Today started off great! As I posted yesterday, I feel really uncomfortable teaching math, but today it came with such ease and it was just my second lesson (exciting, I know!). We practiced standard subtraction with 3-digit numbers that required regrouping. The lesson I did on Monday with the cereal COMPLETELY paid off because these kids were not only getting the answers right, but were understanding it! I felt like such a 'proud mama' and couldn't be happier. They were actually challenging themselves even more and attempting to make up their own problems using 4-digit numbers (that's not even required in 3rd grade!...at least from what I can remember ;)...I'll be sure to correct myself if that changes).
 |
| Spur of the moment word problem I came up with today - I couldn't resist ;) The kids seemed to think it was funny though! |
 |
| A note from Jen left on my desk after the lesson :) |
We also did a short activity before the math lesson to practice estimation. We attempted to estimate how many marbles we had left to fill "Our Berry Good Bears" jar. I had the kids get together with their tables to come up with an estimate. I passed the bag of marbles around and let them how heavy it was too. I explained to them that the guesses needed to be reasonable and if we got within 10 of the actual number, I would add 10 marbles to our jar. After they came up with answers (before sharing them), I threw them for a whirlwind when I said, "If your group guesses the exact number, I'll put in 15 marbles. I'll give you 30 seconds to revise your answer if you'd like." I set the timer. They were SO excited! Many of the groups changed their answers and couldn't wait to share. And finally, they were able to share their estimates. Many of them guessed in the 40s-60s while one group guessed 122. Everyone (including myself) thought they were out of their mind. While we checked our morning work, Mrs. Arnold counted the marbles. Turns out there were 128 marbles left! So the group that guessed 122 was actually right :) We got within 10 of the number and I threw in an extra 3 marbles because they got so close. This spur of the moment activity was great because not only did the kids love it, but it was a great review of skills we've learned previously this year and it also required team work.
Alright, 'Heaven' is over. Ready for Hell? Because I sure wasn't.
During reading I had to be video taped by a fellow intern. It's an assignment for our grad course and we use this information to evaluate each other. Well, naive me decided to try a different technique to teach reading - a powerpoint. We normally sit on the carpet, but I feel like their behavior has been getting too lax lately and I thought them staying at their desks might help. Well between this change, Haley video taping me, and Jen leaving the room to do an observation (not bashing her! it needed to be done and was the perfect opportunity for me to be with the kids alone to teach :) ), the kids were NUTS. I love them, but my God that was not good. They were so intrigued by the camera and could not concentrate at all on the task at hand. I had people throwing tantrums about silly things, getting mad at each other, playing with things in their desks...and the list goes on. I ended up having to take points from many of them, but probably should've taken even more. I tried everything I could think of to keep them engaged, but today was just not my day. It was just frustrating for many reasons, but probably the most frustrating because they were SO great with me earlier in the day and really respected me while I was teaching. It very well may have been the time of day, but needless to say it was crazy. On a positive note, it's great it's on video because I can watch and learn from it AND it'll make a great video...in about 10 years. I'm sure I'll be laughing by that point. I was so relieved when Jen came back in because I literally just needed a break. Next week is my lead week (where I plan and lead all the lessons), so it's a great opportunity for me learn from my mistakes today (and I'm sure some next week!). And on that note, I'm going to end now to continue working and preparing things. I hope everyone has a good night and thanks for reading! Feel free to leave comments :)
No comments:
Post a Comment