Action Blog Post #2 Pt.2

The action I plan on doing is returning to my previous middle school to assist students in a class. I’ve decided to visit Hillcrest Middle School three times this semester. I am continuing this project by staying in touch with the previous teacher whose class I’ve been mainly helping at. All that is left to do is to pick a day that works for both of us since the teacher only works a few days during the week. 

A complexity I will face in this project is sometimes helping kids with schoolwork because something I’ve noticed is that in subjects like science, I have forgotten the material learned in grades 7 and 8. I will overcome this by searching for the answers and then explaining them to the students. Another challenge will be developing a plan so that I don’t fall behind on my own work at school. I will overcome this by communicating with my teachers and completing missed work on my own time because sometimes sacrifices must be made.   

This action is sustainable because I can form close bonds with the kids and demonstrate to the teacher that I am reliable. For example, if those students come to my high school next year and see me in the hallways, they will know that if they need help, I will always lend a hand. I can also enlighten them about how different high school is from middle school and give them tips on how to manage the workload because I have been in their shoes not so long ago. Also, in the future when the teacher needs a helper for activities, she can trust to reach out to me.   

This action provides an opportunity for the students to learn concepts in class better because I can go around and help them with different questions in subjects like math they are struggling to understand. I can also inform them about what high school is like for me and my friends so they can prepare and know what to anticipate. I will ensure that I am having a positive impact on each student by having a meaningful conversation with each one because sometimes you have to reach out first. Also, once the teacher has finished giving the lesson, I will go around the classroom asking if anyone has any questions because learning something new sometimes takes a few explanations.    

Mrs. Carston, the teacher of the grade eight classroom, is my expert. She has been a teacher for many years and is highly outgoing and approachable. Her cheerful personality will help me on my journey by teaching me how to approach each individual in order to have a positive impression on them. Furthermore, because she has been working with these students for a couple of months, she can show me different tactics with which each student learns better. For example, some people benefit from seeing the content written on the board, but others prefer to have it explained to them. 

Most of my answers have remained the same from last semester because I am continuing the same action project. This might be because the same strategies and activities I have done in the past can be used again with the same students or even new ones. Also, I will be working in multiple classes, so I can use the previous plans I have made as well. However, some of my answers have changed, for example in the first paragraph. This is due to the fact that I have already formed a relationship with the teacher who is also my expert, so I’m not starting from scratch.