Summary

The process of constructing a unit and teaching it to an entire class was a good learning experience for me. I had planned a unit last semester for Prof Grimes' class; however, implementing the unit and actually teaching it is a whole different story. Also the use of backwards design made the unit planning process more in depth and meaningful. The process of using KUDs made me realize the depth of planning that goes into preparing a unit and the thought process that I will go through in the future as I plan more units.
The actual teaching of the unit in the classroom was also extremely beneficial. It makes the planning process far more realistic and allows you to learn what can actually be done in the time you are given. For example, the first lesson we thought that it would take much longer than it actually did, so we made necessary changes to the future lessons to ensure that there would not be down time in the classroom and that we utilized the full instructional period we were given. It also gave me an opportunity to become far more comfortable in front of a classroom of kids and find my place as a teacher. I learned that at times I had to assert the fact that I was a teacher and not there to just be their friends. It gave me numerous opportunities to work on my classroom/behavior management abilities and find what works for me.
Teaching in the classroom was also a fun experience due to the fact that I got to meet a whole new classroom of kids and a new teacher. The class I was in this semester was much different than the previous class I was placed in. The first teacher was very strict and her interaction with the children seemed to be focused on her authority in the class room. The teacher I had this semester took a much more friendly approach to the classroom and allowed the children liberties that were not allowed in the classroom I was in the prior semester. It gave me a good view of the spectrum of teachers out there and what strategies work and what does not.
Overall, it was a great learning experience that showed me areas where I need to work on, but it also showed me that I am capable of teaching children things that they will actually learn and remember.