High-Low - a math game

Last week, Wednesday, I got to teach a math game to the students in class. I learned it from my math course the previous night. I passed out half-sheets of paper with place value slots upto 100 million. Each student received a dice. Each student was to roll his/her dice and place the value in a slot to create a nine digit number. The goal was to see who could come up with the highest number. Then we did the same with the lowest number. The students were engaged, and read out their numbers accurately. It went quite well. Although, it fizzled at the end. I didn't have much of a closure. My master teacher gave me some feedback. She said that I needed to set the standard that they were to keep their dice on their desk after they were done, and not keep playing with it. Also, for closure, it would have been a good idea to ask the class what strategies they used when they were forming their numbers. I get to do the same game next Tuesday, so hopefully, it will be better the second time around. It was a fun learning game that my master teacher allowed me to do.
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Student Teaching - A track

This week was the first day of school (again). I started A track with my on-track Master Teacher. It was neat to see the first day of school, and all of the getting-to-know-you activities the kids did. Also, my Master Teacher was amazing; she knew all of the students' names by lunch time. I am about 95% there. Tomorrow, I start the day off by playing a place-value game to start off the math lesson. My Master Teacher loves to teach math. I hope some of her enthusiasm will rub off onto me. Besides student teaching, this was the first week of Fall classes. It's been really hectic so far, because we go to 3 different school sites. There is a ton of reading and homework already. I hope I can survive! What intimidates me the most is the lesson planning. I feel like my brain is empty when it should be brimming with innovative and creative ideas. My Master Teacher introduced me to two sites that will be helpful in lesson planning. I have posted them on this blog for anyone who is interested. Check "Power Points" and "Open Court Resources." Until next time!
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Summer Session Is Over!

Today was the last day of class in our EED 749. Yesterday marked our last day in EED 701. It's been a tough summer session. Lots of papers and projects. The last assignment I completed was in EED 749 where we we had to complete a full lesson plan using the template that was provided, and using all of the elements of SIOP. I worked with one of my classmates, and we presented a 6th grade lesson on the topic of the Indian Caste System in Ancient Indian Civilization. We used many scaffolding techniques, and interactives. For a final grade we received an A! So I'm excited about the grades that we will be receiving as a result of our hard work. Classes restart on August 17, 2009. There are several books that I have ordered successfully from Amazon.com. I'm hanging in there! Image from: Stock Xchange

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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