Teaching and Classroom Management

The week of September 13th was full of variety.

We had our first Seminar and Literacy class. It was nice to hear how everyone is doing at there internship placements. It seems we are all settling in and Jessica has a fresh start with a new placement. Good luck everyone and keep up the hard work.

Back in the classroom:

When I arrive in the afternoons I double check that I have everything at hand for the lessons I will teach after lunch time. There are many details to pulling off a simple lesson and even with careful thought I sometimes miss something, like the highlighters needed for a lesson last week. Luckily, they were easy to grab. Each time I do a lesson I feel that it is easier in terms of the management of the information and the directions given to the students. I am trying to balance how much direct instruction (conveyance of concepts and directions of how to do the independent work) I give before sending them off to do the hands-on part of the lesson. Kass conveys concepts, models in detail what is expected for a given activity and then items needed are laid out ready for the students to collect. The children see and are talked through what is to be done. Often times we match up Youngers (1st graders) with Elders (2nd graders) to complete a task. This is a focus for classroom management as well as community building and responsibility for oneself and others. They offer support and ask for support from each other before looking to the teacher. This creates a resource based "I Can" attitude.

This week the Primary Classes had their Open House. The three teachers had a slide show that illustrated what a day in the life of a primary student looked like. The teachers took turns describing Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop and the Math program. Questions were fielded and then the group of parents went into the individual classrooms. Kass introduced me and then oriented parents to the physical aspects of the room. Each family received a packet of information that included a written overview of the classroom activities, a classroom schedule, reading strategies, writing strategies, a handwriting alphabet, critical thinking questions and a list of logistical things like birthdays and student of the week. There are two Parent Coordinators for the class who support volunteer needs. One of the coordinators spoke about volunteering in the classroom and the philosophy of shared responsibility for the whole class not just their child. This event culminated with parents trying to find their child's "chair person". This was an exciting project where the kids made a representation of themselves that fit on the back of the chair. They placed themselves randomly around the room. Parents were to try and find their paper child and take them home. This was a fun way to end the evening.

I feel like I am teaching all afternoon now. This is good for me because the more I teach the easier it becomes. I find my flow and the children are becoming more responsive and respectful.

• I still get to read to the larger group once a week for 30 minutes.
  
• I am still doing Yoga each day for 15 minutes. I am mixing up the routine to create some variety, I am asking them to focus on slowing their breathing down. There are three 6th graders joining us now. One of these students may benefit from doing yoga and the other two are there to support him. The primary students want to be more involved in modeling the poses. I will try to work this in next week.
• I am teaching most of the Math unit now. These lessons usually last about an hour, including direct instruction and independent or partner activities.
  
• I taught the Elders during computer time. I modeled the log in process, launching Kid Pics and using the tools to make a penguin drawing. I felt I kept the instruction to a minimum as many of them have experience using Kid Pics. I then monitored for individual success. Ultimately, they will save and print their penguin drawing yet, for now the 30 minutes was for practice only.
  

I look forward to this coming week. Kass has two afternoons with a substitute so that she can complete her DRA testing. The substitute is a retired Chugach Optional Primary teacher. I feel lucky to be able to work with yet another master teacher!