The last few weeks have gone by so fast. I am more excited everyday that I step into my classrooms because of the possible impact I am having on the students. I have noticed that the students are starting to bond with me because I am closer to their age. However, I still do not understand how and why students form that bond with teachers. From what I have observed so far, I can see what the students have come to like and dislike about teachers they have encountered (not to mention being told flat out why they hate a teacher). I am going to try and take this information and use it for when I begin to teach these students, which will be next week.
In my second week at school, I was able to witness an altercation and how a teacher responded to it. This was an interesting thing to witness and much unexpected at the time. The bell rang for class to be dismissed and passing period to begin. One of the students, I will call him C, emerged from my class and bumped into a rival out in the hall. It was at this moment that C blew up and tried to attack the rival. The teacher next to my classroom, Ms. M, stepped between the altercation and grabbed C. She held C up against the lockers, all the while he was fighting to get passed her. The assistant principal finally stepped in the relieve Ms. M and at that time I approached her to make sure she was ok. She had red marks all up and down her arms and was visually shaken. I am not sure what the training is for these situations, but I do know that without her interruption in the altercation far worse things would have happened. I have learned from this event that I definitely need to research protocol for these situations, so I can be better prepared in case I encounter this activity in my classroom or in the hall when I am alone.
Now, in my third week, I have become more of a part in the planning and teaching process. For my five to seven day unit I must teach, I am going to be working with small groups of students, nine at a time, and we will be working for three days on reviewing the elements of a narrative story. The groups will then switch and I will be given another group for three days. I am still torn on what story to use, but I am contemplating using a story that involves multiple conflicts to help the students better understand the various conflicts such as man vs. man and man vs. nature. I ask my fellow educators, if you have any suggestions of good short stories or activities I would love to hear them. I have been given the workbook to find a story, but I would like a better resource for a story that will be more intriguing and captivating. This week they are working on “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Monkey’s Paw”, so anything that is similar would probably peak some interest, however I would really like something different. I am excited to begin to teach my own lessons and will make sure to update this blog more often. Hopefully!
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI think I know exactly where you are coming from in the aspect of how teachers and students form that bond. It is a mystery to me as I have witnessed an all out verbal barrage against a teacher from a student and the next day it's like the teacher is the kids' hero and all is forgotten. I don't understand it for sure, but I think that is one of the great things about kids, they tend to have a short memory.
I am seeing some progress in creating bonds with my own students just merely by walking around the room and asking them questions and asking to be filled in and letting them lead the conversation. I think some of the students are having a hard time saying my last name and are shying away from asking me questions so it is up to me to seek them out a bit.
I don't necessarily want to say I'm glad you saw an altercation between students but in a way I am glad for you so you'll have a better sense of how to react. What were your thoughts about the incident? Did your CT share their thoughts with you? It could be beneficial to you to know what your role is in that sort of situation, I know I am certainly confused about what I should do if I encountered such an altercation.
Good luck on teaching your unit, I will keep an ear out for some interesting reads you could consider for your lesson. You will do great!
Kyle,
ReplyDeleteMy CT never said anything to me about the altercation. The teacher next to my classroom was the one involved and her and I talked about it. I could tell from her tone and physical appearance that she had almost had too much. It was horrible seeing her that way, but it was a good experience for me. That experience showed me that it is ok to be overwhelmed at times and stop to take a breath and re-gather yourself.
I am not sure about the Wichita School District but I know some districts student restraint is forbidden without specialized training. So be very careful until you consult with administration about their school policies. It seems silly to not stop an incident in progress but even employed teachers can get sued for laying hands on a student in any way, let alone a WSU student pre-student teaching in the district. Your best reaction as a pre-student teacher is to alert other staff and keep other students back verbally.
ReplyDeleteThat said, what a horrible thing to have to see, but unfortunately inevitable. You handled it well, going to the teacher involved to help her.
As far as stories: it might be too adult but "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a good one. "Appointment in Samara", my mother has even used that one in middle school. "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell and "Riki-Tikki-Tavi" by Kipling are good pieces as well.
Good luck with teaching your unit and with any future incidents.
You have to be very careful about what you do in situations like that. Often, the extent of what you will be allowed to do is to throw yourself in between the students like a human barricade (with all the damage that doing such entails). If you've ever known anyone who has worked with extreme case students on the elementary level, then you would know there are several different techniques that have to be employed there to restrain students, but it's usually mandatory that teachers and paras attend special courses to learn the best way to do this without injury to themselves or the students. And yet, still you will probably come out with more than your fair share of battle scars.
ReplyDeleteMs. Hart, thanks for your post! I have to ditto what Ms. Black said about staying clear (physically) of student fights and calling your mentors/colleagues to break it up. As a WSU candidate, be sure that your only interaction in that situation is verbal.
ReplyDeleteI also have ot agree with Ms. Black that "The Most Dangerous Game" is an excellent choice (students love it) for man vs. man conflict. You can read the full text here: http://fiction.eserver.org/short/the_most_dangerous_game.html.
You also might consider Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" for man vs. man conflict. Full text: http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lotry.html.
You might use these websites to preview the texts and then make sure to get an accurate copy from the library (or a textbook).
I would also like to agree with Dr. Mason and Ms. Black that "The Most Dangerous Game" would be a good story for your unit. It will encompass the man v. man and the man v. nature conflicts very well.
ReplyDelete