Student Teaching Week 4 Reflection

January 25, 2019

Week of Reflection: (list the date of the Friday for week just completed)
 

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week

This week was MUCH better than last week! I would give it a 5. It was a really good week. The only thing that would have made it better was if we didn’t have some bumps in the road with severe behavior this week, but my C.E. and I calmly took care of it and we had a behavior turn around. It was great!

1. Seven questions to end your week:

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

I taught ⅔ subject areas, and it went well! Next week is my first full week of instruction, and I am excited!

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

This week, we experienced some really bad behavior issues. We had bad issues with stealing, we caught several lying, and it didn’t matter what we did as far as clipping down and silent lunch-- they wouldn’t listen or stop talking. This week I found my classroom management and teacher voice. I’m not a yeller, I don’t get super mad or anything, but we had a serious talk about how disappointed I was in their behavior and that we were not going to spend the rest of the year like this. The next day, it was like you flipped a switch. Behavior was so much better. I hope it lasts!

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

Next week I will begin teaching full time, and I will also be teaching my Task 4 re-engagement lesson. These short-term goals are majorly aligned with my long-term goals: pass edTPA and finish student teaching strong.

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

I was actually pretty proud of myself this week as far as not spending too much time on my phone, and really pacing myself with lesson planning. The teacher workday helped so much!

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

This week rather than worrying about whether or not I should clip the kids up or down for something, I finally have become confident enough to know when clipping up or down is appropriate in a situation. Not just that, but also giving out silent lunch. At first I felt a little mean because I just want to love them and be sweet, but I realized that a part of loving them is not allowing them to do things that they shouldn’t-- like lying and stealing.

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

Next week I am so excited to be teaching character traits, and to have students apply their knowledge of character traits to themselves. We are going to be covering greedy vs. grateful and kind vs. mean (along with other character trait topics.) I am ready! I think it’ll be great for these particular kids!
Adapted from: Cernoff, M. (2013, August 7). 7 Questions to End Your Week With. . Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/08/08/7-questions-to-end-your-week-with/

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

I analyzed my Task 4 data, and the students did better than what I thought they would!

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

Stand up for what is right-- even if it’s hard. If you know that one of the most well-behaved kids in your class that you just adore did something wrong, it’s not the end of the world to punish them. We all make mistakes and rules need to apply to everyone-- not just some. Go with your gut when it comes to classroom management!

1. 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.
1. a. Teachers lead in their classrooms. This week I really started finding my “teacher voice.” I’m
loving it!

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.
2. d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs. I sat down with the EC teacher this week, and we are going to start a behavior plan for my student with an IEP, as a part of his IEP. This is separate from the behavior plan I already started. This plan will be to help this child with his functional goal stated in his IEP!

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.
3. c. Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines. This week, I planned for integration or math and reading for Monday’s math lesson! We will be reading a book about addition.

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.
4. f. Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities. My CE and I cracked down on bullying, stealing, and lying this week. It’s not an option for these kids to be mean to each other in this classroom!

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.
5. a. Teachers analyze student learning. I analyzed my Task 4 data and some phonics data this week, to see if my kids were getting the math and getting the r blends. I was pleasantly surprised.

Other:
What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
I began videoing clips for my portfolio video and continued taking behavior plan data.
What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
Nothing that I know of!
What support do you need from your university supervisor?
N/A

Student Teaching Week 3 Reflection

Week of Reflection: (Friday, January 17, 2019) Week 3
 
Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week
     Honestly, I would say this week was a 3. I cannot seem to find time to get much of anything done, and I am staying up really late at night. I’m not getting home until late in the afternoon, so I think I just need to figure out a way I can leave school by 3:30 if at all possible!

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I taught math, and it went beautifully. It was easy this week. I thought it would be a hard concept, but they got it! Thursday’s math lesson was by far the best math lesson I have ever taught.

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

I found my teacher voice this week-- I tell the kids to be quiet or follow some kind of directions and they are starting to listen. (Praise the Lord!!!)

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

I am easing into full instruction and the teaching part is going great! When we get to the end and I get to teach math, it’s my favorite part of the day.

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

I could have spent more time working on assignments and lesson plans sooner and not at the last minute. This week it just couldn’t be helped though-- I’ve got a Mawmaw in ICU in Asheville and spent some time visiting with her after school this week.

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

This week I hit a brick wall of stress and anxiety. I decided I wasn’t going to spend student teaching like this, and I just started taking action and taking breaks when I really needed them. I decided to work harder, but not be so hard on myself all the time.

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

The first logical step for next week will be to use the teacher workday on Monday as a day to work hard and get lots done!
Adapted from: Cernoff, M. (2013, August 7). 7 Questions to End Your Week With. . Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/08/08/7-questions-to-end-your-week-with/

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

I was grading Task 4 data for counting by 100’s, and I noticed that when I gave them a 2-digit number instead of a 3-digit number, they didn’t know what to do and either started skip counting by ones or tens. So for the next lesson, we quickly reviewed this, cleared up this misconception, and now they’ve got it!

