High School Observation Hours
High School Observation Hours:
Today I am at Seminole High School and I am observing 3 high school level English classes.
I was very excited but a bit intimidated to be back in a high school classroom. Everyone was super
nice and I am so glad that I got a chance to sit in with these two teachers because I really loved
high school way more than I thought I would like it.
I was very excited but a bit intimidated to be back in a high school classroom. Everyone was super
nice and I am so glad that I got a chance to sit in with these two teachers because I really loved
high school way more than I thought I would like it.
My first class was spent on Ms.Padilla. Now the most surprising thing that I saw was that even
10th graders like being read to! Ms. Padilla was reading “Things Fall Apart” and all the kids in the class
were really enjoying it. Mrs. Padilla has a way of reading that has everyone hanging on the edge of their
seat. They had a very good dialogue going on because of the higher order questions that the teacher
asked. The students were able to really analyze what the book was saying and read between the lines.
In fact, the students were so into the book when the bell rang it was like a spell was broken. These
students were super into the book. (In fact, I was too so when I got home I ordered it on Amazon
because I wanted to find out what happens next!) I noticed at this level the kids are really self-regulating.
Two students started to talk while the teacher was reading but several students shushed them.
Ms. Padilla didn't have to say anything at all.
10th graders like being read to! Ms. Padilla was reading “Things Fall Apart” and all the kids in the class
were really enjoying it. Mrs. Padilla has a way of reading that has everyone hanging on the edge of their
seat. They had a very good dialogue going on because of the higher order questions that the teacher
asked. The students were able to really analyze what the book was saying and read between the lines.
In fact, the students were so into the book when the bell rang it was like a spell was broken. These
students were super into the book. (In fact, I was too so when I got home I ordered it on Amazon
because I wanted to find out what happens next!) I noticed at this level the kids are really self-regulating.
Two students started to talk while the teacher was reading but several students shushed them.
Ms. Padilla didn't have to say anything at all.
The next class period was working on a literary analysis of a documentary. We spent the class
watching “Three Identical Strangers”. Each student has a worksheet to collect quotes and analysis.
They only have 3 days left of school so there were some students checked out completely, but this was
such an interesting movie that even the kids who were initially seemed like they weren’t paying were
able to participate in the discussion afterward and I was shocked at how much they absorbed when it
looked like they weren’t paying attention.
watching “Three Identical Strangers”. Each student has a worksheet to collect quotes and analysis.
They only have 3 days left of school so there were some students checked out completely, but this was
such an interesting movie that even the kids who were initially seemed like they weren’t paying were
able to participate in the discussion afterward and I was shocked at how much they absorbed when it
looked like they weren’t paying attention.
My last class of the day was a 10th grade IB/AP class with Mrs. Bordner. I was blown away at how
mature these 10th graders sounded. (especially since just two days ago I was at the middle school)
Today they spent time discussing the AP test essay prompts since they had been released and now
are allowed to discuss them. After discussing the questions out loud Ms. Bordner talked to them
about the Summer Reading program and how to make sure their schedules were correct since
taking the IB classes in the wrong order can really affect things. This classroom was the most traditional
looking classroom. One really cool thing is in Ms. Bordner's room is decorated with thank-yous
from past students, they go all the way around the room.
mature these 10th graders sounded. (especially since just two days ago I was at the middle school)
Today they spent time discussing the AP test essay prompts since they had been released and now
are allowed to discuss them. After discussing the questions out loud Ms. Bordner talked to them
about the Summer Reading program and how to make sure their schedules were correct since
taking the IB classes in the wrong order can really affect things. This classroom was the most traditional
looking classroom. One really cool thing is in Ms. Bordner's room is decorated with thank-yous
from past students, they go all the way around the room.
Comments
Post a Comment