Week of 01/09-01-13

Rate your overall experience of the week: 5

Seven questions to end your week:

Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?

I took over most of the classroom this week, because I start full-time next week. I was very surprised at my confidence level this week. I know that last semester, I was always so nervous to teach, but this week I felt so great about my teaching. 

Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

Writing all those lesson plans for full-time teaching next week, was no easy task, but it is now finished and I can just review them. I have noticed upon reviewing a few, that I need to not be so generic on my differentiation, and come up with ways to differentiate, that even my CE does not do. 

Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?

My short term goal this week is to establish discipline for my students. That way whenever they misbehave their will be consequences, but this also true for positive reinforcement. I will need positive and negative reinforcement all throughout my next ten weeks, so those goals are still aligned with one another. 

Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

I could have spent more time this week working on my portfolio and website during the snow days. I did get a lot of lesson planning finished during that time. However, I do wish I would have gotten some portfolio pieces taken care of. 

Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?

I feel like I took a big step back in the positive and negative reinforcement this week, because I just was not sure when I was able to punish or reward a student. My CE talked to me about a lot of that this Thursday, and today I was able to put that into practice, and my CE commended me doing a great job in that area. 

Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?

I am going to work on portfolio and website this weekend. I will start writing lesson plans for the following week, this Monday, and continue the trend of writing lessons like I have, because that has helped so much! I will look over my lesson plans this weekend also, and make sure that they have everything I need in them. 

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

I have already started collecting grades for the subjects thatI teach. So right now, I have ever grade for literacy that I have taught. Looking through this data on my own, makes me realize what students need the extra help, and in what areas they need it. Looking through the class data helps me to differentiate my instruction and WIN time for the students. 

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

Seriously stay organized. I have been the most organized I have ever been, and I still feel like I could slip up at any second. Also, stay ahead! You're week will be so much easier and stress free. I am so happy that I have finished everything for next week by now. 

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.

Teachers lead in their classrooms. This week I lead my classroom in behavior management. I finally took control, and my students will listen to me now and they see me as a leader. 

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.

Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. I hope I always establish this kind of enviroment for my students, but I think this week I really understood what that meant. I want my students to feel safe and happy in my classroom, and the way portray myself and handle situations. This week, everyday that they have left the classroom, I made sure I hugged each student and told them I loved them and cannot wait to see them tomorrow. 

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.

Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. This week while writing my lesson plans, I made sure that I aligned the content that I was teaching with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. I also discussed with my CE about if I was on the right track with the standards or not. We also talked about making lesson plans for stuff that is not in the 2nd grade curriculum, because my CE loves to prepare them for the 3rd grade. 

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.

Teachers use a variety of instructional methods. I have facilitated learning in different ways than my CE normally does this week, and my students love it. During social studies, I used a video and a game to help reinforce what MLK did for us and how important he is. The students seemed to have learned so much, and everyone passed their assessment on MLK. Making the learning relevant really helped the information to stick in their heads. 

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.

Teachers analyze student learning. This week I have graded more papers than I care to admit, but this data has helped me to shape what I am teaching for the following weeks. 

Other:

What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?

I have almost completed my website, and have been working on the portfolio pieces. 

What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?

N/A

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

Just prayers to make it through this semester to the best of my ability.