This week we had some major improvements in class.
Teacher Paul came in to give the class a serious talk about proper class behavior, respect, patience for other classmates and the teacher, working hard, and paying attention. The kids understood the importance of all these things and promised to become better students. I feel that the students may not have performed their best during the last 2 weeks because of several things: 1) They did not know what was expected of them 2) They were adjusting to a new environment and 3)They were getting to familiarize themselves with the school system and also me as a teacher.
This week I saw major improvements in the students' attitudes towards learning, sentence making, writing skills, and creativity. We went over the vocabulary in detail this week and both classes will have a quiz next Wednesday. I expect them to all get at least 80% this time as I've spent alot of time in class quizzing and playing vocabulary games with them.
For reading we read the story "Amelia's Road", which is about migrant laborers and the feeling of belonging. The main importance was to explain that there are unfortunate people in the world who have to do hard labor for very little money and that alot of them do not have a definite place to call home. I brought in information about migrant labor and discussed it with the class to give them a real life example.
For creative writing I got the kids to write about their dream house and then draw a picture of it. They have all improved very much from the first time we did creative writing! The sentences were much more interesting and grammar improved. The students focused on meeting the criteria I gave, therefore got better marks.
In Science we read "Organisms of the Past" and discussed fossils and extinct organisms. We talked about the top 10 most interesting extinct animals and I had the students do public speaking by reading out information on these extinct animals. I was impressed as many of them improved from the first week. Many improved on making eye contact, which is very important in speaking publicly.
The new song we learned this week is called " Music of the Sun". It talks about dancing happily and letting go your worries. I taught them about the formations of a song: Intro, Verse, Bridge, and Chorus.
Fun Day: Group games at the park! Some friendly competition between the classes ;)
Individual Comments:
Class A:
Ryan: Public Speaking - 95%
Ryan has improved on trying not to interrupt, keep it up! He was the only one who finished all of his hw this week and his writing has improved a tad bit ;), except on copying vocabulary words. He wrote about and drew the most creative house (car house!) during creative writing. Ryan was excited about singing the songs in class and has memorized some of the lyrics. During fun day, Ryan was upset because our class was not together on the same team. He needs to realize that during fun days it's a school event and that getting to know other students in the school is necessary. I hope Ryan didn't feel that I neglected him during fun day, he came up to me and asked "why are you mean to me Teacher Connie?". I hope Teacher Paul has explained to him and you about the whole situation and I hope Ryan can learn from that.
Ryan: Public Speaking - 95%
Ryan has improved on trying not to interrupt, keep it up! He was the only one who finished all of his hw this week and his writing has improved a tad bit ;), except on copying vocabulary words. He wrote about and drew the most creative house (car house!) during creative writing. Ryan was excited about singing the songs in class and has memorized some of the lyrics. During fun day, Ryan was upset because our class was not together on the same team. He needs to realize that during fun days it's a school event and that getting to know other students in the school is necessary. I hope Ryan didn't feel that I neglected him during fun day, he came up to me and asked "why are you mean to me Teacher Connie?". I hope Teacher Paul has explained to him and you about the whole situation and I hope Ryan can learn from that.
Belinda is a great reader and loves to learn and sing the songs in class. After Teacher Paul's talk to the class, I noticed a huge difference in her attitude towards learning and towards myself. She worked faster and harder and participated in class, giving creative and thoughtful answers. I hope she can continue to do so and with a better attitude, I'm positive she will excel in the class! Also, Belinda needs to study vocabulary at least once a day.
Livia: Public Speaking - 89%
Livia got a perfect mark on her creative writing (dream house)! Livia's grammar is great and she got perfect on her Science work book. I can tell she has studied her vocabulary words as well =). She works fast, concentrates, and contributes in class. However, when she tries to do the work too fast, she makes small inexcusable errors. Working in class is not a race! ;) Livia's great!
Livia got a perfect mark on her creative writing (dream house)! Livia's grammar is great and she got perfect on her Science work book. I can tell she has studied her vocabulary words as well =). She works fast, concentrates, and contributes in class. However, when she tries to do the work too fast, she makes small inexcusable errors. Working in class is not a race! ;) Livia's great!
Jay is a slow worker, that is his biggest setback. He can do good work (his work on his takehome reader was great!!! although he handed in a day late) if he tries. His creative writing was excellent and grammar has improved (still watch out for past tense mistakes). Jay needs to look at his vocabulary words everyday at least once. When I gave a pop quiz to the class, Jay admitted he didn't study at all. There is a week 3+4 vocabulary quiz next Wednesday in class.
Tiger: Public Speaking - 84%
Tiger has improved on not goofing around so much in class =)! But, sometimes when I speak to him I find that his mind wanders off. I know he is quite smart and just needs to focus. When I sit him at the front deak he does better work. Tiger is a good singer and loves the songs! He contributes great vocabulary sentences during class and is quick to understand the definitions. One thing to improve on: writing neater. =)
Tiger has improved on not goofing around so much in class =)! But, sometimes when I speak to him I find that his mind wanders off. I know he is quite smart and just needs to focus. When I sit him at the front deak he does better work. Tiger is a good singer and loves the songs! He contributes great vocabulary sentences during class and is quick to understand the definitions. One thing to improve on: writing neater. =)
Brian got the highest public speaking mark in Class B. He is such a quick learner and a good reader. Brian was sick for a few days this week so he has a lot to catch up on, but I'm confident because he is really smart. However, he needs to check his work more carefully, as he's been making tiny mistakes in his Reading Comprehension work book. He's making spelling and grammar mistakes because he's trying to do it too quickly.
Richard: Public Speaking - 84%
Richard's biggest problem is that he works too slow! He understands the materials but his mind wanders and he can't seem to concentrate while doing written work. During discussions though he is very attentive . Sometimes he needs to calm down and not goof around so much. During reading, he should practice reading more smoothly and less breaky.
Richard's biggest problem is that he works too slow! He understands the materials but his mind wanders and he can't seem to concentrate while doing written work. During discussions though he is very attentive . Sometimes he needs to calm down and not goof around so much. During reading, he should practice reading more smoothly and less breaky.
Sydney is the fastest worker in class and makes great sentences with vocabulary words. She has nice writing and is a good singer. She really seems to enjoy the songs we sing in class and pays attention most of the time. Sydney should study her vocabulary words everyday at least once.
Really enjoy having her in the class. She works hard and is really smart!
Teacher Connie a.k.a Big Bumble Bee
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