Hey guys,
Back to the grind, and I am finally feeling somewhat challenged. My first practicum was always enjoyable and I didn't really ever have to work at being a teacher...it sort of came naturally.
But now I'm teaching grade 8s chemistry (grade 9 Atoms and Elements Unit) and it's a whole other story! These guys, especially the boys, couldn't stop talking if their lives depended on it. I learned more today about teaching than I learned all last practicum. I discovered that my natural strategy, of starting with information, and then showing them cool things (chosen so that they understand what they are looking at), will not work in junior high. I am resolved, in the future, to always start with a cool chemistry demonstration (I have an idea of what I'm going to do next class) and then providing the explanations and information. Also, I have to implement a classroom management strategy because I am having to repeat myself 5 times to people who did not pay attention the first time. Ultimately though, I would rather hook them on chemistry than have them understand minute technicalities that seemed so important to me before the class, so my expectations have to change to accomodate this.
So I'm not really frustrated by this result; I'm encouraged that things can really improve now that I have a plan to improve them.
Tomorrow I have a double period with them, and I start teaching grade 11 chemistry too (Organic Chemistry Unit), so it's just getting busier for me. I hope everything's going well for everyone else.
Chris
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