3.31.17

Week of Reflection: 3.31.17

  

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 4
• Seven questions to end your week:
• • Observe:
    This week, I'm proud to say that I've been able to take chunks of my workload away each day. I've been working really hard and usually don't quit each night until I'm cross-eyed, which usually tells me it is time to go to bed! I developed a list of the final standards artifacts I need to obtain, and have been crossing things off as I go. Also, My roommates and I have a countdown to graduation in our living room and I'm always eager to change the number of days each afternoon! We are down to 43 days and that is an accomplishment for all of us!
    
    
  • Reflect
    This week I learned how one field trip can really have an effect on your lessons in days prior. Yesterday, we had a PBIS reward trip to the YMCA in Boiling Springs. Though not all students had met the behavior requirements, the majority of my class did, and they were very hyped for the trip all week. That caused the instruction to be not as meaningful as I had intended.
    
    
  • Focus
    Like I said, I've been really busy getting things together to capstone student teaching successfully. I've enjoyed student teaching, but I'm also ready to say I've completed this huge milestone. I've enjoyed the relationship my CE and I have had and I've done a lot of reflection in terms of whether or not my goals have been accomplished. Obviously I cannot have achieved everything because when I began this experience, I had no clue what student teaching would entail. But I'm glad that I had this experience because it gave me a true taste of professional teaching.
    
    
  • Be Productive
    This far in, 44 days to graduation, I think I could have spent less time worrying about that and more time focusing on the end in mind. But I've tried to stay up and current with everything I need to get done.
    
    
  • Have Courage
    Again, finishing strong is something I'm working on willing myself to do.
    
    
  • Begin Anew
    Next week, I want to begin more recording across all content areas. I've been getting a lot of ELA and Math, but want to make sure I get my science lesson recorded for this week!
    
    

What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?

This week, I attended a meeting on how to analyze testing data. We took a look at the 4th grade data for my school, up against LEA and state data for 4th grade. It was really interesting to see the patterns that stood out to me, because it allowed us as a grade level to tweak what we are doing for the rest of this year, as well as into next year. It was a really informative meeting that allowed us to examine literature, writing skills, and language skills to see where we need to tweak and change things. We determined as a grade level that we would be conferencing with 3rd grade to determine how we could restructure vocabulary instruction to allow students to grasp a deeper meaning for the words; not just a short definition and maybe a picture.

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

We are so close to the end! Don't give up!

• NC Teacher Candidate Standards (be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer)
• • Standard 1
    When we were on our PBIS Reward trip, my CE and I had to split up so she could cover for the teacher who had to stay behind with students who were not eligible. It was a good experience, and I got to take responsibility for my students, as well as several 5th grade students. It was a lot to lead, but nothing went wrong and I got to take that role.
    
    
  • Standard 2
    Recently, we sent out a letter to parents about our Easter party. Unbeknownst to me, I have one student who is a Jehovah's Witness. This student is very sweet and kind, and I was able to have a great conversation with her about the party and alternative arrangements we would make so she would not be forced to partake in something she was uncomfortable with. It was a learning experience for both of us.
    
    
  • Standard 3
    I've been doing a lot of integrating this week, especially pertaining to science. We actually were outside on the playground for second special on Wednesday, and there were several bees and butterflies surrounding a cherry blossom tree. I took the time to do a little mini-lesson on pollination and migration during that time, which the kids LOVED because it was something they were experiencing in real life, right in front of them.
    
    
  • 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 used to have a rule/task sheet that stayed up on the smart board for students to reference during our afternoon math centers. I stopped using it for a while, but it went back up during this week's centers and I think it is helping!
    
    
  • 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.
    In student teaching, I'm starting to realize that everything I am taking in and doing now will help me when I have my own classroom. One thing I have reflected on in general is classroom management and how to begin to take what I've learned this year and make it into a comprehensive philosophy of classroom management.
    
