Organization is key..
So I tried to explain what I did on Friday. Clarify it. I re-examined my notes. Thought of better questions to ask. I think that was my problem on Friday. I asked questions that I didn't really know what I was asking. So that probably confused them. Today, it seemed that most of them understood the process of how to solve the problem. Not sure I got all of them, but the thing it was Monday so they were pretty out of it. I need to re-look over my notes. Think about what kind of questions to ask and the questions my students will ask.
I'm confident in this stuff. The key is taking the knowledge I know and transferring that to my students in a way they can understand. I hate that sometimes they just give me blank faces. I feel that I'm rushing through my notes, not giving enough time for those who don't get it to catch up. Or me to help them out as well. I told my co-op today that it's really hard to do cover alot in an hour: do the lesson, give assign, help students with assign, help students who are weaker in math, make sure students who are chatting to do their assignment, make sure students who don't do homework to do their homework, get notes for that person or that person, catch people up who missed so many days, and remain sane while doing all of this.. And you know what my co-op said, "That's what being a teacher is".. I really don't know how teachers do it, seriously. I would rather work with one student so I can dedicate my time to he or she. So I know 100% that I'm helping him or her. When I have to ensure that 32 other kids are getting that 100% from me.. it's really difficult to achieve. Plus, I feel that I'm not doing my full job my reaching out to every student.
Sure I can ask every student (and I do) "how are you doing?" and "are you getting this stuff?", but when they say "not really" it kind of kills my spirit. Oh look, you missed one student, who else have you missed? When I go home, I think about did I even say hi to that kid today? That's what I'm struggling with right now, the fact that I can't get every kid to understand what's going on and than move on to the next concept with those 3 or 4 kids lagging behind. It's not like I don't get that I won't have A+ students in my classes, it's just difficult to get those students who need help to show up for help. I mean, I'm in my classroom at lunch, morning, and after-school (depends). Should I push those kids to come see me? Are they responsible enough to take ownership of their grade?
Anyways, tomorrow I should be okay with the explaining of concepts. As long as I know what kind of questions to ask than I should be okay. I don't know, things are just going so fast, it's hard to keep up. Especially since I'm a huge procrastinator. I'm working on it.
Mood: stressed 