First Week

I survived the first week of my student teaching, and I didn't get swine flu !

The principal wanted to make sure the students understood who was in charge of this school , the teachers. So when we spent the entire first week on classroom procedures and rules we would not have a repeat of last year. Apparently last year's 5th graders at Duval received 150 referrals and bombed the FCAT !

So we started out strong, I was a little timid the first few days and was unsure about what to do when it came to discipline but by Wednesday I had no problem sending kids to a time out after giving two warnings.

I even kept a few students back from recess on Thursday. Then wrote up a behavior letter and sent it home with one of my constant talkers and who also talked back to me.It's always good to have a paper trail. Her grandmother walked her to class on Friday morning and made her apologize to me.( HA it worked !)

Then by Friday all I had to do was have a student write "I will make better choices" 25 times while the other students went to Art. I'm on a roll !

But there are some really sweet children as well, and I'm sorry to say that they probably get ignored because I have to keep correcting others behavior. I think I will send a letter home with them also telling their parents how good they have been.

Meet the Teacher Day

Friday was Alachua County "Meet the Teacher Day", where parents and children come into the school to meet the teacher for the year. I was told that their won't be a big turn out compared to other schools in the city. Duval is a fine arts elementary school situated in the poorer black neighborhood of Gainesville. Our class had ten parents/guardians come to see us and it was nice to get more than expected.

Each child had a different situation, one lived with an Aunt, another with her Grandmother, we had one father bring his son in but we didn't have any mother and father together come into the class. But again, these are working class people and it was a Friday afternoon so I understand if a lot of parents couldn't make it. I hope that more will show up for "Open House" in September.

In Harry Wong's THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL, he suggests that to be an effective teacher with parents you must "introduce yourself to the class" (chapter 13). He breaks it down into three steps:

1. Send a letter home to the parents BEFORE school begins.
I have written a letter to introduce myself to the parents and tell them a little about me and my goals for this semester. But I don't have the addresses and we aren't sure how many we will have on Monday because of last minute registration. So I will give the students the letter on the first day of school to bring home in an envelope.

2. Send a letter home to each student BEFORE school begins.
This is a new idea, they are 5th grade and I remember loving receiving mail when I was that age. It's too late to send a letter home before school starts and they will meet me on Monday. Hum, maybe I'll send them a little note after the first week telling them my expectations.

3. Visit the home of each student BEFORE school begins.
This I am not comfortable with, it's not the community that make me uncomfortable it's showing up uninvited. Plus this is a specialized school where students are bussed in from all over the county.

Popcorn

Part of being a good Elementary School Teacher is making good bulletin board displays. It shows that you are a creative individual and care about your students and their work. Weather it be a "Welcome Back To School" or a Holiday themed board enhanced with your students works of art, short stories or pictures.

Bulletin boards are one of my favorite things to do in a classroom. That being said some teachers do not like making bulletin boards. Personally I appreciate every chance I am given to be creative. It's what sets some teachers apart from others.

Here are some pictures of the display I made for my internship themed for welcome back to school.













Red paper background with off white trim.











Die cut teachers name in University of Florida colors (Orange & Blue). "5th Grade" in same color as trim.









"Look Who Popped Into 5th Grade! " With freehand popcorn shapes cut from off white color construction paper.










Then add some popcorn holders and your almost finished. We just need to take the students pictures and then add them to the board.

Early Childhood Education

Interesting perspective on Early Childhood Education and the two Americas. Have a listen

Setting Up the Classroom

Both my parent were classroom teachers and had the same classroom for the better part of their teaching careers. So when I walk into the classroom I will be spending this semester in I was a little surprised to see that the room was in disarray. Nothing was where it should be , no desks, no chairs, no teacher desk. Books, materials, posters, they wear all over the place.

To show the transformation of the classroom I took a few before pictures. We still did a little bit of work to the room by finding me a desk and setting up the reading area but besides that we have our work cut out for us.
In this picture you can see our Smart board, it's the only one in 5th Grade. Mrs. Christian got it from a grant she applied for.
We are waiting to get some tennis balls to put on the bottom of the chairs so they do not scratch up the new laminate floors.
Sorting through the classroom material. We do not have a closet or a storage room what you see is the cubbyholes that are filled with everything you will need in a classroom.
This is my desk, I'm so excited to have a space of my own.

Meet the Teacher

Today I went to my school to meet with my supervising teacher Mrs. Christinan, I put out my hand to shake and she gave me a hug. So I'm in already.

I met the new principle and office staff, the custodians and another teacher.

The custodians were stripping the floors and re waxing them so it was difficult to get around.

Our mission today was to get the classroom set up. After much debate on weather to use tables or desks we chose out of necessity to go with tables ( there were no more desks). We did however find me a desk of my own, and put it in the opposite corner from Mrs. Christian. Then sorted through the books the students will read and gave extra to the new teacher. I was pleased to see we have a smart board.

I'll return tomorrow to continue setting up the classroom.