This last week was my mini residency, and I feel it went well.
On Monday, while Mr. Foster lead the class, I integrated myself into the work and did a lot of the leading. We started this week and for the next 2 1/2 weeks on seeing how different cultures celebrate the holidays. Monday was the United States.
Tuesday I took the class and things went well. At the end of the day, Mr. Foster said he was I did well and the one thing I needed to work on was my transitions. The day we studied Germany where many of our traditions for Christmas comes from. Mr. Foster was in and out of the class all day dealing with issues around the school. He has decided to go for his principal's certification, so the principal has decided to utilize him in such a capacity.
Wednesday was my best day. Things went so smoothly it was almost scary. I worked on my transitions and helped the children understand when they were to happen. Almost every child got all their work done we had planned for the day. Mr. Foster was out of the class most of the day.
Thursday was a little rougher and longer since I did not have any pullouts for the day. We still got everything done, but all the kids seemed to be in a strange mood; not just in my class either, but all around the school. My children were well enough behaved, but very whiny and we did not get through the art project since it was a bit complicated and was something Mr. Foster had planned to do, but he was not in the class hardly at all, so I had to attempt it since the kids were excited to do it. If I were to go back and do it, I would have done a different art activity for Denmark.
Friday, Mr. Foster took back over the class and I spent the morning setting up a new technology tool for projecting the images on the board while I assisted the children in doing their work. In the afternoon, I assisted Mr. Foster again, though I did take the class for a bit when he had to leave the class for a while.
All in all, it went well. I worked on what I felt was my weaknesses and discovered what I needed to change or adjust for my work in the class. I think I am close to being ready for my residency. This many residency was a good tuneup for what is to come.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
November 8-12
This last week at Muldoon was a quiet one. I am preparing myself for the upcoming mini residency but am having some difficulties with it as we are shifting our reading and social studies to a program call "Christmas around the world", but it is not a curriculum but something the teachers do together. I hope that soon they will get together what they are doing so I can know what I am doing.
I did have one incident that I found troubling. When Mr. Foster was out of the class for training, I had some difficulties with the a child. Mr. Foster told me if the children are disrespectful and the parents need to be notified, he had slips for notes home to parents. I sent home one of these notes because of the child's behavior to let his father know what had happened. Mr. Foster told me that I should not have done this and should have left it to him as the parent was upset with me because his son said that it did not happen.
When I was told that I had done something wrong and that I put myself in a compromising position, I was confused since I only did what he told me to do. I guess I will need to ask for some clarification. This makes me wonder about everything I do now since I have been told my role and what I can do, then told I can't.
I did have one incident that I found troubling. When Mr. Foster was out of the class for training, I had some difficulties with the a child. Mr. Foster told me if the children are disrespectful and the parents need to be notified, he had slips for notes home to parents. I sent home one of these notes because of the child's behavior to let his father know what had happened. Mr. Foster told me that I should not have done this and should have left it to him as the parent was upset with me because his son said that it did not happen.
When I was told that I had done something wrong and that I put myself in a compromising position, I was confused since I only did what he told me to do. I guess I will need to ask for some clarification. This makes me wonder about everything I do now since I have been told my role and what I can do, then told I can't.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Okay, I have been really bad
I have not posted in a while.
School is going fairly well. The Walk into Reading we are doing has proven more difficult than I thought it would be. The children seem to be taking to the work, but I am not sure if they come out more confused sometimes because of examples they give which are vague or culturally irrelevant.
We did an assessment on the students in my WIR group and their reading ability has jumped to above their progress line for all but one. They use DIBELS which is supposed to rate children by their grade level in phonetic reading and determine where they are now and the goal of reading at the end of the year. All of my students in my WIR group were below the mark for the beginning of the year (otherwise at a third grade level), most being at a high first grade or low second grade level. The assessment showed that almost all of the kids are now at or above the beginning of the year third grade level.
While I find this exciting and knowing I am doing my job, I am also concerned because the children now have the ability to read, but lack the comprehension. The worksheets do not seem to bolster this. One example was the word "lamp" in which the example sentence for it was 'Mom lit the gas________.' They use other words like "sash" which only one child knew what it was.
When I brought this up, I was shown the scores and told that it was working. All that went through my head was the story of the two men who built their houses, one on a strong foundation and one on sand. We are building them a house, but I don't see a strong foundation for it to sustain itself.
