Student Teaching Week 13 Reflection

Week of Reflection: Friday, March 29, 2019
 

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

This week was a 5-- it was a great week.

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I was pleasantly surprised at how much my students have learned about weather and the water cycle! They are using those big words like “evaporation, condensation, and precipitation,” and my C.E. was really bragging on me about how well they have grasped this. They have also grasped the cloud types and words like “cumulonimbus,” etc.

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

I have learned a few things. #1, just because “that kid” never draws you pictures, comes up to you to give you a hug, or says anything about how they are enjoying learning in your class does not mean that you aren’t reaching them and that they aren’t learning. Before you know it, they will be coming up to you with a big smile to tell you that they will miss you a lot over the weekend! #2, get to know the people you work with. I feel like every week I get closer to the people at my school and that I just fit in there. They are so sweet and supportive, and a good group to be around and work with! #3, reach out to the families of your students! 9 times out of 10 they will be there to back you up-- not intimidate you or go against you, or something silly like that.

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

PDP is in the books! Portfolio is in the making! Week 9 is done! We are gonna graduate y’all!!!!

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

I could have spent less time on my phone after school this week, and gone to bed earlier. Getting enough sleep has been the ultimate challenge this semester.

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

N/A

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

My first logical step for next week is to do my best when my principal comes to observe me on Tuesday Morning. Next, to not have a panic attack when I get the email with my edTPA scores this week. Last, finish my 10th week of full instruction!

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 county literacy assessment data to modify reading groups-- who would be in what group and what level each group would be reading.

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

Hang in there! We are so close!!

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.

1c. “Teachers lead in the teaching profession.” This week, I have felt more and more like I am developing professional relationships with my coworkers. I could definitely see myself working with them, and I honestly would love to get a job at this school one day!

• 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.

2c. “Teachers treat students as individuals.” This week, I have felt more and more like I am building professional relationships with my students, as well. I am getting to know them more and more, which always helps!

• 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.

3d. “Teachers make instruction relevant to students.” This week, my kids were 100% engaged in what they were learning, and how much they learned proves that. I was so proud of how they took responsibility for their own learning, and took part in the activities that I planned as I tried to make it engaging for them!

• 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.

4c. “Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.” For those of y’all that are teaching time or will at some point, check out https://www.visnos.com/demos/clock It is an interactive website for telling time. However, there are other interactive tools on there, for multiplication tables, measurement using a protractor, arrays, etc. I used this for teaching my kids telling time and it has really worked!

• 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.

5a. “Teachers analyze student learning.” This week, I have really grasped the concept that assessment data doesn’t have to be a fancy chart-- it’s really just paying attention to what is going on in your classroom. How your kids are, or are not, learning vs. how you are teaching the material. If something isn’t quite right, teach it again in another way.

Other:

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

All of it! I’m excited to really begin working on it alot now that my last week of full instruction lesson plans are done and I will now have more time.

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

N/A

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

N/A

Student Teaching Week 12 Reflection

Week of Reflection: Friday, March 22, 2019

Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week
This week was a 5! We did a ton of awesome things this week.

Seven questions to end your week:

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

FENCE came to teach my class about weather, and today we did a science craft with making the different types of clouds using cotton balls and gluing them down, we went on a cloud walk and wrote down our observations, and did a condensation and precipitation science lab and collected data. It was great!
I was also pleasantly surprised when one of my students who challenges me every day in terms of behavior walked up to me today and said, “Ms. McDaniel, I am going to miss you over the weekend.” It shocked me! I told him that I would miss him too, but that I would see him on Monday. So sweet.

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

This week I learned how important it is to take a step back from the worksheets and let them be creative with hands on projects and experiments! I really already knew this, but this week just reiterated that.

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

This week I added a lot of things in my NCTCS notebook. It’s still a work in progress, but I am adding a lot of things. I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

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

I honestly should have just gone to bed earlier this week so that I would have been more rested for school the next day, but it was still a good week.

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

N/A

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

Next week I am going to get busy on my portfolio! The seminar we had yesterday on the portfolio was so helpful in getting everything organized in my mind for what I have to do. I am getting excited about creating it!

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 we had progress monitoring, so I analyzed that data to track progress in students’ reading fluency. I was pleased to see that fluency and overall reading was improving! Also, I was pleased to see from math data that they have finally grasped counting coins (hallelujah!)

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

Stay confident in yourself. Know what you bring to the table and be confident in your decisions, your teacher voice, and why you do the things you do and plan the things you plan!

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.

Standard 1a. “Teachers lead in their classrooms.” This week in my placement, I began to feel officially confident in my classroom and behavior management skills. The child on my behavior plan has had a complete turnaround. My class is quiet when I tell them to be. A lot of the needless behavior issues have drastically decreased, and we are more a “classroom family” now than ever! Yay!

• 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.

Standard 2e. “Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students.” This week I have my parent event on choosing the just right book, and it was an absolute dream! I was very pleased.

• 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.

Standard 3d. “Teachers make instruction relevant to students.” We have been learning about weather and clouds for a while now. This week, I took my students outside for a cloud walk, and we took data on the clouds we saw! My students need to be up and moving around and have visual instructional supports, so this was great for them.

• 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.

Standard 4e. “Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.” This week, on Monday, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. I had my students write about what they would do to catch a leprechaun. I gave them the choice of either writing about being an engineer and creating a new gadget to catch the leprechaun, or being a critical thinker/problem solver and coming up with a plan to use items around the house to catch a leprechaun. This was so fun and the things they came up with were hilarious!

• 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.

Standard 5b. “Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.” This week I scheduled an observation with my principal, and I am so excited to receive her feedback! I think she is planning on coming next Thursday during ELA. I am super excited.

