Monday, May 10, 2010

Reflect, reflect, reflect.


I learnt my first two big lessons in teaching last week.




  1. don't try to fit a whole unit of work into one 45 min lesson


  2. don't do a really cool activity with 1/4 of the students and not think the other 3/4 will really want to do it too.


Other than these two biggies I'm learning a lot from my two mentor teachers. Today Amanda taught me that not every moment needs to be a teaching moment. Some task are for discovery. I have been watching two very good teachers over the last three weeks and my stress pendulum is starting to shift. I don't spend so much time in panic mode anymore. I'm beginning to spend more time in 'I could probably do this' mode with short burst in panic mode before I put on my teacher inner voice and say 'I can do this. I don't have to be all knowing and all wonderful. These girls have been doing this job for a very long time. I'll get there too.' And most times I believe it and when I don't I fake it.



Saturday, May 1, 2010

I got my ass back

Ass = Uni Assignment

I haven't written a uni essay in 10 years and this assignment is the infamous last minute one. Before I got my assignment back the lecturer posted some general comments for all the sudents. The basic gist of the lecturer announcement was that there are some people who did well and others who did not. Because of the speed with which I produced mine I was certain that I would be in the later category. Turns out I wasn't. I got a credit which is better than a pass. I was so pleased, it gives me just enough boost to think that I could possibly do alright in my studies this year. To top it off I have done two quizes and in both I got 29/30.

Yay Me!