Education Professions 2 Reflection

This semester in ed. professions is an interesting one. I have learned a lot in class and at my mentor site. I was able to compare first grade from last year to fourth grade from this year. I realize that the involvment in my mentor class was not the best because of funny scheduling and just getting into the groove of things. I am looking forward to more involvment in my mentor class. I had fun with some of the assignments as well like blogging and creating my second child's book. In my mentor class I enjoyed the bulletin board project as well. It was fun to oganize where the material had to be placed. I think overall education professions is a great class and it can help get you involved in the community and especially schools. Additionally, it can improve public speaking skills and improve confidence. I hope next semester that I can see myself improve in those areas.

Week 11

This week was a mixed week. One day I was at my regular mentor site and the last day I was at Jen's mentor class due to a messy schedule. She is in a freshmen class and it is completely different from my fourth grade. It was tough because I wasn't familiar with their grading so grading IAN's was kind of tough. Another problem was that they were so close to my age that I did not feel as confident. I observed how freshmen are not as willing to work unlike my fourth grade class. I wonder when that transition of "slacking off" begins to arise in students. My best guess would be transitioning in the middle school grade levels. In my regular mentor class I graded spelling papers which went better than the first time because the grading key was all correct. I realized that spelling is a subject in which you are really good at or really bad at. Unfortunately, it is one of those things that needs to be practiced and repeated to learn. My best experience was being able to compare Jen's class to my own. It's very interesting to compare different grade levels and their development. My worst experience was feeling out of place in Jen's class. However, that's okay because I was new.

Week 10

Last week in my mentor classroom I had to take down my bullitein board. I learned how to use her stapler remover which had an interesting design. The worst part about that day was that I wasn't inside the classroom really and I was worried about the snow and driving in the bad weather. I made it back though in one piece and my car didn't refrost over. The next day I graded papers. I have never had a harder time trying to figure out how to spell improvement. The grading key spelled it 'improvment'. It was confusing at first and I messed up a little bit but I got through it. I learned that even teachers sometimes makes mistakes and also learned how to properly spell improvement. The best thing that happened was watching her math lesson. The kids seemed to be a little quiet last week but I don't think my mentor teacher minded that much, unless they needed to verbally answer questions.

Week 9

This week in my mentor class I delivered two muffins to my mentor for a service project and appreciation as well. That day I graded math tests. I was surprised to learn how many students struggle in math opposed to other subjects, probably because of how precise one has to be when doing math. I learned that one little mistake can alter the whole problem, thereby making wrong. I also learned how there are trends when the problems were preformed incorrectly. For example, if a problem was missed for one reason, many other students missed the same problem for the same reason. As a teacher, I feel it would be important to clear some of the mistakes up so it can be prevented next to and learning can be done through mistakes. Surprisingly, I like grading papers. It gives me a chance to look over the curriculum for fourth graders and observe the class at the same time. The worst part of the experience was when I came in, the student's thought they were getting muffins so I had to give them the sad truth. Overall it was a good experience and I look forward to later experiences.

Week 8

Last week when I went to my mentor sight I was able to accomplish a lot. I made a brochure for a story the students were learning about. I presented it to them too which was fun. This provided a model for what the students needed to accomplish. They were able to use my example for the criteria. Also on that day, I watched my teacher teach a math lesson for her students. I noticed how she walked around the room to check for understanding. This was a pre lesson for what they were going to learn the following day. The next day I was there I graded 'Arizona' tests. The student's did really well on these tests. They appeared to have learned a lot about the history of Arizona. I also took notice of the setup for the test. The first part was multiple choice, the second was a reading test, and the last part was a crossword. This was a good setup because it allowed the students to apply their knowledge in other ways than just one. The only downside to my experience was that I was unable to see the entire math lesson. I would have liked to see how she concluded it. Anyway, this week I will be bringing my mentor breakfast to show appreciation for all she has done for the FEA as well as myself.

Week 7

Last week I only attended Thursday again because of Veterans Day. Mainly I observed my mentor teacher's math lesson and afterward I helped grade papers. I was very surprised at how well the students did on their tests. My mentor teacher was unfortunately sick that day as well. She still held a strong voice when teaching which I thought showed dedication to her work. I still continue to watch the students participate and I am still looking at my mentor teacher's example of keeping the student's on task. She keeps giving reminders and is very specific in her directions. I learned that the students sometimes have to remind the teacher of their needs as well because she was going just a little too fast. I can see how it would be hard to go slower when one has gone over the same material so much. I also saw how she broke up a big problem and split it up between rows of students to make it easier. This was effective because it made the problem faster and allowed the students to work individually to ensure understanding. I feel each time I am in the classroom, I am learning more about the classroom.

Week 6

Last week I was only able to go to my mentor site thursday due to their class field trip. When I came inside the class, the students were doing a math test so I helped sort papers for my mentor teacher. It was interesting to see how she liked to sort things. I can tell that she likes to get ahead which is good because it helps be prepared. The students wanted to read the play they were working on with me when they were done with their test. Unfortunately I did not have enough time. They were disappointed, but I'll be seeing them a lot this year so there is still plenty of time left. I'm am very surprised at how accepting the student's are of me. They get really excited when I come in. Last year, in the first grade class, there was not nearly as much excitement from the students. I think this may be because I am more involved this year than I was last year, at least in terms to the first semester.

