This Is Harder Than It Looks-Week 14

   Just finished the second week of my World War II unit and feeling very confused.  How in the world do teacher's create unit plans which the students not only find enjoyable, but which they can learn from?  I once asked my cooperating teacher how he designed unit plans that were so seamlessly woven together, and he said that it was the result of many years of experience, finding things that work and things that don't work.  I smiled a little when he said years, thinking it couldn't possibly be that hard.  As it turns out...he was being very modest.
   As I worked through my lesson planning for this week, I began to realize how much time and effort could go into a lesson which was mediocre, let alone a lesson which was good.  I couldn't believe how anyone could produce such good lessons in such a short amount of time, as well as making all the necessary copies and setting up the classroom for the lessons.  I thought that by this point in my student teaching, I would have everything under control...but it just goes to prove I have so much more to learn.
   I guess the lesson I took away most from this week is similar to the one I learned as a driver.  When we are young, there is a tendency to think we are great drivers.  Similarly, I thought that I was doing great as a teacher.  This week has been a humbling experience in that I see that what makes a great teacher--and a great driver--is experience.  And that is something I'm only just beginning to get.

The Best Laid Plans-Week 13

   Spring break was over, and it was time to go back to school.  For me, the beginning of this week offered two challenges: I had to get the students back on track again, and I had to do it all on my own.  That's right, this week would be the first week I would be completely on my own, with no help from my cooperating teacher.  I had to design the lesson plans, find my own resources, and execute the lessons all by myself.  This week would be an eye opener in more ways than one. 
   In planning the lessons for the week, I had to cover Germany and the hyperinflation which led to World War II.  I had found a great simulation website which would allow the students to see the results of price fluctuation.  I planned to jigsaw the lesson: for the students to work in groups, fill out a worksheet, then teach their section to the rest of the class.  I thought this would be the first great lesson I designed on my own.  The students all had their own devices, so they could all view the simulation themselves.  On the day of the lesson, I couldn't wait for class to start.  Then...things started to go wrong.
   It turns out that the simulation I thought was so great would only work on computers--not on mobile devices.  My lesson plan came to a screeching halt.  I had to pivot quickly to save the class, but what I had planned was completely thrown off track.  Fortunately, my back ups allowed me fill the class period and save the lesson.
   I guess my take away from this week was even a seemingly perfect lesson plan can be derailed by unforeseen circumstances.  Even if you don't think you need backups, make sure to have them--they may end up saving your lesson.