After getting back from visiting my dad, Mr. Foster was in training so I was in the class with a substitute. Thursday and Friday was a difficult couple of days. The children were unruly and disruptive. We had a smaller class, but in reality, they were mostly the children who were "problem" children. They are "bad" children, but they are the ones that typically cause the problems in the class and did not qualify for Mediator training with Mr. Foster.
School is going fairly well. The Walk into Reading we are doing has proven more difficult than I thought it would be. The children seem to be taking to the work, but I am not sure if they come out more confused sometimes because of examples they give which are vague or culturally irrelevant.
We did an assessment on the students in my WIR group and their reading ability has jumped to above their progress line for all but one. They use DIBELS which is supposed to rate children by their grade level in phonetic reading and determine where they are now and the goal of reading at the end of the year. All of my students in my WIR group were below the mark for the beginning of the year (otherwise at a third grade level), most being at a high first grade or low second grade level. The assessment showed that almost all of the kids are now at or above the beginning of the year third grade level.
While I find this exciting and knowing I am doing my job, I am also concerned because the children now have the ability to read, but lack the comprehension. The worksheets do not seem to bolster this. One example was the word "lamp" in which the example sentence for it was 'Mom lit the gas________.' They use other words like "sash" which only one child knew what it was.
When I brought this up, I was shown the scores and told that it was working. All that went through my head was the story of the two men who built their houses, one on a strong foundation and one on sand. We are building them a house, but I don't see a strong foundation for it to sustain itself.
After getting back from visiting my dad, Mr. Foster was in training so I was in the class with a substitute. Thursday and Friday was a difficult couple of days. The children were unruly and disruptive. We had a smaller class, but in reality, they were mostly the children who were "problem" children. They are "bad" children, but they are the ones that typically cause the problems in the class and did not qualify for Mediator training with Mr. Foster.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Lesson plans
My host teacher looks ahead and sets a goal keeping in mind what is happening and the goals of the team of 3rd grade teachers. Most of the planning is done by the week and sometimes we plan out two weeks ahead.
As for observations, most are done mentally, but he does perform written and verbal assessments of the children (DRA, Dibels, etc.)
The lesson plans themselves are set up in a weekly format with block of times and pullouts blocked out so that we can visually see what we are supposed to do.Inside those blocks are written out the lesson map.
I am also involved highly in using Taskstream to make up our lesson plans to add the GLEs and have a typed format. We use this as a team as well as turning them into the office to meet our Title One Chapter Three expectations.
As for observations, most are done mentally, but he does perform written and verbal assessments of the children (DRA, Dibels, etc.)
The lesson plans themselves are set up in a weekly format with block of times and pullouts blocked out so that we can visually see what we are supposed to do.Inside those blocks are written out the lesson map.
I am also involved highly in using Taskstream to make up our lesson plans to add the GLEs and have a typed format. We use this as a team as well as turning them into the office to meet our Title One Chapter Three expectations.
Transition periods in class
Most of the transitional periods I feel are rough. Most go like this, "Okay, put away 'this work' and get out this work." The noise goes up, and usually half of the children don't do the transition.
This is one of the areas I am looking to work on as we start work on my taking over the class. This is the most frustrating time. Mr. Foster uses the "5 count down method" in which he says, "Mr. Foster's class, put your hands on your head. One hand in the air. 5..4..3..eyes on me..2..voices off..1..okay you should be sitting quietly and looking at me."
I have noticed that there are usually 3-5 children who are not on task or transitioning. He told me at the beginning of the school year that this method will work once the children become used to the routine. It is more effective for him than for substitutes or myself when we are alone.
I am not sure what transition I would use, but it is something I need to work on soon.
This is one of the areas I am looking to work on as we start work on my taking over the class. This is the most frustrating time. Mr. Foster uses the "5 count down method" in which he says, "Mr. Foster's class, put your hands on your head. One hand in the air. 5..4..3..eyes on me..2..voices off..1..okay you should be sitting quietly and looking at me."
I have noticed that there are usually 3-5 children who are not on task or transitioning. He told me at the beginning of the school year that this method will work once the children become used to the routine. It is more effective for him than for substitutes or myself when we are alone.
I am not sure what transition I would use, but it is something I need to work on soon.
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 27- Phonics to Read
I missed class today to go to a training entitled "Phonics to Read" which Muldoon will be implementing starting Monday. Since we have a large body of children in the third grade that barely read at or below a first grade level, the school is going to be adding a 40 minute segment of literacy at the end of the afternoon everyday to help bring up those children.
