Week of 02/20 - 02/24

Rate your overall experience of the week: 4

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I’m only giving this week a 4, because I still do not have my CE with me for half of the day, but this week has been rather productive and fun! We had 8 students out on Monday with the flu! They just started trickling back in this Thursday and Friday. So I have been a cleaning freak this week! I decided to switch up our usual social studies/science/TRC writing time, and my students have loved it! I have decided to focus on Social Studies this week, and then Science the next week during this time. We did a Google Cardboard this Friday, and my students were crazy excited to go to “Paris” all week, because we had a lesson on supply and demand that went along with the theme of Paris. I have found it a lot easier to break out of the usual mold of the classroom and do my own thing. I have also completely planned my EdTPA lessons this week and that is a great feeling! 

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

From the data from the math spiral tests and novel test, I know what I need to recover next week with the students. The test scores were actually really great! However, the module test is next week, and I need to make sure that I go over the topics that most missed. 

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

My long-term goal is implement more technology into my classroom, and for that to increase student engagement. This week I brought in the Google Cardboard for a closure to a Social Studies week unit. This really engaged the students all week while we did the unit, and they were super excited to visit “Paris”! I intend to implement one new technology tool every week until my ten weeks are up. 

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

I could have spent more time redoing a few of my lesson plans, because some of the lessons I have been teaching are getting little boring for students, and I want them to be engaged more than anything! I am going to spend some time researching hooks for my lessons that the students would be excited to do!

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

With my CE being out, I feel free to really make the classroom my own, without the fear of stepping on any toes. I have become a lot less apprehensive in my classroom, and have had the courage to implement new strategies that I have been researching. 

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

I am going to be processing my EdTPA lessons this weekend, so they will be perfect for next week! 

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

I had take the data from every test we take throughout the week, and that definitely helps to shape my instructional decisions for the next week. Mostly derringer skill review time. We will cover any skills that we have not yet mastered during this time, and that has helped the students to become more confident in those skills.  

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

Get everything completed early, because sometimes even though I do complete stuff early, I still feel really behind. So, I could not imagine actually procrastinating about anything at this point. Also, keep a planner that you stick by through everything! Sometimes dates sneak up if you're not careful!

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 am the full-time teacher now. I know that it is my job to lead in my classroom every single day. When something does not goes as planned or something happens with a student in my classroom, it is now my responsibility to lead and take care of whatever is happening. I am leading 21 little life in classroom, and that is on of the greatest responsibilities. 

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. I want to focus on being the best role model that I can possibly be for my students. 

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.

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. I am implementing technology into almost every one of my lessons, and my students are becoming more and more engaged. 

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. Like I mentioned before, my teacher has a great way for me to easily look at class data, and figure out what I need to do to strengthen student learning. Also, I am reflecting on my teaching practice by using the #ObserveMe in my classroom for my colleagues to give me feedback on my teaching and how I can strengthen that. 

Other:

What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?

Working on website, portfolio and resume. 

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

N/A

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

Prayer for my CE and her family, please.