K, 1, and 2 Alligators, Joseph, and Bedhead

I need to remember to return the duck tape to the Janitor's office. I needed it to tape a lock to a door just in case it should shut and lock when I am hanging my coat their in the morning. But, I really went to get the tape because it was needed to get some decorations to stick for the Reader's Theater presented by the 2nd grade. I was a stage hand that was asked to move a tree. The show took place at the media center and they have been practicing here all week.

There were vistors here at the school observing the IB program. There was an asssistant absent from school today. So, it was a bit busy.

Ok, so the lessons went well. Students differ per class. I do not think I should compare students but I should compare my approaches.

I introduced myself to the students. It is important that they know how to approach me should they need something. I met them in a variety of ways and I know how important it is to get to know them.

The lesson was better received by the morning kindergarten class than the later one. Perhaps this has something to do with how I approached it or a number of other reasons. We were out of our element. We were near the stage where there were artifacts that could easily be touched by little paws.

The decoration in the media center were just admired by a parent.

I also just spoke to some parents about some book interests for them and their sons.

Week 2--First Read Aloud, Videotaping, Lab

I caught a bug of some sort. Apparently, these things happen in schools. I believe that taking the advice of a new colleague that my cold was alleviated somewhat naturally. Grapefruit Seed extract seems to have helped as may have the little bit extra of rest, the chicken noodle soup from 2 days before finally kicking in, and the tea and honey diet!

I read my first story to the students by preparing just 40 minutes prior. Nely and I reviewed.

I will be using the tips and suggestions in my future lessons.

I have also videotaped a renown reading specialist working with the students. I have seen the line of action in such a small task of that such as

Days 4 and 5 Kindergarten KidPix--Custom Animation (Power Point)--Coral--Government

I observed a Kindergarten teacher demonstrating students how to use the Paint Bucket, Pencil, and Eraser in KidPix. It was also the first time it wa revealed that it is a water hose that erases the entire page and not a vacuum as one might expect who is working at a fast rate.

The K teacher had all students sit in the front on the floor as I have seen other teachers and then see modeled what they were to do. The intro. works well and they do not do much because the teacher just wants to familiarize them with such things as logging on to the computer, opening the program, etc.

Can the Math games in Everyday Math be boring? What technologies can make it better?

Day 3 Coral Reef Continues

After observing the first read-aloud with second grade yesterday, my cooperating teacher, Ms. Miguel and I have discussed some questions I had about how to approach the students in this environment should a given situation arise.

She suggested to me, that should their behavior be inappropriate that they be stopped and asked to read a sign that is located near the three stairs. It has been mentioned to me that the design of the library creates a desire for the students to jump or play. I do not think that that type of architecture should be created since the design might mimic that of a playground.

I have just spent my second day working with the 5th grade on their Coral Reef projects. I see how the teacher has prepared the Media Specialist with a list of topics and the students who have chosen them. I really like having the information in front of me.

I have seen how Ms. Miguel approches their research regarding Lexile reading level and full text items. I have also observed how she modeled how to tell if a web site is credible. It was very eye-awakening and smoothly executed. She went to google and searched "Coral Polyps". She discussed the first two results, Enchanted Learning and Wikipedia. Said how high school students are not allowed to use as a source but how she uses it but not as her only form of research. She then found a page that appeared to have good information and showed how many steps it took to find out who the creators of the site were. It was obvious to the class that searching using iCONN was the best bet!

I have observed first grade as well as Kindergarten read-alouds yesterday. I assisted the students in group work working in a group with a student who did not seem to have placement as well as another one. I then assisted other students in searching for books and even reading excerpts from books for others students. I tended to focus on making sure students who were not allowed to check out book because they had not returned theirs. I spent small amounts of time with them reviewing books in the library since they would not be able to take anything home.

A 4th grade class came to the library to perform a scavenger hunt. Not much library background information was given to the students before they were released to start finding matches from one column to the next. I observed that certain students were able to match but not know were the books were located. It is easy to infer that B matches Biography but to know where a biography is located is more difficult. This hunt revealed how students approach a task as well as methods of solution.

Nely and I ended the school day by reviewing student teaching paperwork, discussing collaborative approaches, and the inquiry-based program.

Day 1 & 2

I found my way to the school. A new route. This is always valuable when traveling around town.

I learned many things yesterday. I learned that Mondays are usually slow. I had many initial meetings with faculty members in which I will be collaborating.

The IB or inquiry-based curriculum has been revealed to me within my first hour here at Dundee. I was immediately included by Nely Miguel to attend the committee meeting.

I have been very impressed with her aptness to include me in on these meetings.

I discovered where the faculty room is, where the bathroom is, and a few other things that seem to be minor but are so essential!

Assisting a 3rd grade class with branches of the government and discovering what the first grade curriculum among the meetings make a pretty satisfying first day for a person aspiring to be a Media Specialist.

Following my first day, I found my second day to be much more smoother after names and discussions have begun to be established.

The first class I assisted this morning worked well. It was a 5th grade research class that has had excellent exposure to technology (way to go Nely) . I attribute my evaluation of the productivity of the class not only because I was comfortable with the project (researching coral reefs), but also because I had spoken with the classroom teacher yesterday in the faculty lunch room. The ice was broken and thus we were ready to work together with and for the students.