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

Hang in there girls! We can do this!

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.

1.a. Teachers lead in their classrooms. This week with me beginning to teach, I felt like I got into the rhythm of noticing what my students need and implementing that. It is all coming together!

• 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.

2.d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of their students. This week with me teaching task 4, I had to get used to planning for my student with an IEP for math each day. It was more doable than I thought!

• 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.

3.a. Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. This week, I planned and taught my Task 4 and my literacy edTPA based on the NCSCOS.

• 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.

4.c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods. This week, I tried many different things in my instruction, like a Learnzillion video, classroomscreen.com, and having the kids come up to the Promethean Board. I found that they seemed to be 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.

5.a. Teachers analyze student learning. This week, I went over my Task 4 assessments, analyzed the student learning, and made changes based on this data.

Other:

• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?

I am still working on my behavior plan, but I have started my classroom website.

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

None that I can think of.

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

None that I can think of.

Student Teaching Week 2 Reflection

Week of Reflection: Friday, January 11, 2019
 
Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week
I would rate this week a 4. It really was a pretty good week. We are still getting back into the swing of things from Christmas break. On Monday and Tuesday, the kids did AMAZING. My child on the behavior plan was doing awesome-- and then it was like on Wednesday through the rest of the week, the wheels fell off. We had to talk with 4 parents today, because 2 children in our class have been stealing lunch money and things off of my C.E.’s desk. Hopefully after the weekend they will come back rested and back to doing great again.
Seven questions to end your week:
Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
This week (at the beginning of the week), I was pleasantly surprised at how well the children were adjusting to the new (adjusted) math and reading centers, and just from being back from winter break. They are really getting into a routine again from having a 2-week break! This week we had a talk with them about starting to act like mature 3rd graders (even though they are in second grade.) We told them that they need to get ready for 3rd grade, and start walking in a straighter line and talking out of turn less. This brought a whole new structure to the classroom-- for a little while.
Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
This week, I started planning math for next week. This was for my edTPA Task 4. I felt really confident, and I can’t wait to go ahead and teach it next week!
Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
I came up with a schedule this week to help me get as much done as possible during the week, to where I wouldn’t have to do much on the weekends. I also wanted to make this realistic and attainable. So, I have decided that every week day, except for Fridays, I am going to plan a whole day of lesson plans. On Monday’s, I will double up and plan for 2 days. This way, it should be no problem getting my lesson plans to my C.E. on Wednesdays at 5.
Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
I could have spent less time talking about my lesson plans and spent more time actually writing them. I am still learning time management.
Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
This week, the anxiety really started to kick in. I started to think of great things I could plan for the kids to do this semester, and I am not going to lie. I thought to myself that there was no way I would even attempt these cool lesson ideas because the kids would probably absolutely go wild, and it would wreck my classroom management. I had some apprehension about how noisy and unruly the kids would get when they got excited.
Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
The first logical steps for next week is to start lesson planning ASAP. I need to have 4 days of lesson plans done by Monday night. I am going to get into a routine with lesson planning, and this will help me clear some mental clutter.
Adapted from: Cernoff, M. (2013, August 7). 7 Questions to End Your Week With. . Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/08/08/7-questions-to-end-your-week-with/
What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?
I graded a lot of spelling/phonics papers this week, and I noticed how many letters the kids were writing backwards. It is almost the whole class, and by second grade, I thought I wouldn’t be seeing much of this. This made me realize that I am going to have to refer them to look on the wall at the correct way to form their letters every time I see them doing this. I do not want them still writing a ton of their letters backwards going into third grade!
What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
One piece of advice I could share with other student teachers is to not pretend like you know everything there is to know about teaching and lessons. You are assigned a C.E. that you can ask anything about teaching for this whole semester… take the opportunity! I am learning so much just by asking my C.E. random questions, like how to handle a dispute between 2 kids on the playground or how to handle a child losing their lunch money. I find myself asking the most random questions, because the more I am in the classroom, the more I realize that I actually don’t know yet. This is such a humbling, awesome time in my education and future career! Don’t be afraid to just ASK your C.E.!
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.
E. Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards. This week, I started my child in my class on his behavior plan. He reached his goal for the week, and I sent a positive note home in his folder, along with a small pack of M&M’s. He was so happy. We had a talk with the whole class about straightening up, too. Their behavior was not the best this week, so we are looking for major changes next week.
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.
2. d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs. This week, we advocated for our student with an IEP to get an extra weighted pencil, so that he could have one in our room, and one in E.C. too. They are very expensive, and we were glad that OT had an extra to give to him!
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.
3. b. Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. This week, I sat down with Title I and came up with a phonics pacing guide for the first few weeks of student teaching. This helped me to get an idea of what all I needed to do.
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.
4. f. Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities. This week, my C.E. and I really tried to help our students talk through their conflicts with their peers and be nicer to them. We also started guided math groups, and they are working in small groups a lot throughout the day.
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.
5. b. Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals. This week, I also sat down with Title I and began planning my parent involvement event at the school! It will be literacy based, be for the whole 2nd grade, and take place in March!!
Other:
What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
I started taking data for my behavior plan, and sent a positive note home to the child’s mom concerning what a great week he had.
What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
None that I can think of.
What support do you need from your university supervisor?
None that I can think of!

