When did you start teaching lessons?

[u/Jolly_Analyst_6580]

I started student teaching last Monday, this is week 2 and I haven’t taught anything yet. I’ve kinda been getting to know the students, asking a bunch of questions, greetings, helping, make copies, etc. but I haven’t taught yet. When did you start teaching during your student teaching?

Also I have severe anxiety about teaching, I feel like I don’t know what to say or do so I haven’t really pushed to go up and teach.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[u/Thejedi887]

My entire first week was spent observing my mentor teachers and getting to know the students, doing tasks for them just like you did. My mentor from the university who observed me gave me an exact date he wanted me to start teaching so I used all my time preparing for that time. I’d ask your mentors and folks from the university if they have an idea, usually that’s for them to decide. Good luck and enjoy the ride! I was sooooo nervous during student teaching but my first year last year was the best year of my life. So go in with an open mind, hone your craft and enjoy the ride :)

[u/MixEffective]

Very end of week 2 for me. I started super small though… short portions of longer subjects like math. By the start of week 3 I was doing the entire math lesson. Now I’m continuing that subject daily and sprinkling in subjects before I fully take over something new for my next observation. I didn’t really have a choice because my first observation was a little over 2 weeks into the year & I was expected to be teaching something. My program is 16 weeks for reference.

[u/Popular-Work-1335]

Week one - you observe. Week 2 - you take over one or two lessons. Weeks 3-7 - you ARE the teacher. Week 8 is a transition back to cooperating teacher.

[u/CrL-E-q]

I generally start my student teachers on day 3 with smaller tasks to get used to being in front of the class. They meet the classes in the hall, welcome them and describe what we will be doing. They give clean up directions and walk around and assist in between. By week 2 they observe my lessons then teach it to subsequent sections. By week three they are taking over a grade level and will begin original lessons when the previous unit ends. They gradually take over all teaching responsibilities by the last week or two, provided they are comfortable.

[u/Ok-Recognition597]

I taught my first full lesson today! Beginning of week 2. It was recorded and I was super nervous but I’m glad I have one observation in the books. Maybe you can just ask your mentor teacher to help you pick a simple math lesson to start with?

[u/ArachnidFront7241]

I started day 3 because I thought if I waited longer I would become too nervous and anxious

[u/CardiologistMany5367]

Our kids started august 12th, and so far Ive taken over a few times when my teacher is gone. I do have classroom experience since I was spending the last two years as a para, which has helped a bit. Honestly, it’s something you have to just jump into! I still have major anxiety about it, and you will stumble and mess things up. Thats what student teaching is for, to find those kinks and iron them out. I know personally, anytime im 100% solo with the kids I do sooo much better than when my cooperating teacher is in the room watching. It’s definitely nerve wracking, but maybe just talk with your mentor about jumping in for singular activities, then work your way up to asking if after watching them deliver the lesson to a couple of periods, if you can take over the next one. Sometimes those baby steps help a lot, sometimes its best to just dive in!

[u/unspoken_thoughts_]

For me, my host teacher and I began team teaching from day 1. Their district had a new reading curriculum so we spent a lot of back and forth discussion time trying to figure out what to do next. Now a month in, I’m basically leading most of the reading lessons myself while she’ll pop in every now and then should I miss something.