Student Teaching Experience Week 6

During the week of September 23rd-27th, my 11th grade classes wrapped up the Progressive Era (1890-1920) and my 9th graders wrapped up ancient Egypt. 

With my 9th graders, I used Google Earth to look at Egyptian pyramids, which is the first time I have used Google Earth while teaching.  I enjoyed using it as a resource, but it was slow to load and I felt that I should be using it differently.  What I had done is set up a bell ringer question that asked the students about the size and structure of the blocks that went into these Egyptian pyramids and then projected Google Earth's version of the pyramid of Giza.  I'm sure there is a better way to use it in the classroom that involves the students a little bit more.  Instead of being observers, I could have them asking more questions and navigating it. 

With my 11th graders, I was pleased to see how seriously they took their test.  Their test was on Friday and this was the first time they have taken a big test this year in my class.  We reviewed on Thursday with a fun Jeopardy game, and the students paid attention to those questions, clearly studied their notes, and performed well on their tests on Friday. 

As far as notebooks go for the 11th graders, I was disappointed for the most part with how they are keeping their notebooks.  Everyone seemed to have a story while I was going around collecting their notebooks.  "Miss McCoy, my notes stop here and then continue on in this section of my notebook" etc.  I had a student hand in his/her notebook and then 10 minutes later hand me a loose sheet of paper that goes in between page 3 and page 4.  I need to bring it to their attention that they need to be keeping up with their notebooks throughout the week and asking me if they need anything for notes that they missed for multiple days in a row.

I still need to be better about reflecting on my lessons.  This will help me help my students.