“Being a new teacher is like building a plane while you’re flying it.”
EXACTLY. Let me say, I am glad, I have survived 1.5 weeks of school, and I am thankful that New York City observes the Jewish New Year. I don’t think I would have had the stamina to finish up this second week.
Well the first day of school was hectic like expected. Of course, it never goes as planned. While the other teachers introduced their rules and procedures from the get go, I decided to devote the first day to getting to know my students. As the kids walked in, I already had place cards on their desks to show them where their seat were going to be for the rest of the week. On the board, I had directions for the students to write down their information on the cards, and also had a “Getting to Know You” survey for them to fill out if they had finished before their peers.
I then introduced myself and let my CTT introduce himself. After that, we went over the 7th grade core letter and the list of supplies all the 7th grade teachers needed. Then I attempted to introduce an icebreaker: two truths and a lie. What was I thinking? Of course, it became a boring icebreaker. Everyone started saying, “I like this, I like that, I don’t like this.” Which one is the lie? All the students were so lethargic. I wanted to scratch the plan in the middle, but by the time I decided it, I was told class was over. =(
After that first day, I introduced procedures and bellwork. I assessed their knowledge of science, and now I am in the midst of preparing them to think and act like scientists. The kids have shown me their disinterest in science and their interest in just wanting to mess around with things. Now my challenge is to motivate them to like science, but also get them to understand science. My goal is more than just WoWing the students. I want them to actually learn and acquire some enduring understanding. I want my students to DO science, not follow someone else’s procedures or be spectators of science. It’s tough because all they want to see is something being blown up, and I haven’t given them any of that.
Things have been overwhelming, yet I am trying to keep my cool. I have been asking many teachers for advice, but in the end, it’s up to me to reflect to see what will work for me. The reason is what may work for one teacher, may not work for you. Classroom management and teaching in general is an art. Plus there are too many confounding factors you have to take into mind.
Yeah, it’s a four day weekend, but I am busily reflecting and planning at the same time. It gets really dizzying and exhausting. Imagine yourself constantly zooming in and out from a microsopic view to a satellite view.
I’m currently taking a break from planning and researching ideas for classroom management, my 6th and 7th grade science units, and my lessons for the next week.
Theme this year: A series of engaging science activities put together is not a science unit.
Well until next time.
