I really can't describe it: my first week of student teaching.
It's been surreal. Everything went so well. My students are incredible; my host teacher is "da bomb;" the staff has been super helpful; my lessons have been successful.
There have been some interesting developments, though.
This morning, before even the homeroom bell rang, I had a student run in hysterics! She hurled herself into the corner of a room and started screaming "I WANT TO GO HOME! I WANT TO GO HOOOMMMEEE!"
This is what was going through my mind:
A. Oh. My. God.
B. Where is Miss Burgess!
There is definitely no schooling that could prepare a person for something like that. I get to school annoyingly early--I don't know, I just like to be early. So, I had no idea how to handle this (considering Miss Burgess wasn't in yet).
Of course I walk over to her and try to calm her down initially. I just wanted to ask her what the problem was. Between a mouthful of tears and mumbles, I heard something along the lines of "she said she was going to kick my ass because my shoes looked like hers, and her boyfriend's going to kick my ass because I told him to layoff with splashing people with water."
So because I didn't know how to handle this, I decided to use my instincts: change the subject. Before I could do this, I had to calm her down. SO, I fabricated this story (yes, completely made up a story) about how something similar happened to me recently. I told her that people can be "jerks."
I then promptly steered her towards my desk. I told her there was something I needed to show her. Then, without a clue what to do, I improvised. I grabbed one of the many YA lit books on my desk and told her that I thought she would like it.
After about two minutes, I got her talking about other things; the situation was at hand. Phew.
I have no idea if this is a good thing to do or not, but I sure am happy she didn't have to run out of the room or freak out, etc. Any ideas on what I should have done differently?
One last thing...
Like I said, I brought in all of my YA Lit texts (the ones I had in Cortland; I'm going to get the others tomorrow). I book-talked a handful of them and put around a sign-out sheet. By the end of the day, I had kids basically fighting over books. They were excited, and Miss Burgess was happy! We even put a list of the ones they were fighting over in the library. They'll be there next week!
I can't describe the feeling of seeing those kids so excited... I love this. Cheers.
Student teaching! Yay! Update me... grade, school, unit etc. Or do you have it mentioned further down in your blog?? I kinda sorta didn't look because I should be in bed instead of reading. P.S. my teaching experience is going much better now--except the school went on lock down yesterday due to a gun on campus and three major fights at once. fun times. hopefully I'll talk to you soon.
Peace
Posted by: Meg | Saturday, September 06, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Meg! Send me an email so I can give you some updates!
Posted by: rayhedrick | Monday, September 08, 2008 at 09:22 PM