Reflection
EMPATHY & BALANCE
While at Putnam Elementary School it became clear that the population at this school is in high need for empathetic/caring teachers and support staff. Students at this school come from a wide-variety of home lives that come into the classroom. Realizing that students' behaviors can be connected to issues at home, lunch, or other classes helped with classroom management. Learning how and when to check-in with students was very important, along with when to ask for help. Figuring out how to balance attention to certain students and the whole class was one of the most important lessons I have learned at this placement.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Lincoln Middl School taught me to find my discipline style but Putnam Elementary has helped me develop other support systems for students that do not always involve disciplinary action. Seeing the various systems my cooperating teacher has in place, allowed me to experience other modes of intervention. Practicing and settling students into daily routines allows them to know what to expect from the art classroom as well as what is expected of them. Using various strategies like a "calm down corner", private conversation, and/or free time activities gives students the choice to advocate for themselves. Of course this works best with following the school's redirect policies to show students that all staff will keep them accountable for their actions.
GROWTH MINDSET
One of my biggest take aways from this placement was knowing when to back off and let students make mistakes. During my lessons there was multiple times that students would say, " I can't do this", "I am bad at art" , or "I keep messing up" this made me realize that students need to feel comfortable to make mistakes. Makings sure that students feel prepared enough for a project is really important, as well as identifying when a re-teach is needed. I also found times at the end of class to highlight accomplishments, and moments of struggle and perseverance. This helped with showing students that mistakes are natural and a part of growing.
While at Putnam Elementary School it became clear that the population at this school is in high need for empathetic/caring teachers and support staff. Students at this school come from a wide-variety of home lives that come into the classroom. Realizing that students' behaviors can be connected to issues at home, lunch, or other classes helped with classroom management. Learning how and when to check-in with students was very important, along with when to ask for help. Figuring out how to balance attention to certain students and the whole class was one of the most important lessons I have learned at this placement.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Lincoln Middl School taught me to find my discipline style but Putnam Elementary has helped me develop other support systems for students that do not always involve disciplinary action. Seeing the various systems my cooperating teacher has in place, allowed me to experience other modes of intervention. Practicing and settling students into daily routines allows them to know what to expect from the art classroom as well as what is expected of them. Using various strategies like a "calm down corner", private conversation, and/or free time activities gives students the choice to advocate for themselves. Of course this works best with following the school's redirect policies to show students that all staff will keep them accountable for their actions.
GROWTH MINDSET
One of my biggest take aways from this placement was knowing when to back off and let students make mistakes. During my lessons there was multiple times that students would say, " I can't do this", "I am bad at art" , or "I keep messing up" this made me realize that students need to feel comfortable to make mistakes. Makings sure that students feel prepared enough for a project is really important, as well as identifying when a re-teach is needed. I also found times at the end of class to highlight accomplishments, and moments of struggle and perseverance. This helped with showing students that mistakes are natural and a part of growing.