Term 4 Reflections
Week 5 Reflections
Week 1 - 4
Well into the term, and I feel that I have not quite done enough yet. It doesn't help when I have so many students away, and at such a vital and important time of year too. Regardless of their reasons for being absent, this still doesn't help with their learning and how far behind they will be when they return. I try not let it annoy me, but it does. I understand, they are away due to sickness and bereavement, but still .... grrrrrrrrrrrr. It is out of my hands, so I can only make the most of when they do get back to school.
Moving on ... This week has been such a successful week for myself and my students. I am super proud of one particular student, who is showing signs of enjoying being at school. When it came to testing for National Standard data, I was somewhat overwhelmed, by the results. This is an insight to perserverance, (however you spell it). I stuck it out, (the tenacious in me coming out). I didn't give up on the student, and it goes to show how far encouragement can take a student, and what the changes can do to them. So why didn't I start doing that from the beginning? I have no idea, it just clicked, so better late than never.
On a personal note, I am saddened and yet elated at the same time. Each night this week, I have been reflecting about my time with these students. Yes, I have grown attached to them, and in a far little corner of my mind and my heart, I thought I would be a part of their lives for a few more years to come. This is not to be. I try not to think about the end of the year, (not too far away). I get emotional, my heart hurts. I think about what I have done for them. I think about, what else do I need to do for them, in order for them to be in the best possible emotional, and academic position for next year. Have I prepared them enough to be Year 3 next year? This is my main concern at the moment, is preparing them for next year for their NEW learning. All I can say is that I am making sure that they are best prepared the way I know. The rest I leave on the back burner, (emotions). That will come when I know that I have done a satisfactory job of preparing them enough.
Positives for Week 5: seeing a student succeed, and enjoying school; getting most of my testing done; majority of students have improved in writing; realising that I am going into the big wide world, without my security blankets around
Week 1 - 4
It's Week 4 of Term 4 and so far I am really stoked that the learning taking place in our room is in a context. It is something that the students can really relate to. I think it is because it is a part of their everyday lives, and it is something that is right there and they can see any day they wish.
The Reading has taken a great turn for the better of the students. Although I still have some student who are 'below' the expected target, they are still achieving in great leaps. It goes to show how commitment and dedication can go a long way. Even though it is Term 4 of their learning year, it is a success, and I can't take that away from them.
The Writing has taken a great pace, and it goes to show what students can come up with when it is about something they can relate to, and understand.
Maths this week has been really great. We have been working on addition and subtraction problems and I think the children are taking a liking to it. Today we worked on part/whole addition, and it has been a while since the children started to enjoy our maths. I showed them a different point of view to do this, working with a number line, and it took a little time for them to figure it out, but they eventually got it!!!
I am certainly appreciative of the extra help that I have been getting in the classroom, especially with the behaviour. It may also help that I am more rested too.
Term 3 Reflections
Week 6
It's Week 6 in the term, and although it is a short term, I feel mentally tired, as well as drained. Drained because I feel that as a teacher, I may not be giving enough for my students to be doing during the class time that we do have. I have been reflecting, and wondering why is it that I am having a lot of behaviour issues at the moment. What is really annoying me at this stage, is that the students who are normally independent and are quite capable of doing the work given, are being led to have some behaviour issues to get my attention. A lot of my attention has been focused on these students who often need reminding of what AROHA is and how we should RESPECT each other and take OWNERSHIP for our learning. I give positive reinforcement, I am giving rewards for the good/positive behaviour. I am pulling my hair out.
What has started is that there are some students who are checking in with senior staff members at the beginning of the day. This works most of the time. I have now implemented tuakana/teina with the help of Team 1, and our senior students. Sometimes I feel like I am grasping at straws, I do not want to fail these students!!!!!
Week 2
Well Week 2 is nearly at the end, and I feel that I am having a lot of trouble with behaviour, especially with the boys. Lots of nasty talk, and belittling other students. Not showing AROHA. I find that this is a major concern. Concern because students who are Year 2, should not be talking and treating others like this. Inside, I feel hurt and I feel like why this is happening. It feels like it is Term 1 all over again. Today I have never been so grumpy with my entire class. Not a great day at all. The considerations are that there is a lot going on in their personal lives, there is crap weather. From my point of view, this is only an excuse. Learning still needs to happen, Everyone has the right to learn, but not everyone is playing the learning game. Not fair at all. Rant over. On the positive side, students have moved up levels in reading, and yet the one's who are not moving really need to move. In a way,, I am feeling quite desperate.Week 1 is nearly complete. We have done lots of work and lots of catching up with one another as a class. A week of reconnecting with one another, as class and teacher and as a learning community, a learning whanau.
It is quite sad that I have 2 students who have moved on, and yet I am happy for them. I wish that they do well in the future and take with them what I have given them. Moving on wards and upwards. I can not dwell into the what ifs and could haves. What is done is done. I still have other students to work with, and to help them become successful. A short term this term, so there is lots of work that needs to be done. Bring it on.
I am looking forward to Appraisals next week. This is something I can use to help with what gaps I need to cater to. It is also good to have someone else see what is being done and what needs work. A fresh pair of eyes.
