Student Teaching

It's been a full week since I started student-teaching at Maeola Beitzel Elementary School. I am learning so much from my master teacher. She is so dynamic, fun, but strict at the same time. I can tell, all of her students love her, and more importantly, respect her. The assignments have been flooding in, and I am working on them as fast as I can. One of the most daunting tasks I am faced with is to create a lesson plan for the English learners in the class. They are usually students who come in with another primary language. They take what's called the CELDT (California English Language Development Test), which assigns them a level 1-5. I will be teaching a lesson from the Open Court curriculum. My master teacher has been extremely supportive and reliable. I believe I know all of the students by first name. I have worked with them individually when we did their fluencies. Everyday, I take roll and lunch count. Today I gave them their spelling pre-test, and graded their end of chapter assessments. It's been a hectic and tiring day today, with class starting at 2:30 p.m. going all the way to 8:00 p.m. I am hanging in there!
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Drowning in Homework!

Well, it's been several weeks since our technology course, and I miss it! With EED 701 and EED 749 we have had tons of reading and many homework assignments. One of the most difficult assignments for me had to do with case law and bilingual education. Sifting through those cases was wrenching. I got through, and thankfully, I have completed the assignment associated with them. I was to compose an email to a school board with regards to the legal rights of the English Language Learners. Another assignment, which was a little more fun, was a field assignment where we visit a place that is non-mainstream. I chose the Hindu temple in Yuba City. Writing this assignment was easier and lot more fun. We start our student teaching assignments next week, and pre-service begins on the 15th. I am looking forward to it, but am a little nervous too. It's a huge time commitment. Overall, I feel I am learning a lot and gaining more insight into teaching.
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