My Student Teaching Experience

IMPROVEMENT!

Mr. Pacer leads the class in Daily Oral Language by having the student write down the letters and letter groups they hear him say on a wipe board.

SUMMARY
Today Mr. Pacer allowed me to transition the class from one subject to the next and teach the lesson that followed (Bible).  The students were extra full of energy today so I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to manage them.  I asked the students to put away their work and prepare for Bible class.  As they were clearing away their things I reminded them of the rules so they would be fresh on their minds as I taught the lesson.  I specifically whispered a question to one of the students before we even began because he has a bad habit of blurting out things without raising his hand.   I had given him way to many warnings yesterday without moving his light to yellow.  Today I did it, I moved him to yellow because he continued to distract the class.  He cried and cried.  I felt awful.

After the lesson Mr. Pacer told me that I did better THAN HIM keeping the class under control during the lesson.  Even though I was as sick as a dog, that made me feel great.  He gave me some pointers yesterday on how to manage behavior problem children and I used them.

• Whisper reprimands into the child's ear instead of embarrassing him or her in front of the class.
• Stand in front of his or her desk when they are causing distractions.  It is important to stand with my feet facing the desk, not to the side.  This way the student knows you are not going to walk away.
• If that doesn't end the bad behavior, then bend down and place both hands on the desk and give them a warning.

INSIGHT

I noticed that Mr. Pacer takes every opportunity he can to praise the students.  I realized that he does this because of the nature of the grades he teaches.  The students lose their place in guided reading, do not listen to the instructions, do not pick up after themselves, do not put their names on their homework, raise their hands and do not have an answer, and much, much more.  I'm not saying they do this constantly - but they do it alot so the teacher is always having to reprimand the students.  I believe this is why Mr. Pacer praises the students for every little thing.

QUESTION

I notice that the lessons Mr. Pacer teaches is in the teacher materials.  These lessons are extremely thorough and include multiple teaching methods and techniques within each lesson.  They touch on every learning modality and include group, pair, individual, and whole class study.  They have an anticipatory set, motivation and closing.  Mr. Pacer makes changes and additions to the lessons where he feels necessary but for the most part these materials are extremely effective and rich.  When I begin teaching, can I use this material too?  If I do, do I need to re-write this material or may I use it as it is and adjust it to match my teaching style and individual learners style in the classroom?

QUESTION

Some students that we have in the classroom are capable of learning faster than they are.  They do not pay attention.  They do not focus.  How many recesses can I keep them in to try to catch them up?  Is there a law that prohibits me from keeping them from recess for academic reasons?  Mr. Pacer kept one of our students in from the first few minutes of recess to help her with math.  I would want to keep her in every recess until she is caught up.  Maybe this would make her pay more attention in class so she doesn't miss recess.  Is this a bad idea?