Week of Reflection: Feb. 26, 2021

 

• Rate and explain your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult to 5 - Great week

• This week was definitely a 5!! Having a classroom full of children for the first time in almost a year was one of my favorite moments ever. Our kids came in and got right to the business of making friends and following all of our new procedures. We spent time each day reviewing the rules and how we do things, and they did an amazing job with it. On Monday and Tuesday we used our time in the morning to let them get to know each other, and it was so much fun to watch all of the little (and big) personalities come together and make our classroom complete. My lessons all went pretty well, although everything takes a little longer. Every day got a little faster as they got more into the new routine.    

• Response to these questions to end your week:

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

  • The most pleasant surprise this week was how smoothly having all of the children back went. I was nervous, but they have all handled it so well and you would never know they all just met!

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

  • Math is still my most difficult subject. This week was worse towards the end because it was the students first time coming for 4 days and they were all so tired. Today (Thursday) we really struggled to get through math. I hope to see that improve next week, but I am going to look at some ways that I can make it go better for my students as well.

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

  • Short -term efforts :write the last of my edTPA. Long-term goals: pass edTPA.

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

  • I could have spent more time on edTPA this week. I honestly just came home so tired from having all of the children that it has been a struggle to focus on anything. Trying to do edTPA, write my lesson plans for next week, and be a mom has wiped me out.

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

  • I can't really think of anything that fits this question this week.

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

  • Finish edTPA!!!!

• 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? We didn't really look at any data this week. I did a review in phonics every day, so I made some observations there, but nothing "official".

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers? Don't feel like you have to recreate the wheel every week. I am going through the resources and materials that my CE uses each year and finding as much as I can to use for my centers. I have had to find or make some things because of lessons that I want to teach, but I always ask her what she has first. They have been doing this a long time and probably have most of what you want or need for your lessons.

• 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 spent some time research Whole Brain Teaching. My CE uses a lot of the principles from it, and so I do because I have learned it from her. I spent some time this week really getting to know what it is and why it works for myself.

  • 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 my CE and I really embraced this standard by working hard to make the transition to a whole classroom as easy as possible for all of our students. We planned lots of activities to help everyone feel comfortable, and spent a lot of time reviewing so that all of our students could be successful with new routines as well as the old ones with more people in the room.

  • 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. 3b: Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. This week I feel like I did this by planning Dr. Seuss lessons for next week. Next week is Read Across America week, so I tried to spend a lot of time thinking about ways to incorporate Dr. Seuss into the different content areas all week.

  • 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. 4a. Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students. This week we did this through the activities that we planned for our students to learn to do school as one big class, and I did this through my study of the Whole Brain Teaching method and research. 

  • 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. 5c. Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment. This was evidenced by the way that I embraced the change of all of the students returning this week and worked hard to make it a great week for everyone. 

• Other:

• • What components of your edTPA and portfolio have you started to complete? Finishing the last of edTPA tonight.

  • What support does your Clinical Educator need from your University Supervisor? What support do you need from your University Supervisor? We do not need any additional support at this time.

Week of Reflection: February 19, 2021

 Week of Reflection: February 19, 2021

  

Rate and explain your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult to 5 - Great week.

            I would rate this week at a 3. Student teaching was ok, and we ended up with a surprise virtual learning day. I am just feeling very overwhelmed with edTPA and overthinking all of my choices so far. I am also dealing with some nervousness over all of our students returning next week. I am worried about keeping everyone safe and physically distanced and adjusting to 18 students in class instead of only 8-10. My CE and I have done as much as we can to prepare, but there is a lot that we just won't know until they come next week.

Response to these questions to end your week:

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

                        I had my first post-observation with my CE and my second with my US. I feel like both of these went really well, and I got great advice on some things to improve from both of them.

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

                        I am slowly learning to have more faith in myself and my instincts when it comes to teaching. I am realizing that I can tell when my students aren't with me, and I can stop and adjust midstream as needed. I definitely still need work in this area, but I am finding more success with it.

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

                        Short-term goals are still to learn more and write edTPA, and this is still aligned with my long-term goals of passing edTPA and becoming the best teacher I can be.

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

                        I could have spent less time second-guessing myself and my choices for edTPA. This has set me back on my writing of Task 2 and 3 because I wanted to look at my videos from my other cohort to see if I had better footage there.

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

                        I can't think of anything that was impacted by either of these things this week.

