Genre Reflection in Free Verse Poetry

Recursive Reflections

Every new day brings uncertainty

From objectives to pre and post assessments

Always searching for the answer

Hoping the day will be fruitful and refreshing

Tracking this and that, watching what works, when

Success and failure, students depend on us to guide them

Repeat, Repeat, and Repeat again, this time it will get it in

If not today, perhaps tomorrow, we will win

How do I get through to them, this class within a class?

Absent, sleeping minds beckoning, waiting to be cajoled,

Champs and success posters unpacked and in place,

Words on the wall, not enough space.

Focus on their success, make them believe

Lunch and after-school tutoring,

Whatever you need

I must prepare you for all that’s ahead,

Each student’s unique path to success is in site

State Assessments, college, job, or career

Whatever your choice, you must read and write

How do I find time to fit so much knowledge in

Morning announcements, fire drills, and tardies

Rising voice levels, missing pencils, and gym

Not to mention side discussions of weekend parties, how can I win?

Despite the challenges, I continue to coax these middle school students

For teaching is my passion and the objective is clear

Amazing adolescents with a bright future….have no fear!

Change is Inevitable- Reflection #2

The past couple of weeks have gone by so quickly and it is beginning to feel like fall outside.  It is funny how I teeter back and forth between being anxious to have my own classroom full of eager students, yet, other times I enjoy being a helping hand only.  I imagine other teachers in training can relate to my fears of being in charge.  Will I be ready to tackle all the responsibilities? 

As I posted last week, my CT had a substitute for four days (which seemed like an eternity) and will return tomorrow.  I viewed the situation as yet another opportunity for learning for two reasons. First, I was able to be very active, leading class discussions and managing classroom behavior.  Secondly, it was an opportunity to watch three…yes three…. different teaching styles within those four days.  It never ceases to amaze me at how many different approaches one can take in dealing with students!  Admittedly, I viewed one substitute teacher that I feel should not be allowed in a classroom. He argued with students, yelled frequently, threw a book in anger, and called the students punks.  Shocking, right? I could mention several other negative behaviors, but don’t feel like focusing on that any longer.  The good news is that the other two subs were pleasant and allowed me to “run” class.  I have to say, overall, I feel pretty confident about how I handled things.  Yes, I had a few issues, especially on the first day, but once I got into the groove, it was a lot of fun!

Some interesting developments are beginning to surface in this classroom.  In the last week, we have lost a few students and gained one new student.  Of those we lost, one moved to another school and two have moved into ramp up classes.  Apparently, their scores reflected a need for remediation in literacy, according to my CT.  In addition, a male student who seemed content and willing to participate has drastically changed.  In the past few days, his behavior is defiant.  I did not notice a change until my CT went out of town.  I suppose it could be due to a change in the normal routine, but for some reason I suspect there is more to it than that.  When I talked to him in the hallway yesterday, I expressed concern and asked if he was having any problems, but he was unresponsive.  This is an issue I plan to watch carefully and discuss with my CT upon his return.  There are other students who, in the beginning, were engaged, yet, now seem to have “checked out”.  Other students have done the exact opposite: first unengaged and now fully participating willfully.  Ahhh…this really is middle school, isn’t it?!  Maybe it is just me, but just when I think I’ve found the key to a student, they change and I have to start all over again!

My plan for the next few weeks is to encourage all students to participate in classroom discussions.  I know there are many resources I can look into for suggestions.  Richard Lavoi (spelling?) had some helpful suggestions in this area, so I intend to watch his video for a refresher.  However, one way he suggested was to create situations for all students to experience success.  I think I’ll focus on building their self-confidence by leading them to correct responses and praise the heck out of them!  Of course, as my self-confidence leading the classroom improves, I predict students will take notice and get excited about learning as well.  Yes, now that I think about it, excitement is dwindling in this classroom.  Perhaps a few exciting book talks will pep them up! 

Taking Over the Reigns

Today offered a challenge that I have been eagerly anticipating. My CT let me know, in advance, that he would be gone for a few days and would have a substitute teacher. After looking over his plans, I decided this would be my opportunity to take the wheel. After all, I have worked as a subsitute teacher before and know the drill pretty well. I went into the classroom expecting things to run smooth like butter. Apparently, this 7th grade class forgot to send me the memo that even though they are fantastic for my CT, they had planned an uprising for today!

It did not help that I got stuck talking in the office and the students beat me to the classroom. As I entered the classroom, a minute or two after the bell, my first clue should have been the scrambled seating arrangement.  Why are there 6 students sitting at the table that was unoccupied just yesterday? And, for some reason, the students are not sitting in their assigned seats.

After taking a second look, I managed to get the students to slink back to their assigned seats and began to talk about what we had planned for the day.  Group work....yeah! Now usually, my CT does not plan for group work when he has a sub, but, he must have had a lot of confidence in the para and myself because today the students were finishing their group posters about plot. 

To make a long story short, I had to put out a lot of small fires which seemed to make the class feel much more chaotic than usual. My classroom management skills were put to the test today and I think I could have done much better! Even though the substitute teacher, a retired teacher with twenty years of experience, told me I did a good job, I was disappointed because I had expected more of myself. This thought reminds me of something one of our classmates said about realizing that we are still in training and may make a few mistakes. I suppose I can accept that.

After discussing my reflection with my other CT, I am determined to begin class differently tomorrow.  I plan to greet the students at the door and let them know the expectations from the get go. Hopefully, I have learned from my mistakes today and tomorrow will be smooth as butter, or at least a creamy consistency!

I'll be sure to let you know....until tomorrow