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.