    
• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
  Now that I'm starting to get a lot of my videos in, I'm trying to select the lessons that will be most appropriate to show in my portfolio presentation. I'm also having to go back and revisit the technology tool videos I created because I found that they were incompatible to be used with my website.
  
  
• 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

3.24.17

Week just completed: 3.24.17  

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 3
• Seven questions to end your week:
• • Observe
    Though I have several checks left to show artifacts for, I was pleased with the amount I was able to check off this past observation. Also, I was pleasantly surprised Friday morning when one of my students brought me a container of gourmet cupcakes just because her and her mom wanted to. It was such a sweet gesture and reiterated that I am doing a good job and learning in this experience in how to improve.
    
    
  • Reflect
    Next week, I will definitely be finalizing all of my components in order to receive all of my checks on my standards. It is a huge relief to be done with edTPA but I feel like my time spent on that allowed other responsibilities (lesson reflections, etc. to struggle. So I will be picking those back up and will be up to date with everything by next week. I want to finish this experience on a positive note and feel like I've accomplished something.
    
    
  • Focus
    Short term, I've been tweaking my instruction to prepare students for their EOGs. We've began using scan cards in order to grade our Cold Read and Vocabulary quizzes, and that's for several reasons. One, it is a lot easier for me to grade via a scanner. Two, students are getting practice in for when they will have to bubble all of their answers for the EOG. That EOG score holds a lot of weight for these kids and what their future education looks like, even if it does not directly determine whether they pass or fail the fourth grade. So, it's important that their bubble answers are as accurate as possible.
    
    
  • Be Productive
    I feel like I have been spending a lot of time doing a little bit of everything. Therefore, I have not "crossed anything off of my list", so to speak. I want to begin tackling each component one at a time so that I am actively making progress.
    
    
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
    Completing this experience has so many "end of experience" goals where we are just in the process of finalizing things. The student teaching experience has come to a rapid close, even though we are not quite done yet. The graduat
    
    
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
    Next week, I want to start with a strong set of lessons that will set the tone for the week. It is calming to know what standards I need to focus on, and plan instruction specifically that will target them. I feel like those standard checks are a mental clutter for me somewhat because I know what I've done to satisfy them, but explaining it via the lesson plans/artifacts is my next step to completing the task.
    
    

What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?

This week, I looked at gradebook data to see which students I needed to focus my time and energy on. I noted that two students had experienced a drop in grades beginning 3 weeks ago. I want to be sure to pull those specific students in order to intervene, whether that be academically related or having a chat to make sure their day is going okay. There is a variety of needs in my classroom that can negatively or positively impact grades, and I've become very aware of that during this year long experience.

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

Make sure you guys are taking lots of pictures/shooting lots of video! You should always be recording lessons and getting student work samples, but it's also important take pictures of the class during parties, on field trips, and anything else that shows the environment of the classroom and the personalities of your students outside of academic demands. For one, it will be a nice addition to your portfolio video. But it is also a good thing to do to remind yourself who you're teaching.

• NC Teacher Candidate Standards (be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer)
• • Standard 1A
    There were several moments on Friday where my CE had to step out, as well as take an absence earlier in the week. I discussed the importance of high school graduation in one of my lessons. It was nothing concrete or anything, but we had a discussion of what kind of work I had in elementary, middle and high school and how all of that led me to Gardner-Webb. This was all during a cause and effect lesson during ELA time.
    
    
  • Standard 2D
    I have been doing my research on research based strategies this week, and am collecting information in order to flag my lesson plans.
    
    
  • Standard 3B
    I did not have anything to offer this week, but in the plans I wrote for next week I am including some think-pair-share activities in order to allow students to ponder the content with one another. 
    
    
  • Standard 4
    Since Tuesday, I have gone back in my plans and reflected on what lessons worked/didn't work for what students. When students have free time, I would pull them back for some extra work on a concept I felt that they did not "get" during the lesson. The "ah-ha" moment they have when they're working by themselves makes it evident to me that they aren't just putting up a front that they understand it. Reflecting on this understanding has worked so far, and I want to continue to do this through my experience as a teacher.
    