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

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?

        My CE and I looked at the data for all of our students again to make sure that we are happy with their group placements for when everyone begins attending in person next week. I have also looked at the data from my Task 3 and Task 4 assessments.

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

        Trust your gut. You know more than you may realize. 

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 tools and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

                    Teachers lead in their classrooms- this week my CE and I spent time planning how we are going to make sure that all of our students are safe next week. We also planned how we can help them to get the most out of our instructional time, even though there will be more of them and we will still have to try to keep COVID restrictions in place as much as possible.

• 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 embrace diversity in the school community and the world - this week I taught my students some lessons about Ruby Bridges and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Some students had heard of them, but most had not. It was very interesting to hear them relate to the lessons that I was teaching.

• 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 recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines- This week I was able to teach my first global awareness lesson by relating the lessons I taught about Ruby Bridges and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to our classroom, community, and the world. I showed students people from all three areas who are the same and different as them and helped them to see that all people should be treated equally.

• 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 integrate and utilize technology in their lessons- One way that I have been doing this is by allowing my students to take turns writing answers on the smartboard for all of their classmates to see and use to check their work. This gives me the opportunity to offer each student individual attention and feedback, and to allow them to "teach" their classmates. I have also been integrating technology into my math lessons by having problems displayed on the smartboard and showing students the steps involved in using this technology.

• 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 function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment- Since we will be having all of our students together on Monday for the first time all year, I have spent time this week preparing and researching some ways to help them mesh as a new class and to learn how to work together safely and quickly.

Other:

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

                    Working on all of edTPA. Trying to get it finished.

• What support does your Clinical Educator need from your University Supervisor? What support do you need from your University Supervisor?

                    We don't need any additional support at this time.

Week of Reflection: February 12, 2021

 Week of Reflection: February 12, 2021

  

• Rate and explain your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult to 5 - Great week

            4, the end of the week was a definite 5, but I had some struggles during my math lessons on Monday and Tuesday so those felt a little more like a 3. So I went with the average. We enjoyed celebrating Valentine's day as a class with fun activities and treats, and I taught really awesome math lessons by the end of the week. We found out that our students will be returning to plan A in just a couple of weeks so we have started planning for that change.

• Response to these questions to end your week:

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

                        My math lesson on Thursday and Friday was amazing!! I was really feeling down because I had trouble teaching the same lesson on Tuesday, but I asked my CE for some help and I used her answer to build a really great and engaging lesson for Cohort B.

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

        `                After getting some help from my CE on the math lesson I was able to improve my lessons for Thursday and Friday. I will use this to go back and reteach this lesson to Cohort A on Monday, and to continue improving my lessons from now on.

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

                        My short-term efforts and my long-term goals are still aligned because I am still working on the baby steps needed to achieve those long-term goals.

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

                        edTPA. I am planning to work on it a lot this weekend. It is really hard to give it the focus and attention that it needs during the week after teaching all day.

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

                        I had some apprehension about asking my CE for help during my math lesson on Tuesday. I know that I shouldn't have because she is always ready and willing to help me, but it was hard to stop the lesson and ask her for advice. I am so glad that I did because it helped me to improve the rest of that lesson and to create better learning experiences for my Cohort B students.

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

                        edTPA. My goal this weekend is to get these 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?

            My CE and I looked at our iStation and other assessment data to help inform our groups for when all of the students come back in a couple of weeks. We wanted to make sure that the groups are balanced when they are mixed ability and approximately even when we are doing ability grouping.

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

            Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your CE has been doing this a lot longer than you have and that is what they are there for. Use their experience and knowledge to help improve your own.

• 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.

                Teachers lead in their classrooms: This week I analyzed data and took responsibility for making sure that my Cohort A students get the most out of math instruction by reteaching the lessons from this week on Monday of next week now that I have a better plan for how to teach 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.

                Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive nurturing relationship with caring adults. I feel that I did this this week by planning Valentine's activities for my students so that we can have fun together while learning. I have felt closer to my students this week after being able to relax and just enjoy them more while still making sure that the activities are meaningful.

• 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 know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. I fell like I really worked on this this week by learning more about math and finding ways to adjust my lessons to better use my students' natural curiosity.

• 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 plan instruction appropriate for their students. I feel I did this when I adjusted my math plans for Cohort B. My plans and activities for the first group weren't bad, they just needed a bit more. After asking my CE for help I was able to adapt my plans for Cohort B and create better lessons for them.

