This week was very different from last week in that my schedule completely changed. While last week was spent mostly planning and creating activities, this week I was able to try them out. I had the opportunity to teach a full class on my own and create and execute activities for the middle schoolers. Overall, this week had a very important part in my project, and I learned a lot.
One thing that is very important when teaching is time management. It is important to be able to fill a class block with activities that the class will really benefit from, while at the same time prioritizing certain things when class time runs short. While teaching Mikaela’s French One class, there were a few things that we did not get to, but everything tuned out just fine. We reached all of my biggest goals during the class, and they all seemed to really enjoy what I had planned. I also learned that when you show a substantial amount of enthusiasm about the subject you are teaching, it can raise the level of enthusiasm of the students as well. They want a reason to get excited about what they are learning, and sometimes simply standing there and talking to them will not work. I tried to make things more fun and share my own passion for the language with them, to show them that learning a foreign language can be really beneficial in life. This included telling them about my own experience living and studying in France, which was a new and exciting idea for many of them, especially the younger ones.
I really enjoyed having the chance to teach an entire class entirely by myself. It was a large responsibility, but I loved every second of it. The classes were attentive and respectful, and put in a lot of effort to do their best and stay engaged. When you get a positive response to your hard work, it makes planning for the next class even more fun. It’s a great feeling when really take to what you’re saying, and when you know that they are learning. I realized that I really enjoy helping others understand, and that even though it can be a challenge, the moment that they do reach a level of understanding is really awesome.
I was asked to create a project for the students at the middle school to do that is centered around French culture. I took the time to create a task sheet, rubric, and list of project topics for the students to choose from. This was a good task for me to do because it showed me how much work and attention to detail is needed to create an effective project for students. Ms. Greenly was very excited about my project, and the students are set to do it next week. I am also anxious to see how they like the project, and whether or not each part will work out.
The most surprising element for me this week was seeing how quickly class time can go by, and how valuable each second is. While I sometimes wished that I had more to do with the classes, I valued each time that I did get to lead an activity or spend individual time helping the students. I think that is the part that I enjoy the most. Individual help is very important in the learning process, and being able to help just one student better understand something is a real accomplishment for me. I can definitely take what I’ve learned and apply it to the last week of my project, which I hope will be the most successful and beneficial.
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