I’m on my way

I should start out by saying that I’m not an actual teacher yet. Since I graduated from college in December, the school year was already in full swing and my only options have been to sub until it’s time to job hunt this summer. That being sad, subbing is a GREAT way to gain experience and to see how different teachers and schools operate. During the remainder of this school year, I’ll be using this blog to tell about my adventures in different classrooms. This is also going to serve as my way to remember particular things that I liked about each classroom/teacher so that I can use them in my own future classroom.

I was lucky enough to get a longterm substitute teaching job at M.G. Elementary (for privacy reasons I will be abbreviating names). I took on the job as classroom teacher in a wonderful third grade class. The teacher was out on maternity leave for 8 weeks, so I had a lot of time to soak up everything and bond with my students and coworkers. I really love that school and would go back there to teach full-time in a heartbeat.

Things I liked in 3rd grade at M.G. Elementary

1. Having a Smartboard to use every day (such an engaging piece of technology!)

2. Mystery Reader: each Friday, a special reader (usually a student’s parent) came in to read to the kids. Clues were given throughout the week and the kids tried to guess who was coming in. They were always really excited about it.

3. The 3rd grade team was fabulous. They supported me and offered up many ideas and resources that helped me as I planned lessons.

4. Awesome principal.

5. Amazing assistant.

6. J. My favorite student. He has a malignant brain tumor, yet he is the sweetest child I have ever met and is always motivated to learn more about the world around him. Every day he said, “I hope you have a great afternoon, Ms. Henderson” and he meant it. I miss him.

I may add more about this particular job, but for now I am using this blog more as a summary and a place to gather my thoughts. Now that I am “going in blind” to sub jobs every day, I will be seeing many different classrooms in schools across the district. Today was my first day in a new school. I went to M.S. Elementary to sub for a half day in a first grade classroom. The teacher, Ms. N., was actually in the building, just at a meeting all morning, so I was able to meet her and have her explain things to me before she left. She is SO sweet and I loved her room! These classrooms are smaller and actually more inviting than the rooms at M.G. Her class is full of rambunctious kids. They sure do keep her busy! (15 boys and 8 girls always equals craziness).

Things I liked in 1st grade at M.S. Elementary

1. The classroom was warm, inviting and full of things to look at.

2. I liked her classroom management strategies. She would say “reset!” to get the kids focused. This proved to be much more effective than just shushing them. She also used levels for voice volume (0 = no talking, 1 = whisper and so on). She often simply held up her hand in the shape of a zero and this would remind kids that it was a no talking time. On her easel, she awarded points by flipping number cards over. Once they get to 50 (or 100 or 150…) she puts some jacks in their “jack jar.” When this fills up the class gets some kind of award. I love seeing how different teachers use a variety of positive reinforcement strategies to maintain order in the classroom.

3. Her reading area. O.M.G. It is so cool. Basically, she has a wooden bunkbed frame (with only the top bunk so there is room underneath). This nook underneath is where kids can go to read. There is a tiny loveseat and sitting area. There is a wooden sign on the front of the frame that says “Readers Only! Maximum Capacity: 4. She’s decorated it with hula skirt material around the edges and those cool hanging translucent globe lights. It looks like an island getaway…SO NEAT. I’d love to replicate that in my own classroom if I have the means.

4. She has a small bowl with cut out pictures and photographs from magazines. The kids use them as prompts for their writing. Just goes to show you can use prompts with kids as young as first grade!

5. She introduced many of the kids to me this morning. To one girl, she said, “While Ms. Henderson is here, be on your best behavior and help her when she needs it. Remember, warm heart.” She reached down and touched the girl’s chest, just over her heart. This made the student smile. What is more important than teaching students to live their lives with compassion and empathy?

That’s all for now. Except more updates next week, since I plan to try to sub every day. Whew! Thanks for reading

Advertisement