I love almost everything about my field placement. My supervising teacher is very nice and she helps me to think of ideas for my lesson plan. She just doesn't give me a topic and say go for it. Though she helps me with ideas, I do the rest myself. The other teachers in that grade are very nice too. The kids in my class are good and they're warming up to me.

The only thing I have to complain about is my teacher doesn't give me many opportunities to lead the class. In the beginning, I asked her if I could be more involved with the students so that I wouldn't be as nervous when I have to teach them. She said that was fine and that I could eventually do the morning mesage with them. Well it never happened and now the students do this on their own. I'm a little disappointed about not being able to do the morning message with them.

Should I ask my teacher again if I can be more involved or just see what happens?

[lucky]

are you in? If you're just in phase I, that's observation phase and you shouldn't be leading the class. If you are in phase II or III, then contact your university supervisor immediately. Generally, universities give lead teachers expectations they have to follow.

Lucky
What do you mean by phase? I wasn't saying that I want to take over the class. I just wanted to do the morning message with them or something similar to that.

[tish]

will give the cooperating teacher a schedule of when you should be doing certain things. When I had a student teacher I met with the supervisor and she had everything laid out for me as far as the student teacher's role and responsibility in my classroom. There has to be some kind of plan or that hurts you and your experience.

[lucky]

you were trying to take over the class. All I have to go on is where I'm from, CA. Student teachers go through phases. Phase I is observation, Phase II is teaching 1/2 day, and Phase III is full day teaching. Have a talk with your supervisor and tell them your master teacher isn't letting you get any experience.

[SUMustang2011]

I would def ask again to help out. In my field placement my teacher usually always lets me lead a group during math, like she will split them up into two or three groups and I will lead one. I also check the students in, go over warms ups or homework and pass out papers. She keeps me invoved in many different ways, so maybe you could suggest some of these ways to your supervising teacher. I would also mention something to the supervior from your college.

Hope I helped!

[rlee1296]

I think you should definetly ask again. It is crucial for you as a student teacher to be able to gain confidence being in front of the students by yourself. There is nothing worse than being thrown into the fire when teaching your first lesson, not having the experience of teaching/maintaining control of the class before hand. Talk with your teacher and just discuss the possible things throughout the day you could gradually take over. If that doesn't work well, I would talk with your college supervisor, because this is supposed to be a learning experience and not a time for you to just sit back and watch. Good Luck!

[Hope2BG8Teach]

This happened to me one semester, where the supervising teacher didn't give me opportunities to teach. What I did was, I went up to her and asked her what she was doing for that day and if I could maybe teach part of the lesson. I started out small by just doing the drill and then started doing more things. The teacher said that she like that I took the initiative to work with the students. She also told me that she wish she had used me more because it was a lot easier having someone to help.

I would go to your teacher and ask her if it was okay if you did something. Instead of saying something I would say a specific task (drill, classwork, etc...).

Good luck and I hope this helped!

[msriteous]

I think it would be a good idea to ask again. If thats not enough then you should ask your college supervisor to step in. Showing that your ready by doing little things like helping the kids may make her feel comfortable in releasing some of the responsibility to you.

[Joan215]

I think it's great that you are asking to be involved in your classroom. I have a student teacher right now, who doesn't even have the courtesy to say "good morning" when she comes into my room, let alone talk to me...heck, she didn't even introduce herself (the secretary walked her to my room and introduce her)!

Ask your cooperating teacher how you can be involved. She will love it that you are persistent and anxious to get involved!
Good luck!