Nothing says welcome back to school after a snow day like an observation. Luckily I was well prepared using my snow day to get everything ready and printed for me lesson. I can’t say it’s much easier as a second year teacher than a first year. I still feel the spotlight on me and pressure to be asking higher level questions, differentiating, and managing behavior all while speaking French. Luckily, I was speaking French right as my observers walked in. The kids were engaged for the most part working together using maps and speaking and writing in French. I had a small hope after yesterday’s snow day my observation might’ve been rescheduled, but now that is over I can breathe a sigh of relief. Observations often don’t come in the best of circumstances but I’m feeling calm and fairly confident in my lesson. Here’s to smooth sailing the rest of the week.
In today's edition of "kids say the darndest things", I had a student who walked into our second-period French class with only 10 minutes left in the period. I know that this student lives within walking distance. I also know this student is a great story-teller. Towards the end of the class period, while students were completing their final class activity, I went over to the late student eager to hear his excuse for today. He explained that he was late because "my turkey ran out of his cage". I was surprised and amused by this story. "So I went to the slaughterhouse on Friday to pick up a guinea fowl and a turkey" he began. "I had the turkey in a cage in my living room. This morning, my grandma woke me up and yelled 'the bird is out of its cage!' So I got up and went running around outside my house to find the turkey. Then my grandpa woke up and yelled 'what's going on here?' Then I told him about the turkey. So anyway, th...
I can definitely relate. I'm a second year teacher and so far this year I've been observed 3 out of the 4 times I'm required to be. The second time I was observed it was the week before Christmas vacation. This last time was the day of our Valentine's Day party AND 30 minutes before it was to start. I still get a little nervous and cross my fingers that none of my kids choose to turn into little terrors. But hey it's another observation done and you can relax a little.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Anna Maria! Observations are not the most fun aspect of teaching but definitely feeling relieved to have another one complete.
DeleteObservations don't really ever get easier! It sounds like you did great, and in reality- we are always doing "our job" whether it's the actual act of teaching your subject or all the "other stuff" we teach/do for our kids!! Don't ever feel like you're "not good enough" because you totally are!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and for your words or encouragement Jenna! I definitely have the "not good enough" thoughts sometimes but I know that is all in my own head.
DeleteI hate to tell you but I still get observation gitters...and it is my 27th year as a teacher! I guess we can both celebrate wanting to do the best we can, especially when we are being watched.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading Sally! Yes, it's a good sign that we want to do well!
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