I start Student Teaching tomorrow!

sofiecusion

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
1,756
Purraise
4
Location
Wisconsin
Today is my last day of sanity and to sleep in for awhile.....

I have 21 2nd graders. I already met them and the teacher. They all seem so great!

Any advice so I don't wear myself out?!?!

How can I stay chipper like those that teach the young are supposed to be?


 

mamacat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
1,355
Purraise
3
Location
The beautiful borough of Queens, NYC, NY
Lots of echinacea. Every person I know who works with kids (teachers, teaching assistants, etc.) caught everything under the sun their first year.

Good luck to you--can't wait to hear how it goes!
 

snowleop

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
2,176
Purraise
2
Location
Georgia, US
Originally Posted by mamacat

Lots of echinacea. Every person I know who works with kids (teachers, teaching assistants, etc.) caught everything under the sun their first year.

Good luck to you--can't wait to hear how it goes!
I have some experience working with young children (not a lot) but from the experience I do have, this is my advice:

Yes, echinacea is good. Also, take a mult-vitamin everyday, get lots of sleep, drink lots of water, and carry around some hand sanitizer with you. You really need to keep your immune system strong when you are working with little kids.

Be aware that working with kids there are bound to be lots of mishaps, mistakes, and accidents but it's all a part of the experience (theirs and yours), so don't let these things get you down.

Oh and, if you can, give yourself 15-30 minutes to get away from the kids. I found a little break (even a walk around the block) helped refresh me.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!! What I love about kids is how they can open up parts of yourself you forgot were there -- your imagination, your creativity, and your sense of wonder. They also can be extremely honest and extremely open with their affection for you. Let yourself enjoy these parts of your job and don't get bogged down in the little things like runny noses and bruised knees!

Good luck! You'll be great!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

sofiecusion

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
1,756
Purraise
4
Location
Wisconsin
Beth - 2nd graders are kids in 7 - 8 year age range....not too young, but not big kids either....the way I like it...potty trained (not many little accidents), but not sassy!

LOL

P.S. - I already take multi-vitamins, calcium, potassium, garlic, and magnesium everyday!

 

flisssweetpea

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
8,885
Purraise
4
Location
At the kitty's beck and call
Originally Posted by sofiecusion

Beth - 2nd graders are kids in 7 - 8 year age range....not too young, but not big kids either....the way I like it...potty trained (not many little accidents), but not sassy!

LOL
I was guessing so, but I'm not familiar with the US system. I teach 18+ Uni students, they're great because if they're troublesome we're under no obligation to teach them. The years between 7/8 and 18 I don't think I'd enjoy teaching too much - too much attitude and no way of getting rid of them


Best of luck - I did a bit of teaching with 5/6 year olds when I was younger - they were great!
 

fwan

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
13,279
Purraise
2
Location
Australia


my bfs little sister is a 7 yr old and she is driving me nuts

the worst thing is, is that she thinks im a little kid too


good luck, id love to be a little kids teacher, teaching abc and 123
 

lilysmom

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jan 23, 2004
Messages
514
Purraise
3
Location
New Hampshire
Ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to make mistakes! And enjoy the kids, laugh and have a good time!
 

stormy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 7, 2003
Messages
10,359
Purraise
21
Location
NJ
I have no advice, I just wanted to wish you good luck!!!
 

dawnofsierra

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 24, 2004
Messages
16,678
Purraise
24
Location
Loving my beautiful baby girl
Originally Posted by SnowLeop

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!! What I love about kids is how they can open up parts of yourself you forgot were there -- your imagination, your creativity, and your sense of wonder. They also can be extremely honest and extremely open with their affection for you. Let yourself enjoy these parts of your job.
Such wonderful advice Colleen and from everyone! This is what I was going to say, though. Working with children is just so wonderful, yet sometimes can be quite trying to your patience! Remember how precious each and everyone of these children are!

Congratulations on your big day, you're going to be fabulous! Please let us know how it goes!
 

cirque

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
1,086
Purraise
1
Location
Rochester, NY
Drink Vodka, they wont smell that.. Just kidding! It sounds like you are going to have your hands full with 21 of them though! I thought a few cats was rough, but I can't fully appreciate what your going to have to deal with trying to manage 21 running, screaming, biteing, hitting, crying and a few sweet children. Lets hope there are more nice ones then mean ones. However, if you get any that tell you that you have a big butt, don't let it bother you. That just seems to be what some kids say now a days.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

sofiecusion

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
1,756
Purraise
4
Location
Wisconsin
LOL....I'm sure they'd notice if I drank from my "water" bottle all day!!! LOL

Well, today was fine. I mainly observed and helped our where I needed to. They have so much energy. An EBD student asked me to help double knot his shoes and he flipped out at me saying I wasn't doing it the way "he" wanted. I guess they think he may be OCD as well. He also threw a fit in the hallway and took off into the bathroom. The specialist and HER student teacher (the only other one at that same school) came and got him. He threw a fit in the morning too. Guess that is to be expected after a long weekend.


Other than that, everything has been good. Everyone seems nice. Hopefully I can get through this everyday.

 

laureen227

Darksome Duo!
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 3, 2003
Messages
19,260
Purraise
387
Location
Denton TX
Originally Posted by sofiecusion

LOL....I'm sure they'd notice if I drank from my "water" bottle all day!!! LOL

Well, today was fine. I mainly observed and helped our where I needed to. They have so much energy. An EBD student asked me to help double knot his shoes and he flipped out at me saying I wasn't doing it the way "he" wanted. I guess they think he may be OCD as well. He also threw a fit in the hallway and took off into the bathroom. The specialist and HER student teacher (the only other one at that same school) came and got him. He threw a fit in the morning too. Guess that is to be expected after a long weekend.


Other than that, everything has been good. Everyone seems nice. Hopefully I can get through this everyday.

these kids can flip out at things most of use would consider extremely minor... i know, i'm a special ed teacher & have worked with them. no one expects a student teacher to be able to handle an ED kid... i suggest you take your cue from your supervising teacher for interactions with him.
you'll love working with them, & by the time you have to take over, you'll know everyone's name, behaviors, etc. just keep healthy!
 

batgirl2good

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
9,015
Purraise
3
Location
Statesboro, GA
This is the best advice I ever had! Start off hard. It's easier to slack off than it is to tighten up.
(I've taught for 22 years. Every year, I start off as hard as nails.)
 

pinkdaisy226

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
6,808
Purraise
13
Location
Oregon
Glad to know your first day didn't put you off teaching forever! Sounds like you're doing great - and will do great!
 

catlover67

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2003
Messages
498
Purraise
1
with 17 1st graders!! I also met my cooperating teacher and her students. She is very nice and her students are going to keep me hopping for the next 5.5 months!! I am looking forward to teaching in spite of some of the jaded responses from seasoned teachers I have seen on here recently.

I have worked at MANY different jobs over my 37 years, and believe me, most have their down sides and some were just downright ROTTEN.
 
Top