Week #11: Field

What? This week we started our 3 week field experience. Erica and I are in a 6th grade class at Edgemont Elementary in Provo. We haven't had the opportunity to teach yet, but we've observed a lot and we've been helping the kids out, especially with math. I've realized I've forgotten all the 6th grade math I know and I've been relearning it as I help the students with their questions. This has been helpful to me because I realize that just because I've learned something in school, doesn't mean I will remember it when it comes time to actually teach it.

So What? We have not seen the students do very many art projects. They are, however, making a movie about the Trojan War and we were able to see them film some of it. I think this is really helpful to the students. They learn Greek history while at the same time they are developing their language, memorizing lines, learning how to speak clearly and confidently, and having fun. I think this is a great way to help the kids learn Greek history in a fun way that will help them actually remember it.

Now What? I think that observing the teacher and helping the students with their questions will be really helpful to me as a future teacher. I've learned so much about how the classroom works and what things work for the students and what doesn't. A lot of the kids in the class really don't understand the math. It is helpful to see what the teacher does to try to help them understand. When I have my own classroom, I will have to use different techniques to help my students understand topics when the way I thought would work, doesn't work. I could teach a whole lesson and they might not get it and I'll have to find a new way to teach it.