November 2 and November 5

November 2 was spent observing some more classes with different teachers as well as some more 36 day writing workshop with my cooperating teacher. One of the teachers that I observed had a 10 honors class and she sat down with me and explained her logisitics of teaching. One of the things I really liked was this concept of a dilectal journal in which the students had to pick quotes that referred to a theme and then explain it. She also explained to me that she was going to have book talks in her class the following week. In the book talks the students facilitate the learning and discussion. I am going to try an incorporate this material into my work. I had prep the next period followed by some more "Kiss Me Kate." The students in learning center always have something to do and slowly but surely I find I am getting to know each and every one of them. My cooperating teacher told me I can pick up that class when ever I want and gave me some advice on how to teach writing on something you have not read. Simply ask the students to tell you what they know and in that you the teacher will be able to discuss the assignment and your thoughts to help them. The ninth graders had to fill out a diversity survey given from the Respect Committee in the community. It was a survey asking students about prejudice, their school surroundings, and any kind of harrassments. There were the occasional few that did not take the survey seriously and others who answered the best they could. I did not find this survey to be effective for the ninth graders because they have only been in the school for about 3 months and sometimes the questions dealt with issues one wouldn't know unless observed overtime. But I do feel that the survey was important overall because the community gets a feel for the student's voices and opinions. 8th period was once again spent teaching and I am so happy to be in the classroom. The students are really phenominal and are always looking to succeed. On Friday, we continued going over the introduction to BNW and worked on a K-W-L chart to pre-start the students to reading. It was fun because I got a chance to write on the board. I was also able to hear the voices of the students and put their "words" in the chart, which my cooperating teacher told me was extremely important. With each lesson I feel more and more comfortable and feel like I am making a connection with my students. While in class on Friday I just went over some rules for my classroom and most were not new to them. One of my biggest rules is handing things on time, they have to learn to follow a schedule and that in college some teachers might not be as flexible as H.S. I did however mention that I had an email address so if they needed to contact me they could and if there were any problems with papers and suchthey could address that in email form as well. The lesson went smoothly until I realized I had time left. I had done research prior and had an activity in the back of my mind. I assigned that and the seniors worked on it till the end of the class. I also handed out the tickets out of class and some of the students moaned but their responses were excellent. I actually took these as a grade and made comments.

Today Monday November 7, 2007 went by so fast and I feel very overwhelmed. I did a lot of lesson planning and the minute I got into my car after a faculty meeting I felt that exhaustion. The classes remain the same with Kiss Me Kate and helping students one on one. The ninth graders worked on their Book Banned/Challenged project in class and my cooperating teacher went over the project as well. The students I find with Silent Sustained Reading are easily distracted and cannot seem to use the time in class wisely. I have noticed there is really only one student who seems to be a troubled teen. She likes to talk back to you and give her two-sense. Her opinions are not much but her responses will get right to the point. She seems to me like one of those students who just wants everything handed to her. She cannot even get up and retrieve her own paper. I will not tolerate her attitude in my class and tell her that she can do it herself. There are just some things I will not stand for in my classroom. I am going to introduce Of Mice and Men on Friday with the thematic essay the students have to complete. They will also recieve a packet containing their first worksheet as well as some information on the author's background. The following Tuesday I will fully begin Of Mice and Men and my cooperating teacher will continue on with the 36 Day Writing Workshop. The seniors were absent today for senior cut day and I will continue their lessons when they return on Wednesday. While it seems I did not do much for the day, I did. I wrote out three new lesson plans. I planned two weeks of work in advanced, I decided what should go into the 9th grade packet for OM&M, as well as decide the conversations to teach on Wednesday to the seniors. I also wrote papers for my night class for seminar. I am so so tired this evening. One of the high points of my day was that I met with my supervisor and we touched based about certain things happening in my life. I also went to a faculty meeting and learned for my own good about contracts and school policies. I think the school district would benefit from a school code and teacher code book. These brochures would allow individuals to make referneces if there was an incident that needed to be addressed. Tomorrow is an all day Superindentent's Office Meeting. The nice thing about is I can wear jeans and flats ;) (of course learn all new things about the district) It was an very long day and I am signing off.