Thursday October 3 2013

It never occurred to me that so many students would skip today simply to get out of turning in their final projects. I mean, I had a few students in mind that I figured would pull that stunt, but I never imagined it would be as bad as it was. It's just really frustrating to realize that I gave the students 4 in class work days as well as a weekend to work on their projects. They had access to my email so that they could ask me questions at any point during the project, even if we weren't in school, and I was constantly circulating during these work days offering help and advice where/ when needed. I'm not sure what else I could have done to motivate students or to further support them. I don't think I feel like I didn't bring my "A Game,"but I can't help but wonder where/ what I did wrong.

The presentations I did see today had a wide range of preparedness and how well done they were. I saw some projects that were above and beyond what I had asked for or expected and then other projects were sub par, where as little effort as possible was put in just to be able to turn something in. I have a long weekend of grading ahead of me. Woohoo.

Wednesday October 2 2012

My observation by my field instructor went really well today. I was marked proficient in everything that applied. I was pleased. It really put me back in the mind set of a student though. I was previously starting to feel more and more like a teacher and then with being observed I felt like a student again. I just want so badly to do well in this placement and during this time. However, I was not as nervous as I thought I would be.

During my conversation with Cathy afterwards I identified the problem of the students taking everything so literally and not being able to see past what is in front of them. I asked Cathy how I can help them move past this and she was a bit uncertain as well, but noting that it would be more than a one day lesson (which I figured myself).

Tuesday October 1, 2013

Get ready, teach, BSU class, grade/ plan, sleep, and repeat. This has become my life. I realize this will be my life for many, many years to come, but I struggle to make sure that I insert moments that I can still enjoy without feeling bad about it. For example, I went to see my parents this past weekend, but then Sunday I was so stressed out over everything that needed accomplished I almost regretted seeing them.

It was difficult making the call today as to whether to give the students an extra day of work or not. A vast majority students were not done with there project and another half of those students had been using the in class time wisely and honestly deserved the extra day. Then there were those who had been goofing off and didn't deserve the day. You reward one, you reward them all; punish one, you punish all.