Overall Reflection
The truth is I was not sure what to expect walking into a charter school in more than financially stable type of neighborhood. I have been observing and working in public schools that are title one, so I was in a very different environment. I'm so glad that I did get placed at a school so different from what I was used to. It give me experiences I did not have and I am glad to have received.
The first week was supposed to be more so observations and getting to know the school, class and my teacher. I say "supposed to" because on just the second day I was teaching a social studies lesson. The reason being social studies and science were taught alternately and i was coming in during the end of social studies. If i didn't get my lesson in soon I'd miss my time. This definitely pushed me into overdrive. I had to go over what the class had already known and anything they needed to know for the upcoming test. Then I had to put together a lesson that i felt would give the kids the best review. This was challenging I admit, but my teacher gave me any resources she could to assist me. I pulled of a great lesson which even incorporated language arts concepts they were covering at the time as well.
This school is not only different because it is a charter, but also because it was Greek based. I got to experience the kids during Greek math and language. A special celebration called OXI day was coming up, which was a celebration on Greece's independence, so I saw my classes practice traditional Greek dances and wear traditional head dresses and scarves. It was great to see the culture incorporated into the school. I found out that about 40 percent of the school was of Greek decent, which made sense.
I also got to sit in on two planning periods. Both times the principal was present. I will admit the first one was a little unconventional. There was a lot of joking and off topic conversations, but the second time they were more structured in their approach. I learned that every teacher had a team composed of language arts/reading teachers and math/science/social st. teachers. The group of reading teachers would discuss the plans for future lessons and techniques and ect. The math group would do the same. Also this was the time foe teams to discuss any problems with lessons or students. I liked how involved the principal was with these planning periods she was there the whole time taking notes and all. I've sat in some planning periods where the principal wasn't there at all or may have popped in for a while.
All in all li enjoyed my IMB time. I was allowed so much free range with lesson planning and i was allowed to teach whenever i wanted to. It wasn't like i was some burden on my teacher. My teacher encouraged me and gave me the room to be creative. I go to do so much with the classroom in such little time. I created my own classroom community and even will remember these kids along my education career.
Being at Socrates has made me think differently about where I might possibly want to end up in my teaching career. I wasn't sure if I wanted to teach at a charter school, just because of all the things I thought were against them, but looking at Socrates I see so much more opportunity than downfall. I appreciate every moment I spent with the students and the teachers. They have given me more than any college class could possibly supply. Everything I observed and did will continue to build and mold the teacher i will become. For that I am humbled.
The first week was supposed to be more so observations and getting to know the school, class and my teacher. I say "supposed to" because on just the second day I was teaching a social studies lesson. The reason being social studies and science were taught alternately and i was coming in during the end of social studies. If i didn't get my lesson in soon I'd miss my time. This definitely pushed me into overdrive. I had to go over what the class had already known and anything they needed to know for the upcoming test. Then I had to put together a lesson that i felt would give the kids the best review. This was challenging I admit, but my teacher gave me any resources she could to assist me. I pulled of a great lesson which even incorporated language arts concepts they were covering at the time as well.
This school is not only different because it is a charter, but also because it was Greek based. I got to experience the kids during Greek math and language. A special celebration called OXI day was coming up, which was a celebration on Greece's independence, so I saw my classes practice traditional Greek dances and wear traditional head dresses and scarves. It was great to see the culture incorporated into the school. I found out that about 40 percent of the school was of Greek decent, which made sense.
I also got to sit in on two planning periods. Both times the principal was present. I will admit the first one was a little unconventional. There was a lot of joking and off topic conversations, but the second time they were more structured in their approach. I learned that every teacher had a team composed of language arts/reading teachers and math/science/social st. teachers. The group of reading teachers would discuss the plans for future lessons and techniques and ect. The math group would do the same. Also this was the time foe teams to discuss any problems with lessons or students. I liked how involved the principal was with these planning periods she was there the whole time taking notes and all. I've sat in some planning periods where the principal wasn't there at all or may have popped in for a while.
All in all li enjoyed my IMB time. I was allowed so much free range with lesson planning and i was allowed to teach whenever i wanted to. It wasn't like i was some burden on my teacher. My teacher encouraged me and gave me the room to be creative. I go to do so much with the classroom in such little time. I created my own classroom community and even will remember these kids along my education career.
Being at Socrates has made me think differently about where I might possibly want to end up in my teaching career. I wasn't sure if I wanted to teach at a charter school, just because of all the things I thought were against them, but looking at Socrates I see so much more opportunity than downfall. I appreciate every moment I spent with the students and the teachers. They have given me more than any college class could possibly supply. Everything I observed and did will continue to build and mold the teacher i will become. For that I am humbled.