A quick note of satisfaction. I was happy to see some actual visible improvement in some students' swimming, along with their own pleasure in finding success. I had focussed on head position to help in maintaining the body float on the surface, rather than sink at the hip.
This, I think, has also been a benefit of observing a lesson taken by my tutor teacher - and implementing some of what I saw her do. Makes me look forward to doing more observations outside of my own classroom this year!
21 February 2008
19 February 2008
Week 3 Observation
Writing
Watched a short session where focus was adding detail. Rather than pressure of writng a full story, students were to write one sentence at a time based on a teacher-set subject (house, TV show...)
One thing I was reminded of was the value of having students share their writing ideas/work to the whole class. This happened in a positive environment where students felt safe to share amongst peers.
Swimming
Observed instructional teaching of swimming, focussing on technique. Three main groups. Start with one group in, others waiting. Once each group finishes short teaching session, they're free to play at end of pool or hop out if cold.
Worked well swimming lengthwise. Four to six students at a time going from each group.
Watched a short session where focus was adding detail. Rather than pressure of writng a full story, students were to write one sentence at a time based on a teacher-set subject (house, TV show...)
One thing I was reminded of was the value of having students share their writing ideas/work to the whole class. This happened in a positive environment where students felt safe to share amongst peers.
Swimming
Observed instructional teaching of swimming, focussing on technique. Three main groups. Start with one group in, others waiting. Once each group finishes short teaching session, they're free to play at end of pool or hop out if cold.
Worked well swimming lengthwise. Four to six students at a time going from each group.
17 February 2008
Goal for release time usage
Last year I had 1 day per week release from my class as part of my beginning teacher programme. This year that time is reduced to 1/2 day per week (then none once I am fully registered). A lot of my release time last year I used for various planning and preparation. This year my goal is to spend more time observing other teachers' practice.
A particular area of focus I want to concentrate on is that of small group teaching in maths, reading, and writing. I don't feel this was a strong point for me last year, so hope to gain some helpful insight and ideas for improving this.
A particular area of focus I want to concentrate on is that of small group teaching in maths, reading, and writing. I don't feel this was a strong point for me last year, so hope to gain some helpful insight and ideas for improving this.
07 February 2008
2nd Year, 2nd First Day
Well, under way again. A couple of things to note that I need to look back on in maybe a couple of weeks.
- Possibly a bit more of a boring first day, focussing this time more on setting up some administration things and setting out books. Some good benefits of doing so, I think. But possibly could have mixed in some more 'fun' starter/getting-to-know-you stuff?
- The students seem a lot more 'chatty' during class for a 'first day' where they are normally a bit more reserved. Not sure if this is a reflection of the different group of students from last year, but may have to keep a particular monitoring on this because it may need a slightly firmer/direct instruction about expected behaviour than required last year?
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