[gardener5]

'm working with field experience student. She works hard and does everything I ask. However, she is very reserved and quiet. She doesn't interact much with the kids. She doesn't ask me for suggestions, ideas, etc., never asks me questions about what I do. I think I'm being open and welcoming and try to start conversations. I will frequently ask... do you have anything you're wondering? how do you feel things are going? etc. I know she is a quiet person by nature (as am I). I'm just wondering how to let her know that she needs to get more involved, take more initiative, etc. I know this is different than student teaching, but I feel I need to give her some guidance and constructive criticism.

[lauraroar]

I'd say definitely just tell her that you want to see her get more involved with the kids. Sometimes as an observer you're not sure how involved the teachers want you to be, so just let her know (in a nice way, of course) that you really want to see her get involved.

[MissBabs]

Can she do the read aloud before you do a lesson?

Would it be appropriate to say something like *Emily is struggling can you work with her?*

We had three practicums before student teaching and I was fairly involved in all three. Even in my first which was described as *active observation* I read to them and participated in the songs and activities. (It was kindergarten)

How lucky she is to have a cooperating teacher who cares.

[YILuv2Teach]

Have her write down questions etc in a journal. I am also a quiet person and the second someone asks if I have any questions, any I might have had escape my mind. Then set up a weekly meeting where she can ask her questions, you can offer suggestions, and the two of you can come up with some goals for her time with you. Lastly, to help her get involved with the kids, give her small group activities where she can get some practice without the pressure of 20-30 kids watching her!

[starrysky]

realize she could be shy....let her know when her personality comes out...acknowledge that u realize she is shy....maybe you just need to give her some time to come out of her shell.

[filochica]

I am a quiet person also who had multiple field placements and then student taught. Unfortunately, my mentor teacher was not as nice as you sound. She belittled me for being quiet and reserved and gave me a less than favorable final write-up. I always put 100% effort into everything but she would only focus on my quiet personality- that seemed to overshadow my lesson plans, interaction with students, etc. I think that your field exp. student may be intimidated entering your classroom and could possibly be afraid of overstepping- just let her know that she is free to jump in and maybe even tell her "don't worry about stepping on my toes" so that she knows she can get involved. I think that another idea may be to slowly increase her responsibilities- for example, one week, she can be responsible for walking the students to specials, the next, she can lead the students in reading a chapter of their book, etc. This way, she won't feel overwhelmed but can ease into the whole experience. I hope these suggestions are helpful!

Just please be kind in your criticism- being quiet is not a bad thing and it certainly takes all different kinds of teachers to reach students.

[Joan215]

I agree with a few of the other responses: get her involved, by asking her to do a read-aloud and asking her to do specific things. Pair her up with a table group or one specific student who has difficulties with reading or comprehension. Maybe she could read with a child who has difficulty reading.

Remember that this is a "field experience" will help you to get her involved.

And of course, ask her what she'd feel comfortable doing. She may have some specific tasks that she's curious about doing.

Last, but not least...as always, let her know she is welcome to jump in and help the students during lessons.

[Blossom]

I am in a language arts practicum right now, and I tend to be more observational in nature. I'm not quiet or reserved at ALL, but I like having the chance to just watch for once. While it may not seem like I am "participating" by not actively working with students, I am learning- by watching rather than doing. I like to watch the other teacher and the dynamics between the students - I learn a lot from really just watching. I soak up much more by watching her than by with working with the kids most of the time - I am watching everything she does - language she uses, questioning skills, procedures, etc.

That said, I do enjoy working directly with the kids too. I watched her do several writing conferences with her students, and then one day she let me do a few. I have also given spelling tests and helped students correct classwork. There are some things you can only learn by doing it.

Maybe she is nervous? Maybe she has never worked with students directly before?

Ask her what she is comfortable doing, and then plan a few things for her to do - simple things like spelling or one-on-one work, maybe small group activities.

I hope she does get involved - she can learn a lot from both!