Reflection Week 4 Courtney

This week I got to transition back into Amber's room and teach language arts. Although I enjoyed teaching math, I am so much more comfortable and confident teaching language arts. I really missed my home base and I enjoyed being welcomed back into the community. I love all the kids on Team 53, but that home base does hold a special place in my heart.

I got the opportunity to begin a mystery unit. Monday I did the scavenger hunt and it was a BLAST! The kids keep asking if we can do it again, and sadly I do not think that is going to happen. So much work went into setting it up, and I seriously could not have done it if Amber hadn't been there to set up between classes since we have three switches.

I read the book, " The Web Files", and all three classes got really into it. They wanted to take the book and read it again when I was done. I was overjoyed to see them that into a book. I also read "Yo, Yes" and did an inference lesson with them that they were completely into. They also loved to act out the book. During my last week, I plan to do the other book, "Ring Yo", and have them write a story of what is going on. These are great books to teach inferring and get the kids to act. I can't believe how much they enjoy being up in front of the class. My lower level children especially enjoyed this. I wish I had been able to take pictures it was so fun! We started our murder mystery and it was very engaging for the students. I have also tried to get back on track with doing word study for a little break up in their days. I enjoy teaching word study because I feel as though some of the kids are just more confident with that sort of thing in Language Arts if they are not that into reading and writing.

At our PD this week, we were talking about how the students should be writing 45 minutes per day, and I don't feel like we do this in language arts class. I am going to try to get them doing this more this week, even though they really like to complain when I give a writing assignment. The one I have planned seems a lot more engaging then ones in the past have seemed and I think the way I am going to go about doing it will be a lot more fun. I am going to do the mystery in a bag, but I am going to include them writing a recipe for their mystery which will be a really fun graphic organizer that allows them to be creative, but still have an idea about what needs to go into their story, since their are so many components of a mystery.
I am excited for the next two weeks and I seriously cannot believe my time lead teaching is almost over! It is insane to think that four weeks have already passed. I love it so much, I can't imagine not teaching everyday all day!