Something that has been different this semester is the fact that I get to experience various subjects the students learn in school. I thought I wouldn't like this new change, because I enjoyed working with the kids on my favorite subject, English. However, the more I get to work with the students on social studies and math, the more I enjoy it. I get to learn how the teacher apporaches and introduces different aspects of history. For example, the students have been learning about heroes of the past and making connections to their own lives. It's also nice to see how my teacher appreciates my help and allows me to work more and take more control in the class. I feel like I've been giving more range to work with the kids. Yesterday, I also did paperwork type work for my teacher. I was making folders out of paper and staples. It was so much fun because I felt like a teacher. The more I go to the school, the more I feel like teaching is what I really want to do.

Part 1
Yesterday, I was able to see a different part of my 2nd grade class. My teacher began the day with social studies and later science. I got to see these two subejects begin taught, something last semester I did not. It was interesting seeing how social studies and science is presented to an elementary class. While the class worked on a social studies worksheet, I helped the student who I helped last time. I felt really good knowing I was making a difference in this students educational life. Then, I was able to teach alongside my teacher on the Activeboard. I was nervous, but felt comfortable in front of the classroom. I got the students involved in learning some habitats for animals. I felt like it was a very productive day.


Part 2
As we move on to the work force, being prompt can be the difference between being an outstanding employee and being fired. The importance of instilling promptness at an early age begins in school. The rising problem the school was having with chronic tardiness made the school have to come up with a new tardy policy. The policy states that, no matter the excuse, if you are caught in the hallway after the bell  has rung you will be put in ISS for the remainder of the day. The contraversy this rule has had begs the question of whether or not this extreme measure is effective or not. As a teaher, tardiness cannot be acceptable. Yes, there are those students who view the bell system as a mere suggestion to get to class. Having this severe consequence has had an effect on students. As soon as the bell rings, most students begin heading to class, and when the two-minute bell rings, the school practically becomes a race to get to class. No one wants to spend the day in ISS for a tardy, which does make students prefer to follow the bell system. I believe that from a teachers perspective, this system is working. While it may be a little harsh, it gets the job done. Some students don't follow procedures unless there is something bigger at stake. On the other hand, there are those students who don't care either way and continue their chronic tardiness. These students then begin to miss their classes, which as a teacher would concern me. However, this percentage of students is small and most decide that the smart thing to follow the rule. Teachers experience less tardies and begin the class with no interuptions and ready to get to work. In my opinion, the "no excuses" attitude for being tardy is a bit obssesive. Sometimes there are things out of our control, such as traffic. Yet, it seems like this new policy has had an effect on students. As anything new, the policy might need certain modifications, however, as a teacher, the reduced number of tardies will make for a classroom that runs much smoother and students who follow the procedure.

In class, we have been studying what Harry Wong has to say about being an effective teacher and how prodecures will allow for a teacher to run a succesful classroom. What I found interesting the last time I went to the elementary was that my teacher had Harry Wong's book on being an effective teacher. I began to really notice how she handles the classroom and spotted different procedures she has in place. Something new I saw last Thursday was seeing the students get ready to take a test. My teacher instructed them to clear everything off their desk and be in ready position, which was having both arms on the desk and sitting properly. Next, she handed out the dividers to give each student their space and discourage them from looking some place other than their test. When she saw that everyone was ready, she passed out the test. They, as a class, filled out the name and date and put their pencils down when they were ready. Finally, the teacher instructed them to begin the test. After they were done, they were instructed to check over their work. Lastly, the students raised their hands so the teacher could pick up the test. She had a list of things to do after each t5he test was done, so the students knew exactly what they were expected to do. I found this procedure very effective because the students followed each step and were ready to work. Other small procedures Ive seen my teacher implement is when the students move from the reading carpet to the desk or vice versa. She begins by getting their attention with the signal they've learned and instructing them table by table to go to the designated area. From what I've seen, I think my teacher has a good hold of the students. They seem to follow procedures and intructions.