THE LAST BLOG... Thank goodness

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 2
• • Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
    
    
    This week was very long and not fun at all. Starting the week with the Reading Foundations test, doing three days of observations in a row and ending it (on my birthday) with the recruitment day and literacy event, my week wasn't the best. Not to mention that having a hard time trying to get all of my last minute portfolio things completed and submitted. I am surprised and feel accomplished that I made it out alive. I am glad to be done.
    
    
  • Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
    
    
    My work and experiences from this week taught me to keep pushing and to finish strong. I will build upon this for next week because the end is near and I have to make it 3 more days, present my portfolio and I'M DONE!
    
    
  • Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
    
    
    My short term efforts are to finish all of my portfolio requirements and present it. This aligns to my long term goal of passing and graduating.
    
    
  • Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
    
    
    I feel that I have been productive this week by working on all of my portfolio things. However, I wish I would've spent more time with my students and not driving all over the world just to observe.
    
    
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
    
    
    Well this week has been okay. I am just wanting to get this portfolio over with so I can graduate.
    
    
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
    
    
    The next steps for next week are to get ready to present my portfolio.
     

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?
  
  
  The data that I analyzed this week was during my observations of other schools. I compared the different schools on what they did similar and things they did differently. It's good to see things that I would like to work for or not work for.
  
  
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

           

            Way to go guys! We made it and I am so proud of you all!

• 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.
    Leadership in the schools: This week I attended a grade level meeting with the teachers and the technology source lady. We sat down and talked about guided reading groups and how to improve students reading skills.
  • 
    
    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.
     I feel like I focused on treating students as individuals this week. I think that it is very important to maintain high expectations for every student and keep a positive attitude.
  • 
    
    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.
    Aligning the NC Common Core Standards to instruction is the number one thing that I have done every single day. It's super important to include the standard to each lesson plan so I know what to teach and students are learning the information that the state requires.
  • 
    
    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.
    Asking questions and allowing students to work in groups to develop critical thinking and collaboration with one another. It's great for students to be able to the critically and work with others.
  • 
    
    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.
    Blogging is a great way for me to reflect on my practice. Reading through these questions allows me to look back through the week and remember what all I did this week and how I can improve to make my teaching better next week. Also, reflecting on my lessons once I have printed them out. It's a great thing to go back through and see what didn't work and what did. 
    
    
  Other:
• 
  
  • What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
    All of it
    What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
    None 
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  None

Student Teaching Week 15- April 13, 2017

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 4
• • Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
    
    
    This was a good week! It was a very laid back but busy week. This week we had a pretty crazy schedule that included Easter celebrations and field day. We did a lot with Easter writing and getting caught back up on things that we missed. We didn't want to try to start anything new because of spring break starting and it being a different/short week. I am very surprised that this week went smoothly and being able to participate in field day, Easter celebrations and kids being excited for Spring break.
    
    
  • Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
    
    
    Since this was a crazy week, my work/experience taught me to go with the flow and be able to do what I am asked. I will build upon getting back in the flow after spring break and being able to go with the flow and doing what needs to be done.
    
    
  • Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
    
    
    My long term goal is for students to be on benchmark or one level below for the TRC and DIBELS test. My short term goal is to still guide students with reading their level of book and gradually move up. This will allow students to move closer to benchmark and meet the level that they are suppose to be on at the end of the year. I am so proud of the lowest student in my class. She has moved up four book levels and continues to be improving.
    
    
  • Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
    
    
    I feel that I have been productive this week by working on my website, getting my 5 observations set in place and other requirements for my portfolio.
    
    
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
    
    
    Well this week has been good. I am just wanting to get this portfolio taken care of and not have to stress when it is time to turn it all in.
    
    
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
    
    
    The next steps for next week are to continue to get things rolling with my portfolio and studying for the licensure tests that I haven't passed yet.
     

• 
  
  What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?
  
  
  The data that I analyzed this week was students understanding each day of each lesson. For example, I really focused on GR groups and focusing on students comprehension to the questions when reading the book. Reviewing each day has helped students get the information in their head.
  
