Thanks to all who made it to class today and especially for actively participating once you were there. Hopefully we'll hear from everyone else here on the blog so we can get their ideas about the content for the day. We missed those of you who couldn't make it in and hope you're safe. We definitely look forward to seeing you next week.
1) I love the fact that you didn't like it when I wouldn't let you use your books, but then you came around to see the value and my purpose. Jessica wants to know if this is a good activity for middle schoolers. What do you guys think? Could you use it in your content area? Can you give us a simple example or do you think it's not good for middle schoolers?
2) You go to your schools for a minimum of 20 hours....at about 3 hours per week - that's about 7 weeks. It will vary from person to person depending on how long you're there per day. You should definitely go no less than 5 weeks and I think your coops are planning for you to be there 7.
3) Let's share and compare field experiences, ask questions, see if others are seeing the same situations. What was the best part of your first experience? What surprised you? What disappointed you?
4) Those of you who had to miss class please let us know what you think about the factors that we, as middle childhood teachers, are responsible for providing out students. Have you seen this happening? What would look for in a school to see if these requirements are being met?
Have a great weekend!! Hope you all get out in the schools this week and look forward to seeing you next Friday - with your assignment in hand!!
Later,
Diann
17 comments:
I know this is really random, but do you know that it says you're an accountant in Afghanastan on your profile? lol
Danielle Acra
No, I didn't know it. Thanks for the heads up!!
Diann
I enjoyed my first day of field experience. I learned quite a bit about a few students. My teacher had posters posted on the class rules, motivation, and consequences. There were a couple students throughout the morning that would just ask to sit in the dean's office rather than particiapte in her class. She walked around the room as she spoke, asked lots of questions for participation, and had a fun "lab" for them to do at the end of class. She seems like a hands on type of teacher. On the other hand, there were the students who always rose their hand and wanted to read out loud, or answer the question.
I had the opportunity to talk with her during a planning period and she stated that because so many of the student's parents aren't involved or just don't care, then the children don't care to be at school and many of the ones who don't want to be there are usually involved with gang activities.
It's difficult for me to understand (not agree, but undestand) how some of these parents don't want the best for and to be involved with their child.
Regina Buzzard
My first of my field experience went good. The only thing I was not satisfied with was that the teacher never emailed me back about anything. I learned a lot about what type of teacher she is. I learned a lot about the students also. I helped pass back papers by calling out the student’s name. I wrote things up on the board. I helped the teacher write out lunch passes. I had a good time. Can’t wait until next week!
As middle school providers we have to offer students with, courageous, collaborative leadership, a shared vision that guides decisions, an inviting, supportive, and safe environment, teachers and students engaged in active learning etc. In some schools this is happening in others it may not. Schools should have someone come sit in the classroom to predict if these goals are being met.
Leeann Huey
In regards to using the activity we did Friday in class in a middle school classroom, I believe yes you could use this in a middle school classroom. My example would be in a language arts setting. I would put sheets of paper up around the room like in class but label them with items that relate to a book we were reading in class. These might include things as character names, setting, major events that occurred in specific chapters, stylistic features used int he text, literary terms used in the text, predictions for upcoming chapters, and so on. I think you could also use this for doing grammatical things such as having students write up examples of adverbials, nominals, verb tenses, 7 sentence types, and so on. What do you think?
-Megan Brautigam
I didn't yet have a field experience set up but I think as teachers we need to provide a safe learning environment that is nonjudgmental. Students are judged all their lives by peers a parents and other adults. I feel it is our responsibility to start a school year off without judging them from what you have heard from other teachers. As a student it is always nice to have someone who believes in you.
Ryan Schulze
Hello everybody! I apologize for missing class on Friday, but I just thought I would let everybody know that my Thursday field experience went great! I am doing my field experience at Fassett Middle School in Oregon. In my opinion, it is truly a middle school and almost exactly what I expected. The teacher I am observing has only been teaching three years, but she is great! She knows her students personally and she has a passion for teaching! I got to help during the periods that I was there and it was so much fun! The students were excited to see a new face in the room, too! Most of the students paid attention during the activities, although there were a few that wanted to sleep. The teacher has lunch duty, so I got to experience what that was like. Wow! It was very loud, but the students all seemed to cooperate with the rules.
As middle school providers, we are to encourage students and show that we really care. Sometimes, I think that all a student may need is someone to say they can do it and the possibilities are endless. Lots of students do not have the support at home, so we, as future middle school educators, need to be there to lend the helping hand!
