Monday morning rolled around, and the 5th grade class went almost as well as I expected. There are 2 reading classes for 5th grade, and I was leading the lower of the two, because they are the only ones I have observed. We did an activity I called "Vocabulary Scattegories Jigsaw." Basically, the students split into 4 categories (noun, verb, adverb, adjective) and had to put the vocabulary words in the right category and come up with a definition. I gave them the page number in the book for context clues. After that, they mixed w/ a representative from the other categories and shared their answers. Then we all came together and went over the right categories/definitions. Working with the class that has a few more needs than the other made it a bit challenging, took a bit more prodding in the right direction, but overall, I was pleased with it.
Then I moved onto the squirmy first graders... just as squirmy as ever. We went outside to do what I thought would be a "super fun activity." In my defense, it was super fun...for about 2 minutes. I overestimated their attention span by about 8 minutes, leaving me with no choice except to return to the classroom to move onto the next activity. Normally, introducing vocabulary takes a lot of visuals, repetition, practice, and patience. Add a camera that the students self-discover to the classroom setting, and all the sudden the short attention span disappears and the students are able to focus... on their poses for the camera. After about 6 double takes at the camera, several silly faces, and a few stern teacher looks, I took a deep breath and asked the students to refocus their attention on me...again. I informed them that just because I am not my cooperating teacher, that being disruptive isn't OK. I am still a teacher, and I am still here to help them learn. The students just kind of looked at me, so I asked them how they thought they were behaving in class today: thumbs up or thumbs down. Two thumbs down, one thumb up, one confused look, and one smiling at the camera. Another deep breath before I continued. "Alright, class, I'll make you a deal. If class goes like this, we'll focus on reading and taking tests. If class starts going better and we all participate and pay attention, then we'll do some fun activities along with the reading and taking the test." Eyes lit up.
"What kind of fun, miss?" I smiled. I guess we'll see when class starts going better. Instantly the mood shifted, the students started paying attention, and the camera seemed to be of less importance. After wrapping up the new vocabulary and a brief introduction to the new story, I walked the students to the door, and wished them all a good rest of the afternoon. "Bye, miss!" The girls hugged me and the boys smirked and escaped out of my sight as soon as I opened the door.
What a day... and I still had 8th graders and 10th graders to observe that day.
Now, what did I take from that day? And can I share the video of the candid camera? I'm going to put off my lessons learned until the end of the week. Believe it or not, the first graders were given a run for their money by another class. Unfortunately, I'm far too exhausted to continue blogging my busy day today, but let me give you a feel for it: leading the class in 1st grade, 5th grade, 8th grade debate, and 2 10th grade classes.
And as far as sharing the candid camera, the professional in me says "absolutely not," and besides... little to my or my students' knowledge, it died about 10 minutes into the lesson.
The scattergories activity sounds like a good one. Wishing I could see the video of the others :-) I will say that it does sound like you are learning a lot about being a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You'll have to take a look at the videos of yesterday's class with my first graders... they are so funny. Exhausting, but so funny.
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