I am not sure why it is called "Phonics to Read" since phonics itself is a small part of the overall program which is really an offshoot of Ashlock that focuses on phonemic awareness, vowel blends and breaking down multi-syllabic words.
I am excited to start this program and see how much of a difference it really makes. I will be in charge of 8-9 upper middle children who are just off benchmark and using our training and the curriculum to try to fill in those gaps and bring those children up.
If all goes well, in six weeks the children will be retested and if enough children advance, I might split with the kids on or above benchmark and work on some of those lower ones to solidify their reading skills and strategies.
This is going to be a lot of work to start off, but once we get in the swing of it it should flow very well.
I am not sure why it is called "Phonics to Read" since phonics itself is a small part of the overall program which is really an offshoot of Ashlock that focuses on phonemic awareness, vowel blends and breaking down multi-syllabic words.
I am excited to start this program and see how much of a difference it really makes. I will be in charge of 8-9 upper middle children who are just off benchmark and using our training and the curriculum to try to fill in those gaps and bring those children up.
If all goes well, in six weeks the children will be retested and if enough children advance, I might split with the kids on or above benchmark and work on some of those lower ones to solidify their reading skills and strategies.
This is going to be a lot of work to start off, but once we get in the swing of it it should flow very well.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
September 21- "My class"
Mr. Foster did DRAs today so he called in a sub to work since I am not on the sub list. I volunteered to come all day to help out the sub, and Mr. Foster thought it would be good experience for me to lead the class. When the sub showed up (late at 8:50), Mr. Foster explained to the sub the plan and left me "My class."
The day went fairly well. I knew many of the kids were going to push the boundaries to test the waters. The morning was a bit rough, but I managed to work through it. It was mainly one child that disrupted the flow of the class and I expelled to much energy to keep her in line, which really failed to be honest. Though I felt better when the VP couldn't control her any better. (Is that wrong?)
The afternoon went smoother when that one child was pulled out for her out of class tutoring anyways. We got through the day, I kept on task and we finished 98% of the work. I was pleased with my first real "solo" outing. I know there was a sub in there, but he did not do much, the easiest $120 he ever made I am sure.
I did ask his feedback since he was a former teacher and he gave me a couple of criticisms that I now realize I need to work on. The primary of which is using the same language that the children are being presented in their work so as to eliminate any confusion.
Overall a good day though Mr. Foster said I looked a bit frazzled by days end when he came back. I don't feel frazzled, but I know I am concerned if I was able to complete all the work and keep everything in line.
The day went fairly well. I knew many of the kids were going to push the boundaries to test the waters. The morning was a bit rough, but I managed to work through it. It was mainly one child that disrupted the flow of the class and I expelled to much energy to keep her in line, which really failed to be honest. Though I felt better when the VP couldn't control her any better. (Is that wrong?)
The afternoon went smoother when that one child was pulled out for her out of class tutoring anyways. We got through the day, I kept on task and we finished 98% of the work. I was pleased with my first real "solo" outing. I know there was a sub in there, but he did not do much, the easiest $120 he ever made I am sure.
I did ask his feedback since he was a former teacher and he gave me a couple of criticisms that I now realize I need to work on. The primary of which is using the same language that the children are being presented in their work so as to eliminate any confusion.
Overall a good day though Mr. Foster said I looked a bit frazzled by days end when he came back. I don't feel frazzled, but I know I am concerned if I was able to complete all the work and keep everything in line.
September 16th- Ashlock Training
I went to the first day of Ashlock Training. It went well and I learned a lot. i know that we will not be able to implement everything, but there are many steps and methods that may prove beneficial. We have one more day of training next week (Thursday).
Essentially the training implements a 10-15 minutes segment of regimental learning and reading strategies in which children learn how to read "new" words through phonics (phonetics), patterns, sound blends, etc. The teacher uses charts of words, sounds and multisybalic words to reinforce the learning process by demonstrating the new words, adding in old words with similar sound text and repetition.
These are the same basic methods that were used to teach me to read when I was a child, just put in a more direct regimented approach.
Essentially the training implements a 10-15 minutes segment of regimental learning and reading strategies in which children learn how to read "new" words through phonics (phonetics), patterns, sound blends, etc. The teacher uses charts of words, sounds and multisybalic words to reinforce the learning process by demonstrating the new words, adding in old words with similar sound text and repetition.
