Over six weeks have gone by since my first day as a student teacher, and boy have I learned a lot in a short amount of time. I must say that I am truly enjoying my time. I completed my first unit on Monday which was over compare and contrast essays. We started off by learning the different ways to structure a compare and contrast essay. We read several stories and used graphic organizers to expand on ideas. This was for my Senior College Prep Class and overall it was rather successful. Grading essays is definitely a process but so far it appears that the students understand how to structure a compare and contrast essay as well as create a thesis and develop ideas. However, I was a little disturbed with the students’ inability to put sentences correctly together. Sentence fragments and run-ons appear to be a problem across the board. Yet, I was pleased with their ability to follow instructions and structure the essay in a trait by trait format.
However, I am wondering whether anyone else has difficulty getting their students to turn assignments in on time. Out of 34 students I only had 10 students turn their papers in on time. 10 STUDENTS!! This seems extremely crazy to me. They had plenty of time to write the paper and were even given class time to complete their rough draft. This just does not make sense to me. My CT does enforce the late policy which is an automatic 20% loss if not turned in on time, but this does not seem to faze my kids whatsoever. Does anyone else have problems getting their students to turn their work in on time?
My biggest issue with student teaching deals with the fact that the students do not see me as “the teacher”. Heck I do not even feel like these are my classes and my rules. I am always extremely anxious to step on my CT’s toes, and it is hard to enforce rules that my CT does not make the students follow. Now don’t get me wrong, my students have never been disrespectful in any way but I feel like trust is lacking. For the most part, when I give a suggestion or an answer the students take it and move along; however, there are a few who will look to my CT for confirmation. I understand why they do this but it still can be bothersome. For me, I think it is hard to adapt into an environment that does not truly belong to me. This makes me extremely excited to get my own classroom in the near future. The trust continues to grow as the days go by; yet, I wish it would grow faster!
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteYou are not the only one who has a hard time getting students to turn work in on time. Out of 70 freshmen, only about 20 turned a very large and important project in on time. They were given two weeks of class time, plus an additional week outside of class to finish the research project [completing 20 notes with 3 credible sources and making a PowerPoint presentation from those notes]. It amazes me that my students are content with taking a "D" for what would have been a "B" if it had been submitted on time. I think it’s insanity. Even now, nearly a month after the original due date, I am still urging students to turn the project in for half credit. I sound like a broken record every class: "All late work is due March 9th. You have until then to finish and submit your project. Receiving half credit can boost you a whole letter grade." EVERY class. Seriously...
I am lucky that my students do treat me like their teacher. I have freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. There is no reason that I can pin-point, except that sometimes when I am teaching, my CT will go run an errand that causes her to leave the room. By doing this, she is letting students know that she trusts me to lead them and that she expects them to come to me for help.
I have no doubt that you are doing a fine job. Just keep smiling and encouraging your students. If they choose not to work or participate then that is on them. They need to understand that you are equipping them with the tools for success, but they must use their own hands and their own minds to make success tangible.
- Mercedes
P.S. If there are twenty million typos [my norm], just laugh at me.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteYou've really struck a chord in me with this blog post. I also struggle with the ever-elusive trust issue; some days, I really feel like everything's ducky and students ask for me, want me to answer their questions, want my help on in-class work, etc. And it's a great feeling! But other days...well...yeah. Not so much. Sometimes, if looks could kill, I would have died many times during many class periods. Some days, students seem to want nothing to do with me. And that sucks. However, I believe the trick is to never let this emotion show. Sometimes, students are like a rabid pack of hyenas, and they will single out the student teacher--gazelle--who seems weak and puny, and prey on her. Your countenance should always reflect your professionalism--even when you instruct them and they look to your CT for confirmation. You cannot help the fact that you entered the classroom at semester, and for some students, the newness of your presence is still wearing off. And that's okay. Some things just take time. When you have your own classroom, things will be completely different. But for now, you're pretty much trying to adapt to an environment where you weren't able to set ground rules, and so you just kind of have to...participate. And really, one of your main objectives should be to enforce your CT's rules as best you can--even when your CT doesn't (and you may have to talk to your CT about this...). Consistency is great practice! Plus, your students will take you more seriously when they realize that you're enforcing your CT's original expectations!
As far as getting students to turn stuff in on time--ugh. I think we can all sympathize with that. A Late Paper Policy is only effective when it's enforced. And what sucks just as much is that those policies are so varied among teachers. I am a strong proponent for a school-wide late work policy (and one that's enforced 100% of the time), but I am not a position to do anything about it--yet. Perhaps you might try reminding them--every day if need be--about turning stuff in on time. You could also segue into a little chat about responsibility--why it's important and why it will increase in its importance once they enter the "real world." Another idea (and I HATE to suggest this, because I don't get what's so damn hard about getting your stuff in on time...sigh) would be incentives. Even little things--stickers, candy--can encourage students to turn work in on time. And unfortunately, the hard fact remains that some students simply do not care about turning in their work on time--they never have and never will. I know how frustrating this is. But all you can do is make your expectations clear and encourage them and help them do their best.