This was my first week at my new placement. Heading into this placement, I was a little more excited than I normally would because this is where I have the job come January. With that being said I have my own shared office with my cooperating teacher and my mentor. First week consisted of figuring out the schedule, students names, and helping out in every possible way. Last week the students had finished a whole unit therefore all week consisted of games. It was a good week to join in on and kind of just throw me out there and learn with the students. I had already met majority of students in August at Open House so students were excited to have me finally there. Heading in on my first day I felt nervous because this was soon to be my job and this would be the first real time working with 2nd through 4th graders I'll admit I was really nervous. But once the classes began and I was contributing, I felt like I belonged. It felt really good. It was a big difference compared to my first placement. Even though I have a good experience at my first placement, I never really felt at home. The culture and amount of loving students at my new placement is quite a change. On my second day of week one, I received a note from a student that I will cherish forever. Having such an great impact on students in such a short span excites me for the future. As my goal for this week was to learn students names, I did just that. But having almost 400 students is going to take time to learn them all therefore I plan to take one day, one name at a time. My goal for next week is to teach a few classes in a row rather than just contributing to my cooperating teacher.
This week we started really getting into our volleyball unit. With the second grade we taught them different ways to throw the ball over the net which was a necessary skill for a game call Newcomb we played on Wednesday and Thursday. The students really like this game. It's a modified game of volleyball but you throw the ball 3 times on each side instead of bumping, setting, spiking, and serving. The third and forth grade we started off having them serve early in the week and work them into playing an actually volleyball game later in the week. As this can be the very first time the third grade has ever played in a volleyball match before it was vital to be extremely clear while instructing. I improved throughout numerous times of instructing the material. My goal was to write at least one lesson plan. I achieved this goal. My new goal set for next week is communicate with parents and schedule parent meetings for parent conferences which is coming up in two weeks. Classroom Confi...
It's normal to feel some nervousness when you begin a new chapter like this. I'm sure that receiving such a warm welcome does much to boost your confidence and your comfort level. I guess it's nice to have week where you just play games and things might seem a bit more relaxed. You have good goal of learning students' names. I hope didn't mean that you were going to learn one name each day.
ReplyDeleteJoey, Sounds like you are off to a great start. It must feel very different knowing that this your future place of employment. Making connections with this group of students will have some finality to it in that you will see them for the next few years. Learn names, get comfortable with the staff and community. I look forward to seeing you next week.
ReplyDelete