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.