I have to do a unit plan for science and have to integrate math into it....i have to have at least 5 lessons...i thought of doing simple machines but can't figure out how to integrate math...charting or graphing for one of the lessons?... i am doing it for third grade...i am having a terrible week...last semester before student teaching is almost over and am over loaded with assignments..not to mention i flopped doing my lesson that was being evaluated...i feel like may be i should quit...have had 4.0 gpa all through school but if i am freezing and looking like an idiot when i am trying to teach..i just went blank...mentor teacher switched on me at the last minute though so what i had planned and all the time spent on a game etc. for my lesson had to be scratched....i didn't have much time to prepare ....i am really embarassed ...maybe i should switch major....i just know i will be ok with the kids alone though...just venting....any suggestions..appreciated

[YILuv2Teach]

I feel like I could have wrote your post when I was in student teaching! I was doing 18 units and right at midterm time was the pinnacle point of student teaching where I was supposed to start taking control of the classroom! My first observation went horrible and my teaching abilities were questioned! I knew I could do it, but the pressure of all my other classes and lack of support in student teaching made me feel like I was drowning. Even in the best of circumstances, student teaching is really hard. It sounds like you need to regroup, set up a meeting with your mentor teacher and college supervisor. Ask for help and set up a plan for the rest of your time. As far as your unit plan goes, charting or graphing sounds like a great idea to integrate math. Again, ask your mentor teacher for some ideas. They are usually more than open to helping you out. You can do it! Hang in there, the terrible week will pass and it will get better!

You really made me feel better...so thank you so much....did you really bomb?...what happen was i was getting evaluated for the first time, by mentor teacher, who is nice but very intimidating, kind of know it all and i have been listening to her be nice to other teachers to thier faces then talk about them behind thier back...i do HORRIBLE at public speaking, so my first lesson she gave me last week to prepare...so i did wrote everything out because i know i would blank...well when i got to school she told me that she hadn't gone over her part yet, so they weren't even introduced to the concept...which threw my whole plan out the window...i had stayed up making a bingo game and everything...well, then i just thought ok...and tried to write some things out before i had to teach...well, she went over time teaching a math lesson i had only 20 minutes and she handed me the classes homework paper out they did which was on the concept...so that just confused me...then i just wigged out and bombed from there...i wanted to run out and cry...i am soooo embarrassed and think..maybe i can't do it...but i just know in my gut if it was my classroom, my stuff, and by myself with the kids i can do it...i just need to figure some thing out on getting over how i just freeze and can't think when i have to teach in front of the class...mentor teacher said you have to be able to wing it when teaching which i realize but i am very green, and she knew i was to be evaluated....also i have such low self esteem and am having a very difficult time at home ..abusive relationship and i have 4 kids to take care of myself...and need my degree to escape...only have 3 weeks left in this semester and student teach next then i am done...what if i can't student teach because i can't get over this fear...i look like a blooming idiot up there...so not flowy ...i could just cry...i am trying to think how far away i am from any degree ....who would i even talk to about it....i just really want to be a teacher though...i ADORE kids am very nuturing and just want to rescue and help everyone of them.....sorry to rant...your comment just made me feel so much better knowing i am not the only one and thinking maybe there is hope after all....wanted to tell you what exactly happened as quickly as i could....thanks again...did you have difficulty gettting out what you were trying to say and freezing...i just really floppped!!!!! how did you overcome it???...are you a teacher now????

[YILuv2Teach]

Wow, you should be proud of what you have done so far! Going through a difficult situation at home and getting this far in your degree is amazing. Believe in yourself because you've made it this far!

I am not good at winging it, so I can't imagine having to be evaluated on a lesson that you didn't really get to prepare for. Yes, teachers have to be flexible and able to wing it, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect a student teacher (that is still practicing) to be evaluated on an unplanned lesson! Once you get lots of practice winging it becomes easier. Personally my strength is in planning and preparing but I've been Substitute teaching since I've graduated and so I have had the chance to practice and grow in doing things on the fly.

I did really bomb on my first evaluation! First off, I didn't prepare as much as I should have. Their math program was scripted, so I relied too much on that. Also, my supervisor from the school was late and missed a portion of my lesson(a portion that of course went better than the part she did see!) My focus was just getting through the lesson, so when behavior started to go downhill, I didn't know what to do. It's one thing to learn all about classroom management and it's another to put it into affect, while trying to "present" a lesson to my observing professor. I'm sure it would have been completely horrible if I had been in your situation, of having to do something you didn't get to plan beforehand! Seriously, I don't even think it's fair if you have to have that evaluation on your record. So, please don't let that incident bring your confidence down! Plan an awesome unit and go into those last few weeks with your head held high. Sure, you'll make mistakes and things won't go like you planned but you'll learn from them and be a better teacher because of it.