Week+3+Experience

This week has been full of more wonderful teaching and learning experiences. One of the biggest things I've had to reflect upon, however, is the importance of establishing myself as an authority figure with my students. I've always known it would be something that would come in due time, but so far, I feel like my students see me as more of a playmate than another teacher. I find myself giving a simple direction like "Boys and girls, please line up for recess" several times over. And, if someone needs redirection for making a poor choice, my voice seems not to matter. Instead, it feels like no one listens until a paraprofessional or Mandy, my supervising teacher, repeats what I've just said.
 * Sept. 13th, 2010 - Sept. 17th, 2010**

Having shared my reflections on the matter with Mandy and even some of my friends who are working on their own Internship experiences, I've decided that one of the best things I can probably do is to keep asserting myself in the classroom and school environment. Hopefully, once the children have had their fill of "testing the boundaries" with me and once they really get used to the idea of seeing me each day, they'll begin to recognize me as an authority figure. I think the trick is to stay firm, stand tall, and give the students time.

After finally receiving our SmartBoard this week and getting it up and running, I had a ton of fun delivering some "on the fly" lessons for review and practice. The students and I took a look at sorting with shapes, beginning handwriting practice, and even some neat little sing-a-long songs full of movement that worked wonders for getting my little kinesthetic learners involved.

All this activity made me realize the huge importance that differentiation and adaptation play in any learning environment. For example, our step-stool - normally reserved for getting a boost to wash our hands at the sink - makes a perfect stage for helping little ones reach high spots on the SmartBoard. I also plan on bringing along a pointer for extra help next week.

Finally, using the SmartBoard during those lessons reminded me of the need to give adequate wait time when asking my kiddos for any kind of response. It's so hard not to get just as excited as their friends, to want to jump up and down in anticipation of the right answer, maybe even to supply it yourself because you're so sure they're thinking right along with you..........but, that's not teaching, then is it?!? An effective teacher will build all that same excitement, but patiently wait for her student to respond! It might seem like their little gears take a long time to turn, but when you let them do all the thinking and they get it right, that's what it's all about, baby!!!