This was what my week was like:
Subbed 4th grade for half a day for my mentor teacher. It was very easy to me since I knew her routine, her rules, her expectations. The students attempted to snowball me once, but when I used a term I knew my master teacher uses, they KNEW they couldn't get-a-way with nothin'!
Subbed full day for a Lifeskills class. This I was nervous about since I have no special ed credentials. Fortunately for me, the teacher left great lesson plans and I had two paras in there. I had one tough student who we ended up having to call the parent, only to find that he hadn't been on his meds for two days. This made me feel better, since I was feeling terrible that I didn't know how to control his behaivior. I even got desperate and offered candy! In the end I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed teaching them and at how responsive they were to me.
Subbed a full day in the resource room for students who I pulled out of class to work on writing and reading. The morning was with one student at a time and who all had autism. This was challenging but I was able to get them to look at the book and sometimes say a word with me.
In the afternoon I had small groups. I did, however, make one major faux pa: When entering the classroom, I announced that I was subbing for Mrs. - - - and that I was here for - - -. When I collected the student and we were in the hall, the student was clearly upset with me. When I asked why, the student commented that the class makes fun knowing that this student is being asked to leave for help with reading. I felt terrible that I hadn't been more sensitive. For the remainder of the day, I did not announce who I was in for, just collected the student.
Again, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed subbing for the resource room.
My week ended with subbing for an all day kindergarten class. I loved it!!! Kindy's are definitely my area. I like the quick pace of moving quickly from one subject to another (they don't have along attention span you know!) and I love to sing songs and dance around and color!! They were all really good, even the three that I was warned about. At the end of the day, I rewarded all of them by placing a glitter star sticker on their hand, saying that they were all shining stars that day.
It's amazing to me how this age, all in the world is perfect when you have a sticker on your hand.
But, I will admit, that when I walked into each classroom, each day the same thoughts went through my head, "What am I doing? What have I gotten myself into? How can I possible teach like this teacher?" Yet, once I sat with the assigned, and perfectly organized, lesson plans, and once those students have entered the room, the day has run quite smoothly. I am amazed that I love this subbing thing!
Subbed 4th grade for half a day for my mentor teacher. It was very easy to me since I knew her routine, her rules, her expectations. The students attempted to snowball me once, but when I used a term I knew my master teacher uses, they KNEW they couldn't get-a-way with nothin'!
Subbed full day for a Lifeskills class. This I was nervous about since I have no special ed credentials. Fortunately for me, the teacher left great lesson plans and I had two paras in there. I had one tough student who we ended up having to call the parent, only to find that he hadn't been on his meds for two days. This made me feel better, since I was feeling terrible that I didn't know how to control his behaivior. I even got desperate and offered candy! In the end I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed teaching them and at how responsive they were to me.
Subbed a full day in the resource room for students who I pulled out of class to work on writing and reading. The morning was with one student at a time and who all had autism. This was challenging but I was able to get them to look at the book and sometimes say a word with me.
In the afternoon I had small groups. I did, however, make one major faux pa: When entering the classroom, I announced that I was subbing for Mrs. - - - and that I was here for - - -. When I collected the student and we were in the hall, the student was clearly upset with me. When I asked why, the student commented that the class makes fun knowing that this student is being asked to leave for help with reading. I felt terrible that I hadn't been more sensitive. For the remainder of the day, I did not announce who I was in for, just collected the student.
Again, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed subbing for the resource room.
My week ended with subbing for an all day kindergarten class. I loved it!!! Kindy's are definitely my area. I like the quick pace of moving quickly from one subject to another (they don't have along attention span you know!) and I love to sing songs and dance around and color!! They were all really good, even the three that I was warned about. At the end of the day, I rewarded all of them by placing a glitter star sticker on their hand, saying that they were all shining stars that day.
It's amazing to me how this age, all in the world is perfect when you have a sticker on your hand.
But, I will admit, that when I walked into each classroom, each day the same thoughts went through my head, "What am I doing? What have I gotten myself into? How can I possible teach like this teacher?" Yet, once I sat with the assigned, and perfectly organized, lesson plans, and once those students have entered the room, the day has run quite smoothly. I am amazed that I love this subbing thing!
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