Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Week 1 Reflection
After a long and eventful summer I was extremely excited to be returning to Grafton High once again. This year I will be working with Mr. Taylor, who teaches biology, and I couldn't be happier. The first couple of days at the school were spent arranging our room and preparing for the students. Mr. Taylor and I will be teaching two advanced biology and four conceptual biology courses this semester. Last year he had all advanced courses so the conceptual course will be new to both of us. One task we took on during these first couple of days was to create the curriculum map for the course. Being able to work on the map with him was a valuable experience for me. I learned how to go through the course text and organize it into a logical progression for a class.
On Tuesday we also had the faculty meeting. The meeting consisted of electing the faculty senate, the principals addressing the faculty, and discussion of new policies and important topics. We also had to meet with the staff in the special education department and collect all of the IEP's for students in our classes. I had never actually seen the IEP's or any of the forms used so I was happy to finally be introduced to the process.
Wednesday the students reported for their first day of school. Having been placed in a 9th grade classroom last year I quickly recognized many of my former students as they did me. It was great to see their reactions. Some came in and said, "Oh yea! Mr. Wasserman is back." while other sarcastically stated, "Oh no, not you again." Either way I was very happy to see them all again. The first day started and ended with homeroom where we gave all of the students the forms that they needed to have signed and discussed students policies with them. Our biology classes proceeded in much the same way. We talked with the students about the structure of the course and our expectations of them.
Thursday I was absent but I do know that Mr. Taylor passed out their books and had them read a chapter. Friday he began lecturing. I have learned that he mainly lectures the class. We have discussed this and I told him that I like to be more activity based. He seems to have no problem with it and is very open to anything that I want to do in the class.
Based on this first week I think that it is going to be a great semester and I can't wait to get more involved in the class.
On Tuesday we also had the faculty meeting. The meeting consisted of electing the faculty senate, the principals addressing the faculty, and discussion of new policies and important topics. We also had to meet with the staff in the special education department and collect all of the IEP's for students in our classes. I had never actually seen the IEP's or any of the forms used so I was happy to finally be introduced to the process.
Wednesday the students reported for their first day of school. Having been placed in a 9th grade classroom last year I quickly recognized many of my former students as they did me. It was great to see their reactions. Some came in and said, "Oh yea! Mr. Wasserman is back." while other sarcastically stated, "Oh no, not you again." Either way I was very happy to see them all again. The first day started and ended with homeroom where we gave all of the students the forms that they needed to have signed and discussed students policies with them. Our biology classes proceeded in much the same way. We talked with the students about the structure of the course and our expectations of them.
Thursday I was absent but I do know that Mr. Taylor passed out their books and had them read a chapter. Friday he began lecturing. I have learned that he mainly lectures the class. We have discussed this and I told him that I like to be more activity based. He seems to have no problem with it and is very open to anything that I want to do in the class.
Based on this first week I think that it is going to be a great semester and I can't wait to get more involved in the class.
Week 2 Reflection
This past week my role was still more of an observer but Mr. Taylor gave me opportunities to get more involved. Mr. Taylor spent much of the week lecturing the classes. While he did most of the talking, every once in a while I would add a comment to the conversation. Some teachers are not so willing to allow someone to comment but he encouraged me to do so. I appreciate his support because it helps me feel comfortable in the class and as if I have a role even when I am not leading the class. We have discussed trying more collaborative teaching this semester and I think that we are taking a step towards a more collaborative classroom.
This week also presented many challenges. The first challenge we were faced with resulted from interruptions from the previous week, such as the extended fire drill and assemblies. Due to these events our classes all ended up being at different points in the unit. It became difficult to remember which class was where and we determined that by looking at where the students were in their notes. Then Mr. Taylor had to try and catch up the classes that were behind so that we could give them the test at the same time.
The next challenge we ran in to was with collecting homework. We had assigned all of the classes homework during the Thursday of the first week of classes and told them it was due Tuesday of this past week figuring that was plenty of time. The students in the advanced courses for the most part handed their assignments in on time. The conceptual classes were another story. We had some classes where less than half of the students turned it in. Mr. Taylor decided that since it was the first assignment we would give them more time but come Friday some of the students still had not completed it. I tried to sit down with some of those students at the beginning of class to help them finish but could not get to everyone. I'm not sure what we can do to get them to quit procrastinating but that is something I plan to discuss with Mr. Taylor this coming week.