These are the same basic methods that were used to teach me to read when I was a child, just put in a more direct regimented approach.
September 14th
I found out today that our school is in worse shape from an educational point of view than first thought. We are now classified as a "school in crisis" which means that changes are coming to make up for lapses in the proficiencies of the children. They seem to really want me to be a part of the group and I have been offered Ashlock Training as well as another reading program. Ashlock I know I can do. It is more of a regimental/instructional program that is supposed to support and build the reading strategies of the children.
My first training will be Thursday. I thought long and hard about this process and am excited to implement a new plan. i know this plan is not always the most desirable method of learning, but I have been told that for ESL/ELL that it will help with their proficiency.
My first training will be Thursday. I thought long and hard about this process and am excited to implement a new plan. i know this plan is not always the most desirable method of learning, but I have been told that for ESL/ELL that it will help with their proficiency.
September 6-10
I had ear surgery last week to fix a hearing deficiency in my right ear. While the surgery was less evasive than originally planned, the process is still a bit painful. The pain medication has made being in the classroom a bit interesting this past week as I have a hard time focusing and keep my train of thought. I am not careless or unable to do my work, but as I look back at the end of the day to fill out my journal, I can't remember why I wrote certain things in my notes to remind me what I am supposed to be doing.
The children are fascinated with my stitches which is both a good talking point, but with those children that can be hard to keep on track, it can be a distraction.
By the end of the week, I was off my meds and dealing with the pain, it made my work easier but my ear is still adjusting to "hearing" and is throbbing by days end from the sound overload.
The children are fascinated with my stitches which is both a good talking point, but with those children that can be hard to keep on track, it can be a distraction.
By the end of the week, I was off my meds and dealing with the pain, it made my work easier but my ear is still adjusting to "hearing" and is throbbing by days end from the sound overload.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Welcoming Board
The other board is a class board with another self portrait of themselves and an anagram using their name that they created.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
August 26
Today went well. We began our social studies unit in which we are doing geography. Mr. Foster has encouraged me to take charge of this study which I have done. I lead the class for the unit and felt that I did a good job and kept up the pace. Mr. Foster sat in the back of the class and took some of the children that have problems staying on task to help them do better.
I don't really think I have anything negative to say about today. I do know that I need to work on my voice because after speaking none stop for over an hour, my throat was dry and my voice strained. I need to have water on hand so I can take a sip between instruction.
I don't really think I have anything negative to say about today. I do know that I need to work on my voice because after speaking none stop for over an hour, my throat was dry and my voice strained. I need to have water on hand so I can take a sip between instruction.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
August 25
Today the little girl that has been giving us problems had a good day! It is amazing how much smoother the day went by! I am not entirely sure what made the change in her; we did move the children around at the desks to better accommodate some of the personalities and I also tried to set goals to make her more positive by giving her smaller goals and then praise as she accomplished them.
There are some issues to be dealt with when it comes to children getting up from their seats to get a drink or go to the restroom. I understand the need to control as much distraction and getting the children to get the work done, but we ended up with a boy who peed his pants.
I feel that the expectation of bathroom breaks needs to be made more clear. For example, stop and go to the bathroom on the way to or from recess. With this set time mid way through the day, I think it will help with bathroom and class disruptions.
There are some issues to be dealt with when it comes to children getting up from their seats to get a drink or go to the restroom. I understand the need to control as much distraction and getting the children to get the work done, but we ended up with a boy who peed his pants.
I feel that the expectation of bathroom breaks needs to be made more clear. For example, stop and go to the bathroom on the way to or from recess. With this set time mid way through the day, I think it will help with bathroom and class disruptions.
Monday, August 23, 2010
August 23
This day went faster. We moved along with the full lineup of subjects. We did not get everything done as the children were not fully up to speed with the routine. I took a couple of centers during language arts working on our focus skills for the week doing dividing words, compound words/syllables.
There is one child that is frustrating me. She is a constant distraction to the other children. Mr. Foster is going to look into her IEP from her former school.
I need to focus on her positives and let her be less of a distraction to myself when I am leading and teaching.
There is one child that is frustrating me. She is a constant distraction to the other children. Mr. Foster is going to look into her IEP from her former school.
I need to focus on her positives and let her be less of a distraction to myself when I am leading and teaching.
