What crazy, interesting, confusing, strange, amazing experiences do I have on a weekly basis? Maybe my students made some off-the-wall comment. Some other time, I might have a story about a wonderful teaching moment. There may be some weeks that I reflect on my strengths/weaknesses as a teacher and others where I need advice. I'm dealing with the experience a day at a time.
Who ever said 4-day weeks weren't amazing? Don't get me wrong. I am completely enjoying the semester already but let me just tell you how exhausted I have become on a regular basis. Let's rally for a change in the work calendar!
Back to reality for a bit. I am really starting to feel like a teacher. Not only am I involved in the daily routines of my teacher. But the rest of the BMS faculty and staff have also embraced us as parallels.
Establishing a pacing guide for a unit and creating weekly lesson plans can be overwhelming and stressful. BMS emphasizes collaboration in all areas. Because of this, same-subject teachers have a chance to plan together. Once (or twice in our case) a week, we meet with the other 7th grade math teacher to share ideas, activities, and lessons. Both teachers value my input and often take my suggestions for lessons or pacing. It is such a nice feeling to know that I am capable of planning good instruction, even at this early stage in my career. I'm almost afraid I'm getting spoiled! What will I do when I am at a school where I am the ONLY 8th grade math teacher? (Hey, it's possible!). Good thing I am keeping ALL the resources and taking notes of every single idea I could use in my own classroom.
And remembering that I still have two and a half months in this experience - oh the things I can still acquire!!
I agree, Natalie! It is wonderful to collaborate with two others who love math as much as I do. By putting our ideas together, we are truly creating a curriculum that is both challenging and creative. Thanks for your input and don't worry about that future job where you will be by yourself. Mrs. Holtz and I will always be just an e-mail away!!!
Who ever said 4-day weeks weren't amazing? Don't get me wrong. I am completely enjoying the semester already but let me just tell you how exhausted I have become on a regular basis. Let's rally for a change in the work calendar!
ReplyDeleteBack to reality for a bit. I am really starting to feel like a teacher. Not only am I involved in the daily routines of my teacher. But the rest of the BMS faculty and staff have also embraced us as parallels.
Establishing a pacing guide for a unit and creating weekly lesson plans can be overwhelming and stressful. BMS emphasizes collaboration in all areas. Because of this, same-subject teachers have a chance to plan together. Once (or twice in our case) a week, we meet with the other 7th grade math teacher to share ideas, activities, and lessons. Both teachers value my input and often take my suggestions for lessons or pacing. It is such a nice feeling to know that I am capable of planning good instruction, even at this early stage in my career. I'm almost afraid I'm getting spoiled! What will I do when I am at a school where I am the ONLY 8th grade math teacher? (Hey, it's possible!). Good thing I am keeping ALL the resources and taking notes of every single idea I could use in my own classroom.
And remembering that I still have two and a half months in this experience - oh the things I can still acquire!!
I agree, Natalie! It is wonderful to collaborate with two others who love math as much as I do. By putting our ideas together, we are truly creating a curriculum that is both challenging and creative. Thanks for your input and don't worry about that future job where you will be by yourself. Mrs. Holtz and I will always be just an e-mail away!!!
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