Friday 18 May 2012

Substituting in "T-Division" 2

     Yesterday I was very happy to be substituting in "T-Division" again. I was actually able to be in the same small school as I was in on Tuesday, only this time I was in a Grade 2/3 split class of 10 students. After my substituting experience on Tuesday, @MsBarteaux shared with me that when she was working as a substitute she would take photographs, with permission, of all the things she loved in a classroom to keep for future reference. I thought this was a wonderful idea! I mean, in the past I would take note of things that I liked or didn't like but I had never consciously organized my ideas like that. I wasn't able to take photographs of the class I was in, but here are some of the things I liked from the Grade 2/3 class:


Organization! Organization! Organization!
classroom organization, how to organize your classroom, classroom organization tips, classroom storage tips
One my favourite classrooms from "Dandelions & Dragonflies" blog
This teacher was definitely one of the most organized teachers I have ever seen. Everything was well placed, easy to find and easy to work around. Even with everything being in French I was able to figure out where things were.
Each student also had a brightly decorated burlap bag hung off the front of their desk where they would put papers/assignments/books/etc that were to go home at the end of the day. No more looking through your desk at the end of the day, just grab whats in the bag and you are good to go!

Making Do With What You Have
creating displays in the classroom, working with the layout of your classroom
It reminded me of a display case like this one!
 It was clear that the classroom had previously been designed as a science classroom and the back of the room housed a large glass-enclosed work counter with hookups for gas and water for science experiments. I imagine that those hookups are now turned off because the teacher had used the area to highlight the theme or unit they were working on at the time.
It worked perfect because the area was enclosed and had a separate set of lights right above it so with the lights turned on it almost looked like an interactive museum display showcasing all the things needed to explain the unit. It looked really neat and was a great way to work with the preexisting set-up of the classroom.

Spelling Pre-Tests
using whiteboards in the classroom, whiteboards to engage everyone
Students in the Netherlands using whiteboards in math.
Our afternoon consisted of a weekly spelling test and the introduction of a new spelling unit. Before the new words were introduced I was instructed to give the students a pre-test to see what words they were already familiar with. I was surprised when each student took a small whiteboard out of their desks and used them for their pre-test!
Each student would write the word to the best of their ability and hold it up for me to see. I thought it was such a neat way to give the test without wasting paper! Plus the students LOVE the opportunity to use their whiteboards so they were all working very hard.


Hope you like these ideas as much as I did!

6 comments:

  1. That's awesome that you get to see different classrooms and get all different teaching ideas. I love the display area that is lit up... very cool! Subbing will be an option for me if I don't find a job in the fall, but I am not sure I want to, since it would be like my first day of work every single day! I'd be very nervous!

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    1. Yes we are very fortunate to be hired on as substitute teachers until the end of our school year (the end of June). Its great to meet so many people and see so many different classroom styles. I LOVED the display area too, I hope my future classroom has a neat feature like that. It is a bit nerve wracking to be a substitute because sometimes I feel like I am impeding on another teacher's area but it is good experience.

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  2. I am a sub as well and often take pictures of the classrooms I am visiting. I do this when student teaching as well. With those pictures, my blog, and pinterest, I am able to keep a journal of all the great ideas I have and the things I want to do.

    Misty
    Think, Wonder, & Teach

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  3. I subbed for half a year after I graduated and learned so much....especially about classroom management! =)

    I am a new follower to your blog and I love it!

    I am going to be doing a book study about Conscious Discipline this summer and I would love for you to be a part of it! =)

    I also have oodles and oodles of *freebies* that I'll be sharing this summer. =)


    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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    1. I know what I mean! Subbing is such a great opportunity to practice classroom management because you get experience in so many different classrooms that are used to such a variety of classroom routines and procedures.
      I am so happy that you are enjoying the blog, I'd love to help you out with whatever you need :)
      I'd be more than happy to share some of your freebies on my blog this summer too!

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  4. Very informative and impressive post you have written, this is quite interesting and i have went through it completely, an upgraded information is shared, keep sharing such valuable information. Plan Management

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