Weekly Reflections: March 22nd

What a beautiful week it has been!  We were able to go outside and play everyday this week.  I feel like being able to go outside, really helps the students to burn their energy off and focus better in class.  Who doesn't benefit from beautiful sunshine and warm weather?  I know my students are getting so excited for spring break!  I would say my pleasant surprise this week would be how well my guided reading groups went each day.  The students were all excited to read their books and to participate in the guided reading time with me.  I also love how I am able to help students individually as soon as I hear or see them struggling with a word or letter sound.  I feel like this is so beneficial for the students and prevents frustration with reading from erupting.  The lessons my work experience taught me this week is to be patient and try as many techniques as I can to help the students who continually struggle to behave in the classroom.  I will build upon this next week by continuing the techniques that worked with the student or trying new techniques if it did not work with the student.  I also have come to realize what works with one student will sometimes not work with another student and what worked one day may not work another day for a student.  Our students need support, love, and patience in order to prosper and be the best they can be.  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 lesson 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.  By including the blooms taxonomy in my teaching.  I will be able to push my students to take their understandings to the next level.  I could of spent more time on my portfolio items and less time on preparing items for the next day at the end of each day.  I plan on making sure all copies and materials are ready and organized for each day before next week.  I would say I had courage this week as I participated in family night at my school.  I was able to interact with the parents and students in a very welcoming way.  I did not let my shyness keep me from being involved and talkative during family night.  The mental clutter I can clear is to make sure all copies and materials are ready for next week and organized.  This week I was able to analyze the assessment data I took on the students understanding of subtraction word problems.  I was able to use the data to determine who needs more help with subtraction and who is understanding subtraction well.  This helps me know how to plan my next lessons and remediation groups.  One piece of advice I would share with other student teachers is to realize how impactful you can be in your students lives.  I want my students to be encouraged, feel loved, and learn how to treat others.
NC Teacher Candidate Standards 
 Standard 1a- Teachers lead in their classrooms.  I was able to be a leader in the classroom by leading the students through their day, no matter what came up or erupted.
Standard 2a- Teachers treat students as individuals.  I was able to treat students as individuals by building on the relationships with each student.  I created a stronger relationship with a few of the students who felt comfortable discussing their situations at home.  These students opened up to me more this week and felt comfortable to talk with me about why they were sad and what they were feeling.  
Standard 3d- Teachers make instruction relevant to students. I was able to make the signs of spring relevant to students by having them look outside and see what is going on in the word around them.  Also, I related it to their own experiences in the spring. 
Standard 4d- Teachers utilize technology in the classroom.  I was able to use the smart board activity games for subtraction.  
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.      
I am working on my portfolio stuff.  No support needed at this time.