Friday, August 20, 2010
August 20- aka the end of week one
Today was the best day all week...and not just because it was Friday. I felt that the day went smoother, the routines and transitions were better, and we had our first special, P.E., which gave us a 45 minute reprieve. Mr. Foster had me take over and correct the morning worksheet with the children. This pushed me up in front of the class and helped move me out of the role of someone there to help to someone in charge. Mr. Foster actually had to leave the class to deal with something which honestly helped take the jitters out of getting up front. When he returned he let me continue to lead the worksheet correction and only jumped in to add helpful comments.
The children were a little surprised when I started asking, "You are doing this?", but once I began they fell right in and were very interactive. That would be the one thing I would like to change, I felt I did not interact quite as personable as I would have liked and it came off a bit stiff.
In the afternoon, after lunch, Mr. Foster was needed in the office to assist with one of the machines and I again took control of the class. This transition was seamless and none of the kids even looked twice. The work was a continuation of the work we were doing right before lunch and they seemed amiable to do it. I assisted with the work and managed the classroom which I felt went very well for the entire time. I was able to redirect the children causing issues and kept the children on task. When Mr. Foster came back in, we both continued the work and there did not seem to be any lag or jump in the work.
I felt that the change of the children's attitude towards me started when Mr. Foster had me take the children down to P.E. first thing in the morning. I am not sure if Mr. Foster really had to "leave" in the morning or not, but I am glad that he helped push me into the front of the room. I am not 100% ready to go, but that gave me a big boost of confidence.
Next week will be a new set of tests and a chance, should I take it, to step out even farther. My goal is to be leading a subject after the labor day break.
The children were a little surprised when I started asking, "You are doing this?", but once I began they fell right in and were very interactive. That would be the one thing I would like to change, I felt I did not interact quite as personable as I would have liked and it came off a bit stiff.
In the afternoon, after lunch, Mr. Foster was needed in the office to assist with one of the machines and I again took control of the class. This transition was seamless and none of the kids even looked twice. The work was a continuation of the work we were doing right before lunch and they seemed amiable to do it. I assisted with the work and managed the classroom which I felt went very well for the entire time. I was able to redirect the children causing issues and kept the children on task. When Mr. Foster came back in, we both continued the work and there did not seem to be any lag or jump in the work.
I felt that the change of the children's attitude towards me started when Mr. Foster had me take the children down to P.E. first thing in the morning. I am not sure if Mr. Foster really had to "leave" in the morning or not, but I am glad that he helped push me into the front of the room. I am not 100% ready to go, but that gave me a big boost of confidence.
Next week will be a new set of tests and a chance, should I take it, to step out even farther. My goal is to be leading a subject after the labor day break.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
August 19
Today went pretty well. I felt that the transitions went much smoother today. The kids seemed to do much better today as well and the behaviors seemed to be more at ease.
We got a new little girl today that is a bit of a handful as she seems to be a bit socially lacking. I felt today that I spent more time coralling her and making sure she did not disrupt the class. I felt that I did not interact with the class as much as the first day. Mr. Foster noticed this as well and said that I did a good job dealing with her.
I think that tomorrow as we put in place the behavior chart and become more strict with how we deal with them and some of the issues will go away which will allow me to become more involved in class. I also need to walk away from the problem children sometimes and let them be a problem as long as they are not being overly disruptive.
I had an issue with the personal shield that the children did for themselves. The four parts were "Home, Family, School and Community" Many of the children, especially the ESL children had a difficult time with concept of "Community". I think if I did this again I would use "Friend" instead.
We got a new little girl today that is a bit of a handful as she seems to be a bit socially lacking. I felt today that I spent more time coralling her and making sure she did not disrupt the class. I felt that I did not interact with the class as much as the first day. Mr. Foster noticed this as well and said that I did a good job dealing with her.
I think that tomorrow as we put in place the behavior chart and become more strict with how we deal with them and some of the issues will go away which will allow me to become more involved in class. I also need to walk away from the problem children sometimes and let them be a problem as long as they are not being overly disruptive.
I had an issue with the personal shield that the children did for themselves. The four parts were "Home, Family, School and Community" Many of the children, especially the ESL children had a difficult time with concept of "Community". I think if I did this again I would use "Friend" instead.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
August 18th aka First Day
Well, today was the first day of school and I survived. I did not lose any children, lose my head nor send any children home crying.
I felt that today was good. The pace went along fairly quickly and we seemed to barely get through one topic when we were on to the next. Mr. Foster kept good control of the class and managed the many personalities so well. I definitely learned a lot today in that regards.
