A moment that brought a smile to my face in my field experience this week came when my students were learning about properties of matter. While a group tried measuring the length of a piece of yarn, they instinctively grabbed three rules and put them end to end. Seeing them practice "tiling" shows they have a developed sense of measurement. Tiling and its alternative, iterating, are both skills I've become aware of through my math methods course, so it was exciting to see it in action. |
Coming in to this week, I did not feel equipped to carry the load of internship. After a weekend spent out of town that extended into taking a personal day on Monday, thoughts of the obligations awaiting me only strengthened the hold that anxiety and depression has had on me for weeks. Thanks to the outreach of my professors and PRT, I was able to schedule an appointment for Thursday with SOCAT on campus. They were able to remind me of some practical strategies for approaching my assignments and recommended that I set up an appointment with the Student Counseling Center since my mental, emotional, academic and physical well-being has been compromised. I will say that the "Informal Learning" experience (lesson outside of the confines of the classroom) that we took part of for SCE4310 was very therapeutic. Being able to explore Nature's Classroom as a learner and a future instructor was a calming an inspirational opportunity. As a new week approaches, I continue to seek out the supports that I can. However at this point, I can't say with any confidence that I feel equipped to carry the load this week, either.
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This week has been pretty hectic with the end of the semester quickly approaching. AS a way to demonstrate my understanding of all my courses, I’ve been completing my “Critical Task” projects and assignments to the all-too-intimidating Chalk and Wire… As the deadlines come and go. I can’t help but realize how much I’ve really been exposed to in the last few months. The conversations I’m having with peers, colleagues, and family about my experiences and learning have become rich and exciting. I’m encountering things daily that I wish to bring into my classroom, most recently it has been this printable self-care flipbook. In accordance to my Alberts-esque management philosophy, I believe that teachers have an influence over how children choose to get their needs met. By truly knowing the students as individuals, the process of meeting their needs becomes much easier.
After downloading and printing the flipbook PDF, I was able to write in additional “feelings” and “needs” that I remembered discussing in my Child Development course. By combining Maslow’s and Glasser’s hierarchy of needs and choice theory, I think this resource can cover a broader range of needs. To be honest, especially in times like these when stress is high, adults (like myself) could probably benefit from this explicit communication tool. Too often we move and think too quickly to realize we are overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted. I suppose this is just a reminder to myself the importance of self-care; children aren’t the only ones who need to feel tended to. ![]() "Fueled for Success" This week, our class attended a presentation about making healthy food choices and knowing more about what nutrients the body needs. This being my first time seeing this information since the food pyramid was redesigned, I even found it personally beneficial. Students were given the chance to decide what groups that different foods belonged to and discuss ways to cut down on “empty calories”. I really appreciated that the presenter not only used kid-friendly language, but she gave simple and demographically appropriate suggestions on how to incorporate healthier choices whenever feasible. In my own K-5 experience, I had a weekly special devoted to the subject of health, so I’m happy to see its importance is being addressed in new and engaging ways. In my future courses of teaching science, I look forward to learning how to incorporate the subject of health into my lessons. |
AuthorBright Ideas and Silly Commentary on Life as a Perpetual Student. Archives
March 2015
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