Would the students be completely confused and start a riot?
Would I forget something back in my room that I needed for my lesson?
What if I half the class doesn't show up?
I stayed up late the night before planning the Act-It-Out. The students would receive a script to a TV show where the settlers of the Roanoke, Jamestown, and Plymouth colonies were being interviewed. I wanted to make sure that all of the questions would make sense and bring them to a high level of thinking and analyzation.
I rushed to get ready and get to school. I just wanted to get there and catch my breath. I had everything I needed...
Interviewer's mint green overcoat- check!
Powder blue glasses- check!
Scripts for all three colonies- check!
I was ready to go!
The time finally came. Ten o'clock! My supervisor came and my blood pressure spiked! I had the students go to their seat. I explained what they would be doing and off their went into their groups.
Time was flying by. I kept thinking "why did I think this lesson would fit into a half hour?!"
I floated from group to group, making sure the students were on task and able to understand the questions in front of them. Then the worst happened...
A girl was crying.
I went over. All of the students were talking at once. Finally one of the students said "He called her a stalker". WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN NOW?! Mrs. L pulled the "trouble-maker" to her desk and things went on.
The clock hit 10:30. Time for Art. The students put their papers on their desk and went downstairs to art. Finally, that part was down. Now for the torture of the "after-lesson evaluation".
I was waiting for the bombs and bullets but they never really came. I was told that timing is usually imperfect for student teachers and that my lesson over all was great. What an encouragement.
Luckily, I was able to get a Round TWO that afternoon with the other half of our fifth-grade team.
The lesson was GREAT. I was able to iron out previous kinks and move the students along. The students really enjoyed getting up and acting out the script. I was filled with so much joy as they learned and had fun.
I could definitely do this for the rest of my life!
Let me begin to say that I am very glad we are both student teaching at valley cottage for our first placement. I know completely how you feel about your nervous and replaying all the things that could go wrong. I am glad that you were able to have a round-two because as teachers, we need to be flexible and calm even though things may not work out the first time. I know that the students love you. Continue to do what you do and have fun!!! Love yah!
ReplyDeleteYAY! I'm glad everything went well! That's such a creative idea, giving them scripts and having them act out a historical event. (Totally stealing it) I also love that you brought in costumes, even if it did add stress onto your day.
ReplyDeleteYou know that blood pressure spike you were talking about? I'm starting to think that's a good thing. My heart always starts to pound as the clock slowly ticks towards 9:00 when my supervisor visits every week. But that nervousness means that I'm taking my student teaching seriously. And I know you are too. :)
Awesome! Things worked out! =D This was definitely a lesson learned. I think we all went through this lol especially with our first lesson and observation. But then as you keep on doing it, the nerves tend to settle down and you gain confidence. I’m glad YOU did! WOO HOO!!
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