In the classroom...(cont.)

I got to teach to the first graders again today.  We finished our Picasso pictures, adding color...the kids were excited that they got to paint again.  I worked with Mrs. W to tie this in to a previous project they did as to which colors they were going to paint their pictures with. 

In the high school pottery class there were some really neat things going on.  I assisted one student on the wheel which was a great opportunity to teach a student in a one-on-one setting.  I'm glad Mrs. W let me do this, it was a great experience and the student made a great looking piece by the end of class.

Mrs. W and I talked about grading the last few days.  For the younger students she grades them based on certain criteria that each class is graded on.  For example, the kindergarten and first grade students she might focus more on motor skills, versus the third grade she focuses more on following directions.  There are other things that come in as well, but there is set criteria which she is supposed to focus on.  For the high school students she has a rubric in her head, when she first started teaching she had actual rubrics, a lot of the grade is focused on effort.  She wants the student to come in during free time to work on things, students need to go above and beyond expectations in order to earn an A in her class.

I had also asked Mrs. W about how she is evaluated by her principal yesterday, and today she brought in an evaluation that her principal had completed a few years back to show me.  The evaluation consisted of different categories including classroom management and lesson criteria.  Mrs. W admitted that when a principal would come into her class to observe she would always prepare differently, actually writing a lesson plan, which she no longer does and including special activities that she otherwise may not. 

Overall, today was a great learning exerience for me in the classroom.  I have one more day to observe (next Thursday) which I am excited to see some the projects as they will be much further along!