I need to put forth more confidence in my own abilities and step in and do more. Mr. Foster is gently pushing me forward and demonstrates confidence in me that I do not have for myself yet.
I am going to start working on getting more involved and learning the facility and layout even more so that I can do a better job of supporting Mr. Foster and gaining the confidence to do more.
Tomorrow is another day, hopefully better than today, but not as good as the next.
I felt that today was good. The pace went along fairly quickly and we seemed to barely get through one topic when we were on to the next. Mr. Foster kept good control of the class and managed the many personalities so well. I definitely learned a lot today in that regards.
I need to put forth more confidence in my own abilities and step in and do more. Mr. Foster is gently pushing me forward and demonstrates confidence in me that I do not have for myself yet.
I am going to start working on getting more involved and learning the facility and layout even more so that I can do a better job of supporting Mr. Foster and gaining the confidence to do more.
Tomorrow is another day, hopefully better than today, but not as good as the next.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 17th part deux
Well, the open house is done. In the hour and a half we were able to meet seven children from our class. This should prove to be an interesting year, not in a bad way.
Now off to iron my shirt and lay out my clothes for tomorrow, my first day as an intern.
Now off to iron my shirt and lay out my clothes for tomorrow, my first day as an intern.
August 17
Well, today was a bit of a rush as we scrambled to get the last few things around for the start of class tomorrow. I think we are about ready, there are a few small things to finish up, but I finished setting up the kids desks and copying enough papers to take out a small corner of the rain forest.
Home now, taking a breather, then off to change clothes and back to the school for the back to school bar bq.
Home now, taking a breather, then off to change clothes and back to the school for the back to school bar bq.
Monday, August 16, 2010
August 16
Another long day of training and very little done in the classroom. I have to admit that all the information is a bit overwhelming. I am taking it in stride though and not letting too much get to me and just follow along and shadow and pick up what I need for now. Today we spent a lot of time go over kids material pertaining to the aptitude. One more day of training and class prep and then the real work begins. Tomorrow is also the School Barbq and will be the first time I get to meet some of the children from my new class.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
August 11th and 12th
Well, I have begun my internship for teaching and I am doing my internship at Muldoon Elementary in third grade with Mr. Foster.
The eleventh was a voluntary day for the teachers to have a staff meeting with their new principal Mr. Grant. The day was interesting as I watched the teachers interact in the activities. I saw in many cases that there were too many leaders and not enough leadership. Different groups were willing to listen to one or two people, who were all saying the same thing, but nothing was getting done and there was confusion.
The meeting overall I felt was productive and people seemed to get something out of it.
Today was a little more active. Mr. Foster and I spent most of the day setting up the classroom, going over the layout and setting up the lesson plans. We already have most of the first full week taken care of except for the GLAs and setting up the social studies/science lessons.
Mr. Foster has so much together and much of the work comes naturally to him as he has had many years setting up his methods. I am pleased that he is giving me so much of his time and ideas to get me started of quickly with a foundation to work on. His lesson plans are fairly straight forward and he has been showing me what they have done in the past, how he is adapting it for this year, and then guiding me to select some activities and materials for the lessons.
Tomorrow we finish the classroom and the first two weeks of the lesson plans; hopefully. We also have a training class and a team meeting for grade 3.
Whew!
The eleventh was a voluntary day for the teachers to have a staff meeting with their new principal Mr. Grant. The day was interesting as I watched the teachers interact in the activities. I saw in many cases that there were too many leaders and not enough leadership. Different groups were willing to listen to one or two people, who were all saying the same thing, but nothing was getting done and there was confusion.
The meeting overall I felt was productive and people seemed to get something out of it.
Today was a little more active. Mr. Foster and I spent most of the day setting up the classroom, going over the layout and setting up the lesson plans. We already have most of the first full week taken care of except for the GLAs and setting up the social studies/science lessons.
Mr. Foster has so much together and much of the work comes naturally to him as he has had many years setting up his methods. I am pleased that he is giving me so much of his time and ideas to get me started of quickly with a foundation to work on. His lesson plans are fairly straight forward and he has been showing me what they have done in the past, how he is adapting it for this year, and then guiding me to select some activities and materials for the lessons.
Tomorrow we finish the classroom and the first two weeks of the lesson plans; hopefully. We also have a training class and a team meeting for grade 3.
Whew!
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