Student Teaching Blog-Jerry Chada

Outside of student teaching during the week I spend my time working 3 nights shifts, this helps me unwind surprisingly but it does help working knowing I'm getting paid. I commute an hour back and forth from Cedar Falls to Cedar Rapids everyday. I enjoy those drives listening to music, a pod cast or an audio book. On the weekends is where I take my time off to my advantage. I'll go out with friends, spend time with the lady, or put a couple drinks down and watch some football. Though occasionally I will work some weekends. Four days a week I workout to stay physically active as well. That is my wellness plan. 

      On Friday September 26th Bowman Woods had a PTO fundraiser called "Bowman Blast." This fundraiser simply asked for donations. The school raised $24,000 with a goal of $17,000 absolutely smashed. This fundraiser allowed kids to have a fun day during their special time slot. This meant each grade got 50 mins to run through an obstacle course, play gaga ball, blow bubbles, make bracelets or necklaces with beads, and dance. This event was held outside all day. Because of this being a PTO event parents were able to volunteer their time to assist. I held conversations with multiple  families. I even had some parents come to greet me first because their kid(s) spoke about me in a positive way at home. This made me feel very appreciated and proud of the career path I'm taking. Knowing that these kids I'm teaching go home to their parents and even mention me (even though I'm a student teacher) was very rewarding. 

  What is the school’s initial intake process for ELL (English Language Learners) students? Each ELL student has an individualized plan filled with data on their speaking, writing, reading skills. The plan also includes history of the students progress and notes for to help the teacher.   What are some teaching strategies K-3 teachers use to support ELL students with learning?  Create a welcoming environment, differentiation, and promote collaboration.  Does the district have a communication plan as they work with families and ELL students? Yes

       I have noticed that even though my students are diverse learners they share the same trait of finding PE exciting. Assisting with adapted PE the past 2 weeks has been eye opening for me. To see the challenges these kids face is hard but teaching them and giving them the same equal opportunity gives a wholesome feeling when you see them smile as they exit the  gymnasium. I have seen classes with special ed, special needs, and ELL. I try my best to make it an inclusive environment where students always feel a sense of belonging. 

     I feel I am naturally drawn to teaching the 3rd and 4th graders because of their maturity level and understanding of lessons. The older kids are not only mature with their minds but their motor function as well. Teaching the older kids brings less time focussed on procedures and more time for enjoyable lessons.       I will need to be more purposeful with the kindergartners and 1st graders so they can excel with their locomotor skills. In doing so they can develop the skills needed to be able to participate in more advanced physical education as their bodies mature. 

  Connections I have made with Students:      In week 2 I saw students walk into the building. There was a lot of new for them and a lot of new for myself. This was our first connection made. Week 2 was spent teaching a lot of procedures. During the procedure process I got to share interesting things about myself and share some photos. The fun facts opened the door for a better understanding of who I am and my purpose I serve student teaching. In class I made connections by asserting myself as someone who just wasn't observing in the gym. I began teaching the warmup procedure, assigned seating, and teach a tag game or two daily. I also strived really hard to learn the students names. I made it my goal as the students left the gym to give them a fist bump and say their name. Outside of teaching P.E. I made connections on recess duty by playing a quick tag game here or there and supervising soccer games.