First Week of Practicum

My experience during my first week of practicum was very enlightening. I am with Mr. Rader, who is a third grade math teacher. There are three different levels that he teaches. There is the advanced math class, the average math class, and the low math class. This is the first year that Mr. Rader has only taught math, but he seems to be enjoying it.

The first day, was mainly an observation day. We observed a couple of Mr. Rader's math classes, and his homeroom class throughout the day. The third graders were so welcoming, and seemed as excited as we were to be at W.A. Young Elementary. Mr. Rader and his students really seemed to connect. Mr Rader was not only their teacher, but someone they could go to for advice. During lunch and recess, he did not socialize with other teachers. Instead, he sat down at lunch and talked with his students, and did cheers with the girls at recess. I hope that when I teach, I can have that personal relationship with my students. I want my students to be able to come talk to me when there is a problem at home, or if they are just having a bad day.

On Monday, after eating lunch with Mr. Rader's third grade class, we went to Mrs. Weathers english/reading class so we could observe her lesson. At first, she seemed hesitant about us coming to observe. She later explained to us that she had originally planned to finish up the book they had been reading, but that she would do something different today so that it would be beneficial for us to watch. She began with multiple mini vocabulary lessons. This involved a spelling assessment, a synonym lesson where Mrs Weathers called out a word and its meaning, and the students had to provide a meaning as well, drawings to help describe the vocabulary words, a glossary race, etc. All of these mini lessons were used as background information so that the students could effectively read their new story, Balto. Mrs. Weathers used the method of popcorn reading while reading Balto. As I observed, I noticed a lot of what we talked about in class. A lot of the kids were not paying attention, kids were falling out of their chairs, staring off into space, etc. I can see why this is not an effective way for children to read.

Despite the popcorn reading, my overall impression of the lesson was positive. Considering Mrs. Weathers was not planning on doing a vocabulary lesson and starting on a new story, she was extremely organized. No time was wasted within the hour and fifteen minutes we observed. Based on my observations, I was able to take a lot from Mrs. Weathers teaching methods. When I begin teaching, I want my lessons to be successful and meaningful to not only me, but the students. In order to teach successful lessons, it is going to be vital to keep organized. So much of the students time is wasted when teachers are not organized. It is also going to be important as a teacher to be flexible. Things are not always going to go as planned. I am going to need to be prepared to make adjustments throughout the day. The one thing that I do not want to take from Mrs. Weathers teaching style, is her overall persona that she sends to her students. Throughout the entire lesson, she did not seem happy to be teaching. I want to be the type of teacher that is excited to teach my students new ideas. I hope that my excitement and love for learning spreads throughout the classroom, and reaches each student. I am so excited to continue to observe classes at W.A. Young Elementary, get to know the students, and of course teach!

Guided Reading: Part II

Today's class was extremely helpful. After watching Dr. Dave's impressive guided reading lesson,I was excited, but at the same time a little intimidated. Today, we continued discussing guided reading and what it entails. We began by reviewing the Apt 3 lesson and went over the importance of having a beginning, during, and after in your guided reading lesson. One of the most important parts of a guided reading lesson is the review/background activity that you have your class do before reading the story. Dr. Dave really stressed to us the importance of teaching and reviewing content in order to find out what they already know, or what they need to know. This part of the lesson is essential in order for students to understand the story that they will be reading. Reviewing and going over the background information is also important in order for students to gain mental images and sounds in their heads. This way, students are prepared to read the story. Then, during the story, they are able to visually see images in their heads that will help them follow along with the story.
A lot of classroom teachers feel that it is easier to read the entire story to a class. When this happens, students are more than likely zone out, and not pay as much attention. As a teacher, I plan to do things differently. I will take turns with my students in reading out loud, with partners, and silently. This way, my students will be more likely to comprehend the story, and the overall message.
As important as it is to read the story, it is just as important to set a purpose. Rather than asking questions after reading the story, I will ask my students to look for something in particular. This way, while we are reading, they will be paying close attention to the content and the pictures, and it will give us something to discuss afterwards.
The idea of using different types of genres never occurred to me. Before, I had always thought to use story books when doing reading and language arts lessons. Why restrict my students with story books, when there is so much more to offer? Dr. Dave introduced us to other genres that are great to use during guided reading lessons, and that will reach across all of your students interests. These genres include: non-fiction, fiction, poetry, directions, and plays. When I was in elementary school, one of the most interesting and fun experiences I can remember was a directions lesson. In this lesson we were asked to create a receipt with specific directions for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We quickly learned how important it was to be specific when we had to make our own sandwiches using our directions that lacked important detail.
As a teacher, I want to be able to meet all of my student's needs. Not all of my students are going to be interested in fiction or poetry. It is going to be important for me to have a variety of books in my classroom that will cover a wide spread of genres. I want my students to be motivated to read a variety of books, and not feel limited to a particular genre that does not interest them.

Guided Reading Lessons

This past monday we were introduced to Guided Reading Lessons. Watching Dr. Koppenhaver teach us his guided reading lesson opened me up to so many possibilities. In elementary school, I remember my teachers giving guided reading lessons that were boring, vague, and lacked variety. We would simply read the story, and answer the questions to make sure we comprehended the story. To me, this wasn't a guided reading lesson, but a test. Looking back on these experiences, I have come to realize why my interest in reading decreased dramatically throughout my school career. Before Dr. Koppenhaver introduced us to his lesson, I could only assume that all guided reading lessons were like this. After watching his lesson, I was so motivated to take what I had learned from his lesson, and be able to use it in one of my own. The idea of integrating different subject areas into one lesson fascinates me. In Dr. Koppenhaver's lesson, he incorporated several subject areas: the five senses, disabilities, music, and even architecture. Before we even knew what we were going to read, Dr. Dave provided us with a review of these subject areas. It is important to have a review prior to reading the story to find out what your students know and don't know. Without some kind of review, many students will not be able to comprehend the story. A review of background information also allows students to create mental images in their heads while the story is being read. All of these different subject areas that Dr. Dave introduced to us came from the book, Apt 3. As a teacher, it is going to be so important for me to choose good, quality books for my students. A great book can lead to a successful lesson. As a teacher, I want to choose books, and create lessons that will have great influence on my students. I want them to believe that reading is not a burden, (the way I did) but that it can be a fun, and enjoyable learning experience. Through integrated lessons like Dr. Koppenhaver's, I believe that I will be able to cover a lot more material, that will be effective, and enjoyable for the learner.