Ch7 #2
Read and discuss the quote from a teacher on page 144. She explained, “I’m the type of person who wants to do it right. Since I’m not really sure what to do and how I’m supposed to organize my notes, I’m too nervous. I can’t seem to get started.” Do you feel the same way? What can you do (or advise her to do) to feel less nervous?
May 9th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I can really relate to her frustration, especially on getting started. Some days I have it set in my mindwhen and how I am going to observe; however, my plans can change drastically throughout the day. I have not figured out a consistant system for observing. What I try to do is find out what works for other teachers and try to fit that into my own schedule.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I don’t feel nervous about observing, but I find it difficult to do the observing sometimes when great things are happening in the room. I don’t like to jump up and run to get paper and a pencil. I should find a way to have the paper and pencil near by. I liked what I read in the book about scheduling a special time each day. I usually observe during small group. I guess I would like to make a different time each day. I need to work that into my plan next year. Like Jenny, I would like to find out what works for other teachers.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I can relate to what Jenny says when plans change drastically throughout the day. So often I plan a time to observe and all you know what breaks loose. Those days you just do your best to get things back on track and forget about it! Cindy, have you tried carrying a clipboard with you? I carry one all around the room, and the kids don’t even notice it anymore.
May 11th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I’m not nervous about observing but like Cinda I get carried away in the moment and don’t want to disrupt the activity. Julie’s idea of carrying a clipboard is good one! I think it would let me see other areas to observe rather than the ones I targeted.
May 11th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I think carrying a clipboard is a great idea as well Julie. I just started doing that before I went on maternity leave and have to get back into it. It did really help me the month before I left. I can also totally relate to Cinda, I never get nervous to observe, but I also don’t like to interrupt a good moment. It is a hard thing to get into a routine on as we all must change our routines often when dealing with preschoolers. I think it is one of those things you just need to try new things and if they fail they fail. It is not something to get nervous about or worry about, that won’t help with observing. I am definitely new to observing this year. I thought I was doing it well before but since we started this grant I realized all the things I haven’t been doing. I hope my system continues to work as well as it has been.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:02 am
The clipboard idea is great. I started out the year doing that and it was very easy and effective. For some reason I stopped but it did make writing down observations much easier because it was accessable.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I can relate to the quote from the book, when trying to get started at something new. That is how I felt at the beginning of using the open court curriculum. I am not nervous either about observing and find it helpful to have note card and clipboards placed all around the room for quick grabbing.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I know that it is difficult to learn and try new things if your nervous. Thats why it’s important to review the material make notes on index cards and keep them by you. I think its important to remember you can never do it wrong with children if your having fun. I know that I’ve felt the same way at group that I could have presented it differently ,but I call it learning from my mistakes. I think you have to be prepared and have your notes close by and have fun, kids always love you.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I agree with cinda in that observing does not make me nervous but finding the time and enough time does make me a little stressed… I think that observing is something that we all naturally do but it’s the recording and organizing of those things that makes us a little “apprehensive”. When do we find the time to do these things and do so in a fare and adequate manner… in other words if we do find the time are we catching all students and are we catching what we need to “catch”.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I think finding a balance between what needs to be done and a method that works for you is the best way to lessen apprehensions. Progress monitoring was one of those situations for me, and I took in many suggestions and tweaked them all until a method seemed to work for me. Ask others some of the ways that they do things, just to gather ideas and create your own system. Luckily Lisa gave me her chart and method for doing progress monitoring and I was able to work with it to make it fit for me. I felt so much better while I was teaching, and it made handing in my data so much easier!! Thanks Lisa!!
May 13th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I understand this quote very well. It is how I feel when trying new things. I remember when I first got this job, how overwhelming it is!! But when you set your mind to something it is easier to tackle the task. I found it helpful doing peer visits to other Head Start classes and teachers. It is helpful to see how others manage their time and classroom. I also try to start at one task at a time. Like I first tried to get the daily schedule under control and other teachers insight seemed to be very helpful. It is very helpful to keep an open mind and hear what works well for others and arrange things to fit the way you are able to manage them.