Second Time Around *

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Two down... The second lesson went well! For our second lesson, the framework we used was "Plants and animals have life cycles that vary." During our lesson we mainly discussed life cycles and how they are different from one another; we compared and contrasted the frog life cylce to the human life cycle. This really got the point across that not all life cycles are the same. Having a framework to follow during your lesson plan ensures that your students are learning material that is relevent for the Massachusett's MCAS testing. Frameworks are a great feature, as it keeps all teachers on track and teaching the same information to the students. This means that all students will recieve equal and adequate information.

A key feature in lesson plans starts with the introduction. Introductions are extremely important, as it is the time to introduce the lesson and review past lessons. Introductions should grap the students attention and get them wanting to learn. With our lesson plan we put the introduction into a story and tried to relate to the students. We mentioned how Katelyn and I were walking around Freeman Lake, which is a lake right in Chelmsford, that many of the students have heard of. Talking in a story form, engages the children and gets them to listen closely. During the introduction there should also be a time where the students talk or share their opinions on a topic, so when we were talking about frogs and how one of us thought baby frogs looked like fish, we asked them, "so what do you think?" Introductions should be really thought out carefully; you want to engage your students right from the beginning and to do that you must connect it to their own lives, that is why introductions are so important in starting a successful lesson.


The third aspect of lesson planning and teaching is materials managements, which is also very important when trying to conduct an efficient lesson. Materials should always be prepared ahead of time, before the lesson even begins, so that the lesson will run smoothly. Knowing where your materials are and how your going to give them out to your students is something to think about before hand. For our lesson plan, we have "Science Activity Folders," which we handed out before our lesson even began, so there was no wasted time. Inside of the folders we put in all the materials the students will needs, whether its a worksheet, pictures, graphic organizers or activities to do if the students have spare time. The folders are great, as they have journal paper inside already and it keeps everything orangized and together. After every class we take back the folders so that we can put future worksheets and activities inside each one. The folders are color coordinated by groups of desks in the classroom, so when it comes time to passing them out, we know which group is what color.


These three aspects of lesson planning are crucial for conducting a successful and efficient lesson. =)

First Time's a Charm....

PHEW!! Woo am I glad that my first taught lesson plan went good! At first of course it was a bit nerve racking, but after we got going, I already felt like a professional. Although there are some aspects to work on, overall I think Katelyn and I did REALLY well! Oh and the 2nd graders LOVED it!! They loved it so much they couldn't wait to get back from recess!

I have known that lesson planning would be an extremely important part of teaching and this experience confirmed my beliefs. Lesson planning is CRUCIAL in teaching, as it really does prepare you. I could not imagine walking into a classroom and trying to just "wing it;" you really need a set out guideline for the lesson and for the day. However, lesson plans CAN alter throughout the lesson, as Katelyn and I experienced. For the most part we followed our lesson plan, but of course questions and other sorts of things come up that just become part of the lesson as well. Katelyn and I altered our lesson plan as the day went; for example we changed our reflection questions, because we realized last minute that maybe this wasn't the right type of question to ask 2nd graders. The lesson worked out great and all of the students really enjoyed it! They all got little spider rings at the end of the lesson for being such great scientists! =)

The safety aspect of the lesson also went really well. Our 2nd grade class is really big on science, as it is their favorite subject along with the teachers, so they have been taught a lot about safety. One safety aspect they have never heard of was the "wafting." This was a brand new word and concept to them, but they really seemed to understand the importance of it. It was also funny having all the students try it all at once after we demonstrated! They had fun with it. Science is the one subject you really have to strive on the importance of safety. Although students may learn the safety rules for science on the first day, as a teacher you really have to remind the students just how important it is; refresh their memories!

Now for teamwork... the teamwork was amazing! Katelyn and I did a great job working together (we even said we should go into interviews together saying we come in a co-package)... now wouldn't that be awesome. Throughout the whole lesson we communicated and worked together. However preparation is key when co-teaching, you really need to some what know who's going to say and do what, so you're not talking over each other. Preparation is something we did, so the lesson went really smooth. There was one instance when Katelyn forgot to talk about the safety guidelines, so I just chimed in and kept the conversation going. That is why co-teaching is a great thing, if one teacher by accident forgets to mention something, the other teacher is there to back them up. Katelyn and I have great teamwork! =)

Now we can't wait to teach our little 2nd graders about life cycles.... I know they are all counting down the days as well!

Nervously Excited & Excitedly Nervous

So every night before I go to bed, all I think about is teaching and I think about the first lesson I will ever teach to a class full of students.  As I imagine this first day, a sense of excitement and nervousness takes over. I believe that this is a feeling that is entirely normal for any new teacher or any person starting a new career… the people who don’t feel this way aren’t normal! It helps to know that all of us in this graduate program are going through all of this together and I’m sure we all feel the same way!

So thinking about that first lesson plan I will ever teach to a classroom full of students is almost upon me; in fact in about a week I will be standing in front of 20 or so 2^nd graders teaching them about science!  I am excited and glad to know that science will be the first subject I will teach, because I love science and I know most students love science as well! Science is a great subject area to start with, as it is very hands on.  I’m excited to get students engaged and wanting to learn more; help build their love for science!

Through all of this excitement, I believe nerves override this feeling. Although I know that it is completely normal to feel nervous during this experience, I still can’t overcome the feeling.  I am just nervous, as this will be the first time teaching a lesson to actual elementary students. I want these students to have a positive and efficient learning experience while at the same time having fun. I want the students to learn something new and remember it for the rest of their lives. When I was in 2^nd grade I did this same activity with butterflies and still to this day I remember it as my favorite experience in school; I want that same thing for these 2^nd graders Katelyn and I will be teaching!

This will be a great teaching experience, as we will be co-teaching. I believe that co-teaching is a great way to minimize that nervous feeling, as it will be the first time teaching for the both of us. Knowing that someone is going through the same thing as you, gives a sense of relief. You also have support and help from that other person. Over all I have great confidence that we will effectively and efficiently teach these 2^nd graders to the best of our ability and that they will have a remarkable learning experience that they will remember for the rest of their days!