My first thought for this semester is that there is such a difference between middle school and high school students. I had 7th graders last semester and I have 10th and 11th graders this semester and the difference in their attitudes and behaviors is striking. The high school students seem a little less motivated to learn, but they are much more mature and less needy. Overall, both of the teachers I work with seem tuned in to what their students need and I feel as though I am gaining a lot by watching them.
Neither of my teachers have assigned seating, and while the students are definitely sitting next to people they are likely to talk to, it doesn't become an issue too often. In my biology class, there is a couple that sit next to each other! I don't think I would be able to handle that in my own classroom, but my teacher allows it and it really doesn't cause too much trouble. Both of my biology classes are pretty small, which allows for casual, open discussion. Students tend to call out and joke, but it does not disrupt instruction. My teacher in this class has definitely set a tone of openness which makes students more willing to share. I think this works for a high school classroom where it is a little harder to get students to participate.
The two chemistry classes I am in are honors classes. There is such a difference in these students. They are not necessarily behavior-problem free, but they are pretty self motivated. Being that this is a chemistry class, there is a lot of time where students are trying practice problems on their own. I have literally been shocked by their ability to stay on task even with a lot of downtime. When they are having discussions, most of the time it is about the chemistry problem. And when they ask for help, they are not the type of student that just wants the answer, they want me to probe them for their own knowledge and lead them to doing the problem themselves. My teacher in the chemistry classes is also very casual and laid back, and the class seems more like a college class than a high school class. The students are treated as equals, and they respond very well to that.
Overall, I am very happy with my classes and am very happy to be getting to know these students. I start teaching this week!
That's awesome that you're teaching this week -- are they your lessons or your teachers? Regardless, good luck (although you don't need it;)).
ReplyDeleteI have a couple in one of my classes and it is distracting for me! However, when I walk around the room, they are very good about helping each other out, which impressed me. They will talk and write notes during class, so I'm with you on this one-- I probably won't have couples sitting next to each other next year.
Small classes are awesome. I feel bad because I enjoy my smaller ES class more than my larger one, and it's because I know the students better and their personalities can come out more. However, with major budget cuts looming, I worry that it may become more uncommon.
I wonder if the students are less motivated to learn because they aren't being challenged. In my physics class at least, students who are very math savvy don't gain anything from the lessons because it is lecture. How is your class done? I'm hoping that students will respond well to activities and inquiry because it will give them something new to do. I haven't tried yet, I'll let you know how that goes!
Yeah I have the same issue-I definitely know my smaller biology classes better than the larger chemistry classes which makes them more personal and enjoyable. But I hope to get to know the chemistry students better soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the lack of motivation is. The honors chemistry kids definitely have no problem staying on task and motivated, but the biology students tend to get off track every once in a while. Might be that they are unchallenged, but I think it is more that they are under-stimulated. This week I'm teaching my own lessons which are just modified versions of hers, not really part of my unit yet. But tomorrow there should be a lot of moving around and activity so hopefully they will respond well. I'll let you know!
Kelli, I really noticed the difference between my eighth grade physical science class last semester and my high school chemistry class this semester. I also notice a HUGE difference between my AP Chemistry class and general chemistry class .... and believe it or not, my AP kids are way more needy than my general chemistry students. With any hint of stress they freak out and start shouting out of turn. Dr. G does a great job of getting them back on track, but a lot of it is the nature of the class ... I wish there was some way to calm their nerves. Let me know if you think of anything!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
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ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on middle school students being more motivated and excited to be in school. However, as you said, high school students aren't that needy.
ReplyDeleteDoes your teacher keep the assigned seat whole year? or does your teacher change the seating every six weeks?
My teacher changes seating chart as well as the lab partners every 6 weeks and I think this gives the students to interact with the peers other than their friends. Students know that they will get the different seating every six weeks and it works out pretty well.
Kelli, it sounds like you are working in a great atmosphere! I notcied when I started at the high school that I am much more comfortable and myself with these aged kids. I find their maturity refreshing, esp. in my chem classes. The bio classes are another story. Just that oen extra years seems to provide so much self-motivation for the students.
ReplyDeleteMy teacher also has a sense of openness that I love. I hope I can translate that into my own classroom, and I am already feeling accepted into the classroom I am in now.
Good luck! I hope the night classes are going well!
KD-
ReplyDeleteYour chemistry teacher comes into my class in the afternoon before ya'll start school. He seems like a great teacher... he seems very flexible and easy going, which is great for honors/upper level high school classes. I bet the college atmosphere in the high school classroom really helps the students when they are transitioning from high school to college classes. One of my biggest problems when I first started college was getting used to the way college classes were ran. I know having a teacher like him would've definitely helped me get used to college classes.