This second week at Willmar Middle School seemed to pass by so fast. I had a lot of fun getting to know the students. I probably learned 100 names or so, and hopefully I will remember them all. Mrs. Valdez teaches four different sections of 6th grade and one section of 7th grade. The same lessons are taught for all 6th graders.
This week was the last week of observation and I got a much better "feel" of the classroom, students, and the teaching style of Mrs. Valdez. The middle school students are harmless, but it is important to maintain an atmosphere of discipline in the classroom. They all like to have fun, but that fun can only come through discipline otherwise it can easily and rapidly become chaotic.
Mrs. Valdez does a great job when it comes to classroom discipline. She gives up to four participation points to each student every day. If a student misbehaves, she takes one point off and so on. Since participation is a significant part of the grade, students do not want to loose those points. She gives one to two warning to students if they are not behaving. After that, they are out of the classroom and loose all their participation points. It's been a week of learning how to be fair and fun at the same time. I am thankful!
Another interesting activity that is helping me grow, is to do lunch supervision during the 8th grade lunch period. Many teachers (around 4-5, including the principal and a police officer that works in the school) are also doing lunch supervision during that time. I am getting to know the 8th grade students as well and I always have a chance to talk with some of them for a while . They are starting to get to know me too and most of them want to talk. I enjoy this social time.
This coming week I will be shadowing what the teacher does. She will teach the 1st and 2nd period (6th grade) and I will do the same for the 3rd and 4th period. I am excited!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Willmar Middle School... Here I come!
This week was my first one at Willmar Middle School. I have confirmed my thought about loving middle school students. I enjoy their humor, their faces, their way of looking at things...
This week was not a normal week because if was the last week of Spanish for the first school quarter. All middle schoolers only take one quarter of Spanish per year. My coopearating teacher, Mrs. Valdez, teaches both 6th and 7th grade students. This final week, the 7th graders were doing a pinata (big ballon filled with candy that many Hispanics, especially from Mexico, brake during birthday and holidays). The studentsbuilt their own pinatas, decorated it, and filled it with candy. Today (Friday) the students broke their pinatas and were able to eat the candy. The 6th graders were learning about Mexico throughout the week and today they had a game and candy day because it was also their last day of Spanish.
The school has around 900 students (6th-7th-8th grades) and an average of 300 students per class. On Thursday, all the 7th graders had a retreat called the "Courage Retreat" that started in the morning and finished around 2:00 pm. The students were introduced to various active games, music, and dances. The retreat also included moments for small group interaction where students had to reflect on their fears and way of being courageous in their school. They talked about respecting others and care about other people. I loved being able to be with the 7th graders and share time with them, and just having fun.
This first week was definiteley a great one because I met many teachers and staff and also lots of students. I feel very comfortable working with the students and I am excited to teach them soon!
I realize that middle schoolers are very sensitive to their teachers and are also very energetic! I am eager to meet the new students that will come this second quarter!
This week was not a normal week because if was the last week of Spanish for the first school quarter. All middle schoolers only take one quarter of Spanish per year. My coopearating teacher, Mrs. Valdez, teaches both 6th and 7th grade students. This final week, the 7th graders were doing a pinata (big ballon filled with candy that many Hispanics, especially from Mexico, brake during birthday and holidays). The studentsbuilt their own pinatas, decorated it, and filled it with candy. Today (Friday) the students broke their pinatas and were able to eat the candy. The 6th graders were learning about Mexico throughout the week and today they had a game and candy day because it was also their last day of Spanish.
The school has around 900 students (6th-7th-8th grades) and an average of 300 students per class. On Thursday, all the 7th graders had a retreat called the "Courage Retreat" that started in the morning and finished around 2:00 pm. The students were introduced to various active games, music, and dances. The retreat also included moments for small group interaction where students had to reflect on their fears and way of being courageous in their school. They talked about respecting others and care about other people. I loved being able to be with the 7th graders and share time with them, and just having fun.
This first week was definiteley a great one because I met many teachers and staff and also lots of students. I feel very comfortable working with the students and I am excited to teach them soon!
I realize that middle schoolers are very sensitive to their teachers and are also very energetic! I am eager to meet the new students that will come this second quarter!
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