Blog 4.2: Field Experience/Reflection - Days 3-4

    Day 3: April 2nd, the students picked up a bellwork sheet and a "word of the day" sheet off of the front desk and started working on it immediately. Having 11 minutes to work on that, they went over it and finished up their readworks assignment from the other day. Then, they reviewed over their test review and started on their Gizmo assignment with a partner. The students were getting used to me being there and started getting a little attitude with Mrs. Mead. The kid that was being disrespectful to her got sent to the hallway for 10 minutes. Mrs. Mead stepped out while I watched the class and made sure everyone was staying on task. After she came back inside with the student, she apologized to me about his behavior and continued class. Mrs. Mead reminded them of their upcoming test and sent them off to lunch. My 3rd day observing this class, I think, was a success. The students are becoming more comfortable with me, but I will not let that affect me observing her class or becoming a teacher.

    Day 4: April 4th, Mrs. Mead showed up to class late today. Another teacher filled in for her for about 15 minutes before she showed up. I helped a student with their question of the day because they did not know what "learned traits" were. After I explained it to her, Mrs. Mead walked in and started going over the bellwork and the question of the day. Next, they did a "left handed lecture" where they compared learned and passed down traits whether it was being good at a sport, that being a learned trait, or having blonde hair, that being a passed down trait. They learned about dominant and recessive traits and had a homework sheet to turn in the next class period. The students were really respectful to her, and to me. They are getting more and more comfortable with me being there, but they know that they should be respectful to their classmates and their teacher when there is a student teacher or a guest in the room. Mrs. Mead was quite productive today, teaching her students more about genetics. She got really far along with them in their lesson. My 4th day observing her class was another success. It was one good, productive day.

Blog 4.1: Field Experience/Reflection - Days 1-2

    Day 1: March 14th, first time observing the middle school, I got assigned to Mrs. Meads class. She is a 6th grade science teacher. They have been working on projects about plant and animal cells. They had to build a cell replica using materials found at home. There were eight groups of 2 and one group of 3. The set up she had in her room was nice for a presentation day. The tables were boxing in the middle of the room with the chairs in the middle. All of their presentations lasted almost the whole class period. After their presentations, Mrs. Mead sent everyone outside to have a brain break and to get fresh air. The students being so respectful to her and to each other made me think a little harder about becoming a teacher in my future. My first day observing seemed to be a success. Mrs. Mead enjoyed to have a "student teacher" in the class so i can help keep the students calm.

    Day 2: March 28th, everyone was moved on from the presentations and plant and animal cells. The tables were back to normal in their pair pod pattern. I was seated at a lab table on the side of the room by the entry door. All of the students sat silent while Mrs. Mead taught them about their new subject, genetics. The internet in the middle school went down and they could not start on their online assignment, so they went over their lesson for the following week. Mrs. Mead always has a backup plan for when the internet happens to shut down like it did. She is always prepared and is quite organized when it comes to her students. Saying again, the students being respectful towards their classmates and their teacher makes me think more about being a teacher and why it would not be such a bad idea, afterall. My second day observing was another success knowing that the students can be respectful to their teacher.