Journal Entry #2- Classroom Routines

In my classroom placement there are a number of different routines in place. In the morning when students come in they need to put their homework, Monday and math folders in their designated bins. Most students are able to do this without assistance but some need reminders. I was not there when this was introduced but I assume that when the folders were originally given to students my mentor teacher would have talked with the students about what they are for and where to put them. Another morning routine is the morning message, putting out chairs, and a morning worksheet students complete and have checked before the day begins. I also missed these being introduced but I assume that during a class meeting time the routines were taught and discussed.

One routine that is used throughout the day is students having numbers; this allows fairness when a volunteer is needed. These numbers are also used to establish line order whenever the classroom needs to walk through the halls. This eliminates any confusion and disorder when a line needs to be formed and also saves time. The students are seated at numbered tables, which allows for easier transitions because you can call groups of students by tables.

Students know that before they leave for lunch and recess they need to get their agendas out and place them on their desks. When they get back students know that they need to record their homework assignments off the SMART board and have their agendas checked before putting them in their backpacks. At the end of the day my mentor teacher always walks out with the students to give them high-fives and say good-bye. I feel that all of these routines work very well and students know what to expect. Some students need some reminders but over all they know what to do and when to do it.

Where I'm From

Sunshine and spring time

Running through the flower beds

Singing to myself

Pizza in Florence

Hot, dry noodles in Wuhan

Quail in Montreal

Journal Entry #1 - Autobiography of a Learner

When I was 5 years old I stepped into a classroom for the first time. It was a wonderful experience. I had a fun, loving teacher and many new friends. I went to school at Francestown Elementary School; in small, rural Francestown, New Hampshire. This is where I fell off the fire tower and though I was going to die as I hit the ground, where I learned to write and read, where a learned to do math, and first learned about the beautiful world around me. I was eight years old when my parents got a divorce. This dramatically changed my school experience. I went from being excited about learning, to very distracted; which lead to very discouraged. I fell behind in reading, writing, and math. I just couldn't memorize my multiplication table, and I struggled with spelling causing me to dislike reading.
The summer before 5th grade I moved to a new town. I was now in Amherst, New Hampshire which was a larger suburban town. The first two years were slow, but for the most part I had very kind, patient teachers. There was one teacher each year that made me cry, so I disliked them and their classes. Once I reached 7th grade something started to change. After having mainly compassionate teachers, I started to care again. I finally was able to get math! After 7th grade I continued to excel. I still felt I struggled with reading and writing, but I had an amazing teacher named Mr.Evens that helped me enjoy it anyway. Science and Social Studies were always interesting and I continued to feel confident in those areas of study.
High school soon came and I felt like I needed more. I cared about school, but I cared more about my social life; I also started working at the age of 15. Between friends and work I didn't find much time for homework. My parents couldn't really enforce any rules on me, so I mostly did as I pleased. I felt this was fine, but some of my teachers would call me lazy. This annoyed me. I would always do well on their tests and quizzes, getting A's and B's; I just didn't understand why they wouldn't give me a break. I had the ability to be an A/B student but ended up being a B/C student because I usually couldn't get my homework done. I enjoyed theater while I was in high school, it connected me to the school community though something other than academics. I think it helped me care a little more about how I did.
Now I am in College and have worked hard to get where I am. I learned to like reading, and now read for fun at times. That is something I didn't think I would do. I feel like having to read so much for each of my classes closed gaps that had been there since Elementary school. Until Champlain, I would never finish a book. I would always be able to actively participate in the conversations, and my teachers thought I had read, but I never really did. I was just skilled pulling pieces from what others had said and expanding on them. I feel that I have a greater appreciation for Education and see the value it has, this was not always the case. I'm glad my perspective has changed, because I now know that education is one of the most important things there is, and being a teacher is one of the most important jobs in our society. With out good teachers we would have less good people. I have found in my time working with children it is the most rewarding thing I can be doing. Even on stressful days I remember the difference I make in the lives of those I teach.