This past week at my PDS was actually very enjoyable. I had had a very difficult previous week and was not looking forward to going back to teaching especially after the holiday weekend. However, things seemed to run surprisingly smoothly. I had spent a great deal of time writing this past weeks lesson plans over so I think that my in depth planning may of played a part in my great week. I also think that I am getting more comfortable with the schedule, students, and content that I am teaching so everything was working in my favor. This week I also started a unit in science about hurricanes which is something that I am extremely interested in and with it being hurricane season I was able to find a lot of materials for my students to use and for me to teach and plan with.
This week I also got trained on working the newly installed smartboard in my room and this technology tool really enhances lessons and gets students involved in what we are doing. I worked with the smartboard during 4 of my 6 classes and the students never seemed to get bored with it.
Probably the most rewarding moment that I have ever had in my teaching occurred this week, and it is for sure something that I will remember for the rest of my life. In my reading class I chose to read the book Harry Potter to my students because they all seemed extremely interested in it and I also saw them picking the book up when they had free time. However, the students in my self-contained classroom have as low as a first grade reading level and as high as a fourth grade reading level and Harry Potter is on a higher 5th grade level. But knowing that they would be actively involved in the book I decided to read it aloud to them while they followed along. Each day for the past week we have been doing this where I read they follow ask questions and journal about the readings. And each day I encourage all the students to read if they would like. Well finally on Thursday this past week 5 of my 8 students asked if they could read and have not stopped asking since. They do struggle a lot with the words and content but we sound words out together and I help them feel confident while learn as they are trying to tackle the reading. I was so proud to see my students really want to try and read something that they knew was difficult. I really believe they are getting more out of trying to read something they are interested in then something they are not.
Wow....what a powerful entry....for 2 reasons.
ReplyDeleteFirst, it sounds as if you're finding your teaching style. When we first begin teaching, there is so much to learn....about our students, about teaching, about the schedule, school structures, etc. It seems that you're mastering what you need to know....and the evidence is in how successful your lessons are. I'm also thinking that because you're devoting the time and effort to planning, you're really prepared to teach and so your lessons are that much more successful. I was also happy to read that you are infusing technology in your lessons....and I'm sure you'll be searching for more ways in which you can use the smartboard. We do have to find meaningful ways in which to make it a part of our instruction.
I really loved the story about the Harry Potter book. I believe that we should always read aloud to our students....most of us don't outgrow our love of this. And reading aloud also provides us with an opportunity to expose students to some literature they might not ordinarily pick up, or in your case, be able to read independently. You've collected observational data that provides support for the fact that if our students are interested in learning about/doing something....they will put the time and effort into gaining the knowledge/skills necessary to accomplish the task. I have to wonder....if we provided students with a choice as to their reading materials....would students become "better" readers and would they want to read more often (and on their own time)?