I continued my phase out schedule this week and turned science and writer’s workshop back over to my cooperating teacher. I was responsible for teaching interactive read aloud and two guided reading groups this week and for next week as well. I cannot believe that next week is my last full week of student teaching. I am really going to miss this experience!
I am continuing to see the effects of how any minor change in the classroom schedule can affect the entire day and student behavior. For this week, the Book Fair was at the school and all week students have been so excited and concerned about the fair that it was been a challenge to help students remain focused during instructional time. The spring program is next week which has students excited as well. Also, did I mention that there were 3 birthday celebrations this week?! I think that as a teacher when weeks like this one occur it is even more critical that the lessons we teach are engaging and interesting for students.
Posted in Student Teaching April 17, 2010
My behavior intervention plan for my student was aimed at helping this student begin to use self-control and raise a hand during whole group instruction to indicated when he would like to contribute to the discussion. The student has a lot of helpful and beneficial comments to add to whole group discussions but often does not raise a hand but rather blurts out comments. Together we created a behavior contract in which the student’s goal was to raise a hand at least ten times every day and avoid blurting out comments. At the end of the week if the student has met the goal the opportunity is available to visit the library. The behavior plan seems to be working and provides a concrete goal for the student to work towards and helps the student begin to master self-control during whole group instruction. I am planning to check in next week and compare how many times he raises his hand at the carpet and how many times he blurts out to help provide evidence to the progress I believe the student is making.
I do not know exactly how I feel about implementing a behavior contract that seems to be providing him a reward for his behavior. I would like instead for the student to use self-control because it is a responsible choice that allows all the students the opportunity to learn best at the carpet and gives everyone a chance to contribute to the whole group discussion. Then again I see the benefits of this contract and how it is helping the student control his voice and raise his hands to contribute. I don’t know…just some of my reflection upon this whole process. What do you think?
Posted in EDUC 517- EC April 11, 2010
“Understanding and Responding to Student Defiance”
I read this article because I am interested in how to address defiant behavior in the classroom. I was not sure how to respond to a student who simply refuses to follow directions. I think that this article provided some helpful tips and advice to keep in mind when interacting with a defiant student. I think that it is important to first figure out why the behavior is occurring and what triggers the defiance. I also think that it is important sometimes to remove the student and yourself from the situation and allow the student and the teacher time to calm down and collect their thoughts. I have had experiences with students in which the student and I removed ourselves from the situation and came back later to address the issue. When I came back later to talk with the student the reason for the behavior became apparent immediately and I was able to appropriately respond and help the student.
Of course though I think the article makes a good point that time outs need to be used correctly with defiant students. I have had an experience where I ask a student to take a time out and when I came to talk with the student and send the student back to work the student did not want to leave the time out area. This is why I agree with the article that it is important to figure out the reason behind the defiant behavior before the teacher responds.
Posted in EDUC 517- EC April 10, 2010
I simply cannot believe that it is already April! This week I began turning things back over to my cooperating teacher and to be honest I was really sad to do so. I have enjoyed interacting with students and getting to teach them all. I have become quite fond of this group of students and the thought of leaving them in a couple of weeks makes me sad. I was so nervous and anxious about this experience and it turns out that I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I have learned so much about how to be an effective teacher. I am going to continue to teach interactive read alouds and guided reading all the way until it is time for me to observe other classrooms. I am really comfortable with read alouds and I am glad to keep guided reading because I feel it is one area that I need more practice with. I have the least amount of experience with teaching guided reading and I think that the additional practice teaching it is going to prove helpful for me and I love getting to work with students in small groups.
Posted in Student Teaching April 10, 2010
Well it seems that my theme for this week is to remember to use my best listening ears. Often throughout the day I am constantly reminding my students to use their best listening bodies and to pay attention during our lessons. One lesson that I learned from my students this week is that I need to have my best listening ears and eyes turned on too. It is important as a teacher to take that moment out of the day and just listen to your students. Give them a moment to say what they are feeling or thinking and reflect upon it.
On Friday, of course during Jennifer’s weekly observation 
, I was forced to deal with a student who was exhibiting some intense defiance and disregard for our classroom expectations. Later on in the day I was able to take a moment and talk with this student about the behavior and quickly it became clear to me what the issue was. By talking with the student I was able to more clearly understand what was going on and help this student. I need to remember that my students sometimes just need someone to talk to them and lend them a listening ear! Often the disruptive behaviors students display have reasons and causes behind them and I think it is important that I remember this and seek out the reasons before trying to address the behaviors.
