I’ve been working with the students in my class on a one-to-one basis quite a bit lately. Usually what happens is my cooperating teacher works from the overhead, going over problems the students want to see demonstrated, while I walk around the classroom and help with more individual concerns — mostly things with which the other students don’t seem to have an issue. I think, at this point, I’ve helped all the students in my class in this manner on at least one occasion.
It seems to me that the students have become more comfortable talking to me and asking me questions. I’m happy with that, no doubt there. However, I’m not sure if it’s directly from having to ask me a question while the cooperating teacher is busy and learning in the process that I don’t bite, or if it’s a more general effect of my regular, pacing presence (I do so much walking in there!) and they’re just used to me being there. The level of trust the students have with me did seem to go up a bit overall after I taught my first lesson. For as much as I feel like I know right now, it could be something completely unrelated.
So for now, as a novice teacher, I have to say if it works, so be it, and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing until I find it’s not working or find something that works better…
cm1451block Said:
on March 19, 2008 at 9:52 am
Looks like both you and students comfort levels have leveled. That good news. We don’t spend much time in our cooperating teacher’s classrooms, so that is good news.
as1545block Said:
on March 19, 2008 at 9:59 am
sounds like your classrom is pretty mush knowledge and application based. makes sense i suppose for a math class. although it sounds to me like things could stand a little “spicing up”. maybe some sort of game or activity would be a good idea for your next teach? just a thought.
ap1264block Said:
on March 19, 2008 at 9:59 am
it seem’s like as the students become more comfortable with you they are less reluctant to ask for your help, but my question is are this students your helping on a knowledge level or an application level or which one do you think. Do you feel as though you are helping your students climb the Bloom’s level of thinking model.
profbondfall07 Said:
on March 21, 2008 at 7:46 am
Hi Amy,
It’s great that you’re feeling more comfortable in your cooperating teacher’s class and that you’re establishing rapport with the students. It’s good that you’re thinking about how you built rapport with them. I am a firm believer that things don’t just happen in the classroom by chance. Sure, it may have happened. But, things happen because of a deliberate action. I challenge you to think about deliberate ways that you can build rapport. Do you know the students’ names? Do you use their names when interacting with them? Do you know anything about their lives outside of your class? Do you ask them about these events? Remember that you’re the teacher, the adult, in the classroom. Teachers set the tone for learning.
Good thinking.
NB