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Post by shannoots on Aug 15, 2015 1:43:10 GMT
I have been exhausted every day and I feel like I've been chasing my tail trying to get things accomplished. I have 8 classes and I have Freshman to Seniors in all of them. My biggest issue has been trying to get them to talk. My lessons are meant to be interactive and work best when the students participate in discussions. Some of the classes were ok but it was like pulling teeth to get them to talk in other classes.
I know it sounds like it was all bad but it wasn't. There were definitely plenty of bright spots. I am glad to have the weekend to rest and try to get ahead on some of my lessons.
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Post by Merge on Aug 15, 2015 1:46:17 GMT
Yay! Don't worry, they will talk more as they learn to trust you. Make sure to take the time to get to know them a little on a personal level - they'll open up when they know you care about them.
Congratulations on surviving your first week!
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Post by shannoots on Aug 15, 2015 1:55:29 GMT
Yay! Don't worry, they will talk more as they learn to trust you. Make sure to take the time to get to know them a little on a personal level - they'll open up when they know you care about them. Congratulations on surviving your first week! That's what I'm hoping. |
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Post by SabrinaM on Aug 15, 2015 2:02:40 GMT
I sub pretty much FT and am in school finishing up my secondary ed degree. I'm very popular at the MS among teachers and students. Share stories about yourself, your family etc. Allow for a bit of down time in the classroom. Some teachers are so set on teaching bell to bell. I think some down time to talk about current events, things unrelated to the core subject you teach is a great way to get students to open up. I think that first year of teaching is hardest. You'll get into the swing of things soon!  |
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Post by darkchami on Aug 15, 2015 2:46:36 GMT
Congratulations! That first year is so exciting.
Getting kids to talk takes time. As others have said, they need to be able to trust you. A safe class community doesn't happen overnight.
There are ways to scaffold to make talking easier. If you are having trouble getting them to talk to each other assign pairs or triads. Assign each person to be a 1 or 2. Ones talk to their partner first, then twos. Give them a sentence starter so that they have a clear picture of what to talk about.
If you are having trouble getting them to speak out to the class, give them partner time first. They can share out either their own thoughts or their partner's thoughts. It's less threatening to say what someone else thought. Again, you have to build routines, expectations, and relationships.
Having said that, one year I had a class that was incredibly sweet, but just would not talk! We wound up sharing written responses. I had to adapt to them.
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Post by JoP on Aug 15, 2015 6:07:27 GMT
Congratulations on getting through your first week |
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Post by chrissypie on Aug 15, 2015 10:16:23 GMT
What an achievement! Well done. I hope you are able to rest up on the weekend. And I completely agree with Merge . Once they get to know you, you probably won't be able to get them to stop talking! |
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Post by baslp on Aug 15, 2015 11:49:38 GMT
Congrats on surviving the first week at a high school.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 15, 2015 12:03:11 GMT
Congrats on week 1.
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Post by liya on Aug 15, 2015 12:17:05 GMT
Congratulations on completing week 1. I'm sure it will get easier as the students get more comfortable with you. Enjoy.
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 15, 2015 12:28:06 GMT
It'll get better! If you're asking them to talk about content, remember that they're still really new to it, so be patient. Like others said, they don't know you yet (and maybe don't know each other well, either). Talking in pairs or small groups will be easier than a single person talking in front of the whole room. If you're not familiar with Kagan Cooperative Learning strategies, see if your building/district offers training (or if there's any nearby). It is great! SO helpful, as it creates structures for you to formatively assess your students, hold them individually accountable, and put the learning on them. Also, I love the Edutopia site for great, short articles/videos with good ideas.They even have a whole tag for New Teachers: Edutopia: New TeachersFind a coach/mentor if you don't have one! (Even if you do, that person might not be "your person" at school). Hang with the positive peeps. It's very easy to get sucked into negative talk at school. AVOID. Go eat lunch with other teachers. You will learn a lot, make friends, and you need the time with other adults. Don't say you're too busy. Make the time! Welcome to the greatest job in the world! |
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 15, 2015 12:30:08 GMT
Kagan OnlineDon't be put off by the babyish cartoons. And, you don't have to drink the whole pitcher of Kagan Kool Aid; Use what works for you. But, the structures are really great.
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Post by shannoots on Aug 15, 2015 13:00:04 GMT
It'll get better! If you're asking them to talk about content, remember that they're still really new to it, so be patient. Like others said, they don't know you yet (and maybe don't know each other well, either). Talking in pairs or small groups will be easier than a single person talking in front of the whole room. If you're not familiar with Kagan Cooperative Learning strategies, see if your building/district offers training (or if there's any nearby). It is great! SO helpful, as it creates structures for you to formatively assess your students, hold them individually accountable, and put the learning on them. Also, I love the Edutopia site for great, short articles/videos with good ideas.They even have a whole tag for New Teachers: Edutopia: New TeachersFind a coach/mentor if you don't have one! (Even if you do, that person might not be "your person" at school). Hang with the positive peeps. It's very easy to get sucked into negative talk at school. AVOID. Go eat lunch with other teachers. You will learn a lot, make friends, and you need the time with other adults. Don't say you're too busy. Make the time! Welcome to the greatest job in the world! I used Kagan all the time when I was student teaching and loved it. I even have numbers on my tables so I can call numbers during discussions...not sure why I didn't use them yesterday but I'm going to start. Thanks for the Edutopia link. I knew there had to be something like that for new teachers but haven't had time to look yet. |
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 4:34:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 13:16:14 GMT
Yay for you! Your students are getting comfortable with you, just like you're trying to get comfortable with them.
And 8 classes is a lot. No wonder you're exhausted.
Best wishes for a fantastic school year!
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 15, 2015 13:18:06 GMT
Congratulations on surviving week one. I hope the school year is great for you and your many students.
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 4:34:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 14:54:54 GMT
Yay! First week done is a biggie! That exhaustion won't go away for awhile, if ever, though haha!  |
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,641 
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Post by janeliz on Aug 15, 2015 15:04:26 GMT
Congrats! Hang tough, and I hope your first year is terrific.
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