Today I began teaching Bridge to Terabithia which is a book I hadn't even heard of a week ago. So I didn't really know how to introduce the book, and the little workbook that she gave me was one of those books that give really lame ideas and some vocab words that kids in the urban setting will never use again. So I of course ignored it and came up with my own idea. I began with 4 pictures of friends and they determined that the common theme was friendship. I then illustrated the concept of a bridge by having two students stand on chairs across the room and try to get to the other chair without touching the ground. The students LOVED it because it was some sort of interaction. Then I talked about how the bridge was not only physical, but symbolic of bridging a friendship and bridging the gap between child and adult. Then after I assigned them each a character to analyze, we read the first chapter and I answered any questions they had. Then we summarized the first chapter and that was all we had time for.
I think that I stress myself out too much. I have to be OVERLY prepared for my lessons, and they end up taking up a lot of time for me to write and prepare. I've only taught for three days and I am worn out (though it doesn't help that we've been kept so busy).
The afternoon's session was honestly a little bit lame. Every piece of advice that they offered was something I've heard before from the other speakers. I felt like the session could have been a lot better than it was; I had been looking forward to it beforehand. I'm curious to see how Mayor Nutter is tomorrow, and if he attempts to inspire us young teachers to teach in this urban setting.
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