Anyways, I'll probably write a more substantive entry on break thus far, but I wanted this post to focus on my teaching observations... moreso for my own professional development and learning benefit.
So after the debacle that was my first observation, I realized a couple things. One, teaching is not just finding the most creative projects/ activities for kids to do. Two, students need to understand the concept first before said activity will have any meaning. Third, I need to do better at asking for help.
My first observed lesson was teaching about the events leading to the American Revolution: Paul Revere's Midnight Ride to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. I had made notes, maps, and army men for the students to act out each event together with me as I taught about it. Pretty cool right? I thought so, and the kids thought so as well.
Unfortunately, this was my introductory lesson to the events, so although some students were able to pay attention and learn it, the majority of the students didn't grasp the important concepts because they were distracted by the manipulatives. This isn't to say that manipulatives can't be used to help teach, but I just had too many things going on at once, and at this age, they couldn't get all of it. My post assessment showed how poorly the kids were able to retain the information too. Out of a 20 student class, a good 5-7 were able to tell me the important points.
My second lesson was teaching "drawing conclusions with text support". First, I took the class over to the carpet area and read aloud "Flight of the Zephyr" by Chris Van Allsburg with the kids. I modeled, and walked them through how to draw a conclusion, then use specific events in the book to prove my argument.
They then went back to their seats in order to work in pairs on drawing conclusions from three fables with support as I walked around to see which students needed more reteaching. One thing I didn't do in the morning that I made sure to include in the afternoon was modeling what I wanted with one of the fables. (One of the positive notes my principal told me later in our post-observation meeting)
All in all, in the assessment I gave them a couple days later, over 70% of the class had improved from their previous scores, with a a good handful jumping up from failing that skill to getting 100% on it.
Have the students learn the important concepts first, then use the creativity projects as a demonstration of grasped knowledge.
At my post- meeting with my principal, she pretty much told me that my 2nd lesson blew my first one out of the water. Following the lesson plan, asking good questions, modeling, and being able to make modifications when things need changes were all things that she noted I was doing. We kinda talked about what good teachers need to have as teachers in general, and she told me the best skill any teacher needs is the ability to reflect and modify, which is what she's noticed from me thus far. I guess that's something I naturally tend to do because I hate not doing well or letting people down, but she kept encouraging me with that and saying how she was really glad she hired me. (I didn't know how to respond so I think I just mumbled a quiet thank you and looked down in embarrassment)
In the end, I got straight "proficient"s (which is good for any teacher) and left with a gigantic weight lifted off my shoulders. I can't wait to spend this break catching up on reading and learning how to get better, as well as workin ahead on lesson planning. =)
