OCT 4 Practicum thoughts
Wow. I have already spent 5 hours in a high school. I have only one class- a rowdy group of juniors. I love them. There are millions of personalities in those few students! It is amazing to look at them and see all of their potential- and even more amazing to see that they don't even realize it! So far during my time in class I grade papers and listen/watch the students within the classroom. The only thing I have learned most of thus far is the length students are willing to go to not pay attention. Of course I believe that it is the teachers job to make the learning as stimulating and interesting as possible. But honestly, I see these girls put up their defensive accessory walls on the tables to avoid being caught on their phones. They have their water bottle, their purse, their bag, their make up bag all lined up in front of them as this barricade! And then when the teacher calls them out for having their phone they act as if the teacher grew two heads! I am so ready to just be completely real with these kids and call them out in the most simple, "I know what your doing, I am just like you sometimes, but honestly this lesson will benefit you so put it away and have some respect." That might be a little dramatic. It would be said in a very real professional yet relatable tone.
I think students need to know WHY they are being taught what they are taught. School seems to just be a chore. I am not about chores! I wasn't when I was 6 and I am not about them now. If I do anything "chore" like it is because I know its good for me and benefits me.
Phones are literally the worst thing about my practicum. I once saw a kid have his phone behind his book... I knew he had it there because he kept viciously poking his book over and over (playing a game.) I looked at him and said very quietly, "hey what are you doing?" He looked back and again saw me growing two heads and said, "reading." I looked at him for a few seconds and started to smile and said, "well I find it distracting that you're tickling your book, could you stop?" And BAM the phone went right in his pocket. Kids these days... I'll tell ya. ;)
I think students need to know WHY they are being taught what they are taught. School seems to just be a chore. I am not about chores! I wasn't when I was 6 and I am not about them now. If I do anything "chore" like it is because I know its good for me and benefits me.
Phones are literally the worst thing about my practicum. I once saw a kid have his phone behind his book... I knew he had it there because he kept viciously poking his book over and over (playing a game.) I looked at him and said very quietly, "hey what are you doing?" He looked back and again saw me growing two heads and said, "reading." I looked at him for a few seconds and started to smile and said, "well I find it distracting that you're tickling your book, could you stop?" And BAM the phone went right in his pocket. Kids these days... I'll tell ya. ;)