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.
First things first - I surely cannot complain about the length. After several weeks using the Benedum template, I have switched over to the form of my mentor teacher/PDS. It is short but includes the necessities. I am still required to note the CSO(s), procedures, homework, evaluation methods, materials needed, and any modifications. Honestly, I would change it a bit if I had a choice but it is a RELIEF compared to the 2+ pages I've been writing.
My battle is with planning the lessons. My mind is full of ideas and is constantly spinning when I attempt to plan my lessons. It is wonderful that I sit down each week with my mentor teacher and the other 7th grade math teacher. Lots of times we swap lesson ideas and share possible activities. Even with this, I still have the task of actually outlining the steps of MY lesson.
I have noticed that I shun the textbook. Let me remind you - WE HAVE BRAND NEW BOOKS! Obviously the county/administrators/teachers chose a book that contained a plethora of positive characteristics and resources. They wouldn't spend thousands of dollars on these books if we weren't meant to use them, right? When I introduce a new topic, I feel the need to spend hours and hours researching and scouring the internet for lesson ideas and activities. Why can't I utilize the awesome resource I have been given? I make more work for myself!!
My other problem is - I want math to be fun. I want the students to be interested and excited about my lessons. It's slowly becoming more clear that as hard as I try, I cannot expect every one of my lessons to be out of this world. I need to learn to better focus my hard work on the objectives and ensuring that students are mastering the important content - even if that means relying on the text book every once in a while.
Struggle of the week - writing lesson plans.
ReplyDeleteFirst things first - I surely cannot complain about the length. After several weeks using the Benedum template, I have switched over to the form of my mentor teacher/PDS. It is short but includes the necessities. I am still required to note the CSO(s), procedures, homework, evaluation methods, materials needed, and any modifications. Honestly, I would change it a bit if I had a choice but it is a RELIEF compared to the 2+ pages I've been writing.
My battle is with planning the lessons. My mind is full of ideas and is constantly spinning when I attempt to plan my lessons. It is wonderful that I sit down each week with my mentor teacher and the other 7th grade math teacher. Lots of times we swap lesson ideas and share possible activities. Even with this, I still have the task of actually outlining the steps of MY lesson.
I have noticed that I shun the textbook. Let me remind you - WE HAVE BRAND NEW BOOKS! Obviously the county/administrators/teachers chose a book that contained a plethora of positive characteristics and resources. They wouldn't spend thousands of dollars on these books if we weren't meant to use them, right? When I introduce a new topic, I feel the need to spend hours and hours researching and scouring the internet for lesson ideas and activities. Why can't I utilize the awesome resource I have been given? I make more work for myself!!
My other problem is - I want math to be fun. I want the students to be interested and excited about my lessons. It's slowly becoming more clear that as hard as I try, I cannot expect every one of my lessons to be out of this world. I need to learn to better focus my hard work on the objectives and ensuring that students are mastering the important content - even if that means relying on the text book every once in a while.