Posted in Student Teaching March 27, 2010
To be honest I have been so focused on my student teaching experience that I have kind of put the case study on the back burner. I have taken some data on my student back in February during times when I was not teaching but that simply has not been possible this month. I know that my cooperating teacher and/or my teacher assistant would have no problem jotting down notes as I am teaching so I need to be more proactive and remember to ask them. My cooperating teacher and I have been in contact with the student’s parents and I am observing the major advantages that come from communicating with parents about what is happening at school.
I must say that having this blog update about the case study is proving very beneficial in that it has served as a reminder that I need to be working on this project and finish gathering my data so I can deign and implement an intervention.
Posted in EDUC 517- EC March 20, 2010
I cannot believe that I just finished my third week of full time teaching! I am completely enjoying this experience and I have been reassured that I have chosen the profession that is a fit for me. My highlight of the week occurred on Friday during the morning work portion of my class’s day. On student in particular has been really struggling with the subtraction with ungrouping topic we have been studying in math. As I was going around checking their morning work I came to this student and was ecstatic as I looked over his work. This student had successfully created his proof picture and the number work to show his mathematical thinking and how he had solved the subtraction problem.
I was so thrilled that called my cooperating teacher and teacher assistant over to see his work. It was wonderful to see that the intensive review and small group work we had been doing during math was proving effective and helping my students understand what I was teaching. Not to be trite, but this is exactly why I chose to teach because I love helping students and watching them grow and learn and to overcome the obstacles they face! On Monday, I plan to give his mother a call and just brag on him and let her know the progress he is making at school. What a wonderful way to end the week!
Posted in Student Teaching March 20, 2010
I now have a second week of full time teaching under my belt and every day I feel reassured that I have chosen the correct career. One fun highlight from my week is a special visitor to my classroom. This week in writer’s workshop my students have been working on all-about books and so during writer’s workshop on Monday I was walking around providing support as they were writing. When suddenly one of my students informed me that there was a frog in our room. I checked on the floor and sure enough right by her chair was indeed a small frog. It is an interesting story behind how that frog got there that includes a student’s wish to free a frog from its cage. Luckily for us the frog was a small water frog and due to the lack of water the frog was docile and easily caught and returned to his cage.
Things are going well and I am I continuing to learn so much from this experience. For this upcoming week my goals include improving my time management skills and increasing the amount of positive behavior support I use in my classroom management style.
Posted in Student Teaching March 14, 2010
For this month’s reading I chose to read the section about students who demonstrate disruptive behaviors such as taking without raising their hands, making noises, and playing with objects. I chose to read this section because it is most closely related to the behaviors that my case study student exhibits. As I was reading this section I understand that students often exhibit these disruptive behaviors because they are not engaged or disinterested in the lessons begin taught by the teacher. While I understand that this is part of the issue I also wonder how if it can always be avoided.
I just do not think it is feasible for me to teach lessons that are going to always engage every single student in my classroom. Of course, my aim in planning my lessons is that the lessons are interesting and engaging for my students but I am not sure that this is always going to be possible. Even as I write this I feel as if I am being pessimistic but maybe I am just being realistic?! I think that I am going to have to ponder a little longer on this issue and I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions about this matter.
I think that one of the most effective interventions for my student is going to be to teach him about self-management and equip him with tools to make appropriate, responsible choices. While I have not fully developed this plan, teaching this student self-management is going to be a key aspect of the intervention.
Posted in EDUC 517- EC March 14, 2010
This week was the beginning of my full time teaching experience and it was an exciting start. Some of the highlights of my week include hugs, laughter, and watching my students begin to develop an understanding of the topics I am teaching them about. I have learned the importance of knowing my students and using assessments to help guide my planning. I am teaching a math unit about subtraction with ungrouping and it has been very helpful to administer math check-in quizzes to my students. These check-ins show me what my students are beginning to master and the areas where they need additional support. I use the check-ins to group students by skills and develop small group instruction activities that are specifically design to meet their needs.
I have begun teaching my integrated unit about women’s history and I think that my students are definitely interested and learning a lot about some important women from our county’s past. I am looking forward to another week in second grade!
Posted in Student Teaching March 7, 2010
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