Maranda Hafner
10:30 a.m. class
I also went to Fassett Middle School just like Maranda. I didn't get to experience the lunch room just yet, but I might be going later next week so I'll be in for a treat!
One of the things that I found a little strange was the fact they had English as a block period and the other classes were normal. I also asked my cooperating teacher if they had "teams" and she said they didn't. I found that to be odd because the feel of the school was very much that of a MS. Her classroom was decorated with so many bright colors and I loved the atmosphere. She said she used to be an elementary teacher, but she just kept the decorations. A good idea in my mind!
For my field experience I went to Deveaux and had a really good time. Because of the snow day the day before, most of the time spent was in the computer lab and the library, but it was good experience to see how plans get changed spur of the moment. I enjoyed seeing how my teacher interacted with her students and the majority of them seemed to really respect her.
Samantha Simcic
I think the activity we did in class would be a great thing to do in a middle school classroom!! For social studies you could post things around the room that have different events like WWII or Civil war and they would have to go through and put down what they know about each thing. I think students would love to do an activity like that because it's fun and it's making them think!!
Hi everyone!
I think the activity that we did on Friday would be acceptable to use with your middle schoolers. You could easily incorporate many different subjects. Regarding my field experience, I really enjoyed going to Leverette. I was very nervous about going because I grew up in a rural school with only 50 in my class. After a while I got more comfortable and can't wait to go back this week! See you all Friday!
Forest Clayton
I was so nervous going into my field experience, mainly because I wasn't sure what to expect. I ended up getting paired with two teachers, a 7th grade Language Arts and 8th grade Math teacher. They could not have been more opposite! My Language Arts teacher introduced me as "Miss Erika" who would be "sitting at the back and observing". I was truly disappointed. When I went to the Math class, however, I was relieved. I was introduced as "Mrs. Buchholz, a teacher-in-training" who "will be helping us out and possibly doing a bit of teaching herself" I was thrilled! I don't think I will be comfortable teaching, but I would like a chance to work with the students.
I was surprised at how small the classes were: only about 15-20 students! Also, this particulat school district is funded by a GM Powertrain Plant, but you could never tell. Some of the classrooms have smartboards but the school seems pretty run down.
I think middle school teachers need to provide a safe and encouraging learning environment filled with the many types of learning styles. All students can learn, but learn very differently.
Erika Buchholz
9:30F
My field experience was great. I am at Fassette Middle School as well, that really is a good place. The atmosphere is very invinting and the teachers I have been introduced to and are teaching with are great for the students. I have an exceptional experience on thursday, because when you hear about things in the news it is hard to place them near you , well about a month ago there was a murder in Oregon, well I have one of the children from that news story in my home room. She is the greatest student I have ever seen, she smart, fun and she loves school.
I really enjoyed going, I can not wait untill next week.
~Crystal Williams
My field experience went really well aslo!! I went to Leverette. At first, I was nervous about going there becasue it is considered inner city. However, I did not think the school was bad at all. My teacher, Mrs. Allen is very nice and was glad that I was going to be helping her out. She gave a test last Thursday, so there was not much for me to do. I noticed that she has a very good relationiship with her students. Inbetween classes she stands out in the hall and jokes around with many of her students. However, when the bell rings her students know it's time to learn and not joke around. I really enjoyed my field experience, and I can't wait to go back tomorrow. See you Friday!
Megan Thompson
My first day at my field expierce was interesting. I went to Springfield Middle School and they actually had an 2 hour delay but I still went. It seemed crazy because the teachers had to reorganize their schedule, which was crazy for my teacher. My teacher has the room filled with math terms on the boards and classroom rules. I really enjoy going their because it's a different setting from what Im use to. I can't wait until I get more into my position and get along with the kids.
Lynesha Richardson
I really enjoyed my first learning experience today at Leverette. I got there when my teacher Mrs. Deem's second period started which is her free period. So she brought me next door to a seventh grade math class. She sat at her desk the entire period and didn't walk around helping students with questions which I thought was kind of different. She also made some negative comments to some of the students that I thought were kind embarassing for a teenager.
I really liked being in Mrs. Deem's class. She is very animated with the students and you can tell that they respect her. They worked on problems the entire class and I walked around helping students who didn't seem to understand what to do. I'm looking forward to working with Mrs. Deem this semester!
See you tomorrow!
Emily Kairis
1. The activity was definitely one you can use with middle schoolers. If you pay attention, you can find ways to use almost every activity we'll do in class with your middle schoolers. That's why I do them that way.
Diann
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