What a whirlwind of a week this week! I feel like it was just Monday. I am seeing more and more all of the aspects teachers have running through their heads every minute of the day. There is so much to be done, taught, assessed, etc. I am really learning to value every minute of the day and how to use every second to benefit the students and their learning. I would rate my week as a four this week. The students did great for the lessons I had planned this week. I have about four students who are still having behavior challenges. I have had them on behavior plans and I have reached out again to their parents this week to figure out the best strategies to use. I would say my pleasant surprise this week would be my students having successful transitions to anywhere in the school from the classroom. This is a big for my students and I can see how well my classroom management techniques are working. The lessons I learned this week is to take the extra time to explain and walk students through activities before they take part in them. I have noticed the students do not remember what they are supposed to be doing in their centers and will try to interrupt me during guided reading. I am going to build upon this lesson next week by taking time Monday to go through each centers activities with all of the students so they know what is expected of them when they come to the particular center. I will also have fast finishers folder for the students to have when they finish early and I am still with the guided reading groups. This will prevent the students from interrupting the guided reading time and they will know what to do. I would say my short-term efforts for next week and the remaining of student teaching is to really focus on the blooms taxonomy and asking the higher level questions to students. This is one of my weaknesses when I am teaching. I have been able to add more of these questions in my lessons this week, but I would like for them to come more as second nature at some point. I want to build more off of students responses and help them to dig deeper into their understandings. This short-term goal aligns to my long-term goal of being successful in my student teaching and as a future teacher. I could of spent less time redirect students and repeating myself, if I would of taken more time to explain the activities and expectations before hand. I would say my apprehension took place when one of our students had an episode in the lunchroom. My apprehension kept me from handling the situation with more authority. This act held up the lunch line and the progress of lunch, when I was trying to reason with him. The first steps for next week is to make sure I have all of my materials ready to go. I also need to make sure all of my edTPA task are ready to go for Friday. The data I was able to analyze this week would be how the students are doing with addition up to 10. This helped me determine who needs more help with addition and who understands it. One piece of advice I would share with other student teachers is to stay confident, believe in yourself, and stand by your decisions and reasons.
NC Teacher Candidate Standards
Standard 1a- Teachers lead in their classrooms. I was able to be a leader by taking control of the behavior in the class with my classroom management techniques.
Standard 2a- Teachers treat students as individuals. I was able to treat students as individuals by building on the relationships with each student. Also, by assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each student.
Standard 3d- Teachers make instruction relevant to students. I was able to relate the black history content to the changes we see today. The students were able to connect how we are able to go to school together, play together, eat together, etc. no matter our skin color.
Standard 4d- Teachers utilize technology in the classroom. I was able to use many smart board activities for math with addition this week. The students loved these and were fully engaged in the material by using these.
Standard 5b- Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals. I was able to see where my students are and I am able to see how I need to change my goals and teaching to help the students be successful in all subject areas.
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Sage,
ReplyDeleteI too have several challenging students with behavior and have really had to use my behavior management plan and adapt them as I go to best meet the needs for these students. I am happy to hear that your transitions are going well. This is one area I need more help and guidance in. My transition seem choppy and result in areas for disruption. It sound like you have had a productive week and have learned from analyzing your students!
Sage, you are right. Every minute of every day truly matters. I am glad to see that you have realized this as you are student teaching so you can be more prepared to effectively structure your day when you have a classroom of your own.
ReplyDeleteSage,
ReplyDeleteI am sure during guided reading time it is very hard to get control of all of the kids especially if this is something new and different. Remember it is okay if you have to sit down with the students and "reteach" how to behave in guided reading groups so they do not interupt you and you get the most time possible with the group you are with! That might be beneficial to you. We can do this!
Sage, it sounds like you are doing so well in Student Teaching, and staying positive! It sounds like you are enjoying every minute and like you were born to do this! I am so happy for you and glad you are having a good experience-- every time I have read your blog so far you have rated your week a 4 or 5. As far as "lunch room episodes" go, I have some of those just about every single day-- don't forget that you can be stern with them and be in charge while still letting them know you love them. You can handle it in a way that says, "I want us to have good days and a good lunch together, and that means you are going to get your lunch and go sit down." They won't hate you and it's not being mean-- it's loving them too much to let them act this way in your class! We can do this!
ReplyDeleteSage,
ReplyDeleteI relate to you so much on: "I am seeing more and more all of the aspects teachers have running through their heads every minute of the day. There is so much to be done, taught, assessed, etc. I am really learning to value every minute of the day and how to use every second to benefit the students and their learning." This is something that has taken some getting used to. I see in your blog that you care so much about this process. I enjoyed reading it and seeing where you are at. I hope you have a good week this next week and can take a deep breath after edTPA.
Sage,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see your week has gone well! Good luck with edTPA, I know it's a very stressful time but it's almost done!