Intern Year: Fall 2013: Week 11

        Yesterday my third grade students took a math test on subtracting with regrouping.  Last week, the students were at the mastery level and were able to independently determine when to regroup or not.  However, when they took the test on Tuesday, it was like they forgot everything.  It was so frustrating, because as a teacher, you saw that they were able to complete these problems last week.  Also, I felt so frustrated because there was nothing I could do to help them since it was a test.  I feel like waiting to give the test to the students after the weekend was a bad choice on the general educator’s part.  It was like they completely forgot everything they learned over the weekend, and I do not think they practiced and studied over the weekend.  On Monday, they did a review game in the general education classroom, but I do not think it was beneficial because only one student was answering at a time.  Looking on to my future classroom, I feel that when I see that my students have mastered a topic, I will assess them on it.  I will not drag it out and wait until after the weekend.  I believe that caused the students to not practice and not be automatic with the subtracting with regrouping. 

            Yesterday was Halloween.  Our school does not dress up for Halloween, however, it was still a very chaotic day.  It was a “pink out” to support breast cancer awareness.  The kindergarten and pre-k came to the school to parade in their costumes, and there was also a fire drill.  Even though the students did not dress up for Halloween, some still passed out treat bags.  It seemed chaotic from the start.  I am wondering how you get students to focus and complete work on crazy days like yesterday?  It was hard for even me to focus, but instruction had to occur.  It was so difficult to keep the students focused, and I understand the excitement.

            Also, my action research is going well.  I see the student making significant gains.  He is not saying “I can’t read” anymore.  Because he can read.  Yesterday, he read a book and then read it to his peers in our support group.  He was so proud of himself and his peers were so supportive of him.  That made my entire research worth it.  If I do not accomplish anything else this semester, I am okay with that, because to see my student be able to read a book to his peers and to see his confidence makes everything worth.  It really puts things into perspective for me that I really want to work with the students who have been “pushed along” or “passed over” or the “struggling student”.  I want to help them overcome obstacles and to achieve goals they have set.