Hey my fellow teacher canidates.
Omgosh, I absolutely love the school. I'm trying to learn everyones name and get involved. Everyone is so helpful but most of all, I love my grade 9s and 11s. They are so smart and have such interesting questions! We got into really great discussions and I even made them feel happy about their wrong answers. I asked them what do you think would have more chromosomes a chicken or a human and a bunch said the same or less, one person said more. I said, "the answer is more! But I liked how you used your previous knowledge to come up with a new hypothesis or new reasoning. I would have guessed the same thing. Generally complex things have more to them...Humans are more complex creatures and I would have also thought we would have more information than a chicken. You used what knew to answer the questions.. and essentially that's what scientists do! They make predictions and try and try again so thank you for taking chances. That was a very intelligent answer. So funny, the student was like yup and looked around nodding proudly. Today couldn't have gone better. They were so engaged, more so than usual. And I almost puked in the washroom beforehand but as soon as I got up there counted in my head and took a breath and talked about the questions they had last class. We got so deep into it. There was a lot of improv when I wanted to clarify things. And I got a "oohhhh I get it" and that felt wonderful! They asked some questions that I didn't know because it was so advanced like if we fused chromosome 2 in chimps can they become humans... and I was like "I don't know you, you tell me. I don't think anyone knows. Hopefully you can find out if we can. your all future scientists there are so much to find out". And even the normally bored students were engaged. I was like" I know some of you sit in class staring at the clock and thinking when is this going to be over... looking at the time" One student was like "that's so me" and I said "Scientists study the cell because you gotta look at the big picture. Alot of cancer emerge because a LACK of control of the cell cycle. So these things are important! Biology is the study of life so tie the units to your life. Improve the way you learn when your on the brain unit... We're still discovering things about the cell function and DNA we need fresh, bright minds.." One student went "we need samer" XD (his name) It was the keener in the class. Oh I loved it. I might have taken forever to work on these slides and read but that one hour of teaching made it all worth it. :D Probably the smoothest, best presentation I ever had. I was nervous 2% of the times. It's so different presenting to young students eager to learn than your peers for marks.
My grade 11s, had a bio technology activity to mimic restriction enzymes and some students had difficulties but I helped them and they were appreciative. One student complained about the instructions but really, a lot of students got it and a lot of students seeked for help. So dealing with the grumpy students aren't so bad because you have so many other students that appreciate you.
So a few ideas for when you present a powerpoint, it's so much better having one point at a time. These grade 9s don't really know how to take notes so I give them one point and I elaborate on it... make them think. The more I talk about something and slow down the more they understand. I definitely don't zip through anything like I normally would. I answer everything with a description, a picture, or analogy. That seems to work best!
My collaborating teachers are great! I'm sticking around to observe a few parent teacher conferences. I observed a faculty staff meeting. I'm getting involved in a bunch of things. Being a teacher is so much work, but so fun. plus even when I'm not teaching I love my subject, I don't mind reading biology and learning.
Anyway I got so passionate I couldn't stop raving about it.
Anyway, tell me about you! How's it going?
Thanks for everything, hope everyday was like today..
Jennifer
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