This week I took over the math instruction in the classroom where I'm doing my student teaching. I chose to take on math first because that's the school subject that I'm least comfortable teaching and for very good reason. Teaching math to 4th graders is so hard! I was trying to reinforce what they already knew about multiplication and division through tactile and visual activities. My mentor teacher and I hoped that more "hands-on" activities would make starting long division easier for them, but after every lesson I felt like they weren't really seeing the big picture of what I was trying to do. It's really, really hard for me to break down what I consider to be really easy math concepts into terms that children will understand. On the plus side, the students were always really excited to hear that I was going to be teaching math. I like to think that they were responding to my teaching awesomeness, even though deep down I know it's because they liked playing with cubes.
It's really kind of strange being like a "teacher." I know I'm not a real teacher yet, but it feels like I am. Yesterday I brought home a stack of papers to grade and I'm teaching lessons every day. My mentor teacher also asked me to put together a new seating chart because he wants them to change seats next week. I'm putting together seating charts! I've also basically been given the freedom to do whatever I want when I teach. Next week I'm going to start teaching reading and social studies, in addition to teaching math. And the week after, I'm going to start teaching all day for four weeks. AHHH!!! It's crazy! Who would have ever thought that I would be a teacher?
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6 comments:
Mel! I'm so happy and excited for you! Seriously, this is so awesome! You are a teacher. You're putting together seating charts. So cool. You are undertaking (and succeeding at) one of the most challenging and intimidating things there is, you should be very proud of yourself!
wow! mel, you are soooo cool. i can't believe you're, like, living in the "real world" and holding down your own... i'm not sure i ever will :) do your students call you "miss kitty"? that is so cute! (has anyone said "you not keating" yet? har har)
i wish i could watch you in action. all my imaginations aren't enough and i bet you're way more fun in real life. congrats mel, i feel like this is the kind of milestone we should have a gepetto's for.
Let's not get too ahead of ourselves now. I mean, the students in that class are like bizarre-ly perfect. So far, I think I've lucked out. But it's fun! I just finished planning a reading lesson and on to social studies! Wish me luck!
Have u try the MATH online bookstore Cocomartini
http://www.cocomartini.com/
I get all my textbooks for this semester from this bookstore. All are brand new and half price discount.
Good luck and wish some help.
hehe ^_^
This is Melissa Keating, correct? If it is, then this is the coolest day ever, because I found you!!!
I think very few people think they will become teachers and the ones who do burn out first. So congrats on the new career and finishing grad school! Hooray!
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