Teachers! Please Come In

Purple&7

In 2 weeks I will begin my student teaching. I'm starting to get a little excited and a little nervous.  I was wondering if you ladies had any advice for me? I will be teaching 5th grade math, science, and social studies.

acaponi87

--make sure you learn all of your students names ASAP
--be confident
--ask lots of questions. Don't assume your cooperating teacher knows everything but take everything you can whether it is good or bad.
--plan. It sucks, but it helps. If you need to, keep your plan with you.
--Ask for feedback from your students.  If something isn't going well, assume it is you. Be honest & genuine and ask your students what you can do to help them better.  It's a win-win situation. You learn from them and they get a great feeling because what they think is actually important to you and now they know that.

Good luck! Have you met with your cooperating teacher? Make sure you discuss expectations--what you expect from them and what they expect from you. If they try to throw you into teaching a class right off the bat all on your own DO NOT DO THIS. They are supposed to ease you into things. 

Carebear62584

I did my half day student teaching in 5th grade, full day student teaching in 4th, had a long term sub in 4th, and work with all grades now, including 4th and 5th.

With 5th graders you need to talk to them as people, not kids.  At that age I also like to be a little sarcastic with them because they get the humor.  And always be able to laugh at your mistakes.  Good luck!

goodine11

I did student teaching after my second year of teaching ( Master's Program). You will have a teacher in the classroom, so you should be fine. I agree learn the students names ASAP and also, have distinct bounderies with the students. It gets easier everyday you walk into the classroom

Danidawn20

I have a month left of student teaching, I have to say, be prepared to lose most of your life. You sleep, eat, teach, plan and sleep. Make  sure you have a great support syste nad take care of yourself. You come before anyone else.  Also, wedding planning may have to take the back burnner.

Purple&7

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_teachers-please-come?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:6d432d4d-a351-4d43-9b02-6c0f3238625dPost:59bade20-d965-4666-943c-505b1d5839da">Re: Teachers! Please Come In</a>:
[QUOTE]--<strong>make sure you learn all of your students names ASAP</strong> --be confident --ask lots of questions. Don't assume your cooperating teacher knows everything but take everything you can whether it is good or bad. --plan. It sucks, but it helps. If you need to, keep your plan with you. --Ask for feedback from your students.  If something isn't going well, assume it is you. Be honest & genuine and ask your students what you can do to help them better.  It's a win-win situation. You learn from them and they get a great feeling because what they think is actually important to you and now they know that. Good luck! <strong>Have you met with your cooperating teacher?</strong> Make sure you discuss expectations--what you expect from them and what they expect from you. If they try to throw you into teaching a class right off the bat all on your own DO NOT DO THIS. They are supposed to ease you into things. 
Posted by acaponi87[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the advice!

I have actually been with the class since the beginning of the school year.  I've taught a few lessons, but this is the first time that I will actually be in charge of the class.  It also makes me a little nervous to know that I'll be alone with the students without my CT being in the classroom with me.

squarepeg72

Get to know your mentor teacher
If you get a chance, visit before you offically start student teaching
Be ready for anything
PLAN ... It is a pain in the but but it helps (speaking of which I need to do mine for this week)
Kids are curious ... just don't let them get you off topice
Make calculation mistakes and get them to help you find them
Learn to laugh at yourself ... and have fun with the teachable moments (but not too much fun)
You are the BPIC- Big Person In Charge

Purple&7

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_teachers-please-come?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:6d432d4d-a351-4d43-9b02-6c0f3238625dPost:31d259a0-0d71-4cfb-b04f-6129faf0a416">Re: Teachers! Please Come In</a>:
[QUOTE]I have a month left of student teaching, I have to say, be prepared to lose most of your life. You sleep, eat, teach, plan and sleep. Make  sure you have a great support syste nad take care of yourself. You come before anyone else.  <strong>Also, wedding planning may have to take the back burnner.
</strong>Posted by Danidawn20[/QUOTE]
^^ that makes me a little sad <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-frown.gif" border="0" alt="Frown" title="Frown" /> but that is also why I have been trying to get a lot done during my break. I won't be finished with student teaching until late April.

Danidawn20

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_teachers-please-come?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:6d432d4d-a351-4d43-9b02-6c0f3238625dPost:8b364363-1612-4bf2-ad76-1eae19ab0998">Re: Teachers! Please Come In</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Teachers! Please Come In : ^^ that makes me a little sad  but that is also why I have been trying to get a lot done during my break. I won't be finished with student teaching until late April.
Posted by Purple&7[/QUOTE]
 I have had to put so much stuff off. Now since I'mon the home stretch  I can start planning again. <div> It is very sad to have to stop planning, but it may be necessary.</div>

Carebear62584

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_teachers-please-come?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:6d432d4d-a351-4d43-9b02-6c0f3238625dPost:d293ff03-5866-4e85-b231-d74afd2497e7">Re: Teachers! Please Come In</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Teachers! Please Come In : Thanks for the advice! I have actually been with the class since the beginning of the school year.  I've taught a few lessons, but this is the first time that I will actually be in charge of the class.  It also makes me a little nervous to know that I'll be alone with the students without my CT being in the classroom with me.
Posted by Purple&7[/QUOTE]

You will be fine!  The kids know you and your teacher won't completely disappear.  My CT would come in and out of the room at random times.  She would also take notes on random lessons which is helpful.  Since we had a new lesson plan template the 3 teachers on the 4th grade team planned together so that was a huge help.  It's definitely easier when you've been in the class since the beginning of the year.  Coming in mid-year is tough but you don't have to worry about that.

squarepeg72

You will do fine ... I got most of my wedding planning done over the summer because the school year is always so hectic for me and I am minus a driver this year (oldest went off to college). Juggling the kids schedules, FH's dr stuff and my class load (90 in Trig & 5 in AP Stats) doesn't leave a lot of room. You have the advantage of knowing the kids and your CT won't leave you hanging
You can do this!

Purple&7

Thanks for the encouragement ladies! I plan to check in often to let ya'll know how it's going.

mrspatnou

Keep a journal about your experience. Try to write in it everyday and you will soon see how you have transformed as well as your students.

kipnus

That's great that you've been with the class already so you know the routines and their names. Sometimes you may get the "But (coop teacher) let's us do it this way..." line; counter with: "I'm teaching now, and this is the way I would like you to do things." Also, when you're planning, transitions are key. Make sure you have everything organized to go from one activity to another without down-time for goofing off. And overplan, or end with activities that can take as much or as little time as you need (i.e. reading, or starting worksheets that can be finished at home).