LauraEvans-EndOfTheInternship

I can't believe this semester is almost over, this is week 16 and I only have three days left. I have learned so much during my time with Mrs. Costello and her kindergarten students and I know that I will use this learning experience in the future. I have learned how emotional a first day of school is on not only the students but also their parents. I have learned that communicating with the parents is very important and that the lines of communication need to be welcoming. I have also learned to be prepared for anything when dealing with such young students, there needs to be a large amount of tissues, sanitizer, and extra clothing. I have became so attached to these kids and I honestly did not see that happening just because I am not their actual teacher and I am only here for half of the year. I think about these students all of the time, I wonder about their home lives and think of new ways to reach each of them while teaching them. I have also learned to always be positive and create a positive classroom setting for my students. Teaching kindergarten was quite a challenge, I have learned that even though something may seem easy and self explanitory, it may not to them. So you have to constantly be thinking of ways to explain certain things and show them because it may not come so easy to a five year old. I have learned more things this year than I can even put into this blog, I have been taking notes and writing down ideas that I will use in the future.

LauraEvans-UtilizingTime

Often times I have found that a lesson doesn't ever go exactly as planned. Some lessons take more time than expected and some do not. When a lesson does not take as much time, I usually will review a part of the lesson that the students were struggling with or even a part that they really enjoyed. We have very busy days in kindergarten so there is always something that I can have the students work on whether it be a review or something we did not previously finish. Something easy and quick that I sometimes do is alphabet or number flash cards because this always needs to be reinforced. I have learned that I must always have some kind of a back up plan incase the lesson doesn't take as much time as planned.

LauraEvans-InvolvingInattentiveStudents

In kindergarten, we do a lot of small group work so there isn't too much time spent with everyone a whole group setting. But, during reading the students are all on the carpet for 30 minutes each day and it has been a challenge to keep their attention at this time. Each day, I have been trying new ways to catch their attention and keep it for the entire 30 minutes. There are a handful of students who always pay attention, but then there are a few who have a very hard time focusing. There is one in particular who cannot sit still and needs special attention. I have tried moving him around and away from others who distract him, I have also tried seating him directly in front of me. Sometimes, I have him sit up in a chair rather than on the carpet so that he can sit still better. On the carpet, he rolls around and lays down so sometimes using a chair is successful. We have a star system in the school that monitors behavior and although I try not to always take his stars, I usually have to end up taking them because his behavior is unacceptable. I have tried praising his good behavior and he responds well to this but only for a short time. Another method that has worked for him is to have him come up and be the helper from time to time. I will continue to think of new ways to engage him as the semester comes to an end and this has showed me that I really must always try to teach to every student.

LauraEvans-AlternativeFormsofAssessments

This semester, I have been trying out new ways of assessing the students. I have made sociograms to decide who should and should not sit by eachother on the carpet during whole group reading and math. My mentor and I have also done some informal and formal types of assessments to decide the groups for centers. Dibels is the main way that we have placed the students with their proper groups of high, middle and lower level thinkers. I have also been doing teacher made checklists and inventories to monitor reading comprehension. I have realized that there are many things to take into consideration when placing students in groups, with partners, or in their seats at the tables. Their level of thinking, social skills, behavior and many others need to be addressed before hand.