MicroTeaching 3-Day Experience

MicroTeaching at Midd-West High School

All I can say is WOW! What a great experience that was. I did my microteaching experience at Midd-West High school with Mr. Erb. While I was there I taught three days of small gas engines with a class of 18 9th and 10th grade boys. Let me tell ya, they definitely challenged me and pushed me a times where I was clueless on what to do next. They also tested me on the content I was teaching to see how much I actually knew. Even though we had times like this, this experienced was definitely worthwhile and fun.
Day 1:
Introduction to students we went through the process of a 4 stroke engine, defined some major parts and functions of those parts. Then students were split into four groups and each group was assigned a stroke of the engine. Once they were split into groups they went and had to research on how that stroke of the engine contributed to the engine function, what major parts were in the stroke , and add a value-added piece to the presentation. After this I gave them time to work on their presentations. Constantly walking around and seeing if they needed help or had any questions. I was able to observe them working in groups and seeing how much work was actually taking place. I will say that if I would have know this class a little better, I would have assigned the groups a little differently, but I had to make sure that they used their time wisely by making sure that everyone was participating in the project. At the end of this class I went around to see where everyone was at and some of the groups needed a bit more time to work, which was not planned for my second day lesson plan.
Day 2:
I planned for the students to present and go over atleast two strokes of the engine. However that is not the way it went. Some groups were needing more time to get their stuff done. I did give them extra time, which ended up being the whole rest of the period to get their presentations finished and ready to go for day 3. I also made them add more into their presentations because it took a whole other period. By the end of this day they were ready to go and present for the next class.
Day 3:
As soon as the students got into the class, the needed to have their presentations ready to go. We were short on time because they had an assembly at the end of the day. I assigned the first groups to go that had the first stroke of the engine, then the second group with the second stroke and so forth. I was pleased with the groups who took the project seriously and they did very well. The other groups did well but definitely could have done better. The class was still very good.
Overall, this was definitely a good learning experience. If I could go back and change a few things I would. I would give them a rubric before I assigned them the presentation, instead of the last day. I would have assigned the groups differently , to avoid some of the push back that I got. Also I would have dug a little deeper in the material that I was teaching, so I could really understand and present the content a little differently. I really did enjoy the kiddos and they made the experience really fun. I learned that being flexible is a good thing, especially when you are a teacher. I truly believe that it was a blessing to be given this experience and I wouldn't have traded it for anything! Great Learning Experience!