Blog Post 2 ( Days 4 and 5)

 Continuing on my observations at the middle school, I have gained even more knowledge of how to become a better teacher. Along with the skills that you need to teach in the middles school. Meaning, that younger kids have shorter attention spans as well as the teacher has to have more patience with the kids. I have observed the same teacher 2 more times and gathered many methods and tips.

To start, I have really enjoyed the journal activity that she has the kids do everyday. For example, the other day she asked the kids to write about an animal and give clues about what the animal is without saying it. The kids loved it and after they wrote their stories the students got to share their stories while the other students guessed what the animal was. I like this activity because the students were having fun while also learning how to write sentences correctly.

Another whole class method that I really liked was the bellwork the students did. As soon as the student got in the classroom they began to do their bellwork. Bellwork consist of writing three complete sentences about prior topics or whatever topic the teacher decides. Then at the end of the week all the student pass their paper down to the end of the table and turn them in. I like this because the students once again are learning how to write, and are refreshing their minds about what they have learned.

I also like how Mrs Hall, the teacher I am observing, gets ahold of her students. She never really has a problem keeping the students in line, but when the students start talking she will say things such as "clap once if you can hear me, clap twice if you can hear me..." This get ahold of the students and silences them.

Lastly, the students have to read a certain amount of books per month and take a test on them to get a sticker. Once they get their sticker they put it on a chart by their name that way the teacher and students can keep up with how many books they have read.The students have to show the teacher that they passed the test on the book before getting a sticker as well. I really like this method because it helps keep a organized set of data for the teacher and encourages the students to read.

Overall I have really enjoyed Mrs. Halls class, and got many valuable methods and tips. Like I said before I never really thought that I would want to teach a younger age but I have really enjoyed being around the students and could definitely see myself as a middle school teacher.

Blog post 1( FE Day 2 and 3)

When wanting to become a teacher, the best way to figure out the grade level, subject, and school is to actually get some experience. I have observed twice so far and had some really great tips and tricks shown to me. I observe a teacher named Mrs. Hall in the middle school who teaches 5th grade literacy. Mrs. Hall is very organized and makes sure to keep her classroom tidy. 

One of my favorite whole class methods that she does with the students is giving them classroom jobs. After the period is over some students are assigned to put up computers, binders,etc. while the other students pick up the floor area, push in chairs and more. I feel that this is very important for students to have classroom jobs because it is teaching them to clean up after themselves and be responsible. Plus it is helping out the teacher and janitor at the same time.

Another one of my favorite methods that she includes the whole class in is the bathroom policy. When a student needs to use the restroom the walk up to the small white board on the wall which has four different boxes on it. On both of the top two boxes there is a pink and a blue magnet ( blue for boys pink for girls) the top left box that has the boys magnet is titled boys, and on the top right box it is titled girls with the pink magnet.The boxes that follow under it are each titled with out. So therefore, when a a girl or boy needs to use the bathroom they move it into the slot that says out and when they get back they put it back on the top box. This method allows the teacher and students to keep up with who is in the bathroom and if it is available.

Not only does she have great whole class methods but she also is very observant and organized. The students know to respect her and pay attention which is something that I definitely want to be able to do with my students someday.

 She also asks questions to students before explaining that way the students will remember it better and pay attention.  She also does a really good job at keeping the students busy, which is something that students need to be. She has assignments that once you complete there is always something else to do.

 Overall, Mrs. Hall has many helpful methods that I would definitely consider using in my future lessons and in my future career. I used to not want to teach the lower grade, however observing Mrs. Halls class has changed my mind and I would now consider teaching the middle school level.