My Student Teaching Experience

Today was a good day.

I love this scene.

SUMMARY
Although it didn't start out that way.  Getting to school at 5:30 wouldn't be so bad if I didn't forget my computer.  Thanks to my husband I didn't have to drive home to get it, he brought it to me.  I take over teaching at 11:00 and end at 2:30.  I am teaching guided reading, Bible, daily oral language, handwriting, spelling, science, and social studies.  I am still having a hard time watching the clock and teaching at the same time.  Mr. Pacer still has to remind me of the time every now and then although I feel like I am getting the hang of things.

GREAT SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS
Today the students review for a Social Studies test by playing a game.  I used the "numbered heads" method for my learning groups.  I divided the class into six teams of three to four.  I made one or two second grade students were on a team with first grade students.  I had the students open their books to the review page at the end of the chapter.  I had designed an answer sheet for them to use to record their answers on.  I gave each student an answer sheet.

I explained that the team must answer all of the review questions together and record them individually on their answer sheets.  I told them it was important for every team member to understand the answers and remember them for the game.  I assigned each student in the teams a number between one and four.  I told them that I was going to call out a number and whatever team member was assigned that number would have to answer the question on behalf of the team.  The concept here is for each team member to make sure that everyone in the team knew the information backwards and forwards.

The picture above are the students hard at work answering the review questions and explaining their reasoning to each other.  When the first grade students started to drift off, a second grade student was always there to bring them back.  They learned, controlled their own behavior, and had fun.