It’s Official!
Posted by jplatt on September 19, 2008
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go in before my hours start and meet my cooperative teacher as well as the classroom that I will be teaching/observing. It is a fifth grade class with 28 students! Based on the hour that I observed, they all seem so eager to learn and I am so excited to be there.
My supervisor this semester is a former elementary education teacher in Hicksville and Westbury, and he seems very “coach-like,” especially since he is currently a sports coach! It is going to be interesting to see his technique, which he made clear, is to connect things that you like and that the students like into everything you teach, especially… sports! So this semester I will really have to think “outside the box” for my lessons.
For the first day of class, I already have an assignment to do, and I am so excited about it! I was asked to write a letter introducing myself to the students so they can get to know me, and in return, they will each write to me a letter about themselves. I am truly impressed that my cooperative teacher would think to do this, and from my position, it’s a wonderful first lesson to break the ice. Also, I get to learn more about the students I will be working with for the next few months, which really helps to get to know them so I can develop lessons based on their interests.
Also, I suggested to my cooperative teacher that last semester, as a class we created a social studies unit for the upcoming election, coincidentally for the fifth grade. She seems really interested so I’m looking forward to hopefully getting involved in incorporating the upcoming electon into her class. Also, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will have an opportunity to go to the presidential debate being held at Hofstra in October (the ticket lottery goes up on Monday). At this moment, it seems like that once in a lifetime opportunity. But I am also making sure I take part in the many opportunities Hofstra is offering because we are so fortunate to be having the presidential debate at our campus (minus the limits on parking with secret service and the soon-to-be media). I’m looking forward to attending the upcoming events that focus on how to teach the 2008 elections to elementary/intermediate grades.
