OK, so my last entry was back in August, waiting to hear about my first student teaching assignment. And now I'm waiting to hear from my 2nd placement master teacher... at least I know who it is. I'll be working in 5th grade in a poor area--very different from the very middle-class school where I did my 2nd grade first placement. What to say about that experience? It was so-so. I learned a heck of a lot, of course, and I enjoyed the kids, but I didn't click with my master teacher. Still, we got along OK, and the knowledge that things could have been a lot worse (heard various horror stories from my classmates) makes me a bit nervous waiting to hear from my new lord and master (mistress). Still, I am rather excited about this placement. I requested the area, and they read my mind and gave me 5th grade, which I think I would really like to teach. So, here's my chance for finding out! And my chance to find out if I can cut it in a really low-income school--that is, can I live up to my ideals? And also, can I deal with the commute? Not a long one, but still... if it seems like a big problem, better to find that out now than after I'm committed to a job.
Let's see if this time around I will actually be able to blog, unlike last quarter. In fall we were required to keep a daily journal--which I did, sort of, like the good little student I am--so I didn't exactly have much urge to write any more. But this quarter that's not required. I know we have to keep another kind of journal for our supervisors, to show how we're hitting all the vague and redundant Magic Teacher Points that are required for graduation. Since I didn't get a lot last quarter (seemed to depend on who your supervisor was) and since I finally now understand what is required (all was revealed at my evaluation meeting last quarter--oh NOW you tell me!!) I have come up with a template to use for these "reflections" that hits all the MTPs for each lesson I teach. BUT perhaps the blog will be a chance to write some of that fun stuff that I don't want my supervisor to know!
Once again, watch this space!