Week+2+Experience

This week was an exercise in practicality if I ever saw one. Teachers are always having to think on their feet, yes, but sometimes the rapid-fire succession with which we must be prepared to do so can really become overwhelming! I've learned the necessity of quickly changing the direction of a lesson when you realize you've miscalculated a student's academic capabilities. Then, there's knowing how to improvise when the technology you need to give an assessment or extend your lesson isn't there when you need it. So far though, the most pragmatic teaching discovery I've had is how to welcome a new student into the classroom when your class has already begun to think of itself as a full and happy little learning family.
 * Sept. 7th, 2010 - Sept. 10th, 2010**

It might not seem like a big deal, but the arrival of a new student after the start of the school year means a surprising amount of extra work for a teacher - something that can feel almost insurmountable to a new teacher! Not only do you need to help the students welcome and get to know this new friend, but there will be assessments to give, routines to learn, and most especially a new mind to nurture.