Placement+1+Wk+2+Experience


 * Monday, Jan 25th, 2010**

Timber Creek High School
 * (*All real names are substituted for made-up names for teachers' and students' safety.)**

It was a very rainy morning on the way to school so the usual crazy traffic was even crazier this day. I felt bad for all the students walking and biking to school in the rain. Soon after the morning bell rang, my supervising teacher, Mrs. Pennell asked me to walk Seth to the school's Speech/Language Pathologist: Mrs. Acquavella. Seth is 19 years old. He is trying to graduate with a special diploma in May. He comes to see Ms. Acquavella a couple times a month. It was still raining and Seth did not want to leave the classroom. I offered my umbrella. I asked him which building and office we were headed and he could not tell me verbally. However, he knew exactly where it was. When we got there, she asked me to sit in her session with Seth and 2 other male students; Don and Regis. They were working on 'Social Language.' They read a real-scenario passage about a classroom situation and made inferences. They also talked about when it is proper to talk and suggest things in different circumstances.

When Seth and I got back to the classroom, his group was reading out of the SCOPE Scholastic Magazine. An article called "Growing Trend' about the garden that Michelle Obama started with students at the White House and other community gardens. This was English class so the students were working on non-fiction main idea.

High school life is full of excitement. One kid Donavon who supposedly loves the outdoors, was bit by a spider over the weekend but surprisingly still came to class that morning. He said he knows that he wouldn't be staying all day. By 2nd period, his leg has swollen up badly and the assistant principal ended up taking him to an emergency clinic because I heard his mom did not want to pick him up. Wow.

The school tv announcement comes on in the beginning of 2nd period. Students hear about school events, weather forecasts, and other things. I met Teri, the only girl in this 2nd period. A vibrant young 16 yr old student in a wheelchair.

Today starts a new semester so the students were introduced to chapter 5.1 Slope Intercept Form. The formula is: y=mx + b. I took notes with the students and followed Mrs. Pennell's lecture. I realized how rusty I am on high school Algebra!

In 3d period Math, Hector the student assistant told me that he has cerebral palsy. He asked me if I haven't noticed the limp on his walk. I told him I honestly thought that was his 'style' of walking. Talon, the 9th grader who has hearing impairments came in class with brochures from the Career Fair that the school was having. He seemed really interested in fixing cars and applying to UTI: a local school to study auto mechanics. I helped the students with their Math workbooks and took time helping each one who needed assistance.

At lunch, I went to the cafeteria to get milk. As I was leaving, I saw the group of ESE students close to the door. I met some of them and boy, let me tell you, ESE students can be the warmest and welcoming people you'll know. One boy smiled and exclaimed, "she's pretty!" and clapped. Teri, the girl in the wheelchair longingly was looking through the glass door and wondered what it's like to be in the courtyard where all the students are. She said she's not allowed to walk out there when everyone else is. Most probably for her safety.

The same kids from 3rd period comes back for 4th period English. Talon was still fixated on his colorful career brochure.

By 5th period, Mrs. Pennell was teaching the same Slope Intercept Form to a different set of students. She mentioned that 5th period is her tough class. The students are all high functioning with only slight learning disabilities. However, they were laughing and seemed un-interested in the chapter.


 * Tuesday, Jan. 26th, 2010**

In 1st period, I got to do something really exciting; Adam took me to see the school's animals! It was a beautiful morning. They have ducks, chickens, pigs, goats, a rooster how was greeting everyone goodmorning!

I got to meet and work with Skyler who is a very quiet boy. He walks slow and hangs his head low. But when asked, he bursts out his answer. Mrs. Pennell says he has seizures.

In 2nd period Math, as I was working with the small group, I realized how some students really need help with reinforcing the correct Math skills. Mike needs fraction help with finding the common denominator. I was hesitant to teach him the way I knew how to do it because his teacher taught him a different way. Seth doesn't quite get the concept of Order of Operations. He has difficulty knowing where to start and end.

Jala in 3rd period talks a lot and she gets distracted easily. You have to constantly re-direct her to her work. Talon works fast since they can use the calculator but he doesn't check to see if his answers make sense. Skyler works quietly by himself on his desk.

* I noticed that this group of students (Talon, Mike, Jala, Scott, and Skyler) grasp "some Match concept" but not completely.
At lunch, I wanted to eat at the cafeteria to mingle with the kids but I was intimidated when I saw the stampede of thousands of students hurdling to the cafeteria. Maybe another day.

The students were able to use the Internet on 4th period to find the meaning and synonyms for the worksheet from "The Legends of Sleepy Hollow." They like it when they get to use the Internet, of course. I know this is a way I can keep my future students interested in different topics.

In the future, I will also advocate for more than 2 computers in each classroom so the kids can really take advantage of all the learning they can get.

As the students used dictionary.com, I noticed that dictionary.com was a little complicated for the students. They were confused and distracted by the ads that were popping up and the ones on the side. The information can also be overwhelming. With their intellectual level, they need a lower level source for vocabulary such as the Yahoo dictionary for kids. This website is much more simpler and user-friendly. Th students are motivated and wanted to finish their class work. I found out later that they have to do homework if they don't finish their work in class.


 * I realized that high school Math is hard! If I'm ever to teach it, I need to do a whole lot of studying and prep beforehand. I was asked fraction questions and didn't know the answers!

Today I had a chance to sit in an IEP Meeting. However, the mother did not show up. The student did not need to be there so it was just the school placement lady, school counselor, and Mrs. Pennell, the ESE Chair. We sat there for an hour. I learned that even when the parent does not show up, the meeting is still held and papers are still signed at the end. They told me it was just a re-evaluation so it wasn't a big deal.


 * Mrs. Pennell has done a great job introducing me to as many faculty and staff as she can. Everyone I've met has been very welcoming and helpful so far.