Student Teaching Week 4- January 27, 2017

Rate your overall experience of the week: I would rate this week at a 3. This was my first full week of teaching and things didn't really go as planned. As to be expected because lessons will not always go as planned. However, the week wasn't bad it was just a long three days.
 

• Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
• This week was I was able to complete the first group project with my students. They did a penguin project in groups of three. So, there were a total of 7 groups. Each group got a different penguin and they had to "research" information about their penguin: height, weight, where their penguin lives, special features and two interesting facts. Then they had to present their information on Friday to the whole class. This was a huge success for me! I got to include global awareness(showing where all the different types of penguins live) and a technology piece(virtual goggle streets to see where their penguins lived) for this month.
• Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
•  There is always room for improvement! This week I had a lesson FAIL when I spend WAY too much time on phonics and grammar. I tried getting in all of the different pieces of my lesson plan into my actual lesson and it got us so behind for that day. This all happened on Wednesday(my first day) but I fixed my mistake for the next two days. I learned that I can plan SO much into one lesson. I have already started fixing my lessons for next week and I didn't include too much information this time...I hope.
• Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned? 
• My short term efforts each week are for students to grow and improve. I want students to be engaged and want to learn. I also want students to have a safe and encouraging environment to work in so they can take every opportunity they have to learn. This relates to my long term goal of students success and support.
  I also want to keep my students engaged will new things each day. I don't want students to get bored with the lessons because a routine that they are use to.
• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
• I can always spend more time lesson planning and finding new ways to hook the students. Making my lessons engaging and interactive is one of my weaker points when I have to follow a specific program.
• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
• I have become SO much more comfortable in the classroom when it comes to teaching. I feel that I have grown SO much when it comes to being an actual teacher. I use to think that I could never get up in front of a group of kids and teach a lesson. Now, I feel so much better about getting up and teaching.
  Also, the whole mess up on Wednesday kinda got me down because I was beating myself up about spending too much time. I have learned my lesson and I have fixed my mistakes to move on.
• Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
• Focus for next week is to make sure that my lessons are not too much but just enough to satisfy the students and meet my requirements for students teaching. 
  
  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. We sat down and planned some more of the 3rd 9 weeks which was great to be a part of since that is when I will be the teacher during my 10 weeks. This was a great way to show teacher leadership.
    • 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.
   

What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?
-This week, the data that I analyzed helped me know what I needed to go back over and what I could move away from.
What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
-This will be my advice each week! For myself and to others. Keep on keepin' on! We got this! My advice is to breathe, take it one day at a time and pray. I know everyone can do it.

Student Teaching Week 3- January 20, 2017

Rate your overall experience of the week: 4

Seven questions to end your week:

• Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
• This week was a great week for me. It is my last week before I start my full 10 weeks. The students are starting to realize my role as the "teacher" and I can already see their growth from learning. Each day I feel that I have accomplished something. Even if its just getting out of bed in the morning or not having a breakdown during the middle of the day, I am surprised.
• Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
•  There is always room for improvement in the area of making instruction engaging. I know that I have been struggling with finding hooks for my lessons. This is something that I have already started working on for next week.
• Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned? 
• My short term efforts each week are for students to grow and improve. I want students to be engaged and want to learn. I also want students to have a safe and encouraging environment to work in so they can take every opportunity they have to learn. This relates to my long term goal of students success and support.
  
• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
• I can always spend more time lesson planning and finding new ways to hook the students. Making my lessons engaging and interactive is one of my weaker points when I have to follow a specific program.
• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
• I have become SO much more comfortable in the classroom when it comes to teaching. I feel that I have grown SO much when it comes to being an actual teacher. I use to think that I could never get up in front of a group of kids and teach a lesson. Now, I feel so much better about getting up and teaching.
• Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
• Focus for next week is to make sure that I have everything ready to start my first full week. Also, I want to clear out of my head the negative thoughts of not being able to do it. 

What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?

-This week, the data that I analyzed helped me know what I needed to go back over and what I could move away from. Next weeks materials are strictly review for the math assessment test and review before the third 9 weeks start.

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

-Keep on keepin' on! We got this! I know that a lot of people started this week and others of us are starting next week. My advice is to breathe, take it one day at a time and pray. I know everyone can do it.

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. We sat down and planned some more of the 3rd 9 weeks which was great to be a part of since that is when I will be the teacher during my 10 weeks. This was a great way to show teacher leadership.
  • 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.

Other:

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

    Website and Philosophy
  • 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 2- January 13, 2017

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

My overall experience for this week is a 3. It was a short three day week but it was very crazy. We had to change things around with the schedule and the kids were wild from having a break from school to play in the snow. I guess this is the whole part of "going with the flow and having an open mind".

