Well, I learned how to say "Good Morning." It's today's blog title! (One of the little girls in today's class told me she spoke Russian, so I had her teach me a sentence.)
Anyway, got called a little on the late side today, and of course, whenever that happens it's when I'm called to go all the way across town.
I arrived to learn that there was a student teacher in this class. I also learned that they were all expecting a different substitute to come (one who apparently had accepted the job earlier). Not quite sure what the explanation for that is, except for maybe the other sub got sick. The student teacher was doing a teacher degree program - not a bachelor's degree. She told me she'd taught for many years as an IA in the schools.
So she was experienced with kids and didn't really need my help at all. Of course I got the standard, "How many years have you been subbing?" followed by the obligatory, "Oh! So is subbing what you want to do or do you want your own classroom?" Honestly, I think I'm about ready to start answering this question by saying "Yes, I just want to substitute" because it avoids the inevitable pity-, advice-, pep talk- or I-just-can't-believe-you-can't-get-a-job-speeches. The first three mean well, the latter is just annoying. Today I got a little bit of the second, followed by a smattering of the third. I've sat through worse.
So she was experienced with kids and didn't really need my help at all. Of course I got the standard, "How many years have you been subbing?" followed by the obligatory, "Oh! So is subbing what you want to do or do you want your own classroom?" Honestly, I think I'm about ready to start answering this question by saying "Yes, I just want to substitute" because it avoids the inevitable pity-, advice-, pep talk- or I-just-can't-believe-you-can't-get-a-job-speeches. The first three mean well, the latter is just annoying. Today I got a little bit of the second, followed by a smattering of the third. I've sat through worse.
Anyway, she taught the whole day today. I made some flashcards, and prepped a few envelopes and popsicle sticks for a word game. I also gave each kids their spelling test individually (Some of them I gave them two tests because the student teacher showed me which words she thought I should test them on and it turned out the be the wrong list! I got about halfway through before I figured it out.) Then I worked with a few kids during math activities and writing.
They were a cute class, and MAN did they have a lot of chanted back-and-forth responses. The teacher would say "Class" in some sing-song voice or multiple times and they'd reply "Yes" in a matching tone or number. They also did this thing where the teacher would say "mirror open", they'd repeat and then mimic all the hand motions she made while giving directions. Then she'd say "mirror closed" and they'd all stop. It was interesting. Couldn't really see if it helped them pay attention....it sort of distracted me! :)
3 comments:
The "mirror" thing sounds really strange. I think I would be annoyed listening to it but I guess if it works for her it's OK. Sorry about the sub/teaching comments. Have these people been in a cave the last few years and not seen what has happened to the teaching jobs? I'm glad it doesn't get to you too bad. All in God's timing - which is usually not ours. :) Love you!!! MOM
Hahaha. She gave you the wrong spelling list? Thought she didn't need any help. You could have said, "How long have been an IA?" Then given her a nice long pep-talk on the importance of knowing what she's doing if she really wants to be a teacher. That's probably not a very Christian attitude for me to have, but there it is. I wanted to bop her one just reading your story.
Love you lots! Hugs,
Rhonda
Ha Rhonda - I guess I phrased it wrong! SHE didn't say she didn't need my help - she was actually very grateful for the stuff I did. That was just me saying she didn't really need my help at all! :) And apparently she's only been in the class for a couple weeks and the actual teacher had been doing the spelling tests and hadn't shown her exactly how to do it yet.
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