So I've been noticing this past week or so that being first isn't always ideal.
Let me explain. I started teaching first grade, of which we have three classes. Two times in the week the biggest and most difficult class, Madame G's class to manage comes first (there are a lot of boys who have tons of energy in that class and very few girls or quiet kids). The first time I teach a lesson I see what really worked and what should be changed to work better. It helps too that my CT sees what I do and gives me some advice before I have to teach the same lesson to the other two classes.
I feel really bad for the class that comes first because they are always getting the worst version of my lesson. And the class that really could use the kink-free lesson, Madame G's class, is stuck with it two times out of three.
When I'm done teaching all three lessons and have reflected on them and the differences I always feel better about the second and the best about the third classes. I'm sure that once I become a more seasoned teacher the differences will be a lot smaller and classes like Madame G's class wont suffer as much from coming first.
Alex, your post made me smile because that still happens to me! Actually, just last week I had the same experience with a new lesson I'd designed. My poor "first" class are always the guinea pigs and my second class is usually much smoother because I've had a moment to reflect and revise.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that often times it is not quite as bad as we think, and we learn how to fix things the next time we plan :)