Keep on Rockn' and Rollin'...like a cycle...get it??

The second lesson Arlette and I gave was on the rock cycle.  Our lesson plan had the students using an igneous-crayon-rock to model the natural and physical processes that rocks go through in the rock cycle.  It tied in easily with the Framework Standard which aims to have students be able to explain the natural and physical processes that create metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks.   The kiddos used a plastic knife to demonstrate weathering which brings me to material management!

So many kids!! So many rocks!! Knifes??

Materials management.... it's funny, it all works out so nicely in our lesson plan.   25 kids on paper are much easier to manage than 25 kids in the flesh. It seems so chaotic while it is happening but when I reflect, considering we have a big group and we are dealing with a lot of rocks, it went really smoothly.  I found myself thinking "If only we had enough trays so that each grouping could all be set up..."but i imagine that is part of being a teacher.   Knowing what would be best case scenario, understanding that it just isn't possible, and working the best with what you have.     Much like everyone else, Arlette and I did everything that could be done in advance, in advance.   It makes such a difference.     One thing I do need to manage better is my own material management!! I can't belive how many times I found myself, during the lesson, looking for where I had left my lesson plan and notes.

Our introduction, I realize now, could have done a better job engaging the students in what we were going to do in this lesson, rather than just making a connection to what we did in the last.  It is funny, those first 30 seconds when the teacher turns it over to us is nerve wracking, all those little eyes staring at you, and you want to make your first couple of sentences so engaging.    Then all of a sudden all these hands are shooting up,our kids are so eager to talk and share what they know that the stress is off.

I do feel like I leave these lessons thinking "I will remember this for next time...I should have done this...Wow, they really seemed to like that."   Which is why I totally could relate to this cartoon.

And We're Off!

Arlette's and my unit on Rocks and Minerals got off to a great start.  It started a little shaky with the Internet not working, the projector being down and the kids coming in a little bonkers from recess; but with a quick regroup on mine and Arlette's part and the announcement that science was about to being we and the class hit the ground running!    The kids were interested in our lesson, they actively participated, and they seemed to really be excited by the fact that 'new teachers' were here to teach them.   They seem to be a great group and I hope the rest of our lessons go as smoothly as this one. 

The safety talk was very well received!  We asked the kids to volunteer the safety rules and they managed to list everyone that Arlette and I planned on discussing except for the wafting.   The demonstration of wafting caused a little giggle but I kind of remember it doing so in our Graduate class as well.   Not sure what that says about us.  :)    We monitored for safety throughout the lesson and most of the kids adhered to all the safety rules.  There was some instances of "skin scratch" testing that wasn't part of our lesson plan that Arlette had to deal with but for the most part the kids were great.  To be honest,  I had foreseen lots of rock tossing, but there was none!

Arlette and I make a good team and we are working with a nice group of kids.  I think this is going to be a great Unit. 

Time to Rock and Roll!

To write this blog reflection I had to think a lot about what the next six weeks were going to be like teaching a rocks and minerals unit to a class of fourth graders.   Not what or how am I going to teach but rather what am I feeling about teaching it?

What am I excited about? I am incredibly excited to teach a classroom of kids!  I am most excited being in front of a classroom of kids teaching     The M.Ed. program has given me many opportunities to work with students but typically it has been with smaller groups.  This will be my first opportunity to actually be in front of a full class of kids.  It is exciting to me that Arlette and I will be responsible for teaching these kids something that they really need to learn this year.  This isn’t a superfluous lesson and we are not just there to support the classroom teacher.  We are teaching!!   I am so glad my first experience is with a science unit because I think it is one of those subjects that across the board kids get excited about.   I feel like we are heading in with the deck stacked in our favor. 

What am I nervous about? I am incredibly nervous to teach a classroom of kids (and a couple of professors)!  If I start to think of everything that can go wrong I will break out in hives!  Twenty five students, class right after recess, material I have never taught, kids potentially armed with rocks!!   No matter how much we plan, or anticipate, we are dealing with kids and anything can happen. I am nervous that they will ask me something that I don’t know… or that I will confuse them… or perhaps worse of all I will be boring!  To add to those worries, I sometimes get irrationally self-conscious teaching in front of another adult so I am worried that I will get “stage fright.”   I am confident that my trusty partner Arlette will jump in and save me if any of my nightmare scenarios occur.    

I am so exci-vous to start teaching about rocks and minerals in two weeks! I anticipate the learning curve is going to be steep and I am eager to reflect and see how much I change over the course of the six lessons.