Connect & Reflect 9/16

Dear Scared Student Interns,

This past week has been a wild ride in 2nd grade. First thing Monday morning, my class got a brand new student! I was very excited but also scared because I had no idea what to do! My collaborating teacher and I had no idea she was coming into our class. That made me feel as if we were not prepared or ready for her. My collaborating teacher told me that this happens all the time and to make sure you always have back up materials ready. Then she gave our new student school supplies and continued class as usual. I have worked with her throughout this week to make sure she feels comfortable and understands the classroom procedures. I have learned from my Classroom Management class, what to do when a new student enters the classroom. I had to stop myself from always talking to her, telling her what to do, and instead I observed my class help her out. I loved seeing my students become friends with our new student and teach her the procedures of the classroom. It really helped out my CT and I because we cannot stop our lesson plans to teach our new student the procedures that the other students took over a week to learn. On Monday I was scared and nervous about how our new student was going to learn the rules of our classroom but by Wednesday I have thought of my own "new student solution," (my plan for when a new student comes into my classroom). My "new student solution" includes ideas from my professors, my readings, and my observations from my class. I will have extra school supplies ready for my new student and extend our morning meeting to introduce my new student to the class. At the morning meeting,  will go over a few very important procedures and tell my class my expectations for how they will treat and teach our new student. Then I will give our new student a new "buddy" everyday to help them out with classroom rules and procedures. I think my "new student solution" will be a great transition for them to feel safe, comfortable, and confident in my classroom.

Sincerely,
Not-as-scared Intern