I know we only need one post a week, but I will probably be posting a lot more! (That is until I become overly busy). ;)
Anyways we started the kindergarten profiles yesterday. I observed how my mentor teacher would greet the child and family, then take the tour around the classroom. Next was the assessment. I made sure to watch closely as I am making a point to learn as much as I possibly can without leaving anything out which would be required for a teacher! It is always great to meet with the children one on one. Viewing the assessments are also great to see each child's different levels.
Last night was also our parent meeting. Needless to say I had a 12 hour day at my school yesterday, but I am well aware that teaching does and will continue to require long hours!
But I thought the parent night was very good! About 7 or 8 parents came and my mentor teacher went through anything a parent of a kindergartner at a Montessori school might want to know.
I definitely see how important parent nights are! They encourage families to stay active in their child's education, give all kinds of information on the classroom and curriculum as well as offer many resources to the parents.
So then today I was able to do the assessments myself. After the first child, it became a lot more easy. It was exciting to have that opportunity. I am still learning all about assessments, but I am feeling more confident in doing them. It is definitely good to have feedback and help from my mentor teacher. I am looking forward to meeting more children tomorrow!
You can post as often as you like:) I look forward to reading about your journey.
ReplyDeleteThat is great you were given the opportunity to do some assessments. How did the children react in general to the testing? We're they willing? I think you may have a boy in your class that I have worked with for the past three years, Carter Anspach. I am good friends with his family and if you have him in your classroom and need any support I am sure they would be fine with you chatting with me. Let me know if he is in your class. I can speak with Hilary too and make sure it is ok. I miss the kids I worked with for so long. Good luck tomorrow! Kimmer
ReplyDeleteI do have Carter! I've met him once so far and he's great! But if it's okay to talk about him, I'd love to chat. Helpful ideas and understanding things that work for him would be good to know especially :)
ReplyDeleteAnd the kids did great throughout their assessments. Most of them were patient enough to sit through 30 minutes of tests. I didn't have anyone refuse or react "badly" to the assessments at all. They all did so good!
It is strange how at different grade levels assessments are done differently. In third grade we use last years DRAs and they do not do individual testing and assessment until next week, though we can already pick out areas the children are lacking.
ReplyDeleteThe long hours are a bit tiresome, but you are right, they are so needed just to keep up. Glad your parent teacher night went so well. Hope your first day went well!