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.