2.3.17

Week of Reflection: Week 5

  

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 3
• Seven questions to end your week:
• • Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
    I was glad to finally have my first 5 day week of holding the whole classroom. I started on a four day week, so it was good to experience. I'm pleasantly surprised at how much of a routine I have gotten into. I have gotten into the routine of each lesson/subject and what I need to prepare for them. I am also excited that I have been able to make smoother transitions, which I guess comes with blending with the routine.
    
    
  • Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
    I have learned one lesson this week about classroom management. I have learned that it is best to start out firm, because you can always loosen up. I've found that the best way to approach behavior is to show the class that you mean business, and expect them to follow your rules. I have made it one of my priorities to use more positive praise. That is a bit harder to do with older students, but I've been given some really good ideas to build off of next week!
    
    
  • Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
    My long term goal of successfully teaching for 10 full weeks has been going well so far, as I'm constantly learning. One of my efforts to achieve this goal is to soak in wisdom and knowledge from the 4th grade teachers. I work with some of the very BEST that Cleveland County has to offer, so I'm very appreciative that I'm growing with them.
    
    
  • Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
    One thing I struggle with is worrying about what the next day holds. I do a lot of worrying about things such as "do I have everything set up for a successful next day?" "Is this hook going to be catchy enough?". One thing that I learned is that, especially after my observation that occurred on Thursday, is that growth mindset is imperative. Even if you are the best teacher, you are still going to mess up and things might seem more clear after you try something that doesn't work. So I definitely am making efforts to spend less time worrying about what lies ahead.
    
    
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
    Going off of what I said previously, all of the worry we do impacts us as teachers and people. Not to mention that students can smell fear. So I've been using several methods to show my students that I am in charge and what we are learning about in class is very, very important.
    
    
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
    Next week, I am starting a new mathematics concept (division). We teach division very differently from what I was taught as a K-12 student, and even differently from what we learned in our methods classes. So I want to spend the weekend practicing so I have a firm understanding, which will allow me to deliver the best content I possibly can.
    
    

Adapted from: Cernoff, M. (2013, August 7). 7 Questions to End Your Week With. . Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/08/08/7-questions-to-end-your-week-with/

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?
  This week, we dug deep into our easyCBM Mathematics data. We use easyCBM as a method of progress monitoring mathematics.
  
  
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

Do the best you can to stay on top of your plans. I know we get overwhelmed with everything we have going on as student teachers, and I'm sure we are all feeling the burn that comes along with student teaching. It is a good experience, but a grueling one. At the same time, I want to also say to make sure you make time for yourself and the people you care about. It can be really easy to fall into a habit of endless schoolwork, and any good teacher wants to be the very best. However, this first full week, I have been at school for 12 hours at a time some days and it has exhausted me. So make sure you are making effective use of your time, which will allow you to have a "school life" and a "home life".

• NC Teacher Candidate Standards (be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer)
• • Pick an element from standard one of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.
    I have taken an active role in my school, particularly at Awards Day. I was responsible for calling out part of the fourth grade awards, and our principal was impressed that I was taking that role that includes many different teaching duties.
    
    
  • Pick an element from standard two of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.
    I used a lot of personal examples in order to connect with my students, and it has really helped me with classroom management. I have also started using a variety of disciplinary actions in order to best address each student. I appreciate each of my students for who they are and only hope they do as well.
    
    
    
    
  • Pick an element from standard three of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.
    Teaching multiplication is one of my strengths and I think that has helped me to meet students halfway and figure out where they are making mistakes. For instance, it's usually an error when adding up the partial products, or not moving one place value to the left.
    
    
  • Pick an element from standard four of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.
    I have had to modify some ELA assignments for students in order to ensure they are successful and not easily defeated. It has helped them chunk and critically think about what is "on their plate".
    
    
  • Pick an element from standard five of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.
    I have started to really dig deep into my lesson reflections and see if the objectives match up with what I really taught.
    
    
• Other:
• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
  I've been gathering data to use, as well as starting to develop my behavior plans for the students I have chosen. I have chosen my edTPA standards as well.
  
  
• What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
  None at this time
  
  
  What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  None at this time