Dana's Blog

So...it's the end of November, and I finally received my license.  Although it's only a provsional license....it still makes me feel more official!  Now, I will finally get to sign my contract. 

Before receiving this assignment, I had never been exposed to blogs.   Of course I had heard of “blogging”, but my computer use was limited to sending and receiving emails, updating my Facebook page, shopping, and completing homework assignments.   At the start of the assignment, I was thinking, “There is no way I will have time for this!” but, my feelings about my blog, which is located at http://danabrooks0777.blogspot.com/ ,   changed as I progressed through my first year of teaching.   My blog has become my confidante to whom I tell random happenings from my classroom.   My blog has become my way of reflecting on my days in the classroom and the way that I feel through my experiences.   My blog has become a tool that I use to share my thoughts, whether good or bad, and the growing pride that I have for my classroom and my students; I am proud to post what I have been teaching and what they have been learning. I realized, once I got into my own classroom, how much emphasis is place

Well, Thanksgiving break is over.  My kids came back ready for another break and not wanting to focus.  And.....we have TLI testing next week.  This will be the first one that is a reflection of how well I taught the skills.  I am so nervous.  Although I have seen growth in myself instruction wise as well as classroom management wise, I still have so far to go before I will be effective.  I just hope that I am doing right by these children.  They deserve the best teacher and role model they can get, and I am striving to be just that. 

Finally!  A chance to regroup.  A chance to breathe for a couple of days.  Just two more days til Thanksgiving Break....and it's much needed.  Although I realize that I need a break, I need to get ahead in planning even more.  I would like to return to school with the last few weeks of the quarter planned and organized.  Day by day I am recognizing my growth and I am learning what works in my classroom with my kids, and what doesn't.  I wish that I could go back to my first day and re-teach all of that material.  But, there is not time so I'll keep moving forward and try to build on those skills.  Each day, I am rewarded by one child or another.  My decision to become a teacher is reaffirmed and I know it's what I am supposed to be doing. 

This whole week, in Math, I taught Input/Output tables.  There are two boys in my class who normally refuse to participate, disrupt the whole class, or just do nothing at all.  By Thursday, both of these boys were raising their hands and almost jumping out of their seats to answer the equations.  THEY COULD GIVE ME THE PATTERN, THE RULE, AND THE EQUATION!!!!   Friday morning, as these two boys walked into the classroom, they excitedly asked, "Ms Brooks, are we doing Input/Output Tables again?"  when I told them that we were, they shouted, "YES!", and gave each other high fives!  Today, I feel successful.  Today, I feel like a teacher.  Today.......I made a difference. 

So....we are well into the second quarter.  My kids trust me, they talk to me, they help in the classroom, and most of them want to make me proud; HOWEVER, there are the handful who continue to disrupt and I just don't know how to get through to them.  My days are filled with engaging activities, but, I have found a flaw in it:  Our children expect to be stimulated every second of every day and they are not being taught the skill of being quiet and still.  Is this not a skill that they will need to advance to junior high and high school?  College and adulthood?  Are we not doing the children a disservice?  So....my solution is this.  YES, engage them in activities that will assist them in making an emotional connection, but also, have time set aside each day for notetaking and reflection.  Although I realize that I am not supposed to "teach to the test", if I don't teach the test, how do my students know how to successfully take the test?  HAVE YOU READ THE TEST Q

Monday was the start of a new quarter!  I feel a relief.  I have brainstormed and planned with co teachers and specialists and I feel that I finally have some direction; however, the anxiety about teaching the content in a manner that the students can understand and relate remains.  Also on Monday, I introduced the SLE's that involve multiplying, dividing, and factoring.  I instructed, I modeled, I allowed for guided practice and then independent practice.  My students were excited about the activity and asked questions about what was not clear and after a few minutes.....THEY GOT IT!  They began to work on their own and were all engaged.  Seeing 28 fourth graders engaged in an activity gives one a sense of pride and a feeling of success.  My students were excited to show me the activity books that they had created that were filled with word problems that they created and equations that they had written.  And this was just in my morning class.  Once I taught it to my afternoon

This week will be one of little sleep.  I have homework to complete, parent teacher conferences, the Open Response Questions to grade on all four parts of the TLI test, but, I think I finally know what I'm teaching this week.  At least I have the whole week mapped out....that's an accomplishment.  My classroom is reorganized and I have a new Behavior Management Plan:  "God, please let this one work, and a little help getting me through this week wouldn't hurt!"

I have not had time to stop and breathe!  My classroom is a mess, I have no idea what I'm doing from day to day....but somehow, I have gained the trust of 54 fourth graders, and although it is still an adjustment, I am watching them grow individually, emotionally, and academically. There is nothing more amazing than watching that light come on.  When I see my kids carrying their heads high because they are PROUD of the content and strategies that they have learned, the late nights and lack of weekends is worth it.  I am grateful for my students, I am grateful for the support that I have from my co teachers, and I am grateful for surviving the first two weeks in my first year of being a fourth grade teacher! 

Monday afternoon, while I was wrestling with a 200 pound fourth grader in the self contained classroom at the school that I was subbing at, I got a call from the office telling me that the Deputy Superintendent of the Fort Smith Public Schools requested that I be at the Service Center at 3:45 on that same day for an interview.  All I could think was, "I am not dressed for an interview, my hair is going to be a mess and I don't have my makeup with me!!"  But, I went to the interview and stumbled through the process.  The interview was for a position at the school that I really wanted to teach at.  Yesterday morning, the next day, I was scheduled to substitute at this school. I saw the principal first thing, and she didn't make eye contact, so I assumed that I did not get the job and went on about my day, deciding to save my tears for later.  About an hour later, the principal and vice principal asked me to accompany them to the office.  Of course, it doesn't ma

Today, I substituted in an eighth grade English class and I LOVED IT!!  The class is reading one of my favorite books, That Was Then, This is Now .  This book, as well as the others written by the same author, have been favorites of mine since I was in junior high school.  Today, I got to use some of the strategies that we have talked about in the MAT program.  Included in these strategies was building on prior knowledge, predicting, and foreshadowing.  Not only did we use these strategies, but we also incorporated history that affected the time setting in the book!  Today was a great experience. 

For the past two days, I have been substitute teaching in a self contained classroom.  These children not only have learning disabilities, but they also have physical and psychological handicaps.  Many of these children do not speak clearly and several do not have the ability to form a sentence.  When one goes into a situation such as this one, one may think, "this is a shell of a child, how can I possibly teach them, what can they learn?"  After observing these children, one will find that they are highly creative and have capabilities that seem to be inate.  These children are affectionate and if they can sit down long enough to listen, they are eagar to please.  These children have embedded themselves into my heart.  I have a new perspective on the saying, "ALL children deserve an education". 

I have been substitute teaching for almost two weeks now. I have learned so much! I have learned how important procedures are, and it is obvious which teacher drill the students on their procedures, and which teachers do not. I have learned that ALL students, no matter their age or grade, enjoy being read to. I have learned that sixth graders will work harder and quieter if you allow them to work in groups and they love word searches. I have learned that explaining expectations up front is not only a good idea, it's a NECESSITY to maintain order in the classroom. I have learned that when the teacher (or substitute) makes a mistake, it is better to tell the students that a mistake has been made, rather than making excuses or trying to hide it. Not only have I been learning, but I have been stealing the best ideas and the best procedures from the teachers who I have substituted for. This experience is an invaluable one.

Always be prepared for rainy day recess inside! 

Although I don't have my own classroom yet, I will be substitute teaching in grades K-12.  I would love for you all to share your teaching strategies and activities that you have done in your classrooms.