Student Teaching - Week 3

I have been Student Teaching now for 3 weeks!

My second week was interrupted by 2 snow days and a 2 hour delay so I only had 2 days to teach. The first subject I took over was Guided Reading and really enjoy working with my little group. We are reading Stone Fox and the students love it. Some of them have never read a chapter book before and are starting to feel like "real" reader.

This week, week 3, I am teaching Guided Reading and Science. In Science, we have started a unit on Food and Nutrition. I have really enjoying researching and planning for this because the FOSS Kit has some really interesting and fun Investigations for the students. At the end of the week, we are starting an Investigation called the Fat Test - the students will find out the fat contents of 16 different foods!

So far Student Teaching is a great experience. My Clinical Teacher is very supportive and I have enjoyed planning with some of my fellow MAT students. I'm picking up Math next week - Probability - wish me luck!

And so it begins...!

The Praxis II's are over!!!!! Now, I just have to cross my fingers that passed! The test was difficult but I definitely felt prepared. I had studied the right material. The test consisted of 110 multiple choice and 4 essays. It was challenging (especially the essay portion).

Tomorrow I start Student Teaching and my Classroom Management class. I can't wait to work with my Clinical Teacher and University Supervisor to come up with a plan for what I will be teaching each when and when I'll be observed. Having a plan and a schedule will make me feel a lot more relaxed.

Student Teaching!

I will have to admit that as of today I'm just the tiniest bit overwhelmed about Graduate School and Student Teaching! We had a meeting today with all of the students who will be starting their Senior II (full time Student Teaching) on Monday. The combination of learning all that I will be responsible for (lesson plans, 15 days of all day teaching, portfolio, etc.) at my internship, thinking about our Classroom Management class that starts Monday, our Action Research Project, and the impending Praxis II tests (tomorrow AM), has made me just a little nervous. I am excited about everything and really looking forward to all the experience I will be gaining throughout this semester, but right now it looks like a mountain of work!

I'm headed to bed now so that I can be up bright and early to take the Praxis II! Wish me luck!