last entry

Guilty of not updating.

But I have finished my term long project.

In total, I have taught 2 senior lessons, 1 freshman lesson and 3 third-grade lessons.
It was a lot of fun and the experience has taught me a lot. I've learned to have a bit more patience, especially with the younger children.

I put up the bulletin board in one of the corners of the school and it looks a lot better than how it was before. I hope it catches some more attention.

Lastly, I put together a short video/dvd on my overall project. I also did not realize how difficult it is to put together a video. I learned that the video, audio, and text run on different tracks. Therefore, if i insert another video, my audio and text fall behind in the film. It was pretty frustrating but I am satisfied with my end product.


This experience truly taught me a lot. If i had to redo this project, I'm sure i would have- I probably would want to do more.

As a future career, I dont believe i wish to be a teacher or environmentalist. Although I do believe I am capable of speaking infront of a large group of people, I dont think i would be able to handle teaching- AT ALL. I've gained a greater respect for teachers because it is truly difficult for one to stand up infront of 30 students who are loud and obnoxious.

May 4, 2008

Okay. So it really has been a long time since I last updated but I promise, much has happened.

I've been very busy with AP studying and other such and such. Playoffs are coming up real soon.
--

Over Spring break, I taught third graders at NYCAC [New york christian alliance church] in chinatown, ny. It was a really fun experience. This is not my church, so I do not know the children I taught. They all responded actively and seemed very interested in what I had to say. it was a group of 15 third graders. I taught 3 times. The last lesson was an interactive lesson where I brought items and three trash bins. They had to sort out their own garbage.

The teaching part of project is finished.
At the end,
-2 Senior lessons
-1 Freshmen lesson
-3 Third Grade lessons


Now I am waiting until my AP is over [tuesday] and then I'll go to work on the bulletin board on the 4th floor.

I also want to write an analysis paper and create a PSA or commercial of some sort about recycling or the environment. I HAVE 23 DAYS !

Wednesday

Today was the last WISE class with Ms. Gamba. I taught the class one more lesson on what goes in which colored bin. It was easy and interesting. We all had fun.


It is much easier to teach senior students than freshmen students. I also got the borders and started cutting out pictures and such for the bulletin board.

I also must create a PSA or quick skit/video on recycling.

My goal has changed many times since February.

Week whatever

So I havent been making a habit to update.

The following week after I taught my wise class, I taught Mr. Rumpolo's freshmen class. I found it quite difficult. It was much harder to teach freshmen and/or gain their attention. I felt like they wanted to learn but they asked many many questions and talked while others spoke. They lacked much respect for one another or for the teacher. It was a bad experience but it's an experience nonetheless.

I want to teach my WISE class one more lesson. My only chance is this Wednesday because it will be the last time we're meeting as a class until the presentations. I guess i'll have to create a whole new lesson. We'll see if i can get it done in time.

Both lessons lasted about a good 25-40 minutes. The freshmen class took longer to gain their attention inbetween statements. I suppose the first time you do a presentation, it's always better the first time. I guess that is totally true because my freshmen class lesson SUCKED. I acted different an I asked questions that I wasnt sure of the answers. Smart me.

The bulletin board. Yes.
68" x 24"
-How much water do you use
-Did you know? facts
-Little things MIDWOOD can do.
-??

and i dont know what else.

Thursday

It has been a week since the last update, but yesterday I finally had my first lesson.

I taught my senior WISE class. It was a new experience and it taught me a couple of things. One must always be energetic when teaching a class. The your attitude reflects the topic you are teaching. It was a fun lesson. I went through an intro, briefing, and an exercise. I also put foward the idea that students do know more about the simpsons than environmental science.

It is quite difficult to control a class. I suppose I had to regain control of the class a couple of times but this was only because they were expressing their "wow"s about the topic. I'll post up my complete lesson another time.

I took some pictures- as proof- and overall it was a good experience. I don't believe I was that nervous- perhaps because it was my own classmates but I may be much more nervous about teaching the freshmen. My senior class knew a couple of facts but I believe i taught them enough.

I believe i accomplished something yesterday.
New realization: being loud and upbeat really helps the class to focus.

Tues.Weds.Thurs.

I feel like I have so much going on.

But these days I feel a bit more organized.

RECYCLING IS THE TOPIC !
FOR SURE !

Finally. I'm finding a lot of information on recycling. This is helping me a lot.

Half way through planning the first lesson i hope.
Not much free time before I have to head out for practice so I'll be getting back to work.

This upcoming weds is the day i'll be presenting to my senior wise class. Hope this goes well.

Monday

Okay. Project took a turn.

I talked to Rumpolo about my situation. I really felt like there was a lot to cover while teaching the students about environmental science. So we decided that I should focus on one aspect. I chose waste management and recycling. I think this would be most appropriate for city/urban students.

I realized that this is one aspect of environmental science that is still very vague to me. I need to read up on it and learn it myself first.

APRIL 2nd- teaching WISE class.
So i better get started.