Questionnaire

Beginning my first year of teaching I have been thinking about the kinds of programmes to set up in my classroom. This has proved to be somewhat of a challenge as my lectures have recommended setting up a programme that caters for the needs of you students.

Well after a couple of weeks of teaching I still feel that I don't really know these children and their needs.

Another teacher at my school has sent home a small questionnaire to the parents about the child. This asks things such as current likes, dislikes, family cultures and anything else the parents think that I should know.

I found that after sending this out, the information I got back was really helpful as I could use this to guide the conversations I had with children (particularly the quiet ones) and help build a positive relationship with them. It was also helpful to use this information with my planning and t try to incorporate some of the things that the children like in their learning programme.

Room 7's Class Treaty

At the beginning of the year I discussed with Room 7 the expectations and rules for them. This correlated with the Treaty of Waitangi and the children begun to learn about the significance of this event. After talking about this we set up out own class treaty and the children signed it with a finger print. This is something I refer to when desired behaviour is being displayed and when undesired behaviour is being displayed.

Boundaries

As I am teaching Year 2 children it it very important to make the teaching of boundaries and expectations very explicit. This is something I was thinking about when it came to teaching the children about the school, where things were and where the children can and can't go.

On the very first day of school I took the children around the school and showed them where everything was and I explained all of the boundaries. As I went I took photos. These I created into a slide show which we revisited the next day. This reinforced the information I explained from the day before.  The visuals helped as a reminder as well.

Mid-Week 3 Reflection

Woooow! Week 3 already! It is amazing how fast the time goes!

Room 7 are beginning to follow routines better and better. We had to practice stopping, looking and listening for a bit as I noticed that I was starting to talk over top of children. We rehearsed this for a while and the children are much better at stopping and listening.

I have begun implementing my reading programme this week which involves must dos and can dos. I have 6 groups. I want to have time to really look into and break down a book so I see three groups a day and the other groups read all together. The children know to move onto their 'can dos' when they have finished their 'must dos.' I am monitoring their noise level at this point in time and their choice of activity.

I am now in the process of creating writing, maths and phonic groups for next week. I am using the data from last year to create my groups. I am looking forward to getting these underway so that the children are involved in a more structured routine.

I am thinking about my handwriting programme. At the moment I am teaching handwriting in a whole class context. However after a couple of weeks I may change this to a rotation. This will help me monitor children's handwriting more closely to check that they are forming their letters correctly. At this point I am thinking of having approximately 3 or 4 groups. One group will be with me with their handwriting book, one group could be forming letters with playdough, another group could be using the whiteboards. I will keep thinking about this and might make a plan.

I am working hard to keep in contact with parents. I am emailing them with reminders when something is coming up. I am aware of those children whose emails are not working so those parents get a written note home. I have sent out an introductory letter about myself. I also am making myself available from 8.30-9 and after 3 to talk to parents. Meet the teacher even is on Thursday 18/02. This will be a great opportunity for me to meet any parents that I haven't met yet.

Reflecting on Dezaiah's behaviour-He is looking for attention by calling out and being disruptive. I have spoken to his previous teachers and they have recommended that I be fair and firm with him. They also recommend that I set up a behaviour management programme for him. They say I need to get to know him, find out what he likes and build a relationship with his mother. I have created a racetrack and a contract for Dezaiah. He must obey his contract and his car moves forward. If he doesn't then his car moves backwards. When he reaches the finishing line he gets 10 minutes of free time on the computer.

Week One Completed!!! It has been a very exciting first week. We completed a class treaty while spending at least three sessions focusing on the Treaty of Waitangi. I also spent some time explaining the expectations of the school, where the children can go, their boundaries etc. The children are aware of the expectations of going up and down the stairs. I am happy with my classroom set up at this point. I can see everyone easily and there are not places where the children can hide from me. We did some circle time activities which helps the children to get to know each other. This has helped me to begin to get to know them. I decided to do an orienteering activity to help the children get to know where things are in the classroom. The language on the sheet was a little challenging for them. But the children really enjoyed the activity and it was great to see communication and team work :). There was some feedback from a parent about the sun shining on the bags during the day making their lunches very hot. I put up some black paper on the walls and this seems to have worked. I am thinking of using each window as focus for each term for care, share, learn and grow. :) I am already aware of some behavioural issues that I need to address and I am in the process of talking to these students previous teachers for advice on how to approach their behaviour appropriately. Next week.... I want to address their lining up and walking about the school. Very scattered! I also want to start a bit more art next week so that the children can be proud and more excited about their classroom. Overall I can't wait for next week. I am feeling very excited and positive at this point :)!!!!