Other:

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

Videos and pictures are pretty much complete for my video, and I have started my Livebinder!

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

Possibly any information that she would need to know about the semester and experience winding down?

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

N/A

Student Teaching Week 11 Reflection

Friday, March 15, 2019

Week of Reflection: Friday, March 15, 2019

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

This week was a 4-- a good week!

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I was pleasantly surprised at how much my students learned about the Water Cycle, hurricanes, tornadoes, and rainbows this week! I was blown away at how well they could explain how rainbows form and compare/contrast hurricanes and tornadoes. Also, the vocab words they were using, like rotate, debris, illusion, etc!

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

This week I learned the importance of being consistent. With yourself, routines like going to bed on time, and keeping kids in a routine. If we aren’t consistent, they won’t know what to expect!

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

This week I prepared a lot for my parent event that will be happening on Wednesday from 7:30-8 AM in the library. This is one of my PDP goals aligned with the SIP-- about to be checked off the list!

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

I actually feel like I had an awesome balance this week. I was able to go on runs and get workouts in, get all my work done on time, and get a good amount of sleep.

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

N/A

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

Complete my parent event well, and get some portfolio stuff 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 analyzed math data this week because my kids were having a terrible time trying to count money. So I looked at the common misconceptions across the board, and used that as my starting place. It did help!

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

I once saw a quote on Facebook, and I have no idea who said it. But it said, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Make sure you are taking care of yourself, because you need to show up and be your best for your students each day!

source: https://www.google.com/search?q=self+care+professional+development&safe=active&rlz=1c1gcev_en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=x&ved=0ahukewi65npstithahuos6wkhytgcsqq_auidigb&biw=1280&bih=913&surl=1#imgrc=6U8ei1mFMJ6f3M:

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.

Standard 1a, “Teachers lead in their classrooms.” This week I’ve been working with my students as far as positive behavior management, and we’ve been working on conflict resolution and taking deep breaths when angry.

• 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.

Standard 2c, “Teachers treat students as individuals.” This week I made a video with my class to play at my parent event on how to choose the just right book. I have one student that struggles with speech severely. I broke up 3 parts that I knew he could say, and edited it where it flowed smoothly. When we watched the video as a class, this student smiled so big and was so proud of the part he played! It was so sweet!

• 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.

Standard 3d, “Teachers make instruction relevant to students.” This week I had a lot of hands on activities in my instruction, like play money manipulatives to get students learning the coins, and hands-on things for the water cycle and the weather!

• 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.

Standard 4c,  “Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.” I have continued having students come up and be “meteorologists,” forecasting our weather for us. They love it, and it gets them studying temperature, wind speed, reading the radar, forecast, and data.

• 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.

Standard 5b, “Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.” This week I have been prepping for my parent event, which is a part of my PDP. I can’t wait to see how it plays out on Wednesday!

Other:

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

PDP and parent night is almost done!

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

Please let my CE know/remind her of any things needed to wrap up the semester. If you’ve told her a few weeks ago there’s a good chance she has forgotten and needs to be reminded!

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

N/A

Student Teaching Week 10 Reflection

March 8, 2019

Week of Reflection: Week 10 of the semester, Week 6 of full-time student teaching!

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

I would rate this week a 3. I was a good week as far as getting edTPA turned in!

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I was so happy to finally accomplish getting edTPA turned in this week! It was a huge burden lifted off of us all! It was a long time coming, and now I’m just hoping my scores reflect the amount of time and effort I put into it.

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

This week I just learned that I have to start doing things that give me a brain break, like working out or just spending time with family. I am so exhausted all the time from the mental work that I am putting in that I need to start getting my hands busy and doing other things that give me a break.

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

Now that edTPA is turned in, I can just focus on my portfolio!

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

I could have spent more time working on lesson plans this week.

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

N/A

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

To finish up planning my parent event, to take place on March 20th!

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 reading data for guided reading groups, and really started to dig into guided reading differentiation with leveled books. It’s really starting to make sense!

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

Give yourself a break and relax :)

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.

Standard 1a, “Teachers lead in their classrooms.” This week we had back-to-back tornado and fire drills. We were putting on our jackets and the fire alarm went off. One of my students wouldn’t leave the room for a few seconds because he was determined to get his Pokemon cards out of his bookback. When we got back inside, we had a talk about how when we think a building is on fire, we never ever go back inside it-- we let the firemen do their jobs. Who knows, it could save one of their lives one day.

• 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.

Standard 2e, “Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students.” This week, I started having my students fill out “Changing Choices” sheets to reflect on their behavior and what they should have done differently, and what they are going to do differently next time. Then, I initialed the bottom and put it in their folders to have it signed by a parent. Hopefully we will start seeing some good results from this!

• 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.

Standard 3c, “Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines.” Under this category is Global Awareness. I taught the Water Cycle this week, and we read “A Drop Around the World.” It took us through the water cycle from the perspective of one raindrop, and took us to Mumbai, Switzerland, the Sahara Desert, Japan, Australia, and other places. It was great for not only teaching them about the Water Cycle, but also including lots of Global Awareness!

• 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.

Standard 4d, “Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction.” I feel more and more confident in the area of technology integration the more I am in the classroom. I am exploring new technological instructional programs and using them in my instruction.

• 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.

Standard 5b, “Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.” This week and next week I am finishing up planning for my parent event-- which is a part of my PDP.

Other:

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

Still collecting behavior plan data, pictures and video clips for my video, etc. Now that edTPA is done, I’ll be able to do a lot more for my portfolio each week.

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

N/A

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

N/A