Term 2 Reflections
Term 2 was long, and I worked the students so hard. Through this, As a class we had successes, and we came to the understanding that we need to work on a few things. We are getting there, and I can not expect any more from them, other than their very best.Writing: I have now found out where there are gaps that need to be filled, and we will be working on this in Term 3. Punctuation, which includes editing, and lots of work on suffixes. Blend work will also be included, as I feel that some of the students need to have a firmer grasp on this.
Reading: This term, I think I could have done a lot more, but with time constrictions, this became limited. Lots of word wok needs to be done, in order for the students to grasp what they are reading, and for them to move up, so they are able to achieve their personal learning goals, to succeed.
Maths: Much work is needed for our Maths. I think I did not do enough to give it justice, as well as giving the children the opportunity to extend their thinking around Maths. Reminding them that it is not just numbers that is Maths. Maths is all about other things in our everyday life as well.
Term 2
It is Week 4 of Term 2 already. With the time going so fast, I am trying to figure out where I can fit everything in. Our class has had some ups and downs this term, and we are getting better, we are improving with one another and we are taking our new learning with confident strides.
Had some PD this week, to which I found quite disturbing, on an emotional level. Listening to what has happened in our profession, and what it involves to somehow make things right. But then again, as I think, how can you make something that was so wrong, right??? It's not like you can put a plaster over it and everything will be better, it goes deeper than that. Maybe I am thinking too much into it, but it is something that I do think about.
There is so much to do and so little time to do it in, and to do it with justice, and not half done.
It's nearly the end of Week 5, and reflecting about what we have done so far as a learning community has amazed me. Despite all the interruptions, we have managed to make a solid start on our Matariki/Technology/Design process. I am very proud of my classroom learners.
I have been reading a few articles of late, and in a way I am somewhat saddened. I am not sure why as of yet, but it is quite disturbing to hear what can and does happen to our young learners.
Way Too Fast
ReplyDeleteWell, my first week of full time teaching and my career has come to a start. I found that this week was a get to know the routines of the students and how everyday classroom life is run. I find myself fortunate enough to have landed a job at the end of study, where I still have friends and colleagues who are still searching for their dream position in the teaching profession. So I thank the many who have guided me throughout.
Overall, I found that this week has gone by really fast, and I come to reflect upon what I have learned from the various routines and general day to day life of being a New Entrant teacher. It certainly is not what I expected approximately 2 years ago. I certainly didn’t think I would be teaching this age group. It goes to show what the difference teaching a variety of age groups and year levels can make. I find that this week I am also tired, but it is a good tired, and feeling of being refreshed and energised to know that there are some young students who are getting to know who their other teacher is, and vice versa for myself.
I need to remind myself that I am not in a older year level of classroom. This came about when I had a brief session with the students, and that their concentration span is not for very long. This is something that I learned, and with good reason.
I look forward to next week.
Feeling Useful Now: 2015 Week 2 Term 2
ReplyDeleteA new week has already passed by, and very fast at that. Its Week 8 already, and I feel that there are not enough hours in the day to fit everything in together with our learning. I feel that I have got to know the students on a good level, and to even top it off we won tidy class for the wee, so this in a strange way is a small achievement. I feel useful nwo in the classroom routine as well. I have some groups for different curriculum areas, where I can see firsthand what the students need, without all the other demands that my colleague has had to manage without another teacher in the room. I feel that both of us are finding a small accomplishments in our groups, and this is a success in itself, regardless of how small it may seem to other people. A success is a success!!!
I have discovered the book room for the reading groups, and for a strange reason, I have set myself a mini goal to get to know the inside and out of the layout of where each book is, and where the different levels are.
The writing groups that I do take are also coming along, and I find that the students are slowly getting confident in become imaginative writers. I can also see that they are comfortable with me as one of their teachers. This was noticed with the students who did not really know me or have had me before. So another small success.
My Maths groups, I feel that I need to work a bit harder with them. I find this my small challenge, and it is a challenge I know I can accomplish. I know I won’t accomplish it straight away, but I will, I need to be patient with the students and go at their pace, and not what pace I want to go. I need to remember keep it simple. So at the moment I am thinking of more hands on learning for them, rather than written work, this will come in due time.
Another fast week has gone by, and this week I feel that I am more useful to the students, where I am prepared, planned and ready. The days certainly go by really fast … it’s nearly the end of term.
What an Awesome Week of Learning: 2015 Week 3 Term 2
ReplyDeleteIt is always in the back of my head, that there are small students who are dependent upon myself as their teacher, and that as a teacher I find that what I teach and show them will be beneficial to them for the next step of learning. I reflect upon this, because I constantly think of what if I don’t show them this and that, and I also think if I am preparing them right for their next teacher. When I am in the classroom teaching I don’t think about it, I tend to forget about it, but when I am at home or sitting down to reflect about my day, I think about it. Oh well, maybe other teachers new to the profession think about this too, who knows …
This week has been really awesome for the learning taking place in our room. There has been so much successes this week, it will take a couple of days for me to get it all down in this reflection.
High Frequency word lists were sent out this week with my reading groups. The students have made progress and I am so proud of each student and the extra effort that they have made. First of all I am so proud of them and I am so proud that I am more use to the students and their learning this week. Today, I discovered that 2 of the students are now learning and taking home List 3 words. I am proud to say that I have helped them with this, and yet I will not take all of the credit, because, at the end of the day it was the students themselves who did the work. I just guided them with this. Woooohoooooo!!!!!! A majority of the group, are gaining steady progress and I couldn’t ask for much more.