Student Teaching Week 1: Into the lions mouth
Well, as the week draws to an end, I am left reflecting on my experiences durring my first week of student teaching in a middle school (or any school for that matter). I plan on writing a post every few days, or at least every week to help me think about what I have seen and done, as well as to archive this experience for myself, and others going through the same situation.
It was as if I had come to a zoo, and was about to stick my head in the lions mouth. I had no idea what to expect, but I know I didn’t expect that kind of chaos. The first few days, I did no teaching at all aside from the daily interactions with students. I really think that this will make the rest of my time here easier, as I truly got a chance to observe the classroom environment.
The second day was a giant, energy intensive day. The Dino Dig. We brought in bones that were encased in plaster of paris, and covered the whole site up with dirt and orange cones. The kids loved it, as did I. I was happy to only see a few bones fly across the room, and the day went quite smooth, despite having a student kicked out for bad behavior. Great projects like that can really help all the students keep in good behavior, it is such a shame they are so much work and we have to resort to other methods on most days.
The rest of the week was full of opportunities for me to interact with the students one-on-one durring math time. I am amazed at how much diversity of skills there are in the students, as well as the sheer defiance some of them have… I learned that if you can afford it, they will eventually back down if you are firm, but often the time to spend with them simply isn’t there, so I have to find new solutions, and quick!
I have started telling riddles to the students durring breaks and lunch. They really enjoy this, but I think I am going to have trouble keeping up with their skilled solving. They are starting to ask me riddles too, but I know most of them before they finish, and the others simply don’t seem like fair riddles.
Next week I start teaching about circuts. I am slighly worried because I have no experience in this… I am a biology educator, and this is far afield of my education. I guess it will be a good learning opportunity for all of us. I am bringing in the college’s energy bike to show them how much work it takes to generate power as well, but the bike is broken, and Mr. Nemec and I have to fix it first.
I can’t remember much else, so I will write more next week (hopefully more often too!)
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
the shirts from 
January 30th, 2006 at 9:10 am §
I love that you are doing this journaling, Dan. You and others may find this very valuable in the future. However, do be diligent about your spelling and punctuation, especially now that you are running in the circles of the educated. (durring sb during; energy intensive sb energy-intensive) Please forgive the comments, but you know how I am! Love you, you cute 23-year-old!
January 30th, 2006 at 7:03 pm §
I know, I wrote that when I was very tired, so I guess it will just have to live that way. I will try to be better about it soon.
February 12th, 2006 at 9:52 pm §
It is unclear whether you and Mr. Nemac were able to fix the Energy Bike. You might be able to borrow a working bicycle-powered generator display from the K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) here in Wisconsin. They have a “Pedal Power” display that is designed to take the kind of beating that kids and teachers dish out without breaking. Their web link is below.
http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Resources/Teaching_Resources/HandsonResources/PedalPower.htm
February 12th, 2006 at 10:43 pm §
Laurie: Late last week we figured out how to get it to work (meters and all), but thank you for the reference. The bike we have happens to be a KEEP bike, but it seems no one is designated to maintain it. We had to rewire much of it, as many of the polarities were wrong.
The Keep Program is great, and the material that they supply to the K-12 program is a true asset to WI.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:41 am §
I’ve seen the polarity problem with the Energy Bikes before. I’m glad you were able to get it working. KEEP does have Energy Bikes, but they also have a Pedal Power. They call it the “Pedal Power Energy Bike,” which can be confusing. The Pedal Power is a maintenance-free design that doesn’t break or have wiring problems. The photo on the KEEP web link shows the Pedal Power. KEEP will have their Pedal Power at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in the Educator’s Tent this summer if you would like to see it.
February 13th, 2006 at 7:59 pm §
Laurie: It looks like this new bike is much higher quality, and I see it probably doesn’t have the problem with the generator moving around as much on the tire either. I am glad programs like KEEP exist, they are such an asset to teachers who want to go the extra mile, but simply don’t have the time or money to do projects like that.