So it's been about a month since we've started observing in our placements. It's interesting to see how everyone's experiences in the cohort vary so drastically from each other. Just goes to show how different schools are and how important it is that we address the needs of each school, classroom, student individually.
In my own classroom, I've been doing mostly observations which I find really useful for gathering ideas of how I might want to teach. There are things that I love about how my mentor teaches and things that I am less crazy about. Things I love include how she makes the classroom so comfortable for all the students, and how she really asks them to push themselves. That the learning is for them and that they have to take initiative if they want to succeed.
One thing I don't like, but that my mentor doesn't use very much is the TV to project images from the computer (like powerpoint presentations). 1) It's difficult to see the screen from the back of the room, and subsequently students have to move around significantly to see the screen better. 2) The students prefer that the lights are off when the TV is on so that they can see the screen better, but this allows for a classroom where the teacher can't see everything that's going on. 3) The TV is in the upper right hand corner of the room and you can point to key structures that the figures are trying to show because it's too high up (I suppose you could use a pointer of some sort, but it seems like it would be rather ineffective).
I've had the chance to do a bit of grading, and make my own quiz. I get to take over the classroom next Tuesday and Thursday (all day!) because my mentor will be out for the week, so I'm nervous, excited, curious as to what will happen! Wish me luck! :)
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Good luck! Although I am sure you won't need it.
ReplyDeleteI must agree. There is soo much diversity in the cohort, classrooms, mentor teachers, etc. Even within my school, each class is so different. It really adds spice to life =).
Tiffany, good luck teaching this week. I know you will do great. I really liked your comment about what students see when sitting in the back of the room. My mentor teacher often uses an overhead projector, which works well, but I noticed that some students have a hard time seeing from the back of the room. Last week I used the overhead projector and made a point to write large (I felt like I was wasting the a lot of the clear sheets but wanted to make sure they could all see). Who knows maybe new technologies will solve all these problems. In any case, have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThat's exciting! Good luck on your teaching this week.
ReplyDeleteI think that all of our different experiences in the classroom can prove to be pretty useful for us. I am surprised at how different a lot of the classrooms are and the different roles everyone is taking on in the classroom. However, I think this will work to our benefit when we share what has happened to us that day in the classroom. I suppose we're kind of living vicariously through everyone, lol!
I think it is really important for all of use to share our personal experiences here, so that we may all learn from them. I liked your observations tip about the video thing. It makes sense and I will think about that in my lesson planning.
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