I honestly am so mentally and physically drained that I have to remember that I cannot give up. I am so close to finishing this semester, but it has definetely been a test these last couple of weeks. Dealing with your life and teaching children is not an easy task. I now know the true meaning and importance of having a 'poker face.' You have to leave everything outside of the classroom and be there for the kids. They need you!
My freshmen are finally working efficiently without me constantly correcting them. I can give them more open ended assignments and get quality work. They are getting to know me... FINALLY! and they are working for quality not quantity, which is all they were worried about before. I have had to constantly remind them: I want to learn from you, and I want you to learn from each other. They think they are doing everything for a grade, I want them to do it for themself.
I created a writing assignment for the rest of my unit that will help these kids learn the importance of their own thoughts, and that they DO matter. It is hard to teach these kids what they need for school and for life at the same time... but I am managing to do it somehow. I have been wracking my brain and I have done pretty good so far... here is the hand out I gave to the students, just in case you are interested:
Narrative: Write a narrative that contains the elements of a
story (setting, plot, character, conflict, & theme) Keep this paper with
your work. If you are absent one day you still must complete that task. Each day 10 points are for participation,
if you do not participate during class you cannot get credit. The other 10
points are for your ideas and collaboration.
4/9 Day 1: (20 points) Your job is to brainstorm a narrative and begin your first
draft, use the back of this sheet
for brainstorming. Come up with things that you are interested in. You can tell
a story about a dog, your brother, anything (keep it school appropriate!).
Tell a story that is exciting and interesting. Use specific
details and dialogue to engage your readers. Your audience is your classmates.
4/11 Day 2: (20 points)Finish your rough draft: include all elements of a story.
Read over it: start to re-arrange, check spelling and grammar. Ask yourself:
Does it make sense? Does it flow? Is it interesting? Would I want to read this
to my classmates (you WILL be sharing)?
4/15 Day 3: (20 points) Peer editing: Start with one person that you feel comfortable
sharing your work with. Read each other’s papers and give each other
compliments and some advice. Now, ask each other: Does it make sense? Does it flow? Is it
interesting? What did you learn? If you finish, ask another classmate.
Remember, they are your audience.
4/17 Day 4: (20 points) Published copy: Make your final decisions about your
narrative. What do you want to add, or take out? Is it organized? Does it
accomplish what I want it to? You must complete your final draft before the end
of class.
4/18 Day 5: (10 points) Group share: Your job is to listen to each other’s stories and
thank them for sharing.
I am using the feather circles technique to have the students share, which actually got the students more motivated to write. I am not quite sure why, but the fact that they have an audience to write for I think made a difference.
That's all I've got- my brain is dead!
Whitney, I'm proud of you for trying out the feather circle as students publish their writing. Please do let us know how it goes--successes, challenges, changes you'd make next time. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteYou held them accountable and they had to do a decent job because fellow peers are the toughest critics sometimes. Sounds like you are doing a great job! The time you've given them and the time you've spent preparing will all collect and pay off. You may not get to see it or evidence of it in the kids you are teaching now, but it will stick! Nice Work!
ReplyDeleteLeAnna makes a great point - fellow peers are the toughest critics at times! I find it hard trying to explain to students that not everything is for a grade, but they don't quite see it that way. I love your use of "poker face", I'm definitely going to have to try to conquer that skill sometime! :) I have to tell you, it bugs me that I always start feeling comfortable in the classroom when my time is almost up! I don't understand why it works this way, but I have really enjoyed my student teaching experience -- and from your accounts it sounds like you are having fun, too! :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in the remainder of your semester!