Week 02/27 - 03/03

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 am giving this week a 5, because this week really has been great! I have been without my CE all week, but have been in constant communication, and that makes planning a little easier. My students have been very respectful this week, and my behavior student is actually starting to show a positive reaction to the behavior plan that I have created for him! I can honestly see such an improvement in that little boy from day to day, and that warms my heart! I also had my third observation this week, and that went well. My lessons that my supervisor saw were not the best I have taught by far, but they did not completely fall apart. There is always room for improvement when we are teaching, and I appreciate the constructive feedback so much! I also went to observe a 4th grade teachers classroom during specials one time this week, and observed her during her WIN time and a part of her novel reading. It was nice to see another teachers strategies and what WIN time and novel reading looks like in an upper grade level. We have had a lot of sickness during this week, and a lot of students throwing up, but I think we have made it through the worst part of it…thank goodness. I can honestly say that I am so happy and proud to be living out my passion of teaching children. 

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

Data from the math spiral test, helps me to see who missed exactly what kind of question, so I know who to call on when we are reviewing questions that are similar to that one. We had a lot of very good scores on our math spirals this week, and it is so great to see improvement. Data from our novel tests this week, tells me what I need to go over next week in order to help them review for their big novel test next Thursday. Data from their silent comprehension tells me what exactly I need to work on with individual groups during WIN time, that will help them to dive deeper into textual evidence. 

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 Plickers for a skill review and the students LOVED it! This is also a great way to save your assessment data, and see which student missed what question, immediately. My PDP has helped me to implement more technology into my classroom! 

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

I could have spent more time writing up my EdTPA, because now I feel very behind and I have a lot to catch on, in terms of EdTPA. 

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

I have become a lot less apprehensive about talking to other teachers in my grade level, because I really need their help right now with my CE being out.  I have one 2nd grade teacher who is getting ready to retire this year, and she helps me so much, and I am very appreciative of her!

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

I am going to start my write ups on EdTPA, so that I can catch up with myself. I will also be reviewing my lessons plans 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 during skill review time and WIN. 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.  This data also lets me know who I should call on during instruction time to help talk them through the process of the content they have missed.

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

Surprises happen all the time in the classroom! Be ready for anything. Be ready to wing something on the spot, and never lose instructional time. 

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.