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

Reflect & Connect 9/23

Dear Powerful Teachers,

This week I have become in charge of my own center! I am very excited to start practicing fluency with my group of learners. I am teaching my group of student’s phonics, fluency, and am giving them a weekly reading conference. I started my own group of centers by giving a mini reading conference to my students. I took notes and made every interview a little bit different by asking the student I was working with a new question based off of his/her answer. My favorite part of my center is listening to them read and answering any questions they may have. I found out one of my students does not like to read because he is "forced" to at home. My goal for this individual student is to teach him that reading is fun; it is not something you have to do. I am going to be using some research theories I learned from Emergent Literacy. For example, seeing if he is interested in what we are reading aloud, find a more challenging book, and help him find a book he is very interested in. 

I have realized this past week during my intern class, that teachers have a lot more power than we think. With these students I am working with, I have the power to improve their reading attitudes and levels. I am nervous and excited at the same time. Having power is very important. Your students can take anything you say the right or wrong way. For example, I learned a teacher's tone has a lot of power because depending on if it is high, low, or sarcastic, a student may be hurt by the wrong tone for the whole day when the teacher thinks s/he has gotten the point across. As a teacher I feel as if it is important to always have the same tone and voice level when giving instructions and directing students but not having a monotone voice while reading aloud or during lessons. I want to practice this upcoming week on being more cautious to my student’s reactions and focusing on what type of power my teacher enforces. 

Sincerely,

New Center Teacher