Dear College Interns Finishing Your Junior Year,
Yay! Congrats, we did it! We finally made it to the last year of our college career. Scary. This past year has been challenging but also very rewarding. I started my junior off by starting all of my elementary education classes and I was placed in a second grade classroom in a Title 1 school. I was very fortunate to have an amazing collaborating teacher who has taught me classroom management, guided reading, professionalism, and many other countless things that made me the level III intern I am today. My classes have taught me how to differentiate instruction, teach intermediate literacy, K-6 math, K-6 social studies, and teaching exceptional students. I am thankful my professors have all been elementary teachers in the school district where my internship is. This year I have learned how to reflect on my teachings, so I know my strengths and weaknesses.
To start off my senior year, I will be taking four summer classes and continue to stay with my second grade class until their last day off school. My summer schedule includes, Teaching Elementary Writing, ESOL 2, seminar, and Measurement for Teachers. Then August 14 I start pre-planning with my 5th grade collaborating teacher for the 2014-2015 school year!
I will keep on blogging all summer long. Hope you are looking to my senior year just as much as I am!
Happy summer,
Miss Hester
Friday, May 2, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Reflect & Connect 3/30
Dear Teachers,
I am seeking some advice this week writing to you. A lot has happened this past week at 123 Elementary. To start off the week a second grader consistently punched and kicked a boy on the playground. This was my first instance with students fighting. At first I was shocked, scared, and disappointed. I like how staff dealt with this problem by immediately removing the child and class from the scene, suspension, and counseling for both students. My question to you is, what would you of done if this would have happened in your classroom? Do you have a classroom management plan for violence? Do you have any stories you would like to share that involve your experience with violence in the classroom?
As I was asking myself these questions and I thought of how this incidence connects to my Teaching Exceptional Students class. In this class we learn about diverse learners and receive teacher tips on how to understand their impairments and know what to do with it so they are successful learners. I am curious about the students who are very angry at such a young age, like the student who was violent. I am trying to find a reason but my mind is blank. If you have any suggestions please inform me!
Another thing that happened this past week was notification from a parent that there a bully in the classroom. This, again, was very disappointing to me. I knew what the parent was talking about but I never really thought of the student as being a bully, just a strong personality. I thought about it more and realized it could be a bully situation but the student, who's parent came in, is also very sensitive. Both personalities play a big factor as if the student is being a bully or not. In the end, I do not like how the student is feeling because I believe the classroom should be a safe, friendly environment. One student was making it not safe and not friendly and that needed to change.
As my collaborating teacher was thinking of a plan on how to deal with this, I was reflecting on what I would have done. I was lost at any thoughts. During my classroom management class there was really no solution to bullies in the classroom. My professor never told us what to do. The only thing I could think of was following up with my classroom management plan, separating the students, talking individually to the students, and placing an intervention plan. Any suggestions for how you deal with bullies? I want to have a plan implemented in my classroom for when a circumstance may occur.
Thank you for your help teachers! It is greatly appreciated by myself and my future students!
Hopefully none of you have this probably in your classroom,
Miss Hester
I am seeking some advice this week writing to you. A lot has happened this past week at 123 Elementary. To start off the week a second grader consistently punched and kicked a boy on the playground. This was my first instance with students fighting. At first I was shocked, scared, and disappointed. I like how staff dealt with this problem by immediately removing the child and class from the scene, suspension, and counseling for both students. My question to you is, what would you of done if this would have happened in your classroom? Do you have a classroom management plan for violence? Do you have any stories you would like to share that involve your experience with violence in the classroom?
As I was asking myself these questions and I thought of how this incidence connects to my Teaching Exceptional Students class. In this class we learn about diverse learners and receive teacher tips on how to understand their impairments and know what to do with it so they are successful learners. I am curious about the students who are very angry at such a young age, like the student who was violent. I am trying to find a reason but my mind is blank. If you have any suggestions please inform me!
Another thing that happened this past week was notification from a parent that there a bully in the classroom. This, again, was very disappointing to me. I knew what the parent was talking about but I never really thought of the student as being a bully, just a strong personality. I thought about it more and realized it could be a bully situation but the student, who's parent came in, is also very sensitive. Both personalities play a big factor as if the student is being a bully or not. In the end, I do not like how the student is feeling because I believe the classroom should be a safe, friendly environment. One student was making it not safe and not friendly and that needed to change.
As my collaborating teacher was thinking of a plan on how to deal with this, I was reflecting on what I would have done. I was lost at any thoughts. During my classroom management class there was really no solution to bullies in the classroom. My professor never told us what to do. The only thing I could think of was following up with my classroom management plan, separating the students, talking individually to the students, and placing an intervention plan. Any suggestions for how you deal with bullies? I want to have a plan implemented in my classroom for when a circumstance may occur.
Thank you for your help teachers! It is greatly appreciated by myself and my future students!
