Wow, what a week! And it's only Wednesday! (First Student Teaching Reflection)

I started teaching this week in my Language Arts class on Author’s Purpose and Persuasive Techniques in Advertising.  I had it all carefully laid out, each activity and worksheet planned.  Or so I thought. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by this but…I don’t know everything I thought I did. I have had to revamp and change things up every day from class to class. Not re-write the lesson or anything that drastic. But I will go through my lesson with the first class exactly as I had it on paper. And it goes okay. Then, because of how my schedule is, we get a break. It is during this break that I learn the most.

My CT and I talk about what I did and she makes a few suggestions. She says, “Why don’t you break that writing assignment up into chunks and have them share at the end of each portion” or “Try writing out the steps on the board for the visual learning, not everyone can orally follow directions.” Well goodness gracious!!!! I know this. I have heard this before in I don’t know how many classes. Why am I not doing it? Well I guess because I am just focusing on the lesson and the activities and the students and a hundred gillion other things!

So, here is what I have started doing. Yes, I am making a checklist. Reminders about writing directions on the board for long activities or remember to put absent students work in attendance book.  I am wondering if this is the only way to remember it all. Unfortunately not all the things I need to remember are related.  So, I feel like my list is just this hodgepodge of miscellaneous information and I will not be able to decipher it.  I know that some of this will get easier as I do it more.  If anyone knows of a better system for remembering all the little teacher tasks we have to do every day, please fill me in. Until then, my list keeps getting longer.

Now, on to something completely different…my feet. Yes, my feet. Oh and legs too. By 8/9 period they just ache. I thought all my shoes were comfortable until I had to stand on them for nearly 8 hours. Is anyone else experiencing this? I may be the only one but it would make me feel better to know I am not alone. So, speak up if you are finding your feet and legs tired at the end of the day! I won’t even go into how my brain feels come 3:10!

But seriously, I love Student Teaching.  It is challenging and exhausting at the same time it is exhilarating.  I look forward to seeing the students and seeing their reactions to my lessons. The good and the bad reactions.  I could see where as the semester progresses and deadlines approach my feelings may change. But for now…things are good!