Finally, we encountered some behavioral issues. The final two classes of the day are proving to be the hardest to maintain. There were a couple of incidents that really tested me. Twice this week I had students pull the emergency shower in the room. Both times I caught the students right away so the showers were not on very long. I was very upset with one of the students who had done this because for three straight days he touched the handle and I asked him not to and then finally he pulled the handle one day. I hope that this doesn't happen again but I think that these classes might really help my classroom management skills.
This week also presented many challenges. The first challenge we were faced with resulted from interruptions from the previous week, such as the extended fire drill and assemblies. Due to these events our classes all ended up being at different points in the unit. It became difficult to remember which class was where and we determined that by looking at where the students were in their notes. Then Mr. Taylor had to try and catch up the classes that were behind so that we could give them the test at the same time.
The next challenge we ran in to was with collecting homework. We had assigned all of the classes homework during the Thursday of the first week of classes and told them it was due Tuesday of this past week figuring that was plenty of time. The students in the advanced courses for the most part handed their assignments in on time. The conceptual classes were another story. We had some classes where less than half of the students turned it in. Mr. Taylor decided that since it was the first assignment we would give them more time but come Friday some of the students still had not completed it. I tried to sit down with some of those students at the beginning of class to help them finish but could not get to everyone. I'm not sure what we can do to get them to quit procrastinating but that is something I plan to discuss with Mr. Taylor this coming week.
Finally, we encountered some behavioral issues. The final two classes of the day are proving to be the hardest to maintain. There were a couple of incidents that really tested me. Twice this week I had students pull the emergency shower in the room. Both times I caught the students right away so the showers were not on very long. I was very upset with one of the students who had done this because for three straight days he touched the handle and I asked him not to and then finally he pulled the handle one day. I hope that this doesn't happen again but I think that these classes might really help my classroom management skills.
Week 3 Reflection
The third week of school was a very short week for me. Monday was a holiday, so there was no school and I had a doctors appointment on Friday so I had to be absent. However, this was the first week where I was responsible for some of the classes. I have taken over the conceptual biology courses and will now be teaching those four classes. Mr. Taylor will continue to teach the two advanced courses for the time being but I will eventually take those over as well.
The first day we had a review for their chapter test. This was a nice way to ease me in to teaching the class. The next day the students took their test so I just had to walk around and watch them. Once all of the students were done I ran downstairs and graded their scantrons so that I could let them know their grades before the period was over.
Thursday was my real first day of teaching. I taught the class some basic organic chemistry. I decided to try and use a power point for this lesson. I think that it went well because all of the students seemed very attentive and were taking good notes. I like the power points because my handwriting can be sloppy and so I believe the slides are easier to read.
Overall I think that this week went well and Mr. Taylor really helped to make the process of transitioning to me teaching very easy.
The first day we had a review for their chapter test. This was a nice way to ease me in to teaching the class. The next day the students took their test so I just had to walk around and watch them. Once all of the students were done I ran downstairs and graded their scantrons so that I could let them know their grades before the period was over.
Thursday was my real first day of teaching. I taught the class some basic organic chemistry. I decided to try and use a power point for this lesson. I think that it went well because all of the students seemed very attentive and were taking good notes. I like the power points because my handwriting can be sloppy and so I believe the slides are easier to read.
Overall I think that this week went well and Mr. Taylor really helped to make the process of transitioning to me teaching very easy.
Week 4 Reflection
This weeks post will be very different from my other posts. I am not going to talk about the successes and/or failures of my lessons.I am not going to reflect on practices or theories that I have learned in lectures. None of these things seem to matter this week. Nothing I have learned in a seminar or from my professors, advisers, and mentors could have prepared me for the events that have passed.
