Student Teaching
Title
Student Teaching
Date
09/23/2020
Creator
Chelsea Williamson
Contributor
CSU student
Text
Dear Diary,
In two weeks, I will be beginning my classroom placement. I will be teaching seventeen first graders, and if that was not daunting enough, I will be doing it during Covid-19. Thankfully, I will not have to worry about teaching both online and in person students, since the whole class is in person, but it will not be the same as when I taught before. In the past, my professors encouraged and expected us to teach with manipulatives and materials, or to let the students work in groups to encourage collaboration. However, with this pandemic, the rules have changed. I cannot bring in props, artifacts, or even snacks. I am not supposed interchange paper assignments with the students or let them work in groups. All these changes go against a lot of research and teachings that I have encountered in my last three years in the early childhood program. Next semester I will be a student teacher, in charge of my own classroom, but I cannot implement lessons and classroom experiences I have been planning and trained for because of the pandemic. I hope that there will be a vaccine soon because I fear for the pandemic generation of learners. I am saddened that they will be missing out on experiments, experiences, field trips, projects, and simply meeting with friends at lunch. My heart especially breaks for elementary learners because out of all the grade levels, I feel that online learning hinders them the most. For three years I have been taught that elementary learners need play, authentic assessments, collaboration with peers, a safe and inviting classroom environment, and more techniques and methods, that can be modified for social distancing or online learners, but will not be as impactful or as effective. However, to not end on a doom and gloom note, I do know that there are many teachers who have found and shared creative ideas and lessons for online teaching or a socially distanced classroom. In typical elementary teacher fashion, I have already turned to Pinterest and found fun games and activities that do not require looking at a screen all day. I am also working on modifying my lesson ideas so they can be implemented in a socially distanced classroom. I am determined to give my students a fun and creative year of learning with me, and I am hopeful that next year will bring better news.
Until next time,
Chelsea W.
In two weeks, I will be beginning my classroom placement. I will be teaching seventeen first graders, and if that was not daunting enough, I will be doing it during Covid-19. Thankfully, I will not have to worry about teaching both online and in person students, since the whole class is in person, but it will not be the same as when I taught before. In the past, my professors encouraged and expected us to teach with manipulatives and materials, or to let the students work in groups to encourage collaboration. However, with this pandemic, the rules have changed. I cannot bring in props, artifacts, or even snacks. I am not supposed interchange paper assignments with the students or let them work in groups. All these changes go against a lot of research and teachings that I have encountered in my last three years in the early childhood program. Next semester I will be a student teacher, in charge of my own classroom, but I cannot implement lessons and classroom experiences I have been planning and trained for because of the pandemic. I hope that there will be a vaccine soon because I fear for the pandemic generation of learners. I am saddened that they will be missing out on experiments, experiences, field trips, projects, and simply meeting with friends at lunch. My heart especially breaks for elementary learners because out of all the grade levels, I feel that online learning hinders them the most. For three years I have been taught that elementary learners need play, authentic assessments, collaboration with peers, a safe and inviting classroom environment, and more techniques and methods, that can be modified for social distancing or online learners, but will not be as impactful or as effective. However, to not end on a doom and gloom note, I do know that there are many teachers who have found and shared creative ideas and lessons for online teaching or a socially distanced classroom. In typical elementary teacher fashion, I have already turned to Pinterest and found fun games and activities that do not require looking at a screen all day. I am also working on modifying my lesson ideas so they can be implemented in a socially distanced classroom. I am determined to give my students a fun and creative year of learning with me, and I am hopeful that next year will bring better news.
Until next time,
Chelsea W.
Citation
anonymous, “Student Teaching ,” Columbus State University Archives and Special Collections , accessed April 19, 2024, http://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/items/show/4041.