Week 2

Well, I'm a little bit late posting for week 2, but it's alright, I have been wanting to post this for a few days now. Week 2 was another good week for me. I felt as if the students were more accustomed to me being one of their teachers, rather than just an observer in the classroom. I must say that I am blessed to have a very good group of students for my internship. I can already tell that they are going to be great listeners all year, and are very good at following directions.

As for my lesson plan writing, I haven't written any of my own lesson plans as of the second week of school. I have still be doing a lot of observing, and getting used to being back in a second grade classroom. Mrs. Decker has been great in helping me get integrated into her lesson plans, and having a part in the teaching when possible. She is still doing something that surprises me, and that is focusing a lot on behavior management, and not worried about jumping right into the curriculum. Thought I am surprised by this, I think it is fantastic. One major way to make student's learn at their highest potential is to have them understand what you expect of them from the beginning of the year. Mrs. Decker expects our students to be quiet listeners, respectful of others, and to follow ALL directions, to say a few. At times it seems magical the way the students respect her as a teacher, and I am amazed at times at how she gets all of their attention at once.

One other thing that I have been doing so far that is probably different from all other interns is that I have not only been helping Mrs. Decker, but I have also been covering for the other two second grade teachers. The way that the lunch/recess schedule is set up for us in second grade makes it hectic for all of us teachers to eat lunch at a manageable time; so I have been covering all of the classes at different times to allow the other teachers to eat their lunch. I have mainly been administering worksheets, or leading small discussions, but the experience is great for me. It has allowed me to feel like a true team member of the second grade team, and I have learned a lot about not only my students, but about all of the second grade students.

Week 3 is obviously underway, but I will talk more about it after it is complete. I am loving this year so far!