First Impressions

Can I just say that I am SO excited to be at this school so far?! There are so many things to love.

First of all, the students here are so nice and fun...and they come prepared! :) Secondly, we actually get to spend time on things. The span of history that we covered in 2.5 months at OHHS, they get to spend 2 YEARS on! There's no wonder why the students here are happier, they actually get to learn things and experience history - not just have it shoved down their throats.

I also like the fact that instruction here is research and project based; the students seem to really enjoy it. It is a little strange to me though because it seems like there is going to be very little direct instruction. My CT told me that she usually gives the students their research/project assignment on the first day of class for the week, and that's what they work on by themselves for the rest of the week! She says she will give a lecture from time to time, when it is information that doesn't really have a good project prospect...but for the most part students are learning on their own. I can see a lot of good in this, but also a little bad. If students are learning from their own research on the internet, they could be soaking in false information.

They are also using an interactive notebook system - which I think is really great. they keep their notes in it, complete questionnaires/worksheets in it, paste in pictures, etc. It's like the history alive notebook I used at NHMS, but the 2.0 version because there is a lot more to it and it is checked regularly.

I'm not really sure what to expect for my own role in this type of a classroom. The teacher in this setting seems to me to be very hands-off as far as instruction goes. I can tell that my CT has a GREAT relationship with her students; maybe that is more of the expectation here? That the teacher is a facilitator and there is more emphasis placed on the relationship aspect of education? I'm sure I will figure it out along the way, but these are some of the questions that are already popping into my head after observing for about two days.

One thing is for sure; my role as a teacher will not be the source of my stress here! My CT told me that she NEVER takes home work on the weekends, and actually rarely takes it home on week nights! What a world of a difference from what teaching was like for me in January and February...