I'm alive!

I survived my first day of student teaching. And it went pretty well. I feel like it was just a big whirwind of activity, names, and faces... and SOUNDS! Boy, my classes are Chatty McChattersons! I asked my coop. if it was because of something I did (a me vs. him issue), and he said that it was just the time of day. I teach the last two hours of school, so they're just chomping at the bit a little to get out of there.

I've decided that instead of writing about EVERYTHING that happens to me (because that would take more time than I have), I'm going to write about my best and worst moments of the day (or week... however often I can muster the energy to write). So, here we go!

BEST MOMENT: When my students were leaving class, I overheard a comment made by one student to another. The student who made the comment seems like the kind of kid who causes trouble in class, doesn't really like school, and generally doesn't give school much thought. But despite all of that, he was really excited as he left the classroom and he said, "Man, I'm going to come to this class every day!"

WORST MOMENT: Trying to get a group of girls to listen to directions, I realized it's going to take some effort to gain respect in the classroom. It doesn't just come automatically with the authority I have as a teacher. That's fine; I just have to realize that it takes time and effort. As I said before, my classes are pretty chatty and I can tell that I'm going to have difficulty with that as the trimester goes on if I don't put my foot down and prove that I'm serious about respecting the person who is talking... including me.

All in all, it was a good first day. We have "homemade" classroom expectations that I intend to hold them to-- especially because they came up with them! Tomorrow is another day and another lesson plan. We'll see how the "fishbowl" strategy works with them!