Student Teaching Week 1 Reflection

January 4, 2019

     I would rate my overall experience this week as a 5-- it was a great week. I loved coming back from the break and seeing all of my students, my C.E., and the staff! I am really starting to feel at home in this school, and I am so thankful for that!

7 Questions to end the week:

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

     This week, I handed out my Student Interests Survey and learned so much more about my kids than I ever expected… especially the children I am zoning in on for my behavior plan. I realized that the child that I am going to focus on the most has a lot of internal motivation, and not just external motivation-- he absolutely loves reading to his little brother and sister’s classes as a reward, or eating lunch with my C.E. and I, rather than getting a piece of candy. Thank goodness!! I was pleasantly surprised to find this out and analyze this information to set some goals and rewards that will work well for him this semester.

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

     This week I learned that it will be challenging to get up really early, go to school and teach, do carpool duty and after school meetings, come home and write lesson plans, and do homework on top of all of those duties. However, I also learned the power in time management and that I won’t be successful this semester if I stay up all night every night. So as I settle into a routine this semester, I will find a schedule that works for me and everything I am being demanded to do this semester and find a balance.

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

      My short term goals are really starting to line up with my long term goals as it is crunch time, and my C.E. and I are planning what I need to teach and when, so that I can plan now for the future.
Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
I could have spent more time working on homework as soon as I got home from school, rather than late at night.

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

     I will not lie-- I have had tons of apprehension this week about this semester, and I have no idea why. I have always been extremely proactive, and I still was this week, but something about the week before Student Teaching made me really uneasy. However, this did not impact my motivation and determination to jump in there and get started. After I showed up for Day 1, my apprehension went away and what I am supposed to do kicked in. It was great to be back after the restful break.

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

    The first logical step for next week is to sit down with my C.E. and figure out when she would like for me to turn my lesson plans in to her so that she has plenty of time to review them before I send them to Dr. Parker for feedback.
Adapted from: Cernoff, M. (2013, August 7). 7 Questions to End Your Week With. . Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/08/08/7-questions-to-end-your-week-with/

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

     This week, I analyzed some formative assessment data in order to help inform me on my students and how I can help differentiate for them. I assisted my C.E. in math groups this week, and my student with an IEP is supposed to struggle in academics, speech, motor skills, some social skills, attention deficit, etc. However, he completed a math sheet on a new concept totally on his own, and he made a 100%. My C.E. and I were so excited. This showed me that during student teaching, I will need to be careful about which assignments I modify for him, so that I don’t make something too easy for him because he is able to take responsibility and do well on his own! I think it will take just a little more time to get to know him and what he can do and is still learning to do, but by the time I start my full instruction, we will grasp it.

What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
     I would tell other student teachers that while it is top priority to do our very best in our blackboard work and everything, and to plan ahead, we still need to take care of ourselves so that we are present for our children when we are there. We don’t need to be so worn down that we get short with them over nothing… we need to be on top of our game and do our best for them.

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.

• 1e. Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards. This week everyone was so sleepy from getting back into the school routine after the break. We had some very emotional second graders, some arguments, etc. One child in particular that my C.E. and I know has a rough homelife was constantly crying, asking if she could go to sleep, and said that the clock said 3:07 when she went to bed the night before. My C.E. and I are both strong believers in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, in which Maslow states that a child cannot learn to the best of their ability unless their basic needs are met-- and sleep is one of those. So we let her sleep. 

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.

• 2d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs. This week I had an extensive meeting with the E.C. teacher discussing my student with an IEP, ways I could meet his needs, etc. during student teaching. She was extremely helpful!

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.

• 3c. Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines. This week, my C.E. and I had really good conversation about integration and how I love to integrate science and social studies into my instruction. We even talked about apps that make this easy to do. It was a very productive conversation!

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.

• 4f. Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities. This week, we tried guided math groups for the first time since I have been in my placement, and I think that it went really well. We are slowly but surely supporting our students in working together, since this is not necessarily one of their strongest points. However, I am seeing improvement!

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.

• 5b. Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals. My C.E. and I discussed both my PDP and her PDP this week. She was really impressed that I have to do a PDP this semester. I love having a C.E. that I can discuss PDP goals with and we can hold each other accountable.

Other:

• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?

     I have started to complete my behavior plan component. I am also already planning for Global Awareness in my lesson plans.

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

     More clarity and information on what is expected this semester-- she is overwhelmed.
What support do you need from your university supervisor?