The first week of my field experience went very well. I am in a kindergarten classroom so there is constant movement going on. There are 15 students in my class, so learning their names was not a difficult task. Behavior, on the other hand, is something that many students are struggling with. The teacher is often redirecting students, reminding them of the expected behaviors, and using a clip chart as a way for students to think about their behavior. I will be paying special attention to how my cooperating teacher manages her classroom and the behaviors that occur.
The school I am at is a Spanish Immersion school. I had a chance to walk around and listen to what is going on in the other classrooms. It is an interesting atmosphere to hear the different languages being spoken in the school. I am looking forward to learning more about this program.
For a special education class at SCSU, I have the opportunity to work on a case study and work with a student in an academic area. We are supposed to do an instructional activity (or two) with a student, test them, monitor and graph their scores, and then modify when the student is below or above the line of expected progress. I am working on the alphabet with a student, starting with the capital letters. I am hoping that I am able to help this student succeed and lessen the gap between their peers.
I hope everyone is enjoying their field experiences and has a great rest of the week!
I love that you are in a Spanish Immersion school. This seems to be a growing trend nowadays. It is great that the idea that a second language should be thought young for it to make a big impact is taking on such a big role in schools today. I am also in a kindergarten classroom and I totally understand you statement about their behaviors. My cooperating teacher seems to have a handle on it most days. reinforcement of good behavior is used in the classroom. I noticed that when my cooperating teacher acknowledges the good behavior of several students, a number of them seem to want to pay attention soon after.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a very interesting assignment for your SPED class. It sounds very involved and will give you a great snapshot of life as a SPED teacher. I hope you enjoy it and find the experience valuable.
ReplyDeleteBeing in a Spanish emersion school sounds like an excellent expirience to have as well. It will give you some insight to ELL and how it is to learn and understand the English language.
My class needs to be redirected sometimes, as well, for behavior, so I know how you feel. I'm in a second grade classroom and they can be bey busy sometimes. My teacher utilizes a "take a break chair" and has the student rejoin the group when the feel ready after their break.
Good luck with the rest of your expirience.
I was amazed at all of the behavioral problems my class has as well! Not what you go in expecting to deal with, especially in kindergarten! It's so interesting that you get to hear the different languages, that will be a great experience. I also think it's great that your co-teacher is giving you such great opportunities to get you ready for being a teacher yourself!
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