My field experience was a little bit different today. We learned before we got to the classroom that the 6th graders would be taking standardized tests, so since I am in the 5th/6th grade class I knew things could be a little hectic and different today. My co-teachers and I arrived to the classroom and our teacher said we would be taking a group of 5th graders to the computer lab to work on some activities. I was excited about this because this was the first time we were able to work with the kids without another teacher in the room! However, when we got to the lab another teacher got angry with us because apparently she had already reserved the lab. So we took the students to two other labs, but they were full also. We finally got the situation figured out, but it was a bit hectic!
While we were in the computer lab students worked on their Latin root words. They made a PowerPoint slide with the word done in word art and then wrote the definition and origin of the word. I actually learned how to put a picture into a word today on PowerPoint. It always amazes me how tech-savvy the students are. Sometimes I think they really know more than I do! Other students were playing games that helped them study the states and capitals. We just walked around and helped the students when they needed it.
When we returned to the classroom we sat in a circle on the floor and all had a piece of paper, r a writer's notebook, and we were instructed to write a sentence with exactly five words. We then passed our paper to the next person and they were instructed to write a sentence that went off our first sentence, but rhymed with the last word of the first sentence. We continued this for a few more rounds. Each time there was a new rule we had to follow when we wrote out sentence. After about 7 sentences were written each student then shared their completed story. Some of them were pretty funny! It was fun being able to do this activity with the students!
After this, the students got out large laminated maps. Every student got a dry erase marker and the teacher instructed them to find certain places on their map. I sat at a desk next to two students and just talked with them and helped them with the exercise.
Overall, I am very happy with my field placement and I am really getting more comfortable with the students and the teacher. I am really enjoying working with the 5th/6th grade class and I think this might be a grade I would like to teach in the future. It is hard for me to to say what I have learned about myself as a teacher of writing because we are never in the classroom when they are having writing or reading time. But I really liked the shared writing activity today. It was a good way to get students thinking while having a fun time writing.
In E339 class today we read The Important Book. She also showed us two books that her previous classes had made. I absolutely loved the books her students made and I would love to make these in my classroom. I had made these "books" in the past but they never actually looked like a real book, so I think it could really gets students exciting about reading a writing knowing that they would soon have their own "published" book.
We also talked a lot about our MGRP. I think I have a better sense of what the paper is asking for and what type of topic I would like. As of now, I'm thinking of doing my project on a country I would like to visit or someone famous that I admire. I am excited to start doing the research because it will be something I am actually interested in learning about!
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