John has asked a very interesting question - “What are the five things they did not tell me in teacher Ed?” I am sure there are many more than five – but here are those that come to mind instantly:
They did not tell me how to deal with a 2nd grader having a total “meltdown” over a practice spelling test….. :-)
No one told me how to communicate with a parent when their child has done physical damage to a “large, metal,” bench on the playground. (not sure how this was possible)….. :-)
They forgot to tell me about what to expect when assigned to morning and afternoon bus duty…. :-)
On the very first day in the classroom – there was a mother who chose to stay in the classroom all day!!!! No one told me how intimidating this could be or how or if I was to include her in my daily plans…. :-)
No one told me how totally consumed I would be in anticipating from day to day what my classroom would be like (it often is the opposite of what I have anticipated)….. :-)
Thanks for asking! Hope you have a great weekend.
Blog posted by December writer Angela Steele, a 2nd grade teacher at Whitnel Elementary School in Lenoir, NC.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Greeting from Whitnel Elementary
Where has the past four months gone? As I reflect on them, there are many thoughts and emotions, I can hardly share them all with you – but, here is my attempt to take you inside my 2nd grade classroom at Whitnel Elementary School:
*There have been moments of frustration – having to teach even the simple task of how to read and follow directions. But without this skill the student’s progress could definitely be limited or squelched.
*Then there are those times when I am so excited to see the students have an
“ah-ha” moment, and that they finally get what we have been studying.
*Many days are filled with laughter - hearing them say something they have no idea what it means, telling silly jokes, or sharing an honest “at home” story.
*Inside my classroom I feel hopeful…many days you can almost see the wheels in their brains turning – trying to comprehend all that is being taught. It is awesome to think that what I am teaching will impact their lives forever.
*I suppose if I measured the strongest emotion or thought that I have experienced in the classroom it is “Love”. Seeing the student’s need for love, and being the one who can supply that need while they are at school, is very overwhelming. I sincerely want the students to do well…because I know their academic growth is the key to who they will become.
As my students learn, I, too, am learning and growing. Learning what works and what doesn’t and how to be the reflective practitioner! Hope you are having a great week – more details from my classroom will follow…
Blog posted by December writer Angela Steele, a 2nd grade teacher at Whitnel Elementary School in Lenoir, NC.
*There have been moments of frustration – having to teach even the simple task of how to read and follow directions. But without this skill the student’s progress could definitely be limited or squelched.
*Then there are those times when I am so excited to see the students have an
“ah-ha” moment, and that they finally get what we have been studying.
*Many days are filled with laughter - hearing them say something they have no idea what it means, telling silly jokes, or sharing an honest “at home” story.
*Inside my classroom I feel hopeful…many days you can almost see the wheels in their brains turning – trying to comprehend all that is being taught. It is awesome to think that what I am teaching will impact their lives forever.
*I suppose if I measured the strongest emotion or thought that I have experienced in the classroom it is “Love”. Seeing the student’s need for love, and being the one who can supply that need while they are at school, is very overwhelming. I sincerely want the students to do well…because I know their academic growth is the key to who they will become.
As my students learn, I, too, am learning and growing. Learning what works and what doesn’t and how to be the reflective practitioner! Hope you are having a great week – more details from my classroom will follow…
Blog posted by December writer Angela Steele, a 2nd grade teacher at Whitnel Elementary School in Lenoir, NC.
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