    
  • Standard 5
    Again, I've been researching research-based strategies in an effort to identify and name them, rather than just incorporating them on the fly.
    
    
• Other:
• • What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
    edTPA is completed, so that is a huge weight off my shoulders. I've also been updating my classroom website some and started to revise my philosophy of education.
    
    
  • What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
    None at this time
    
    
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  • Prayers to finish this experience to the best of my ability

3.17.17

Week of Reflection: 3.17.17

  

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 4
• Seven questions to end your week:
• • Observe
    This week, I was glad to continue getting my artifacts together. I was also pleasantly surprised at how my hooks have been working. They've been getting better and better and I've noticed how they've drawn my students into the lesson (especially ELA).
    
    
  • Reflect
    Next week, I want to work on being able to ease up on my classroom management. It is so important to maintain the figure of authority, but now that my students are used to me, I want to be able to have that relationship where we can effectively learn in a classroom that has more freedom.
    
    
  • Focus:
    Short term, I have been analyzing my observation checklists to see what I need to focus my time and effort on. Not to ease off on anything I have already gotten, but more so to work smarter.
    
    
  • Be Productive
    This week, I spent a great deal of time working on edTPA. Because of that, I managed to get a great deal of edTPA done, but I think I sacrificed time that I might have usually spent on my lesson reflections. So, I'll have to go back and get my reflections done as well.
    
    
  • Have Courage
    This week, I had told myself that I wanted to make a difference not only in all of my students, but specifically one student who is currently struggling with behavior and mental issues. This student is a sweet kid but has tried to
    
    
  • Begin Anew
    Next week, I want to begin working on my diversity standard in my classroom. I've been acknowledging the diversity in my classroom, but I think I can take it a few steps deeper. I also definitely want to have edTPA squared away BEFORE Monday so that is not still on my plate by the beginning of the week.

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?
• At a behavior/safety plan meeting with my CE, administration, and county psychologists, we looked at behavior data that belonged to a student in my classroom. We had to determine ways to tweak the student's current behavior/safety plan as well as progress that is being tracked.
  
  
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

We are almost there! Student teaching has been one of the hardest things I believe anyone can do in their life, but I truly feel that I wouldn't be the teacher I am today without the push and movement from this experience.

• 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've really been trying to create positive change within our School Improvement Plan by pushing for proficiency on our math skills. 4th grade math was a concern in the SIP and I am taking a role in that as a stakeholder in that plan. Recently, my class has had some of the highest math grades in the grade level, so I'm proud of that.
    
    
  • 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.
    This week, I had a small discussion/mini lesson on mutual respect of people despite their differences. At this stage of fourth grade, students are starting to hit that stage of "immature maturity", and so I did an exercise with them that taught the importance of respect.
    
    
  • 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.
    We started a new math skill this week (fractions) and I've made sure that all of my materials and references have been aligned with 4.NF.1, the 4th grade fractions standard. This has made a difference in how straightforward my instruction has been. There has not been any sidetracking or backtracking, which has been good.
    
    
  • 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've definitely had to tweak the way I assess students given their ability. For instance, with our Cold Read/Vocabulary quizzes, we have recently began to have our students bubble their answers onto a scan card in addition to marking in their actual test. For students with IEP accommodations, I did not have them bubble. Instead, they strictly marked in their actual test.
    
    
  • 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 can definitely say that this experience, and more specifically this week, has brought me the gift of flexibility. My school site is a dynamic environment, and I've had to make changes to my instruction based upon the needs of my students. More specific, in regards to the student referenced above, my classroom has changed somewhat abruptly because of the behavior/safety plan.
    
    
• Other:
• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
  Other than edTPA and my artifacts/student work, I have not focused my time on much of anything else! However, edTPA is a huge part of our portfolio. I have also continued to analyze behavior student data as the data plan has been in effect.
  
  
• 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