Once again, my apologies on being so late with this blog. I obviously have to teach myself how to blog more religiously here. As I am looking back on this past school year, I cannot believe how quickly it has flown by. 6th Grade Flag-Football began last week as we prepare for out first game this Tuesday. I am very excited to be coaching the 6th grade team, as it gives me an opportunity to become more active within my school community.
These past few weeks I have been focusing on preparing my students for the state tests that begin this week. We have finished our final preparations as we are now in review mode. I have been pulling small-groups that have a direct focus on a variety of skills that those small-groups are struggling with. This year truly has been a blessing as I look back on it thus far. Pawnee has become a home-away-from home for me as I normally arrive at 7:30am and leave school around 6-7:30pm every night. This year has been extremely fun and I have learned a lot through my mentor, fellow staff members, as well as, the various professional development opportunities I have taken part.
This past week, I received an email stating that I was nominated for the Bag 'N Save teacher of the week. I was honored to have been nominated by my students and colleagues! I hope all of you have a Happy Easter and enjoy spending time with your family and friends!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Spring Break
Man, so I may not be as good at this whole blogging thing as I would like to be. Spring break has officially begun, and I am in much need of a break. This break will allow me the chance to gear up for these crucial next couple of week's as my students and school prepare for our state tests. I am beginning to make those final touch-ups and tune-ups in terms of math and reading and making sure that my students are as prepared as possible for those tests. I have greatly enjoyed teaching thus far throughout the year. I have definitely grown as a teacher throughout the year through professional development opportunities, as well as, collaborating with my colleagues about different approaches to teaching various topics. That is one thing I have grown to accept, NEVER be afraid to ask a question. No question is a stupid question and if you don't ask, you will never know. Sometimes your questions may bring up things your colleagues havn't thought about and it in turn not only benefits you, but your team as well. Recently, my class has been focusing on geometric figures. My students have had fun creating the geometric shapes with their classmates by standing outside and forming different polygons. One of my favorite teachable moments this past week was when I was explaining squares and rectangles. I asked my students two questions: Are all square, rectangle? Are all rectangles, square? My students were able to correctly identify the first question correctly, but when told all rectangles were not square, it looked as if something exploded in their minds. There were so many bewildered looks. However, after explaining to students the difference and WHY all rectangles were not square, I knew that my students have gained a better grasp of this concept. That is all for now. Happy Teaching!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Busy Week
Well, I definitely have failed to blog every day this past week. This past week was very busy, full of preparation for conferences, entering third quarter grades, a field trip, and celebrating Dr. Seuss' 108th Birthday.
Conferences are an integral part to teaching. I find conferences a great way interact with not only my students but with the parents of my students on a deeper level. I love having the opportunity to explain the successes of my students, as well as, how my students can improve. Each student has special gifts and talents to offer to the classroom. I must say as a teacher, I definitely appreciate all of the diversity my class has to offer. My students can bring a smile to my face every day, whether it be from a heartfelt answer to a question, or adding some comic relief to the day.
This week my class went to Fontanelle Forest. My students had a great time learning about consumers, producers, and decomposers. My students then had the chance to walk the trails of the forest and search for consumer, producers, and decomposers. My students were able to compile quite the list and the students definitely enjoyed being outdoors. The students then got a much needed chance to run around and play on an interactive wooded playground. A group of our 4th Grade Students built a Beaver Dam using the sticks provided.
When we returned from the field trip we had a guest reader to commemorate Dr. Seuss' birthday. Our guest reader read, The Lorax. We then had a read and feed in which the students were given a Dr. Seuss bookmark, wrist band, and a sucker. Overall, it was a great, but busy week. Until next time, stay safe.
Mr. Dawson
Conferences are an integral part to teaching. I find conferences a great way interact with not only my students but with the parents of my students on a deeper level. I love having the opportunity to explain the successes of my students, as well as, how my students can improve. Each student has special gifts and talents to offer to the classroom. I must say as a teacher, I definitely appreciate all of the diversity my class has to offer. My students can bring a smile to my face every day, whether it be from a heartfelt answer to a question, or adding some comic relief to the day.
This week my class went to Fontanelle Forest. My students had a great time learning about consumers, producers, and decomposers. My students then had the chance to walk the trails of the forest and search for consumer, producers, and decomposers. My students were able to compile quite the list and the students definitely enjoyed being outdoors. The students then got a much needed chance to run around and play on an interactive wooded playground. A group of our 4th Grade Students built a Beaver Dam using the sticks provided.
When we returned from the field trip we had a guest reader to commemorate Dr. Seuss' birthday. Our guest reader read, The Lorax. We then had a read and feed in which the students were given a Dr. Seuss bookmark, wrist band, and a sucker. Overall, it was a great, but busy week. Until next time, stay safe.