Monday morning I drove by myself to Grafton because I had plans after school. I left early because I was not completely prepared for the day and wanted some extra time to get ready. The whole ride all I can think about is that I am not going to be ready for my classes. I'm stressed to the point where I can't even hear the radio. But then, right as I am driving in to Grafton, I heard it. "An accident in Taylor County last night has killed two people and severely injured several others." I say in my head,"I hope it isn't someone from the school."
I parked and walked up to the door where there was a sign posted, "Mandatory Staff Meeting, 7:45" and I knew. I walked up to the lounge and got my computer out in an attempt to get my work finished. I sat alone for a while but got very little done because of the thoughts racing through my head. Slowly more teachers trickle in and the search for answers begins. "What happened?""Who is it?" The first few teachers knew very little, only that it was students. Finally, a teacher came in with the names of students she heard were involved. Everyone in the room was silent as she spoke. She starts with the students she heard were dead on the scene and then those that are in the hospital. The last name she mentions is of a boy that I have in my class. Someone asks here to repeat and as she does I catch something. A name that sounds familiar. The teacher was saying the last name wrong and I realize that one of the girls that had died on the scene was in my class.
We all walked down to the meeting and waited to hear what we already knew but wished wasn't true. I looked around the room and could feel the pain. Whether they were crying or not you could see the sorrow in the faces around the room. We left only to be greeted by the sobs of students who have lost their classmates. Their friends. Their Family.
I got back to my room where I met up with Mr. Taylor and we began to discuss the plan. He told me we must go on as normal. But how? Nothing about that day was normal. Then our first class began and I did what he said. I went on with my lesson as I had planned. The first class went by silently.
The start of my second class was when it really hit me. I watched the students came in and my eye caught a girl who was visibly distraught. She walked up to me and said, "Is it ok if I cry?" My heart hit the floor. I told her to do whatever she needed to. Afterward, I asked Mr. Taylor what to do and he decided to send her to the counselor.
The week went by and we tried our best to keep a sense of normalcy. We try to joke with the students. Play games with them. Play sports. Anything to keep them going and keep their spirits high.
Just as things seemed to be getting better the week ended with one of the hardest days. The school held a memorial assembly that made the toughest of tough break down. Later that day was the viewings for our fallen students.
These events, though terrible and tragic, have taught me more lessons than all of my years of study. I have seen what it truly means to be a teacher. We are a rock. We are that solid foundation that supports our students and community. We care for our students as if they were our family and that is why these events hurt us so much. We work so hard so that we can watch them succeed and it pains us when they fail. It hurts even more so when we see bright futures ended so suddenly as they did this week.
Now I know what I want to be. I know what I am. I am a teacher. I never felt it fully until this week but now I know that this is what I am meant to do. I want to be there for my students through the good and the bad. I want to see my students succeed and safely travel through life. I am a teacher.
Monday morning I drove by myself to Grafton because I had plans after school. I left early because I was not completely prepared for the day and wanted some extra time to get ready. The whole ride all I can think about is that I am not going to be ready for my classes. I'm stressed to the point where I can't even hear the radio. But then, right as I am driving in to Grafton, I heard it. "An accident in Taylor County last night has killed two people and severely injured several others." I say in my head,"I hope it isn't someone from the school."
I parked and walked up to the door where there was a sign posted, "Mandatory Staff Meeting, 7:45" and I knew. I walked up to the lounge and got my computer out in an attempt to get my work finished. I sat alone for a while but got very little done because of the thoughts racing through my head. Slowly more teachers trickle in and the search for answers begins. "What happened?""Who is it?" The first few teachers knew very little, only that it was students. Finally, a teacher came in with the names of students she heard were involved. Everyone in the room was silent as she spoke. She starts with the students she heard were dead on the scene and then those that are in the hospital. The last name she mentions is of a boy that I have in my class. Someone asks here to repeat and as she does I catch something. A name that sounds familiar. The teacher was saying the last name wrong and I realize that one of the girls that had died on the scene was in my class.
We all walked down to the meeting and waited to hear what we already knew but wished wasn't true. I looked around the room and could feel the pain. Whether they were crying or not you could see the sorrow in the faces around the room. We left only to be greeted by the sobs of students who have lost their classmates. Their friends. Their Family.
