I think I'm definitely beginning to feel more settled here! Can you tell? I'm making time to blog! I also think I've been wanting to blog because life is really starting to pick up, and if I don't write things down, I'm worried I'll forget something!
I am starting to incorporate teaching techniques from other teachers I've observed into my own lesson plans, and I think it's been pretty successful so far! I have been subbing for a teacher who has been in Ireland for the Notre Dame vs. Navy game, and I sit in on many of John's classes since we share a classroom. I stole one of John's ideas today into my composition lesson plan, and I think it went pretty well :). Much better than kids just staring at me talk and trying to listen. John's control of the classroom and ease of conversation and engagement of students has been such an asset for me to watch day in and day out. One of his English classes for seniors is called "Hyphenated Americans." His class is mostly students who are stereotyped as various -Americans... conversation is SO COOL.
Andrew, who is in Ireland, is also a really exceptional teacher. He has been sending the students videos to watch each day where they have to solve mysteries... and they are simultaneously working on being showing, not telling writers. This is quite helpful for my writing class, but also such a great idea, and I can't wait to talk with him about spicing up my lesson plans when he returns! His videos also make me quite Ireland-sick... Andrew also studied at TCD, and is spending time in Dublin. His character, inspector Hoytzito, was wandering down Grafton Street, and my heart was breaking. We listened to Irish trad music for the rest of the class while different groups worked on solving their mystery.
I'm excited to really improve upon my lesson plans and engage my students in the way that Andrew does his, and take some time to really plan out the next few weeks! I'm off on Friday and Monday, and while I will definitely take some time to relax, I am excited to take some time to really plan out where I'm going with my lessons.
Here's what school looks like when I arrive each morning... it's pretty, isn't it?
No comments:
Post a Comment