Week 16- Teaching Practice

Week 16

In the last week, I had an review days for both subjects I teach as well as test days for both as well. For my Algebra II and Algebra I students, I created Jeopardy PowerPoints for my students that were related to their test content. This was a long process, but my students found it very fun for Algebra II. As for Algebra I, many of them liked it, but it was a big step to take and some of them handled it well. Others did not try problems or were totally off-task. 

This review day showed something that I am continuing to struggle with and that is classroom management. This is something that is difficult for me because I am a new teacher and I am young. Furthermore, I find this process of classroom management difficult because many standard level students do not care about their grades at all and the grading policy for BCPS allows them to skate by since attendance, participation, and behavior do not affect their grades anymore. This grading policy has caused issues for even veteran teachers, so I know that I am not the only one struggling with students who complete no work and disrupt class on a regular basis. 

I found the review game to be successful in general and I felt it helped students get ready for the test. I felt that many students who normally are not involved got involved in most classes. My one class had only 5 of the 15 students completing the problems, so I stopped the review and gave them book work for the entire class after that. I have grown tired of students who are lazy and it does not stop. As a teacher, I feel like I am doing everything within my ability to make the class fun for them, but it does not matter.