New Beginnings

Even though I'm already three posts into this blog, I neglected to talk about how this whole thing got started. A new year signifies a new beginning, much like the start of a new semester. While it can be a little scary, it can also be very exciting. A new semester is a chance to obviously learn new things and even improve on skills that aren't so great. 

When I walked into science methods for the first time, I was ready for a new beginning. I sat down next to a bunch of familiar faces and class immediately began with ice breakers. We were given pieces of construction paper and were told to simply write our names and we could even draw something that represented who we were. Even though it seemed like a minor detail, it was important to me because it showed me the professor actually cared who we were. Of all my five classes, science methods was the only one where we were given the opportunity to be creative. I also loved how we had to write down our science experiences and feelings about the topic. As much as it was for Dr. Smirnova to get a deeper understanding of who we are, it was also for me too. It forced me to think about science and answer questions I never even thought about. 

It was really important that we spent that first day thinking about ourselves as scientists, and even as students. As a teacher, I think it's extremely important to get to know your students. Especially in elementary school, hobbies and interests are the most important things in kids lives. Knowing what your students like and dislike can be a huge help when trying to make lessons and I think it can make a huge difference. Ice breakers are a great way to get to know your students, let your students know you, and even create a comfortable environment for everyone.