Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
What a difference a year can make
It's been about 6 weeks of the new school year, and I have to say that being in your second year of teaching is SO MUCH DIFFERENT than being in your first year.
I feel like I have established a [positive] reputation for myself at school and that kids know what to expect in my classroom. I feel like my former freshmen that are now sophomores know what I want them to be able to do in terms of writing and class discussion, and that they are fulfilling this to my expectations.
I also feel like I still don't quite have a management/organizational/course structure plan in place that I am in love with. I know that 2nd year is much easier than 1st year, but I am also realistic in understanding that I am still growing, learning, and discovering how to be effective as well as how to actually enjoy what I'm doing and feel good about what I bring to the table. [And I really am enjoying teaching much more this year than last year. The increase in confidence and knowledge of my subject matter is tremendous.]
:)
I feel like I have established a [positive] reputation for myself at school and that kids know what to expect in my classroom. I feel like my former freshmen that are now sophomores know what I want them to be able to do in terms of writing and class discussion, and that they are fulfilling this to my expectations.
I also feel like I still don't quite have a management/organizational/course structure plan in place that I am in love with. I know that 2nd year is much easier than 1st year, but I am also realistic in understanding that I am still growing, learning, and discovering how to be effective as well as how to actually enjoy what I'm doing and feel good about what I bring to the table. [And I really am enjoying teaching much more this year than last year. The increase in confidence and knowledge of my subject matter is tremendous.]
:)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Limited Time
While in a professional development seminar last week re: curriculum mapping, our speaker did a brief comparison to the amount of days/hours that American children spend in school versus students in other countries, most notably Japan. I don't remember specific numbers, but I do know that is was glaringly obvious how must less time we (Americans) spend in school with students, with all of our extended holidays, early dismissals, snow days, hurricane days, etc.
Taking this into consideration as I am planning my first few weeks of school, I am torn about how to deal with the first days, particularly days 1 and 2. I need to get through my course policies and syllabus, but I would also like to spend some time getting to know my students. My syllabus is rather lengthy due to the culture of the school that I am in (it is expected that you have a very thorough document in order to CYA), and it will take me about 40-45 mins total to cover all of the material.
This leaves me with a question: Do I speed through the syllabus and do 1 activity in the remaining 20 or so minutes, and then start with course material on day 2? Or do I take 2 sixty-minute class periods to go through my syllabus in chunks, while doing a variety of activities and games to get to know my students?
When the US already has stunted school years, is there really enough time to spend 2 whole class days on getting-to-know-you games? Or if I rush through the first day and don't take a whole lot of time to familiarize myself with my students as individuals, am I going to regret it later when I haven't really fostered the bonds and relationships I would like to have throughout the year?
Also... any fun/interesting/relevant icebreaker game suggestions? :)
Taking this into consideration as I am planning my first few weeks of school, I am torn about how to deal with the first days, particularly days 1 and 2. I need to get through my course policies and syllabus, but I would also like to spend some time getting to know my students. My syllabus is rather lengthy due to the culture of the school that I am in (it is expected that you have a very thorough document in order to CYA), and it will take me about 40-45 mins total to cover all of the material.
This leaves me with a question: Do I speed through the syllabus and do 1 activity in the remaining 20 or so minutes, and then start with course material on day 2? Or do I take 2 sixty-minute class periods to go through my syllabus in chunks, while doing a variety of activities and games to get to know my students?
When the US already has stunted school years, is there really enough time to spend 2 whole class days on getting-to-know-you games? Or if I rush through the first day and don't take a whole lot of time to familiarize myself with my students as individuals, am I going to regret it later when I haven't really fostered the bonds and relationships I would like to have throughout the year?
Also... any fun/interesting/relevant icebreaker game suggestions? :)
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