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

 On Wednesday, students had a two hour delay which made the schedule different. Since the schedule was so different this day, the subjects that I taught were the only subjects we did for this day. What does this mean? I was the teacher for the entire day. I am very surprised at myself because I thought the day went well.

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

Some things that I can build upon for next week are my classroom management skills. They are not bad, I just think there is always room for improvement in this area. One of the main things I need to work on is a quick response and thinking fast to catch a student before it gets too out of hand.

 

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

 
My short term efforts of improving my classroom management skills are aligned with becoming a better teacher in the classroom. I want to have a respectful environment for my students so they can feel comfortable in my classroom, be engaged and receive the support that they need.

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

I can always spend more time on lesson planning and less time doing other things. Last week I talked about getting into a rhythm however, it was hard to continue with the rhythm with the snow. That made this week a little more crazy than usual. There is always something I could spend more or less time doing but nothing every really goes as planned. 

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

I still feel that my biggest fear is being wrong and messing up. However, I have became more and more comfortable in the classroom which has helped a lot. When I get up to teach I always have to tell myself that I can do it and its okay to mess up as long as I correct myself and do it better the next time.

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

I can constantly clear out of my mind that another week of student teaching is DONE... Wow! Week two is already complete and the weeks will continue to fly by. This is always a motivation for me to keep looking forward to the weeks ahead and improving. I can always improve and fix my mistakes.
 

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?  

  The data that I analyzed this week helped me and my CE to determine what needs to be taught next week for all subjects. A lot of this weeks lessons were pushed back to next week because of the snow. So tests and things will mainly be next week.

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
  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. We sat down and planned the 3rd 9 weeks which was great to be a part of since that is when I will be the teacher during my 10 weeks. This was a great way to show teacher leadership.
  • 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.
  
  
  Other:
  
  
  What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
  • Classroom Website
  What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
  
  

  • When I asked my CE this question her response was, "I am satisfied with everything right now. I don't think there is anything I need right now."

  What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  
  

  •  Right now I think all is well.

Student Teaching Week 1- January 6, 2017

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

My overall experience for this first week was a 4. I love my school, CE, TA, students, everything about it. My CE is so helpful and encouraging. It has been a very exhausting week but I have enjoyed every minute of it.

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

 I am very surprised at myself and feel like I have accomplished getting up in the mornings and making it to school on time. This is a HUGE accomplishment for me! On a serious note, I have been helping out much more around the classroom. I fill in when I am needed and I am trusted with more responsibility.

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

This week I learned that I need to engage the students more. I need to show more excitement and use my voice/face to draw the students in more. Also, involve the students in more hands on and engaging activities.

 

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

For me, my short-term efforts and long-term goals are still aligned because overall, I want to create a better learning environment and engage the students throughout the entire day, week, month and school year. I want what is best for my students and allow them to believe they can succeed in anything thing they do.
 

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

This week, I could have defiantly spent more time on planning. I have finally found a rhythm of waking up, going to school, coming back to GW, eating dinner, lesson planning and going to bed. Since being in this rhythm, I have noticed that there is NO free time. I do need cut a lot of down time that I allow myself. I need to give myself about a 30 min break ever so often and then get back to school work. This will help with completing things sooner rather than later.

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

 My biggest fear is messing up or the students not understanding what I am trying to teach. This week I wanted to focus on the information that I will be teaching for next week. I want it to be perfect so I can get up in front of 21 first graders and know what I am talking about so I can help them the best that I can. I am also concerned that when I get in front of the students and I am teaching something that they are not understanding, I wont think of something to say or a way to explain it fast enough.

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

I think the first mental piece of clutter that I can clear is that the first week of student teaching is done. I seemed like the week went so slow... but I know that once I start getting in the hang of things it will fly by. A logical step that I can take for next week is breathe and get ahead/stay on top of things. I need to force myself to stay ahead and work hard. There is not time to slack off.
 

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?  

One main thing that I analyzed this week was how my CE handled student behavior while teaching. I think this is the thing that I am going to need to work on. My instructional decisions are now based on the reactions and behavior of students when teaching new information. It's all a part of keeping students engaged and focused on learning.

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
  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, principal, assistant principal and technology/data coordinator. We analyzed student data from TRC test score on each student, determined if they were considered red, blue, yellow or green. According to their scores, they were placed in the color area of needs improvement or exceeding grade level. This was a great way to show teacher leadership.
  • 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.
  
  
  Other:
  
  
  What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
  • Website
  What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
  • My CE is very new to this experience. She is very open to the requirements of this whole process  and feels like she can contact my university supervisor whenever she has a question or concern.

  What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  

  •  Right now I think all is well.