| Second, I look at it as a fantastic writing
sample. It was created in a moment of interest and desire to communicate.
For a child that claims to hate writing, she has chosen to use this format
rather than just asking her question at recess. If I were alone in my own
classroom, I might have taken a few minutes to talk about how to write
informal notes, as well as when it would be appropriate to deliver them.
Lastly, I was surprised at the whole incident
of capturing the note. We were correcting five-a-day when I saw the note.
I walked over, picked it up, and continued to focus on the correction going
on at the board. That whole side of the classroom was at complete attention
for the rest of the activity. It was as if in one silent moment, I asserted
authority they had not expected and it threw them off balance. I was also
surprised at my own reaction. One of my big struggles in student teaching
is the constant flow of questions and judgment calls. I think this is the
most tiring part of teaching. In this case, however, I began to feel that
I knew what to do without second guessing myself. It changed the whole
day for me, as well as the rest of the week. I am beginning to feel more
confident in my strategies, as well as my ability to deal with the results
of those strategies, both good and bad. |
