Monday, October 17, 2016

Preparations





Preparing to teach a fourth grade class for fieldwork is one of the more intimidating aspects of this course. Working one on one or in a small group with students is a much different dynamic than being in control of an entire class. In the past for fieldwork, it was much easier to design lesson plans based on the needs and interests of one or two students. Having to account for the needs of each student is an intimidating task, although exciting. Teaching the class in a group will be the first experience I have being in front of an entire room of students, and hopefully will not be the last.




Not only are there three lesson plans to create, but classroom management strategies to consider. One student being temporarily off task is easier to bring back on task because you are right next to them and able to quickly remind them what you are working on together. With seventeen students, one or two off track students have the ability to derail the entire class if effective classroom management is not put in place. While the goal is to create engaging lessons for meaningful and active learning to take place and for students to be excited to take part in, it is important to consider how to ensure that the student's excitement is channeled back into the lesson in  a productive manner. If this energy and excitement is left alone, students may become off track and lose focus of the lesson of the day.

Another aspect of being in front of the class that I find myself preparing for is how to channel my own excited and nervous energy into excitement for the content I will be presenting. Especially because the lessons will be recorded, I want to be sure to try my best to control nervous fidgeting while teaching. There are so many small elements involved, from voice projection to making sure to use academic language, it is important to remember everything that needs to be done. It is difficult sometimes in the moment to realize when you are speaking too quickly, or not pronouncing words clearly enough for the class.

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