I got back to my room where I met up with Mr. Taylor and we began to discuss the plan. He told me we must go on as normal. But how? Nothing about that day was normal. Then our first class began and I did what he said. I went on with my lesson as I had planned. The first class went by silently.
The start of my second class was when it really hit me. I watched the students came in and my eye caught a girl who was visibly distraught. She walked up to me and said, "Is it ok if I cry?" My heart hit the floor. I told her to do whatever she needed to. Afterward, I asked Mr. Taylor what to do and he decided to send her to the counselor.
The week went by and we tried our best to keep a sense of normalcy. We try to joke with the students. Play games with them. Play sports. Anything to keep them going and keep their spirits high.
Just as things seemed to be getting better the week ended with one of the hardest days. The school held a memorial assembly that made the toughest of tough break down. Later that day was the viewings for our fallen students.
These events, though terrible and tragic, have taught me more lessons than all of my years of study. I have seen what it truly means to be a teacher. We are a rock. We are that solid foundation that supports our students and community. We care for our students as if they were our family and that is why these events hurt us so much. We work so hard so that we can watch them succeed and it pains us when they fail. It hurts even more so when we see bright futures ended so suddenly as they did this week.
Now I know what I want to be. I know what I am. I am a teacher. I never felt it fully until this week but now I know that this is what I am meant to do. I want to be there for my students through the good and the bad. I want to see my students succeed and safely travel through life. I am a teacher.
Week 5 Reflection
What I would like to reflect on from this past week is the working relationship that Mr. Taylor and myself have developed. We have all heard a lot lately about planning collaborative lessons with our mentor teachers. Mr. Taylor and I seem to natural incorporate a collaborative model in to our classes.
It starts from the time when we plan our lessons. Every Thursday we sit down together and plan the lessons for the next week. Right now I am teaching four of the classes and he is teaching the other two. This does not mean that I am solely responsible for my four classes or he for his two. We work together to decide what to do in each class.
This also applies to the way that we teach the classes. Most of the time I lead my classes and he leads his. However, we regularly ask one another to teach a part of the class. I may have a demonstration that he likes or he might have another way of explaining something. For example, one day I made a powerpoint for my classes and Mr. Taylor really liked the visuals so he had me go through them with his two classes.
I think that this type of collaborative model works really well. It allows the students to use both of us as resources. I think that this also benefits the students because the two of us may approach the same topic differently and different students may respond better to one of our styles. I remember hearing that planning collaborative lessons was hard, and while our model may not be perfect, it seems to come easily.
It starts from the time when we plan our lessons. Every Thursday we sit down together and plan the lessons for the next week. Right now I am teaching four of the classes and he is teaching the other two. This does not mean that I am solely responsible for my four classes or he for his two. We work together to decide what to do in each class.
This also applies to the way that we teach the classes. Most of the time I lead my classes and he leads his. However, we regularly ask one another to teach a part of the class. I may have a demonstration that he likes or he might have another way of explaining something. For example, one day I made a powerpoint for my classes and Mr. Taylor really liked the visuals so he had me go through them with his two classes.
I think that this type of collaborative model works really well. It allows the students to use both of us as resources. I think that this also benefits the students because the two of us may approach the same topic differently and different students may respond better to one of our styles. I remember hearing that planning collaborative lessons was hard, and while our model may not be perfect, it seems to come easily.
Week 6 Reflection
This week I tried to implement some different techniques in the classroom. Recently I have gotten used to teaching the class as more of a lecture but this week I decided to incorporate some more activity based lessons. I was very happy with how the students responded to the activities. Over the course of the week I ran a demonstration of osmosis using an egg. The students interacted very well with me and it seemed liked the visual and hands on demonstration got through to them. I also tried to empower the students by having them teach each other. One day I placed them in groups and assigned each group an organelle. They had to then research their assigned organelle and create a poster. They presented their posters to each other thereby teaching everyone about all of the parts of the cell. I liked this because rather than me standing up front and telling them about the organelles they all worked together to learn about them. Again I think the activity and interaction in the class worked well with my students.
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