Yesterday was my first day back with my Kinders. I was on break last week, so I didn't get to see them. I was sure glad to be back!
One of my students drew me. I added what I was actually wearing for comparison sake.
One of my students drew me. I added what I was actually wearing for comparison sake.
My favorite is the eyes. Too funny.
Plan Time
After talking with my CT, we decided I could do a lesson on 3D shapes. She was going to do the introductory lesson and mine would serve as a follow-up to review what they previously learned.
The first thing I did to get my plan written was look around for a book to include with my lesson. To Pinterest and Amazon I went! After looking through many cheesy books, I found what I thought would be a winner: Spotted Yellow Frogs.by Matthew Van Fleet. What I liked about the book was that it included animals with the learning of the 3D shapes. My Kinders love animals!
Next I researched a possible SMART Board lesson. I learned about SMART Notebook Exchange earlier this year. It's a place where educators can upload their lessons for SMART Board that they have created. Most of them are even free! I found this one and decided it would be a good fit for my Kinders: Introduction to 3D Shapes. What I liked about it was that it was very simple (limited text) and had an interactive piece at the end that allowed students to come up and move the shapes into the right category. Interaction is key in keeping them engaged.
The first thing I did to get my plan written was look around for a book to include with my lesson. To Pinterest and Amazon I went! After looking through many cheesy books, I found what I thought would be a winner: Spotted Yellow Frogs.by Matthew Van Fleet. What I liked about the book was that it included animals with the learning of the 3D shapes. My Kinders love animals!
Next I researched a possible SMART Board lesson. I learned about SMART Notebook Exchange earlier this year. It's a place where educators can upload their lessons for SMART Board that they have created. Most of them are even free! I found this one and decided it would be a good fit for my Kinders: Introduction to 3D Shapes. What I liked about it was that it was very simple (limited text) and had an interactive piece at the end that allowed students to come up and move the shapes into the right category. Interaction is key in keeping them engaged.
Time to Teach
All my planning and prep work was done, time to teach the lesson! My college supervisor came in and the kids always get excited to see him. They call him Dr. Seuss. He is a good sport and takes it like a champ.
I wasn't nervous going into the lesson, I was excited to show my CT and supervisor what I was capable off. I could talk to you for hours about my lesson, but I will spare you the long, boring details and just give you a brief outline.
Read Spotted Yellow Frogs: counted animals in the book as we went, students added comments about animals
Moved to seats for SMART Board lesson: dismissed students one by one
SMART Board lesson: students came up and put up the card to match the slide (found the cutest cards here: Teachers Pay Teachers) we took turns reading the slides, student circled Word Wall Words, at the end students came and matched the pictures of objects to the correct shape name
Overall I was really happy with how it went. I felt the students responded really well and enjoyed it too. Since my lesson took place at the end of the day I was able to have time with my CT and supervisor to debrief. They had lots of positive comments for me, which is very encouraging.
I wasn't nervous going into the lesson, I was excited to show my CT and supervisor what I was capable off. I could talk to you for hours about my lesson, but I will spare you the long, boring details and just give you a brief outline.
Read Spotted Yellow Frogs: counted animals in the book as we went, students added comments about animals
Moved to seats for SMART Board lesson: dismissed students one by one
SMART Board lesson: students came up and put up the card to match the slide (found the cutest cards here: Teachers Pay Teachers) we took turns reading the slides, student circled Word Wall Words, at the end students came and matched the pictures of objects to the correct shape name
Overall I was really happy with how it went. I felt the students responded really well and enjoyed it too. Since my lesson took place at the end of the day I was able to have time with my CT and supervisor to debrief. They had lots of positive comments for me, which is very encouraging.
What I would do differently
The purpose of teaching a lesson is to get experience and more practice working with the students. Did I feel this was a perfect lesson? No. Can I use it to know what I would change for next time? Absolutely.
Here's what I would add
Here's what I would add
- Bring physical models for students to work with
- Use name sticks to ensure students all get a fair turn
Thanks for stopping by to read about my first math lesson I taught. If you have ideas or thoughts to share, I would love to hear them. Have a good weekend friends!