The End of First Grade

Teaching first grade for six full weeks as a long-term substitute was certainly an experience.   It was a long, yet very beneficial six weeks that is now over.  I have found that there is a huge difference between filling in for a teacher mid year and starting out the year brand new.  During my student teaching process, I began teaching in January when students were already accustomed to the policies and procedures. Therefore, there is not need to practice directions and all of the small classroom management aspects that add up to the overall effectiveness of the classroom.

When starting out the year brand new with students, there is so much more that needs to be taken into account.  Especially, teaching first grade; the students are not familiar with stations, having homework every night, or understanding how their behavior should be in the classroom.  I was very overwhelmed at first, not exactly knowing what to expect.  Each day was a learning experience and I feel that I learned just as much as the students did.  I would say that every day with every lesson, I tried to evaluate myself.  I would reflect at the end of the day, asking; how did the lesson go, were the students engaged, what type of manipulative can I add?

I am so very thankful and happy to have had the opportunity to start out the year as a substitute.  I feel that is not as common starting out the year versus filling in mid-year but it certainly has helped prepare me for my first year teaching. Once I get an actual full-time first year teaching job; I know that I will look back and reflect on my substitute teaching. 

 As a part of my substitute job, I had to plan the math lessons for all three first grade classrooms using the common core standards and the Guilford County pacing guide.  When in undergrad we had much instruction on Common core and how to navigate the standards and relate each of them to the specific grade level within a lesson plan. I did feel prepared when creating these lessons, I was familiar with the curriculum and was able to create the lessons without difficulty.  Yet, it was helpful to have a “team” to plan with. My first grade team consisted of two other teachers; we all met every Wednesday to plan for lessons two weeks ahead of time.  It was quite an experience considering that the school has a Spanish Immersion Program where there is one class in every grade that has all curriculum in Spanish.  Therefore, one of my planning teammates was a Spanish Immersion teacher.  I learned much through her and it was interesting to see the language barrier but I enjoyed enhancing my knowledge of the Spanish language along the way.  

Resources:

Inquiry Based Learning

Common Core Standards

The resource links given above are great when looking to plan lessons according to a specific unit or pacing guide given by your county. The inquiry based learning site gives ideas, information, sources, and possible lesson plans on a range of topics.  The site shows you how you can integrate hands on, engaging activities into every aspect of the classroom. The Common Core Standards vary per state and are a must know for teachers both old and new.  Now since states have adopted the Common Core as a new form of cirriculum, teacher must familiarize themselves with these particular standards.