Week One

As this week draws to a close I wanted to share a bit of what my first week at Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School was like. I walked in on my first day to students already greeting me and shouting my name down the hall, that was pretty encouraging. I did an activity with all four of my classes where they were to create a personal flag. Seeing as I am now teaching geography, I thought this would be a good way for me to tie in the subject matter with me getting to know their names and a little bit about them. It provide to be a fairly successful activity, but I definitely learned who my shy ones were and there seemed to be a good handful. Over the week though, I saw quite a few more personalities emerge and I am looking forward to seeing them blossom and getting more comfortable with me. Though already, some a little too comfortable and I finally needed to start laying down the law more as the week went on. I think they are begin to realize who I am as a teacher and how their time with me will be though and I have seen how we will be able to mesh as a community for my time there.

We are currently working on Asia. They wrapped up with Africa right before I began so I worked with them this week on getting to know all the countries, capitals and major physical features. It is pretty amazing how true it is that you never really know something until you teach it. I am already learning so much myself and I am very excited about how much I am going to expand my own knowledge of both social studies and teaching while helping these students learn too. Next, we are moving on to do a more narrow study of Japan then onto China and then Iran. It is great being a window for middle schoolers into the cultures, events and features of countries around the globe. I definitely think I am falling for the idea of teaching middle school, especially social studies, more and more.

More updates to come as the weeks go on. I feel very lucky to have this chance to expand my experience and will be sure to keep a record of my adventures in Groton.