  
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

Keep working hard on your last little bit that needs to get done for this experience to finish strong.

• 
  
  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.
    Leadership in the schools: This week I attended a grade level meeting with the teachers and the technology source lady. We sat down and talked about guided reading groups and how to improve students reading skills.
  • 
    
    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.
     I feel like I focused on treating students as individuals this week. I think that it is very important to maintain high expectations for every student and keep a positive attitude.
  • 
    
    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.
    Aligning the NC Common Core Standards to instruction is the number one thing that I have done every single day. It's super important to include the standard to each lesson plan so I know what to teach and students are learning the information that the state requires.
  • 
    
    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.
    Asking questions and allowing students to work in groups to develop critical thinking and collaboration with one another. It's great for students to be able to the critically and work with others.
  • 
    
    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.
    Blogging is a great way for me to reflect on my practice. Reading through these questions allows me to look back through the week and remember what all I did this week and how I can improve to make my teaching better next week. Also, reflecting on my lessons once I have printed them out. It's a great thing to go back through and see what didn't work and what did. 
    
    
• 
  
  Other:
• 
  
  • 
    
    What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
    Website, resume, licensure tests
  • 
    
    What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
    None
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  None

Student Teaching Week 14- April 7, 2017

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 4
• • Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
    
    
    This was a good week! I feel like I can finally breathe again. I am no longer stressed out about observations and I have a lighter load with lesson plans. This week was a laid back week for my part of instruction. I was a four day week of instruction because we went to the Catawba Science Center on Friday. I feel very accomplished with finishing my 10 full weeks and the fact that I am so close to being done.
    
    
  • Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
    
    
    Since I will still be working with GR groups and WIN groups next week,I am going to continue to work with my guided reading groups and gradually move them up book levels. I have noticed each of my groups have done very well when reading one level up from what they scored on the TRC mid-year assessment. Students are able to read the book will little to zero misread words and answer TRC questions about the book. I will continue to work with students on reading one book level up from their score and answer questions orally and written.
    
    
  • Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
    
    
    My long term goal is for students to be on benchmark or one level below for the TRC and DIBELS test. My short term goal is to still guide students with reading their level of book and gradually move up. This will allow students to move closer to benchmark and meet the level that they are suppose to be on at the end of the year. I am so proud of the lowest student in my class. She has moved up four book levels and continues to be improving.
    
    
  • Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
    
    
    I feel that I have been productive this week by working on my website, getting my 5 observations set in place and other requirements for my portfolio.
    
    
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
    
    
    Well this week has been good. I am just wanting to get this portfolio taken care of and not have to stress when it is time to turn it all in.
    
    
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
    
    
    The next steps for next week are to continue to get things rolling with my portfolio and studying for the licensure tests that I haven't passed yet.
     

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?
  
  
  The data that I analyzed this week was students understanding each day of each lesson. For example, I really focused on GR groups and focusing on students comprehension to the questions when reading the book. Reviewing each day has helped students get the information in their head.
  
  
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

Keep working hard on your last little  bit that needs to get done for this experience to finish strong.

• 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.
    Leadership in the schools: This week I attended a grade level meeting with the teachers and the technology source lady. We sat down and talked about guided reading groups and how to improve students reading skills.
  • 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.
     I feel like I focused on treating students as individuals this week. I think that it is very important to maintain high expectations for every student and keep a positive attitude.
  • 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.
    Aligning the NC Common Core Standards to instruction is the number one thing that I have done every single day. It's super important to include the standard to each lesson plan so I know what to teach and students are learning the information that the state requires.
  • 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.
    Asking questions and allowing students to work in groups to develop critical thinking and collaboration with one another. It's great for students to be able to the critically and work with others.
  • 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.
    Blogging is a great way for me to reflect on my practice. Reading through these questions allows me to look back through the week and remember what all I did this week and how I can improve to make my teaching better next week. Also, reflecting on my lessons once I have printed them out. It's a great thing to go back through and see what didn't work and what did. 
    
    
• Other:
• • What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
    Website, resume, licensure tests
  • What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
    None
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  None