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I have been full-time teaching for a few weeks now and I have to say the day goes a lot faster! One of the reasons it goes so fast is because the 5th graders change classes. It has good points and bad points. I like getting to see different faces and getting to know all of the students. However, when it comes to grading tests and collecting the activities they do, it is just triple the work! I graded their chapter test one night and I had to grade 70 tests altogether. It took me a little over 2 hours to do so. I can't complain though, thats just one of the things that goes hand in hand with teaching haha all the extra work that is done outside of the classroom. It is one of the best feelings while grading papers and seeing students who struggle do well. I'm so proud of them when I see that they can exceed their expectations of themselves. I also love seeing their faces when I pass the tests out and their "YES" expressions. I know they feel their hard work has paid off. It still breaks my heart when those select few don't do well though. I make study guides and try my best to help them but I just don't know how to get them motivated and really study the material at home. I've asked students who don't do well if they studied and most responses are no that they didn't have time to or they forgot. They know in advance when the test is and I make sure everyone writes it in their planner. I feel their homelife is a factor and if the parents or whoever their guardian is isn't making studying a priority then they most likely will not. Maybe more communication with parents and asking to them play an active role could help.

Red Ribbon Week!

This week is themed "Red Ribbon Week" to represent taking a stand against tobacco and drug use. The students signed a petition that they will say no to those harmful substances. Then each student receives a red ribbon to wear thoughout the week. Each day is different: Monday: Put a cap on drugs; wear a hat. Tuesday: Sock it to drugs; wear crazy socks. Wednesday: wear red. Thursday: saying no is no sweat; wear sweatpants. Friday: School Spirit; wear school colors. I love seeing all the kids get into ech theme for the day. I've been going along with it as well. I have to say I am looking forward to sweats day the most haha. I like having themed weeks that have a meaning behind it because the students get really into each day's theme but are learning that they are dressing that way for a specific reason. I especially feel strongly about this theme because I am in a 5th grade classroom and this is the age where they may start questioning these issues or be presented with them. They will be going to middle school next year and there is no doubt in my mind that the children will be experimenting with these issues. I hope this week leaves an impression on them and in someway gets through to them to really say no against tobacco and drug use. I hate seeing kids grow up too fast and really want my students to not only learn about the content material in school but to learn about things that build character and morals. At this age group it can be hard to stand up to your peers and students need to know that they can still be "cool" and do what is right! =)

Is Vocabulary Important To You?

My Action Research is on integrating the creative arts for vocabulary comprehension. Before I start trying different things, I wanted to get each student in my homeroom class to give me their input and answer a few questions. I made up a survey for everyone to take. The questions I asked were:
Do you think learning vocabulary words are important? Why or why not?
Does understanding what each vocabulary word means help you better understand reading a story? Why or why not?
How do you study for your vocabulary words before tests?
What are some activities that you would like to do in the classroom to help you better comprehend a vocabulary word's meaning?
Do you like visuals when learning new vocabulary words? Why or why not?
After my students finished this survey I analyzed it by seeing how my students study for vocabulary and what their preconceived thoughts are on the importance of learning vocabulary. I also took into consideration their ideas of activities that they would like to do to see if it something I could implement into my action research. At the end of my 6 weeks I will give another survey asking students questions that see if they liked the activities that were tried throughout the weeks and if their thoughts on the importance of vocabulary has changed as well as their study habits.

Full-Time Teaching

Next week is when I start my full-time teaching. I will be now teaching Reading, Spelling, Language Arts, and Science. I'm used to the way Reading, Spelling, and Language Arts are done but taking on Science will be new to me. The 5th graders change classes therefore I will be teaching Science 3 times during the day to the different classes. I'm nervous being that Science isn't my strongest area. I am also nervous about doing experiments and demonstrations because I hope to successfully teach the material so that the students are really learning and grasping the material. I may have to do some studying and refreshing my memory on the science concepts being taught! I think as long as I really prepare then it should go well. I'm excited to getting to know the other 5th grade classrooms better. I've only been teaching my homeroom and with the other two classes I've just been helping out but now I will be actually teaching them and get to know every single one of them. I'm really enjoying 5th grade! I didn't think I would care too much for this age group being that I am used to the little ones and have always loved being around them. I am finding out fast though that 5th graders still have that loveable and innocent side to them just as the little ones do and I am having so much fun connecting with them on a personal level as well. :)

Behavior Management

Something I have tried implementing recently is a behavior management tool. The 5th grade students tend to talk out a lot without raising their hands and by this age I feel they should know what is expected of them. They should be used to a structured environment and be more responsible being that they will be going off to middle school next year. Maybe it is the hormones kicking in and them wanting to do what they want but I think discipline is very important in the classroom and having things under control plays a role in a student succeeding in their academics. There are classroom rules up in the classroom that the students are aware of such as completing the morning routine, locker times, and raising hand, etc. I told the students anytime they break a rule then the first time would be a warning, the second then they would have to write the rule they broke 5 times, and then the 3rd time they would get a stick taken out of their name pocket. Each student has a stick in their name pocket that is hung up in the room for everyone to see. By the end of the week if no student has a name taken out of their pocket then I would pick out something from the suggestion box. The suggestion box is where I allowed students to write ideas on a piece of paper that have to be appropriate and educational related to something that we could in school. The students love it and get excited if I pick from the suggestion box. However, students are still tending to talk out but I think it is because it is my fault for my not being more firm with them. I think if start enforcing the rules they will be more apt to follow them.

Time Management

This coming week I will now be teaching Reading, Spelling, and English. I'm a little nervous because of time management. All three subjects are to be done within an hour and twenty minutes. In the past, I am used to doing 45 minute lessons just on one subject. I guess I am just worried about making sure I cover everything appropriately and get what needs to be done. However, I do not want to go too fast just fit to fit everything in and then the lessons not be of enriched quality. I want students to still get what is being taught and not just a matter of getting everything done. I think as long as I balance everything it should be fine.
The first day might be a little shaky but once I get the feel of how everything plays out then I will have a better grasp on managing my time and how I should plan everything. I will get a feel of what I know can be done for each subject area with that alotted time. I'm looking forward to teaching more content areas because I find myself getting more and more comfortable as each day passes and adding on another subject makes it even more easier for me to understand how the classroom works and I'm getting to know my students' needs and abilities more as well.

Getting Students Motivated

Last week and this week I have been teaching Spelling and Reading. One of the things I have noticed is that students have a hard time getting motivated in the classroom. Many students tend to get lazy and not care to pay attention. A lot of students do poorly on tests and do not keep up with their homework assignments. Something that all three of the 5th grade teachers do is give out stamps when students are "caught being good". After they receive so many, then they are rewarded with the choice to have free time on the computer, eat lunch with a friend, etc. It works really well with some of the students but there are still those select few that just dont seem to care either way. I really want students to get excited to learn and study. I feel like when I was in elementary school everyone got A's and B's. I see so many students failing and getting below average scores. Today I told the students that they were having their Spelling test on Friday and that if every single student got at least an 80 percent on the test then I would have a surprise for them next week. They got excited when I told them that so I am hoping that this is something that could get them motivated to want to study and do well. I also want it to become something that turns into a good habit for each student. I don't want students just doing well because of a reward but because they see the importance in getting good grades. I guess we will see Friday how the students do and if it is something I should continue to do. Perhaps each week I may raise the goal of the test grade being higher.