I MUCH prefer highschool aged students. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my middle schoolers. Most of my subing was done at the 6th grade level in the school where i did my middle school student teaching placement. They kept calling me to come sub because 1) i know the kids and 2) I wasn't afraid of the kids. Middle school is SUCH a different animal than High School. I don't believe that teaching the basics of grammar and composition are where my strengths lie. It's really hard for me to help a student who doesn't know the difference in past and present tense, how to make subject and verb argee etc. I CAN teach this age group, but i'm not as effective because i want to dive deep into texts, look for symbolism, use both convergent and divergent thought, etc. I feel less overwhelmed with older kids because they've already been taught how to write and i don't have to worry about ruining them for life if i fail to teach them to write. My job is simply help them write and express themselves better and more clearly.
I'll add this too- When i began the program, i was pretty much 100% against teaching middle school. I learned from my placement and Substitute teaching that it's actually a JOY to work with middle school kids. Even of you "hurt their feelings" on Monday (by having do discipline them), on Tuesday the grudge is gone. They are more apt to bounce back and be highly energetic. But, with that much energy comes the need to "babysit" a little bit. Everything has it's good and bad sites i suppose.
I can relate to how you felt when you began the program- I am almost determined to not be in middle school. That is such an awkward time in everyone's life and I hated it. But I am trying to keep an open mind so it's good to hear you were able to change your mind.
I was set to move in with my boyfriend at the time and he didn't smoke. He wasn't opposed to having a pipe once in a while, but didn't like the smell on cigarette smoke on my breath. So, i promised him that on Aug. 20th, when we moved in, I'd stop buying cigarettes for my own consumption. We broke up about before that date, but i still stuck with that promise. I bought my last pack for myself on August 18th 2012. I still smoke occasionally- when in a bar i'll bum one from a friend, but I want to stick with not buying any more for me. Promises are really important to me, and especially considering who it was to, I don't see myself breaking that promise any time soon.
but in all seriousness, you are going to have days where everything goes to pot. You feel that you had no control over the class, you feel that you accomplished nothing. And, it may very well be the case. DON'T FRET OVER IT. The next day, walk in and put a polite but firm foot down. (maybe tell your class that you are fighting off a migraine, so you aren't going to tolerate the level of misbehavior that happened yesterday). At the first challenge, send that student into the hall for a few minutes. This reminds the class that it's you and not them who are in charge. Remain calm, don't raise your voice unless necessary, and carry on with the lesson. Everyone has their bad days, we're only human. But you can't let one bad day create a whole bad week.
Hi Jojo, we had some ole Eustace Palmer classes together in undergrad and I am excited to see you again! My question for you is: What was the the hardest part about student teaching, and what was the absolute best part? See you soon!
JoJo, You are very adamant about not being 'put in box' and identified by just one detail. I love this. I feel the same, and my feelings on this stem from personal experience. Do you think your strong feelings on stereotyping and categorization will help you in your teaching, perhaps by connecting with the kids?
Hey Jojo! I loved reading your bio and seeing what you have been up to since I saw you last (like two years ago!) Do you intend to teach theater or mainly literature?
After already completing some student teaching what age group do you think you prefer and what helped you come to that conclusion?
ReplyDeleteI MUCH prefer highschool aged students. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my middle schoolers. Most of my subing was done at the 6th grade level in the school where i did my middle school student teaching placement. They kept calling me to come sub because 1) i know the kids and 2) I wasn't afraid of the kids. Middle school is SUCH a different animal than High School. I don't believe that teaching the basics of grammar and composition are where my strengths lie. It's really hard for me to help a student who doesn't know the difference in past and present tense, how to make subject and verb argee etc. I CAN teach this age group, but i'm not as effective because i want to dive deep into texts, look for symbolism, use both convergent and divergent thought, etc. I feel less overwhelmed with older kids because they've already been taught how to write and i don't have to worry about ruining them for life if i fail to teach them to write. My job is simply help them write and express themselves better and more clearly.
DeleteI'll add this too- When i began the program, i was pretty much 100% against teaching middle school. I learned from my placement and Substitute teaching that it's actually a JOY to work with middle school kids. Even of you "hurt their feelings" on Monday (by having do discipline them), on Tuesday the grudge is gone. They are more apt to bounce back and be highly energetic. But, with that much energy comes the need to "babysit" a little bit. Everything has it's good and bad sites i suppose.
DeleteI can relate to how you felt when you began the program- I am almost determined to not be in middle school. That is such an awkward time in everyone's life and I hated it. But I am trying to keep an open mind so it's good to hear you were able to change your mind.
DeleteHow did you quit smoking?
ReplyDeleteI was set to move in with my boyfriend at the time and he didn't smoke. He wasn't opposed to having a pipe once in a while, but didn't like the smell on cigarette smoke on my breath. So, i promised him that on Aug. 20th, when we moved in, I'd stop buying cigarettes for my own consumption. We broke up about before that date, but i still stuck with that promise. I bought my last pack for myself on August 18th 2012. I still smoke occasionally- when in a bar i'll bum one from a friend, but I want to stick with not buying any more for me. Promises are really important to me, and especially considering who it was to, I don't see myself breaking that promise any time soon.
DeleteEven though I have known for a long time the story of you and your mom, it still breaks my heart!
ReplyDeleteBut on to my question: tell us one thing you learned from your substitute teaching experiences.
Be absent on field day!
Deletelol
but in all seriousness, you are going to have days where everything goes to pot. You feel that you had no control over the class, you feel that you accomplished nothing. And, it may very well be the case. DON'T FRET OVER IT. The next day, walk in and put a polite but firm foot down. (maybe tell your class that you are fighting off a migraine, so you aren't going to tolerate the level of misbehavior that happened yesterday). At the first challenge, send that student into the hall for a few minutes. This reminds the class that it's you and not them who are in charge. Remain calm, don't raise your voice unless necessary, and carry on with the lesson. Everyone has their bad days, we're only human. But you can't let one bad day create a whole bad week.
You talk a lot about your love for theater, music, poetry, etc. When you're not in class or doing related work, what do you enjoy doing for fun?
ReplyDeleteJoJo...i can't wait to see you! i'll think of a good question to ask you soon, mister.
ReplyDeleteHi Jojo, we had some ole Eustace Palmer classes together in undergrad and I am excited to see you again! My question for you is: What was the the hardest part about student teaching, and what was the absolute best part? See you soon!
ReplyDeleteJoJo, You are very adamant about not being 'put in box' and identified by just one detail. I love this. I feel the same, and my feelings on this stem from personal experience. Do you think your strong feelings on stereotyping and categorization will help you in your teaching, perhaps by connecting with the kids?
ReplyDeleteJojo, I loved your biography. My question is what is your favorite play and why?
ReplyDeleteHey Jojo! I loved reading your bio and seeing what you have been up to since I saw you last (like two years ago!) Do you intend to teach theater or mainly literature?
ReplyDelete