|
1.
What are the different classes you are teaching this year?
I primarily
teach Language Arts (Reading and English) to all 5th graders
at Westside. Spelling, Vocabulary, Science, Writing, and Art I cover in my
own homeroom as well.
2.
What do you feel will be more challenging as the school year moves
on?
For me, this school year
will be most challenging as I try to find the time to cover all of the
required content. It's really difficult as I don't want to push on ahead
until students have an understanding of a concept.
For my
students, one of the most challenging things they will face is learning
how to handle the new time restrictions during testing this year. In the
past they were given extended time if they needed it, and most students
relied on this. However, with our new testing system no extended time will
be granted, so students will have to learn how to pace themselves in order
to finish on time.
3.
What is the most interesting thing as a whole in your classroom?
Centers seem
to be off to a very successful start this year. Once a week we take the
time to review Language Arts concepts with fun, hands-on group activities.
Students look forward to this day of learning. Two student favorite
centers are Scrabble and Boggle. Most 5th graders today have
never been exposed to these games before. It's enjoyable for me to teach
them games that I remember fondly playing with my grandmother, my mother,
and my sisters.
4.
Describe a perfect year in the classroom?
The perfect
year would consist of students that loved coming to school so they could
soak up every second of learning. There would be no behavior issues, as
their concentration would be on always trying to give their best effort.
And kindness- kindness and helping hearts would be abundant. :)
5.
Have you learned anything from your students?
I have
learned an enormous amount from students I've taught over the last 15
years. Until someone works with elementary children, or has their own
family, you don't really get how funny, ambitious, sad, and intelligent
these kids really are!
6.
What goals do you have for your students?
My main goal
for all of my students is that they will be prepared for middle school:
academically and socially. I hope to instill in them the importance of
following procedures, the importance of organization, and one of the most
important goals of all: being kind to one another.
Mrs. Shirley's Blog
|
