I have found myself to be very fortunate when it comes to my ED 330 placement. I'm at Back of the Yards College Prep HS, and I love it so far. I am observing both high honors level and regular level freshmen English courses on Mondays and Fridays. We have only spent three days together so far, but I can tell that relationships are beginning to develop. My mentor teacher has welcomed me and has allowed me to be involved right from the get go.
Back of the Yards is a brand new school this year, so they are still developing an identity. The school is filled with only freshmen, primarily coming from Latino backgrounds. In a way, these students are the guinea pigs for the school. I can totally relate to them - I was also a freshman entering a brand new high school. We got to pick the school mascot, colors, dance themes, etc. But it took a while for all of us to be comfortable in the environment, with our teachers and with fellow students. Although I went to a school in the suburbs, I see a lot of the same traits that I possessed in the students I'm working with.
Both the Regular and High Honors English classes are currently studying mythology, which surprised me. I never thought that would be a topic that I could teach. On my first day my mentor teacher was giving a pop quiz about the beginning of their unit. I was given their Mythology text book and read the story that they'd be reading for Friday; "The Creation of the Universe and Ife". On Friday during 3rd period I graded the pop quizzes while the teacher reviewed "Ife". I've noticed that Maja has found a way to balance the serious side of learning with the fun. The students respect her and genuinely are interested in what is being taught. Note: The average on the pop quizzes was an 18/20. I have to say that it was far from what I expected in terms of student engagement. Sure, the kids talk out of turn from time to time, but the learning has never been seriously disrupted. While they read the students were expected to make character charts, which included "powers" and "lands/areas ruled" for each mythical character. A group of boys asked if I wanted to join their group, to which I obliged.
I've read with CPS students before, and to say it was a struggle would be an understatement. So it was a pleasant surprise while reading with these students and they breezed through the text and the assignment! I'm sorry, because my mind is running in circles right now - I'm just very excited about what is happening at this school. I think it's a great opportunity, and I'm feeling confident.
Samantha, I think it's great that you are so involved and welcomed in the classroom. It is extremely important to earn the respect of the students. One thing I find myself wanting to do more of is to get to know the students more! I think that it is very difficult to help students out if the students do not trust you or accept you as a part of the classroom community.
ReplyDeleteAs we all prepare for our lesson plans in ED300 and our lectures in ENG481, we begin to see that the students themselves are a vital piece to the puzzle that is achieved learning. I know this may seem obvious, but what I mean is that we are constantly studying content and strategies that help us determine how to teach students, that we forget about what it is like on the student's end. In our positions now as pre service teachers, we do not know what the students' lives are like outside of the classroom, what they're interests are, and even something like not knowing if they've had a meal yet to get them thinking clearly in class.
I've decided to make a questionnaire for the students in the class I am observing because, although they may be friendly and willing to come to me for help with homework or class work, I still feel like I could be connecting with them more if I just knew more about them. When I know about a student and their likes/dislikes, I use it as an advantage to relate material to them in a way I hope will click.
Good luck with teaching and developing your relationships with the students!
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Ramina, that is such a great idea! I never really thought too much about using other means of getting to know the students other than immersing myself in the classroom.
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