Communication is only effective when the students are thoroughly engaged. This is something that becomes clearer to me with each class I instruct. I have found myself paying closer attention to everything around me (reading, listening, observing) which seems to make it easier to integrate information into a lesson. It is extremely easy to lose a third-graders interest so I am constantly evaluating throughout the lesson.
I had to communicate and coordinate with all of the Hampton Cove third grade teachers when I planned a field trip for the entire third grade. All the teachers were teaching Ecosystems and I felt it would be a terrific idea if the students could see firsthand what a wetland ecosystem looked liked. I collaborated with the City of Huntsville and all the teachers to set up a field trip to the wetlands (Hays Nature Preserve). I created the permission slips for all third grade teachers and collaborated with the botanist, Ms. Susan Weber at Hays Nature Preserve.