Hopefully none of you have this probably in your classroom,
Miss Hester
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Reflect & Connect 3/23
Dear Stressful Teachers,
This past week has been crazy at 123 Elementary! Everyone has been so busy teaching and planning for the state standardized tests. As a student, I never realized what all teachers and administrators have to do for the best tests at the end of the school year. This week I attended a training to be an administer/proctor for testing. I understood the rules in place, but it was A LOT. I never thought teachers would have to cover up classroom posters! That is how I spent my Thursday afternoon. I had to cover/take down anchor charts that would benefit students on the tests. For example, the number line had to be covered. Overall, this week has been a great learning experience and I am reading for testing next week! Stressed teachers, worry no more all of your hard work will show from your class's results!
There is no time for stress,
Miss Hester
This past week has been crazy at 123 Elementary! Everyone has been so busy teaching and planning for the state standardized tests. As a student, I never realized what all teachers and administrators have to do for the best tests at the end of the school year. This week I attended a training to be an administer/proctor for testing. I understood the rules in place, but it was A LOT. I never thought teachers would have to cover up classroom posters! That is how I spent my Thursday afternoon. I had to cover/take down anchor charts that would benefit students on the tests. For example, the number line had to be covered. Overall, this week has been a great learning experience and I am reading for testing next week! Stressed teachers, worry no more all of your hard work will show from your class's results!
There is no time for stress,
Miss Hester
Monday, March 24, 2014
Reflect & Connect 3/16
Dear Reader,
Sorry I have not blogged recently! My brain has yet to leave spring break. The past couple of weeks, besides spring break, I have been working hard in my Instructional Planning class creating my first lesson plan unit. As of today I have completed Stage 1 and Stage 2. I like how this concept of planning has me look to the big idea of what I want my students to learn. First I started by planning what CCSS to use, man in goals, my essential questions, and what students will know/be able to. Next, I complete Stage 2 by planning how I will assess my students to one of my essential questions. At first this was tricky for me because I like planning step by step, in order. Now I have learned the big picture I want my students to understand. All of the details will be planned in Stage 3, but for now I know how I want to teach and ways I will assess my students. After learning about lesson planning, and seeing it in action in the classroom, I have a new love for creating essential questions. They are so important for students to understand the purpose of what they are learning and what their goal for the lesson should be. As a teacher I love essential questions from how they benefit students and how it is the big picture of lessons.
In my gallery there is pictures of my unit plan in action!
Thanks for keeping up with my process of becoming an effective teacher. Hope you like my unit plan!
-Miss Hester
Sorry I have not blogged recently! My brain has yet to leave spring break. The past couple of weeks, besides spring break, I have been working hard in my Instructional Planning class creating my first lesson plan unit. As of today I have completed Stage 1 and Stage 2. I like how this concept of planning has me look to the big idea of what I want my students to learn. First I started by planning what CCSS to use, man in goals, my essential questions, and what students will know/be able to. Next, I complete Stage 2 by planning how I will assess my students to one of my essential questions. At first this was tricky for me because I like planning step by step, in order. Now I have learned the big picture I want my students to understand. All of the details will be planned in Stage 3, but for now I know how I want to teach and ways I will assess my students. After learning about lesson planning, and seeing it in action in the classroom, I have a new love for creating essential questions. They are so important for students to understand the purpose of what they are learning and what their goal for the lesson should be. As a teacher I love essential questions from how they benefit students and how it is the big picture of lessons.
In my gallery there is pictures of my unit plan in action!
Thanks for keeping up with my process of becoming an effective teacher. Hope you like my unit plan!
-Miss Hester
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Reflect & Connect 3/2
Dear People Who Know How to Garden,
This week I found a new weakness of mine, gardening. I never thought it would be hard. Actually, I looked forward to growing flowers and vegetables at my future house, but no, not anymore. My collaborating teacher got a grant to build an organic, hydrogarden. I thought it would be so simple to set up and let the kids explore, but once again I was wrong. My CT and I had to build the garden from scratch. We assembled the equipment, which had way too many steps, then got to the dirty work. We had to wash off pebbles, then break apart bricks of hard soil once they were in water. Next, we had to mix up all of the soil with more pebbles. The sun was beating on us and this was only the beginning! Tomorrow during planning period, we will be adding chemicals to see the waters acidity to see if our plants can grow. If the pass tests, then we will start planting but out students will not be able to because of the risk from the acid. I wish they could be more involved instead of just observing!
As much as I am not of fan of gardening, I am a fan of science. I cannot wait until fall semester when I get to take Teaching K-6 Science. But for now I am on my own, using my prior knowledge and following my CT.
Please keep your fingers crossed plant grow! I will keep my blog updated when there is excitement in the garden. As for now, please comment or like the gardening picture under the gallery tab!
