Teacher Mom

Posted on 10/25/09

BethAnn, I have to agree with Steve as well as the other
posters in that you are being too hard on yourself and
misinterpretating the students comment. My interpretation is
that the other teacher is missing the mark becuase the
students are not interested in her work. I can remember when
I was going through my undergrad studies and the professors
used to stress that worksheets are "busy work" and highly
frowned upon!

I know that each child learns differently however you appear
to be covering all aspects as you are utilizing several
methods to get across to your students and apparently it's
working. :-)

As Steve stated when children are having fun they do not
realize all that they are being taught which is why every
situation is a learning opportunity. Your diverse approach
seems to be meeting your students needs as long as they are
activley participating in your discussions and they are
responding appropriatley.

I think you should keep up the good work and maybe "Ms. X"
could take some pointers from you.

-Teacher Mom

On 10/24/09, BethAnn wrote:
> At the football game last night, I was talking to a couple
> of my sixth grade students. They have me for language arts
> and another teacher for math and science. They said that I
> was their favorite because Ms. X. gives them at least five
> math worksheets everyday. They said they don't really do
> that much in my class. I just smiled and said that our
> subjects are very different. I was horrified. I don't
> want to be thought of as the "easy" teacher.
>
> We do one worksheet, or other assignment, for each subject
> I have (reading, English, spelling). On top of that, we
> usually do at least 40 minutes of reading. During that
> time, we discuss what we are reading. I have a list of
> higher-level thinking questions that I ask, and we talk
> about our responses. Students are also required to read on
> their own for about 20 minutes. They do a "bell ringer"
> grammar activity and write in their journals. About every
> other week, we have a complex writing assignment.
>
> Okay, so are they just not challenged enough? I am using
> 6th grade curriculum, so I think it should be on their
> level??!!!
>
> Am I putting too much weight in their remarks? Being a
> beginning teacher really stinks. It's like all I do is
> second guess myself. This is my second year teaching, and
> my first year teaching these subjects.
>
> Thanks for helping - this is really bugging me.
>
> BethAnn
>

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one