Week of 03/06 - 03/10

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 my CE is finally back with me! Also, I started a new behavior plan with my behavior student, and they have really done well! My students have worked really hard this week. However, a lot of my kids have been emotional this week for some reason, and it is some of them that usually are not very emotional. I am not sure what that is about. We have had a huge improvement on our progress monitored students and ORF scores have sky rocketed! My students are all so loving and sweet when they want to be, and I seriously could not imagine my life without teaching anymore. I dread giving back part of the classroom in two weeks, because I am going to miss being full-time teacher so much. We also got chicken eggs to incubate in our classroom! My students are so excited about having baby chickens in our classroom in two more weeks, and I am excited because this science project aligns perfectly with the second grade standard of the life cycle! I have had a great week, and I am excited to only have two more weeks left. I am going to give all I have into these next two weeks. 

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

We took our final assessment on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this week, and some of the students grades was not what I wanted to see. We only had two fail the tests, so they are not able to watch the movie with us. However, we did have about 4 who made in the seventies so if I calculate these kids together that is almost half of my class who made less than an 80 on the final assessment. This is not the grades I want to see on the final assessment of this novel, however, my CE says that this is one of the better test grades she has saw. We reviewed for this test all week, but once i think about it this book is on  5th grade reading level. Students really did enjoy reading through this novel! I do know what I want to fix for the next time I read a novel now. 

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! Next week I am implementing an interview where the students get to record themselves. 

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?

II have gotten to know my principal and vice principal really well over the past month, and they are always there to help me with whatever it is that I need. I appreciate the staff at my school so much, and they have helped me tremendously over this past month! At first I was apprehensive to talk to my principal and vice principal, but it turns out that they are some of the greatest people I have ever had the privilege to work with. 

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

I am going to finish my write ups for EdTPA task 1 and 2, so that weight will be off of my shoulders. Then I am going to start the write up for the math portion of EdTPA. 

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?

Stick with a consistent exercise time and plan, because that will help relieve a lot of stress at times! Also, schedule some time everyday to talk to Jesus. Jesus will has held my hand through this entire journey, and I know he inholding your too. 

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.