Thank you Gardeners,
Miss Hester
This week I found a new weakness of mine, gardening. I never thought it would be hard. Actually, I looked forward to growing flowers and vegetables at my future house, but no, not anymore. My collaborating teacher got a grant to build an organic, hydrogarden. I thought it would be so simple to set up and let the kids explore, but once again I was wrong. My CT and I had to build the garden from scratch. We assembled the equipment, which had way too many steps, then got to the dirty work. We had to wash off pebbles, then break apart bricks of hard soil once they were in water. Next, we had to mix up all of the soil with more pebbles. The sun was beating on us and this was only the beginning! Tomorrow during planning period, we will be adding chemicals to see the waters acidity to see if our plants can grow. If the pass tests, then we will start planting but out students will not be able to because of the risk from the acid. I wish they could be more involved instead of just observing!
As much as I am not of fan of gardening, I am a fan of science. I cannot wait until fall semester when I get to take Teaching K-6 Science. But for now I am on my own, using my prior knowledge and following my CT.
Please keep your fingers crossed plant grow! I will keep my blog updated when there is excitement in the garden. As for now, please comment or like the gardening picture under the gallery tab!
Thank you Gardeners,
Miss Hester
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Reflect & Connect 2/23
Dear Parents,
During my student internship at 123 Elementary, I have learned how to prepare for conferences with parents. Administration prepared teachers during a faculty meeting by going over important conversations topics and a academic plan. The academic plan listed expectations students needed to meet to move on to the next grade. This plan consisted of test scores in all subjects. I was surprised that just a few tests for second graders determined if they were going to be third graders next year. I am worried for a few of my students because I know taking tests is very hard for them.
Teachers prepared me for parent teacher conferences in many different ways. My second grade collaborating teacher organized all of the most important data for her students, included with information of how to help them at home (examples are worksheets and online resources). My fifth grade collaborating teacher taught me how give a DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment). She showed me the running record symbols to use as the student is reading and how to add up the symbols to give an accurate score. Then students took back to their seats and reflection and writing piece. I love how they we not just assessed orally but also on paper. It really shows the students talent by reading their writing. I got to experience a students score go from a level 40 in the beginning in the year to a 60 by last Wednesday. This is great data to show parents so they can see where there students academic level increasing.
I am a very fortunate student intern to have such an amazing faculty and two collaborating teacher teach me all about parent conferences. I feel very prepared for my own, which is just a year and a half away!
Sincerely,
Miss Hester
During my student internship at 123 Elementary, I have learned how to prepare for conferences with parents. Administration prepared teachers during a faculty meeting by going over important conversations topics and a academic plan. The academic plan listed expectations students needed to meet to move on to the next grade. This plan consisted of test scores in all subjects. I was surprised that just a few tests for second graders determined if they were going to be third graders next year. I am worried for a few of my students because I know taking tests is very hard for them.
Teachers prepared me for parent teacher conferences in many different ways. My second grade collaborating teacher organized all of the most important data for her students, included with information of how to help them at home (examples are worksheets and online resources). My fifth grade collaborating teacher taught me how give a DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment). She showed me the running record symbols to use as the student is reading and how to add up the symbols to give an accurate score. Then students took back to their seats and reflection and writing piece. I love how they we not just assessed orally but also on paper. It really shows the students talent by reading their writing. I got to experience a students score go from a level 40 in the beginning in the year to a 60 by last Wednesday. This is great data to show parents so they can see where there students academic level increasing.
I am a very fortunate student intern to have such an amazing faculty and two collaborating teacher teach me all about parent conferences. I feel very prepared for my own, which is just a year and a half away!
Sincerely,
Miss Hester
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Reflect & Connect 2/9
Dear Center Lovers,
During our Teaching K-6 Math class last Thursday, residents got together in groups and created math stations for learning numbers 1-20. Once we completed making a chart that had directions for our center, our professor then had us do a gallery walk. For those who do not know, a gallery walk is when you walk around the classroom looking at projects/pictures. It was really cool seeing how creative my classmates are. I would love to use math centers in my second grade classroom. I think this could really benefit student's learning because they would learn in their math-level groups, work collaboratively, and focus on what they need. I wonder how this could happen though because I feel like there would not be enough time during our math block. Please feel free to comment with any suggestions! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Miss Hester
During our Teaching K-6 Math class last Thursday, residents got together in groups and created math stations for learning numbers 1-20. Once we completed making a chart that had directions for our center, our professor then had us do a gallery walk. For those who do not know, a gallery walk is when you walk around the classroom looking at projects/pictures. It was really cool seeing how creative my classmates are. I would love to use math centers in my second grade classroom. I think this could really benefit student's learning because they would learn in their math-level groups, work collaboratively, and focus on what they need. I wonder how this could happen though because I feel like there would not be enough time during our math block. Please feel free to comment with any suggestions! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Miss Hester
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