Week 5

This week was October 20 and 21. On the first day I created a bulletin board composed of the student's work with the theme of being thankful on thanksgiving. It was a fun assignment because I had the chance to create something. I learned that my mentor teacher wanted her example to be in the middle which is a good idea because it is a model for the rest of the student's work. On the second day I helped the kids with a guided practice. The only downfall is when I can't remember a student's name. I know it, but it doesn't come to me right away. It was exciting to see the student's participate in the assignment. I also got the opportunity to learn about some websites that can help a teacher with lesson plans and learned a little more about the fourth grade curriculum. Their curriculum seems more advanced than first grade. It seems they need to cover a little bit more.

Week 4

The week of October 4th was very exciting. I taught the class again but this time it was over techniques to use in multiplication. The kids were very excited and participated very well in the lesson. The only downfall is that I end up going slower to ensure that I am going over all that I need to teach the students. My mentor teacher occasionally helps explain things in a different way so that the students understand the material even better. I need to remember how important it is to demonstrate the lesson in different ways so that it can click with the students. Another problem is that I am still learning the structure of the students worksheets. I made an error when filling it out, but corrected it and made sure the students understood the mistake. Overall it went well, and I learned that nothing can always be perfect and that it is okay to make mistakes because we are all human afterall. Additionally, it is very important to keep the time in mind and when it is okay to move on in the lesson. I am ready to complete my bulletein board project next time that I go into the classroom.

Week 2

My second mentor experience was wonderful! The teacher quizzed me on all of the student's names and I got all of them. The students were so excited when I got their name right. I worked consistently on my classroom observation drawing and was not surprised to see anything that was presented in the classroom environment. There was also a substitute on the second day. He had me pass out a lot of papers but I still had time to outline my drawing. The worst part was when one of the students had tattled on one of their classmates over something silly. It is a common occurance with this grade level though. It is important to remind the students that they are not always doing justice in that way. I learned a lot about the way my mentor teacher likes to set up the room. I like how she keeps necesities in the back like tissues. Another thing I learned was that it is important to lead students to the answers to questions rather than to just give them the answers. One last thing I learned was that it is important to be open minded when responding to students because everything you say and do they take in. I'm a little curious about how the bulletein project will work. I could only find one bulletein board in her room and I can't recall finding one outside of her room.

Week 3

The mentor experience for September 29 and 30 was an amazing experience. The best part of the experience was when my mentor teacher allowed me to present a lesson plan. I went through the objective with the students and began with simple example problems on a model clock to help me understand what knowledge the students already had about telling time on analog clocks. The only downfall was that I was unprepared so when I was teaching I ended up moving at a slower pace to allow myself some time to understand what I, as the teacher, needed to get across to the students. Overall, the students appeared to understand when I checked for understanding with a worksheet, that the class and I worked through together on the overhead. I made sure I allowed wait time and called on non-volunteers. I also learned a little more about the feel of the classroom and what is expected of the teacher and the students. The following day, once the demographics was completed, I read with the students and did some paperwork. Each time I go I learn just a little more about the classroom and how to apply myself in the classroom setting. I am very excited about having more interaction with the students.

Week 1

Last Thursday and Friday I observed my fourth grade mentor classroom. One of the best things about it was becoming refamiliar with the classroom and really seeing how all of the students are willing to participate and learn. Practically every student was ready with a raise of their hands! The worst part of my experience was when I thought I had left behind the seating chart my mentor teacher had given to me prior. But guess what? I found it! I also left my special pen in their Firday. But that was okay because maybe it is being put to good use. I learned how walking around the room is affective in teaching. I helps keep an eye on the student as well as ensure student understanding. I also learned that in a fourth grade class how it is important to constantly repeat yourself for effective learning. Another thing I picked up on was her use of stating the objective before the lesson and how she used models in her math lesson. Models can be simple and uncomplicated and still get the point across. I can already tell that this year is going to be different from last year. The structure of the class is more organized, less noisy, and set up differently than the first grade class from last year. I'm also finding it easier to memorize names because there is less moving around. I am so excited to get this year moving forward!

Memorable Teachers

In seventh and eighth grade I had a history teacher who was very memorable to me. His name was Mr. T and he stood out to me because he always told it how it really was and was honest in everything he did. Mr.T constantly stayed true to his beliefs and as a student at that age it really inspires you to follow in those footsteps. He made learning about current events come alive by having in class discussions that really helped you form your own opinions about the world and how it opporates. We commonly had debates, read the newspaper, and he also lead us in a community project called Project Citizen which helped us get involved in the community. Mr.T was very inspirational and I am so glad that I had him as a teacher. He made me realize what becoming a teacher can really stand for.

Introduction

My name is Hannah Ashburn. I am a high schoool student who dreams of becoming a future educator. This is my second year in Education Professions. Last year I worked with first graders in a mentor classroom at a local elementary school. This year I have moved up to experience the life in a fourth grade classroom at a different elementary school. I love kids and think it is wonderful what they have to offer. I hope I can learn how to become a better educator this year and gain more confidence in my teaching. Last year I had the opportunity to present two lessons to the first graders and this year I am taking on three. I am very excited to demonstrate how I have improved and learned from taking this class.