however, it is shorter. The students did seem to catch on as I taught my math lesson. We worked on the number 2. I did a rhyme as we wrote the number and they seemed to enjoy it.

Teaching All Day

Today I taught all day. For the most part, the students were well behaved. We worked all day! There is so much to do and I feel like we do not have enough time to get it all done. My clinical teacher was very supporting. She offered a few suggestions in order for me to make my lessons better such as using paper plates whenever we counted objects. She also helped me pass out materials. The teacher’s assistant was also helpful. I am excited about how well things went.

Red Day

Both kindergarten classes had Red Day. We have been working on the color red all week; therefore, we ended our study by wearing red. We have been going over the color as well as spelling red. By today, most of the students could spell it. I was so proud of a Hispanic student in our class. She could not speak any English; however, now she can say several words. As I was working with her today, she recognized half of her colors and she said the words. Her face would light up when she knew the right answers. I was impressed at how far she has all ready come.

New Ideas

We had our grade level meeting with the principal today. She offered some new ideas for testing such as using TPRI for literacy assessment. She had some good ideas to offer and it was interesting to sit in on the meeting. The students behaved much better. We had to be consistent and it took a lot of work. It was worth it because they listened better in class. They also seemed to enjoy the math lesson that I taught. They love using objects to count with such as the counting bears.

Using Manipulatives

I was nervous today as I started to teach my math lesson. As I began to teach, the feeling subsided. I allowed the students to sit in a circle using manipulatives to count. I wrote numbers on a dry erase board and the students had to use counters to represent the numbers. I was so proud of a female student that sat beside me. She does not know her numbers and she is easily distracted. As we worked, she seemed to understand numbers better and she was usually the first one to represent the number I wrote down. I believe using manipulatives helps children to understand concepts better and I hope I can continue to have ideas using them.

Misbehaving in Class

The students did not behave well today. We had to reinforce our rules and procedures a lot. I realize that we have to be consistent but it seems that we spend too much time repeating the same things. I noticed a female student acting suspicious; therefore, I went over to her desk. She had a right to look suspicious because she cut her hair. I saw it in her hand and I pulled her off to the side. We talked about her cutting her hair. As we talked, I ran my fingers through her hair. Hair kept coming out! Now she has a small section on the top of her head that is so short, it sticks up. My clinical teacher called the student’s mother and explained what had happened. The mother was so nice and I was so glad!

A Busy Day

I was so busy today! It seems that we do not have enough time to do everything that we need to do. I usually try to stay in the afternoons; however, I had to attend class at UNCP. I was glad to hear my colleagues talk about some of the same issues that are occurring at my internship. For example, classroom management is something that takes a lot of work. Sometimes I feel like I am saying the same thing repeatedly. On the bright side, I taught a math lesson today on more than. I was surprised at how well the students caught on and at how well behaved they were. I used manipulatives during my lesson and I let the students know that if they played with them, I would take them away from them. I think that helped with behavior. I hope the students continue to listen during my lessons!

Early Release

The school was shortened because of threats from Hurricane Hannah. We did not have much instructional time at all. It seemed like we had to rush to breakfast and lunch. I could see a difference in ours students’ behaviors. I do not think that we had to go over the rules as much as we usually do. Before I knew it, it was time to dismiss. I took a picture of the students as they prepared to go home.

Planning

I had the opportunity to sit in on a grade level meeting today. My clinical teacher and the other kindergarten teacher went over their lesson plans for next week. They asked for my input on some things as well. We worked together in order to ensure our lessons were aligned with the NC SCOS. I saw how the Basal Reader for Language Arts incorporated science and social studies into the lessons. I felt like I learned a lot from joining in on the meeting.

A Visit from my Supervising Teacher

My supervising teacher visited me today. I was so nervous! I knew he was supposed to visit sometime during the week; however, I did not know the exact day. He went over some things in the Student Intern Handbook with me and gave me an itinerary schedule of his visits. The students behaved well during Mr. Ebron’s visit. At the time of his visit, another teacher was in the room with me because my teacher had been called out of the room. When my clinical teacher returned to the classroom, I discussed my meeting with Mr. Ebron with her. We both felt bad because Mr. Ebron did not have an opportunity to meet with her.

Daily Routine

My clinical teacher started her daily routine today. I had the opportunity to observe her teach her lesson plans. She incorporates songs into many of her lessons. The children act as if they enjoy them. I have noticed that the teacher has to stay on track with her plans because the students get off task quickly. We are still working on the rules and procedures. I am nervous about taking on some of the teaching load next week.