Mr. Dawson
Sunday, February 26, 2012
My First Year Teaching
One of my good friends told me that I should start a blog, and I thought that was a great idea. So, I sat around mulling over what I should blog about and I came to the obvious conclusion of blogging about my teaching experience. But first, let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I just graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska this past May (2011). I am engaged to the most wonderful woman in the world, Allison Oelke, and we are set to be married the 6th of July 2012. Allie and I both met each other our very first day on campus and our friendship blossomed throughout our four years at Creighton. Allie and I were both education majors, as well as, athletes at Creighton (Allie-Volleyball myself-Cross-Country). The last thing I will say about Allie, she is definitely my better-half and I do not know what I did to deserve her. So I must say I cannot wait until our wedding day. So needless to say, I'm sure their will be some wedding details discussed throughout this blog. I am the oldest of five children. I have a twin sister who is attending the Nebraska-Lincoln Law School, brother who is a sophomore at UNL, sister that is a sophomore in high school, and lastly my youngest brother who is currently in 5th grade.
I have been teaching now for almost seven months now. I am a fourth grade teacher at Pawnee Elementary School. I had the pleasure of accepting this fourth grade position at the school I student taught at, which made it that much sweeter. I have twenty-six students and I enjoy having each one of them in my class. Yes, even on the bad days! Many people ask me why I got into teaching, and I say the MONEY! Kidding aside, I got into teaching so that I can be a positive male role model for those students that may not have one present in their lives. I also couldn't imagine myself sitting in a cubicle all day with little interaction, I wanted to be active. One of the other reasons I wanted to teach was that no day would be the same. Each and every day is different.
Just to give you a quick synopsis of the school year so that I don't write a book here it is:
-I had a student from Brazil who could only speak Portuguese so I spent the first month to two months translating my lessons into Portuguese so that my student could understand what was being taught.
-I got to know all of my students and began setting up those ever-important classroom rules and procedures. Now many teacher's told me that I shouldn't "smile before December", I short of shook that off and man did I learn my lesson. I am the kind of teacher that wants my classroom to be active and fun. I think I allowed the fun part out of the bag to early. I have had my ups and downs with discipline throughout the year, but it has definitely been a learning experience.
-I have been busy preparing students for this year's state tests. Students have already completed the state writing test, which I know my students tried their best! They all worked very hard on their personal narratives and I am excited to see how they did! Now we are busy preparing for the state Math and Reading Tests.
-Third Quarter conferences are in two weeks, so the third quarter is coming to a close! I can't believe 3/4 of the school year is almost finished, it has flown by! So as I am busy preparing for conferences, I am also busy planning a wedding!
Well there is a quick and hopefully "not too long" synopsis of my school year thus far. I hope to use this as more of a reflection on my day than anything. Which as teachers know, being a reflective practitioner is incredibly important in our profession. Well, until next time, stay safe and God Bless.
Mr. Dawson
I just graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska this past May (2011). I am engaged to the most wonderful woman in the world, Allison Oelke, and we are set to be married the 6th of July 2012. Allie and I both met each other our very first day on campus and our friendship blossomed throughout our four years at Creighton. Allie and I were both education majors, as well as, athletes at Creighton (Allie-Volleyball myself-Cross-Country). The last thing I will say about Allie, she is definitely my better-half and I do not know what I did to deserve her. So I must say I cannot wait until our wedding day. So needless to say, I'm sure their will be some wedding details discussed throughout this blog. I am the oldest of five children. I have a twin sister who is attending the Nebraska-Lincoln Law School, brother who is a sophomore at UNL, sister that is a sophomore in high school, and lastly my youngest brother who is currently in 5th grade.
I have been teaching now for almost seven months now. I am a fourth grade teacher at Pawnee Elementary School. I had the pleasure of accepting this fourth grade position at the school I student taught at, which made it that much sweeter. I have twenty-six students and I enjoy having each one of them in my class. Yes, even on the bad days! Many people ask me why I got into teaching, and I say the MONEY! Kidding aside, I got into teaching so that I can be a positive male role model for those students that may not have one present in their lives. I also couldn't imagine myself sitting in a cubicle all day with little interaction, I wanted to be active. One of the other reasons I wanted to teach was that no day would be the same. Each and every day is different.
Just to give you a quick synopsis of the school year so that I don't write a book here it is:
-I had a student from Brazil who could only speak Portuguese so I spent the first month to two months translating my lessons into Portuguese so that my student could understand what was being taught.
-I got to know all of my students and began setting up those ever-important classroom rules and procedures. Now many teacher's told me that I shouldn't "smile before December", I short of shook that off and man did I learn my lesson. I am the kind of teacher that wants my classroom to be active and fun. I think I allowed the fun part out of the bag to early. I have had my ups and downs with discipline throughout the year, but it has definitely been a learning experience.
-I have been busy preparing students for this year's state tests. Students have already completed the state writing test, which I know my students tried their best! They all worked very hard on their personal narratives and I am excited to see how they did! Now we are busy preparing for the state Math and Reading Tests.
-Third Quarter conferences are in two weeks, so the third quarter is coming to a close! I can't believe 3/4 of the school year is almost finished, it has flown by! So as I am busy preparing for conferences, I am also busy planning a wedding!
Well there is a quick and hopefully "not too long" synopsis of my school year thus far. I hope to use this as more of a reflection on my day than anything. Which as teachers know, being a reflective practitioner is incredibly important in our profession. Well, until next time, stay safe and God Bless.
Mr. Dawson
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