Im so nervous for student teaching!!?

Question

I start student teaching this semester in a 5th grade classroom. I am so nervous and anxious!! Any advice???

Answer 1

First of all, your master teacher  (the one who is handing over his or her class to you for 8 weeks or more - and quite reluctantly I might add, as he or she has not established discipline rules yet) will not have you teach the first day of school or even the second day. But you will be given some tasks to do, like take attendance or pass out papers. During this time watch your master teacher and how they handle the class. Notice that the MT will know exactly what is going on in the room all the time. S/he will scan the room constantly and when asking a question of the class, will not select a student first and then ask. They will wait for a  few seconds and then call on a student. Your MT will make a special effort to call kids by their name even the first days of school.

If your MT doesn't have a seating plan, put that on your list of to do so you have full control of the classroom.  Change seats, let them know you are in charge by doing things like this. They will always complain.

The first few weeks of school are known as the honeymoon weeks. Students don't know what to expect of you, nor do you know what they are going to do. But they will be good for the most part.

Fifth grade is a great grade to teach. They aren't in middle school yet and they know all the rules, how to raise their hands, etc. But the first weeks of school are VERY IMPORTANT, whether you are teaching or observing. It is the time that the climate of the class is established. Watch how this is done. It looks easy but it isn't.

You will get to teach a few kids at a time, maybe in a group setting.  This way they get to know you and you get to know them. Call them by name if you can. If they think they can call you by your first name, correct them. You are the teacher, not their buddy.

It's important to stick to rules at the beginning of school. If you let them slide then the rest of the year will be horror. You are in control of your classroom at all times. Don't let a student tell YOU the rules.



Get used to the idea of having others in the room while you teach. It's a given for all of us. Pretend they aren't there.

Notice the good stuff, play down the bad stuff. Pick your battles or you will be fighting against the tide all day long. Very tiring. You know your limits. You don't have to be on task the whole time but you will be always aware of what is going on in the room.

Remember to praise, praise, praise and to love them when they are least lovable.  They won't eat you alive I promise. You are their model and what you say and what you do is watched in detail by every kid in the class. (If you meet up with a student in the supermarket, they will check out what you have in your basket....true) Keep your temper under control at all times and don't let a kid get to you as they will push the envelope all the time no matter how old they are.

My best advice: when you say NO you mean NO, not maybe, not we'll talk about it, but NO. Be firm, don't waffle. If they persist, remember what your mother always told you..."you didn't hear me the FIRST time???"

And don't let the girls get cute on you as they will use all their power to get what they want. Yes, they learn this early and even earlier. The boys will test you out too.

Always be professional, dress appropriately, no shorts, no sandals, no t- shirts.  Look at the other teachers in the school and follow their example. Nothing low cut. If you wouldn't wear it to church, don't wear it to school. Be early for class always. At least a half hour. Be prepared with lesson plans. Don't wing it.

Above all...have fun, enjoy this time as this is the time for you to try out new things, make mistakes and figure out what went wrong and what went right.

It's a great experience.

Good luck!

Answer 2

don't try to tell them what to do. try and take it slow. let them know a little bit about u. try and make it fun and interesting.

Answer 3

well you dont have to be all mean and strict but if you arent then they will push your buttons.

the only way they wont push your buttons is that if your the fun kinda teacher, they all like.

but if your starting off the school year, then they cant lie to you and stuff, and really push your buttons because the other teacher has not yet set any rules and stuff,  so they have to listen to you.

well, sounds confusing, but dont worry, you'll do fine! just be glad its not high school at the end of the year (and if you ever do dont take anything personally, im in high school, and they try to brake the teachers down, meannn kids i tell ya!)

Answer 4

Good luck to you! I remember my student teaching days.  Learn as much as you can from the mentor teachers.  Observe how they handle different situations and classroom management and try to run the class similar to her when you are doing the teaching.

Answer 5

Don't tell the kids what to do.

You'll get eaten alive.

Answer 6

Let them know that you are not to be messed with.  Most fifth graders are good people but if they start to push, you need to be able to push back and keep control.  

Answer 7

Well, don't be nervous.Kids will go off of that.Think you're weak, do whatever they please because they think you won't do anything.

Come in the class with confidence.