EDEL 1010

 My cooperating teacher engages the learning of her classroom in various ways. Mixing up teaching styles is a concept on I have listed on my map. One way the teacher has done this is by allowing me to run some of their math problems in the morning. Having a new teacher, a new face, can help the kids because they may be paying more attention due to the fact it's a new teacher, with a new teaching style.  Another way she helps her students engage their learning is by having student led discussions. During the time I'm there, it is usually math that she is working on. Sometimes she will have student volunteers run the class through a problem giving the student a chance to teach and solidify the techniques as well as engage the students with the use of a student leading the discussion on the problem.  Sometimes the teacher will pass out a paper with questions on it regarding a science film they will be watching. The students are to fill out the paper while watching the film. ...

 This week I noticed something special in my cooperative class. The teacher I observe moves the students desks around almost daily. She does this for a few reasons. The first reason is obviously because sometimes students get to sit next to each other who distract one another and moving their desks is best. Another reason is because the teacher sees students who struggle with feeling isolated. Moving the students to new tables is her way of finding students who may connect better in an attempt to help them feel more accepted. Sometimes she may keep students near each other who help another student feel part of the group. This was a great example of encouraging a positive classroom community.  I walked into the classroom one morning to witness the teacher spending a good amount of time loving tell her students she loved them and they were needed in this world. I'm in a 5th grade class and being this age can bring a lot of anxiety for children, since they are going through puber...