Conquering the Thesis Statement

Yesterday I taught a lesson all about the thesis statement. The day began by going over a slideshow with the students. They had to record notes in their notebooks while I was talking all about the parts of a thesis statement. Once they had a clear stance on the basics I then tested them on their ability to analyze a good thesis statement verse a not so good one. On the screen were examples of thesis statements and the students then had to write on their whiteboards whether it was good or bad. If it was bad they had to tell me what was wrong with it. They loved using the whiteboards. Once we finished with that they were then left to write thesis statements of their own. They were given the main points of the essy and from that, had to formulate the thesis.

Planning for this lesson I was quite nervous as to whether or not I was competent enough to teach this. So when the students really grasped this idea and easily formulated their own, I was beyond excited. The students were engaged and actually having fun while learning. When I finished and the children left, my teacher pulled me aside and told me I did a wonderful job and that I should invite the principal to come and observe me. I went down to the office and left a note with the secretary inviting her or the assistant principal to come and watch me. I was terrified and nervous. I spent the rest of the day worrying about my lesson. When I got to the class they didn't end up coming because there was an incident they needed to handle. Phew!!!

At the end of the day I was really pleased with myself. I taught a great lesson that reached my students, I invited the principal to watch me despite my fears and I left the day on a high note!

Judgment Day!

Today is judgement day! The students have finished their novel, The Man Who Was Poe and they have had planty of time to study.

Yesterday, for example, I prepared a Jeopardy review game to help the students with their studying. I had done this previously with my first placement and it went over well. What I wasn't prepared for was how into the game my 6th graders got. When it came down to the end and both teams were tied it was a battle, I say a battle, over the last question and how much to wager. Besides that, the students were very aware of the information necessary to pass the test.

I realize that on testing days it is not only a test of how well the students understand the material but it is also a test fot the teacher. It is a test as to how well did you prepare them for this examine. Needless to say, it is quite nerve-racking to watch them take the test and hoping they are all doing well.

From what I have seen so far in grading their exams, the students seemed to haev done well and really been prepared. As a teacher it makes me quite proud!