• 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 reflect on their practice. I definitely feel that this week has been full of reflection. I took the time to analyze what went well and what didn't and use this information to adapt my teaching.

• Other:

• • What components of your edTPA and portfolio have you started to complete? I am working on all of edTPA. I wrote my first Global Awareness lesson and I am working on my webpage and other elements of my portfolio.

  • What support does your Clinical Educator need from your University Supervisor? What support do you need from your University Supervisor? None at this time.

 Week of Reflection: February 5, 2021

  

• Rate and explain your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult to 5 - Great week
• 5!! This week was a really great week. It was my first week of full-time student teaching, and I feel like everything went really well. I did have some anxiety during the day on Monday, but it passed by Tuesday. I did my assessment for Task 4 on Monday and Thursday, but I haven't been able to do my re-engagement lesson yet, so I won't be able to have Task 4 complete for the Bootcamp tomorrow, but other than that I feel great about what I accomplished this week.
• Response to these questions to end your week:
• Observe: What pleasant surprises/accomplishments did I achieve this week?
• The most pleasant thing for me this week was planning my lessons for next week. We are beginning our unit on number bonds in math and I am very excited about the lessons that I have planned.
• Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
• The first day this week I experienced some anxiety about teaching. That passed, and by the end of today I felt really capable. I know that those feelings may come back, or there may be other ones, but I learned that I can survive it, and so I know I can overcome any feelings that come my way.
• Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
• My short-term efforts are still aligned with my long-term goals. I am working to perfect my Task 2 before the Bootcamp tomorrow, and finishing as much of Task 4 as I can. This is fully aligned with my long-term goal of passing edTPA the first time.
• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
• I probably should have spent more time on edTPA this week, but I am still working to balance everything.
• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
• Monday as I was dealing with the anxiety, I feel like I didn't enjoy my students as much as I did the rest of the week. Once I got past that feeling, I was able to start to have fun teaching. I will remember this as I go into the next weeks.
• Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
• After I finish the Bootcamp tomorrow I am planning to go to school to prepare everything that I need for next week's lessons. I know what I am doing and I have my lesson plans mostly finished, but I want to go to school and make sure I have any copies and supplies that I need ready before Monday morning.

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?
• Our Tier 2 and 3 students did progress monitoring with iStation this week. After they were finished, my CE and I looked at the data to see how the students are doing and where they still need extra support.
• I also had the chance to look at the data from my assessment for Task 4 of edTPA. From this, I was able to write my re-engagement lesson even though I wasn't able to teach it as I had planned to.
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
• Have fun with your students! Enjoy the time that you have with them. After having all the students go home in mid-March last year, this is something that I learned and was reminded of this week. Enjoy every minute that you get to have with your students. Obviously, we want to teach them, but find ways to make it fun while you do it. It will help you and your students to remember these times.
• 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.
• 1b. Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.- This week I worked on this element of the evaluation tool by attending a grade level meeting with my CE and the other Kindergarten teachers. I was able to give some input into ideas for K-day, and we made plans for March as a group.
• 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 planned an activity for Valentine's day where each student stood in front of the class and we took turns telling them the things we love about them. I enjoyed this activity because I was able to show my students how special they are, and I got to see their reactions when they heard these positive comments from myself and their friends.
• 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.
• 3b. Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. - This week I started teaching guided reading for the first time. I enjoyed this because I was able to read the book with the kids and talk to them about how it related to things in their own life. I enjoyed this time with them and finding out what parts of the book piqued their interests.
• 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.
• 4g. Teachers communicate effectively. - During one lesson this week we talked about what love means to us. I explained to students that love looks different to different people and shared some examples of what love is for me. I also shared some examples we have had from students in the past. Love is Toaster Strudel will forever be one of my favorite things. I feel that I worked on communicating effectively because I was able to help students move away from a very strict definition of love into a more abstract idea, and I was able to help them communicate the ideas that they had effectively.
• 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. - I feel that I worked on this element this week by taking the assessment that I gave my students in math, analyzing that assessment, and then writing an appropriate re-engagement lesson from that information.
• Other:
• What components of your edTPA and portfolio have you started to complete?
• I have started collecting evidence of communication with parents, and I have lined up an observation with my CE and with my administration.
• What support does your Clinical Educator need from your University Supervisor? What support do you need from your University Supervisor? None at this time.