Log # 8

Conceptualization and Coordination

1) After spending a full day in your field placement - List the schedule for the day,
noting those activities in which you were actively involved. What unexpected
situations did you encounter? What was the most profitable aspect of this learning
experience, for you?
I did my full day on the students first day of school. My CT felt it would be a
good opportunity for me to see how things run on the first day of school and how
they change as the year continues. The schedule that day was different from
regular school days. They began the day by doing a coloring activity at their
tables while students were arriving. Next the students had calendar time and
their morning meeting. My CT then showed the students where things were in
the room and went over classroom rules while having the students participate in
coming up with rules. My CT then read a story to the students about the first day
of school to the students and then they had snack time. After snack the students
and teachers went outside for their morning recess. The teachers went over
playground rules and the students then got a chance to play. Next the students
and teachers went to an all school church service. Following this students went
to lunch and then had a second recess. After recess students had rest time for
about 45 minutes. Next my CT went over all the play centers in the classroom
and explained playtime rules to the students. Students then had the opportunity
to play for the rest of the day. I was actively involved throughout the day. I
helped students feel comfortable as they came in by talking to them while they
did their morning activity. While my CT showed students the room and explained
rules I made sure the students were listening and engaged. I also talked to the
students and got to know them a little bit during snack time. During recess time I
also watched students to make sure they were playing safely and played with
some of them a little bit. During the school church service I sat with students and
helped to keep them quiet and listening. When students were resting I helped
my CT prepare materials for the next week. Last, while students played I talked
to them and played with them. On a regular day the schedule for this classroom
would be
8-8:15 Morning Work
8:20-8:40 Calendar time
8:45-9:25 Reading
9:30-9:40 Snack
9:45-10:00 Recess
10:05-11:05 Math and Reading Centers/ Journal Writing
11:10-12 Lunch, Recess and Bathroom Break
12:15-1 Nap
1:00-2:00 Math/Science, Social Studies/Religion or Specials (Depending on the
Day)
2:10-2:50 Play
3:00 Dismissal

On my full day I did not really run into any unexpected situations because I really
did not know what to expect. This was the first time I had seen the first day of
school in any of my placements so I didnt really know what it was going to be
like. I found it very interesting and it was a really good experience. I think the
most profitable part of this experience was that I got to see how the students
start out in the very beginning of the year and then through teaching and
explicit instruction, how they change as the year progresses.

2) Ask your cooperating teacher what advice she/he would give to new teachers to
ease the first years of teaching.
My CT gave me some very good advice on being a first year teacher. The first
thing she told me was that during the first year of teaching it is important to give
yourself breaks. She said nobody ever feels like they know what they are doing
in the first couple years but if you push yourself too hard you will end up
stressing yourself out so much you wont be able to learn from your experiences.
She said no matter how much you feel you dont know what youre doing, you
have had plenty of experience in school to be prepared for this and you will do
fine. The other thing she said was that you have to learn to not judge your
students too fast. Students are often not displaying their true behavior and
knowledge the first couple weeks of school and as a teacher you must give them
time to settle in before making any serious judgments on their needs.

3) Ask your cooperating teacher what two resource books he/she would recommend to
beginning teachers. If possible, borrow the books to show the class.
My CT did not really have any resource books to help new teachers but she did
tell me about some online resources that are really good for new teachers when
they are planning lessons. The first one was a website called ABCYA.com which
has educational games that are good supplements and review for after lessons.
She said she uses this website a lot during playtime so that the students can use
these games during that time if they want. The other website is called
enchanted learning. This website requires a $20 subscription but offers many
lesson ideas and printable activities to use along with lessons. It also offers
many theme ideas for units and lesson series that teachers can use.

Which Wisconsin Teacher Standard is represented by this log and why?

A Wisconsin teaching standard that can be represented by this log is standard #10;
Teachers are connected with other teachers and the community. This standard says
that teachers foster relationships with colleagues, parents and agencies to support
learning and students well-being in a fair and ethical manner. This standard relates
to this log because I feel that through spending a full day in the classroom and

talking to my CT I really got the chance to connect with her. I feel that this was a
good experience for me to see what it is like to really get to know a teacher and to
get advice from a fellow teacher. In my career I know this will be something I will do
often and having this experience was really valuable.