Week+5+Experience


 * Sept. 27th, 2010 - Oct. 1st, 2010**

On Tuesday of this week I had my first formal evaluation by my clinical coordinator, Zachary. He visited during reading time and got to watch me teach a bit about Johnny Appleseed in themed centers activities that Mandy and I had planned in honor of Johnny Appleseed's Birthday, September 26th.

During the lesson that day, the students visited three centers - a read-aloud activity where they listened to stories about Johnny Appleseed, a reading practice game with Mandy using our ELSB reading curriculum, and a book-making craft about apples with me. The objectives for my center were for students to be able to identify sight words in context, color pictures using appropriate colors and stay within the lines, and to generally attend to their work.

Overall, I was proud of the way my presentation of this particular lesson went. The constructive criticism I received from Zachary afterward was also very helpful. He pointed out that I still have much to improve upon in the area of classroom management. Each day, I work hard to show authority through my actions and tone of voice because, believe me, kids find it really funny when you tell them, "I mean business," when you've got a half-hidden smile on your face!

Another important strategy I learned was to never, even for a moment turn my back on the class. Of course this makes perfect sense, but in practice it can actually be an incredibly difficult rule to follow. For example, should one child stray from the main group, the best tactic is to move so that you can redirect the wanderer, but still maintain eye gaze with the remainder of the class. An effective teacher will utilize this strategy throughout the school day - sitting rarely, and when she does, with the back to the wall so that no child is ever out of sight. It's even recommended that teachers walk backward down the hall, or at the rear of the line so that we can continue maintain that essential watch on our little flock.

However, until you're in a classroom of nine elementary-aged special needs students, with children running up to you to help tie a shoe, calling you to show the right button to press at the listening center, or needing a juice box straw pressed in, I'm not sure how one can possibly watch every angle all the time. Hopefully this is a skill I'll master with time!

One of the other millions of great learning experiences that happened this week was that I had the opportunity to take part in the Medication Administration Training Program given for the staff members at our school who care for and teach students with special needs. Of course, since I'm not yet a full-fledged staff member, it's unlawful for me to actually administer any medication to a student. Nonetheless, it was eye-opening to learn about all the responsibilities that this duty carries with it.

I was impressed with the amount of record-keeping and confidentiality that go along with being able to administer medication to a student. In addition, there are very detailed rules for the receiving and dispensing of the medicine. I liked how the Registered Nurse who was representing our school district broke all the details down for us:

The most important aspects to remember when giving medication to a student at school:
 * 1) Right Student
 * 2) Right Medication
 * 3) Right Dose
 * 4) Right Time
 * 5) Right Route - eye, ear, nose, mouth, etc.