Creating Lesson Plans

I spent the last couple of days creating lesson plans for computer. It was not easy because I am creating plans that will teach and also fill in a pretty huge gap of time. I also have to create lessons for my course work and that is even harder.

The lesson plans that we create for college are so much different than the real world of teaching. I have not come across any of them during my student teaching phase or during any of my practicum. I've even discussed them with teachers and they have told me they don't use them either.  The actual lesson plans are much simpler and easier to create. Whew I am thankful for that.

It is annoying that I have to create this huge lesson plan, taking up ten pages or more, just for my course work but I will never actually do that once I have my own classroom. I have to implement this lesson plan too which goes against the norm of the class structure where I am teaching.

So that is what I spent the last couple of days doing, creating lesson plans to use because of college, not because it is something my teacher wants or something that fits the structure of the school but to meet course work. Seems a bit off to me but oh well, gotta go with it.

Backtracking to Week 3

For some reason I wrote this post on the wrong blog. I know it is out of order but wanted to share it here anyhow. Currently we have been on spring break and Monday will be the start of week 7. It is hard to believe that I am on the downhill side of things. I love my kids, cooperative teacher, the parents and all I work with. I will be sad to leave but glad to get a job.

Here is the post from week 3.

Week 3 was wonderful. Each week is better because I have more duties. Last week I helped out more and still have my computer group. I plan to get a little bit more of a lesson plan for my kids so that they enjoy computer time more. I also really want them to learn how to use a computer.

I will be taking the second grade kids soon and doing more with them. I also have to target one student and work just with that student on some areas of weakness. I identified my student and have made plans on how to teach help her become a more fluent reader.

I am working on a plan to teach the kids how to write a book too. I am having a lot of fun with the plans but they are slow going because of how the school sets it up. It is probably best that way.

Week 4 begins tomorrow. I cannot believe that we are already into week 4.

Half Way Done

I am now half way done with my student teaching. It has been a great experience so far even if I am rather burnt out.  Most of the stress comes from the long days and knowing that I am not getting paid.
I have to remind myself often that I am working toward my future and that it is something all teachers have to do and I will soon be making a living. Some days it is easier to keep my thoughts turned to the positive.

The kids at school make the days happy. There is nothing better than that sweet hug or smile. The fact that you know you've made a difference and when you see the student trying because he or she knows you have faith in them.

I am glad to be on the downhill side of student teaching though. I will miss my class and little school though but it will be exciting to have my very own classroom.

Battling Burn Out

So yesterday was the end of week 6 of my student teaching and now the burn out begins. Don't get me wrong, I love the school I am at, I love the kids and the other teachers.  The parents are amazing and well pretty much everything about the experience is good.

So why am I getting burnt out? Well that is easy, I work an average of 45 hours a week and all for no pay. I can't even find a paying job in my spare time because I don't have any. When I am not at the school I have to do course work.  I have about 10 hours of course work a week along with the student teaching.  It is taking its toll on me and I am just burnt out.

I only student teach four days a week but they are very long days. I go in at 7:30 and am off most nights at 6:30. The days are long too because we do not get breaks. Lunch is even eaten on the go while you take care of kids. I like the three day weekend but yet wonder if maybe a five day week would be easier. When I get home at night it is almost time for bed so I am pretty tired. On Friday I have so much to do to catch up and am also tired from the long week that really I feel like I only have two days off anyhow.

My college course work is taking its toll too. What is bothering me most of all is the fact that I have no income. It is very hard working all week for no pay and knowing that you might lose your hone. A positive way to look at that I suppose is that then I won't have a house payment anymore.

So how do I battle the burn out when I have 10 more weeks of student teaching left. I am not sure, I guess just take it all one day at a time.

Week 5 Begins

It is hard to believe that I am already into week 5 of my student teaching experience. It has been a great experience so far except the getting up early and staying late part. I miss staying home and just chilling.  I think that is one of the hardest things.

Another thing that is hard is working 40+ hours a week and not getting paid. I know it is a part of the student teaching process but it sure is difficult. I can't find a part time job because I am completely exhausted and just could not do student teaching and then work. So financially there is quite a burden.

All of that aside though, the process is very enjoyably and educational. I am learning a lot about teaching. I love the class and all of the kids. I am learning how to manage a classroom and also discipline students in a loving way.

This week I have taken over teaching second grade math. I think then next week I will take on English. That is the subject I will really enjoy since I love English.

Until later.....

End of Week 2: Things I Will Do Differently

Hello my blogging friends, I am sorry I did not write all week last week. The week was a busy one.

I absolutely love my school though. It is wonderful. I am learning a lot about teaching. I am learning things that I will use in my own classroom and also coming up with other ideas for my classroom. There are some things my cooperative teacher does that I will do differently but that does not mean the way she does it is wrong. It just means we have different ideas.

One thing I will do differently is create a student chart. This chart will have all of my students names on it and be used for when my students need to use the restroom, for attendance and discipline. I will have the students move their tag when they are in the restroom and also at the start of the day. This way the students are not interrupting during teaching time to ask to use the restroom. They know if someone else is in the restroom and wait until that person returns. Attendance will be easy because all I have to do is look at the board to know who is missing.

I will also use the board for discipline by having the students turn their cards when they break a rule. This helps them take responsibility for their behavior and will help with control of the classroom.

Now I am not saying my cooperative teacher does not have control of the classroom. She does. The kids are great and they are not disruptive. But she is at a school with a lot of parent support so the kids know they need to behave or their parents will discipline them at home. Most classroom teachers do not have that so must find ways to discipline students and help them make good choices.

As for the restroom and attendance. The chart just seems easier for me.

I learned this past week that kids do respond best when the teacher is always calm and speaks to them in a calm voice. The teacher can never lose control even when the child does.

Today I began week 2 of student teaching. It was a good day. We had a great math lesson with all of the kids and our science lesson went very well. The kids are learning about skin and such. They were very intrigued by the lesson.

The school I am teaching at is a very small private Christian school by the way. We go from grades K-8 and there are two teachers for the school with one aid and now me. Some days are very busy with grading papers and such. Today went so smoothly that we got all of our papers graded and done early. It was fantastic to get out of there by 5 PM.

My college class that goes along with the student teaching is not as enjoyable. It is really a thorn in my side. I wish they would realize that we are busy with our student teaching at least 40 hours a week and sometimes more. They really should not add such a load on top of it all.

I am learning a lot at my little school and will say more tomorrow.