This past week flew by. I taught two more math lessons, a science lesson, and wrapped up the week with a math review. I can't believe my time with my third graders is almost over.
I loved teaching math this week. I wished I had filmed it, but since I had enough footage, I didn't. Things went smoothly and the students volunteered, were quiet, and grasped the concepts of pictographs and frames and arrows. For number patterns, my favorite lesson, I first had them think about where they see patterns. We found some in the room, on clothing, and in art I showed them. Then, I showed them three groups of numbers that either went up or down by the same number every time and asked them if those numbers were a pattern. It was fun to see their reactions as we discovered that numbers do in fact form patterns. I then had them put colored circles on black paper and make their own frames and arrows (with white crayon) and hung them in the room.
For the science lesson, the student teachers in our third grade team were in charge of it. We set up thermometers outside and had each class come out to see whether the thermometers on black paper or white paper were warmer. I wish there were more opportunities to be outside. After that short break in the sunshine, I felt like the kids were more ready to learn for math afterwards.
One of the biggest things I discovered this week was how hard it was to teach with a cold. My nose was stuffy, and the only thing I kept thinking was, "Man, I hope I am saying this right! I can't even think straight." It is good to know though, that my lessons were successful despite the pounding in my head. I am rather sad that this next week is my last with my kiddos, but eager to see what it brings as I teach grammar, writing, and whole group reading.
I loved teaching math this week. I wished I had filmed it, but since I had enough footage, I didn't. Things went smoothly and the students volunteered, were quiet, and grasped the concepts of pictographs and frames and arrows. For number patterns, my favorite lesson, I first had them think about where they see patterns. We found some in the room, on clothing, and in art I showed them. Then, I showed them three groups of numbers that either went up or down by the same number every time and asked them if those numbers were a pattern. It was fun to see their reactions as we discovered that numbers do in fact form patterns. I then had them put colored circles on black paper and make their own frames and arrows (with white crayon) and hung them in the room.
For the science lesson, the student teachers in our third grade team were in charge of it. We set up thermometers outside and had each class come out to see whether the thermometers on black paper or white paper were warmer. I wish there were more opportunities to be outside. After that short break in the sunshine, I felt like the kids were more ready to learn for math afterwards.
One of the biggest things I discovered this week was how hard it was to teach with a cold. My nose was stuffy, and the only thing I kept thinking was, "Man, I hope I am saying this right! I can't even think straight." It is good to know though, that my lessons were successful despite the pounding in my head. I am rather sad that this next week is my last with my kiddos, but eager to see what it brings as I teach grammar, writing, and whole group reading.