What can I say it was an interesting week. I taught my landscaping class for a full uninterrupted week. However, things did get changed a bit. With the way that the semester dates had been rearranged, and the way the weather, and a million other things have been, what I planned to teach this week had changed three times. So several ideas, and lesson plans later I taught something completely different. It went well all things considered. This week we talked about careers in landscaping. The students gave presentations on careers of their choice that deal with landscaping. We all drew sketches of the courtyard together and then created mini plans as a lead into landscape design/symbols. We also learned some new vocab, and got to know each other better. My students that are considered to be in the "life skills" category did really well this week. I was very proud of them for keeping up and working so hard. When my lesson was over on one of the days, their aid/coordinator came up to tell me that I was doing a wonderful job with them and congratulated me. Woohoo! One small step in the learning process, one giant leap for confidence!This week I had my first real conversations with the kids. It was a person triumph. When I got that opportunity to create rapport with them and build a connection it really solidified that teacher status.
With every triumph, there is also a set back. The first student that I really connected with moved away yesterday. This student was very bright and real joy to have in my class. Many of the other teachers in the building were excited to see him leave because they said he was a slacker with no ambition . In my classroom he was the most polite, respectful, hardworking student in the group. I was very proud to share with them that I didn't have one complaint about him, and that he was an absolute joy to have around. My cooperating teacher and I were both saddened by his removal. I felt really accomplished that I was able to motivate and bring the best out of a "problem student".This week we also brought 17 rabbits into our classroom. My entire room is lined with fuzz balls. Every day Mrs. Miller teaches the kids things about rabbits that I never knew. I take notes right along with the kids. I never knew how dynamic and "profitable" rabbits could be. There is a commercial that uses the slogan "what's in your wallet", I want to run around and say, "what's in your class"? Mine is full of cute learning opportunities. When it comes to students they say never be surprised because they will do anything. Well when I came in this morning I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but there was duct tape stuck to a rabbit. Great :( !!!!! We had asked the students the previous day to tape the top of the cage to the bottom, well they did but on the inside. Getting duct tape off a rabbit is just ever so pleasant. I guess next time something weird happens I'll be ready.
Next week I am going to work with Mrs. Miller on rabbit handling and care. I will also be teaching more landscape designing principals in my landscaping class.
Good reading Casi. Sounds like you are hitting your stride.
ReplyDeleteI do understand the comments about the student who moved. Every year Middle School teachers would ask me what I did to get their former problem children to be so successful. It was interesting to watch their expressions when I said all I did was to expect the same from all students, regardless of ability. Then I said, I just gave them opportunities to succeed, They were too busy telling each other that Johnnie was not a good student to try to reach Johnnie.
In next weeks blog can you give me more of a day by day, period by period idea of what you are doing? Tell me what went well and what you would change.
I am looking forward to seeing the rabbits. Keep up the good work.
Casi,
ReplyDeleteGood job being based in career readiness. This will help make lessons more contextually relevant and hopefully increase the student's felt need.
df