Student Teaching Week 9-March 3

Rate your overall experience of the week: 4

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

• 
  
  •  It. is. MARCH!! Whoo hoo!! I can't believe that I am halfway through of my student teaching experience and that I will be graduating in just a couple of months. This week was WAY better than last week. I have made some changes with management and I have added a transition song to help with talking.
     
    Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
  

• •  This week I observed guided reading groups and how well students are reading the books that are their current level. Each group will move up one book level to read and discuss for next week. After working with these groups since January, I have noticed that their reading skills are improving and their comprehension of retelling has improved as well. I think that each group will be successful and challenged enough to allow their reading skills to improve.
    
    Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
  

• •  My long-term goal is to get every student on the required book level for first grade or higher. There are several students who are below grade level or barely on grade level. My short term goal is to improve students reading skills on their current level during GR groups. I will give students the one on one time needed to help improve their book level/reading skills. Also during WIN time I have been working with the lower students on nonsense words and sight word fluency.
     
  Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
  

• • This week I wish I would have spent more time on my portfolio and everything to go along with it. I have struggled to find time to work on everything to stay ahead. However, since I have completed my lesson plans, I can work on some of the requirements this weekend.
     
  Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
  
  •  I think this week was a better week than last week. I have been stressed out and overwhelmed with all the things that are included in the portfolio. So, this week I have really been looking at all of the different things that need to be done and making sure that I include them in my lessons.
   

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

• The mental clutter that I can clear for next week it that  have another week under my belt. I don't have to look back, I can just keep moving forward and making improvements to be a better student teacher. The first step I want to take for next week is I want to start getting things rolling with 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 collected from a clipboard that I carry around with my to write down notes on each student. I check a box that tells me if they understood it or not. Also, I can write down specifics which will let me know what I need to review the next day or just completely reteach.
  • I also kept track of students work for edTPA this week.

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers
   
  Keep on keeping on and don't look back!! I think this is a very appropriate piece of advice to give each week since we are taking each week as it's own. It's important to stay positive each week and don't beat yourself about the small things. Tomorrow is a new day and you can only try to do better.

• NC Teacher Candidate Standards
• • 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? 
  
  
  Management student, video clips, edTPA
  
  
  What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
  
  
  None
  
  
  What support do you need from your university supervisor
  
  
  None