Weekly Reflection - February 17th-21st

Week of February 17th-21st

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

I would give this week a 5. I was very productive on the teacher workday we had on Monday, and Tuesday-Thursday went smooth. Every week is stressful, but I feel that each week I manage my responsibilities a lot better! The optional workday on Friday threw off my schedule, since students were supposed to have assessments on this day.

• • Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
• This week, I was surprised at how fast I finished my weekly lesson plans. I spent my entire teacher workday writing lessons, and Tuesday during planning and after school. This gave me extra time to work on EdTPA, and I got a god bit done.
• Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
• This week, my students were required to practice their skits for the parent event we are having for next week. This is something that required a lot of time, so if my students had any down time I pulled them aside to practice in order to film for the event next week. Since next week is the event, I am planning to set aside a block of time between lunch and specials to practice so everything will be ready by next Friday.
• Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
• My short term efforts and long-term goals are still aligned. I am working hard to complete my EdTPA, working on lesson plans each week, and gathering information needed to complete my final portfolio for the end of student teaching. Each week, I make a list of at least one thing to complete in order to finish these things by the deadline.
• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
• Since next week is a crazy week at school, (parent event and swim lessons every day), I did not have to plan for as many instructional lessons. With this, I finished all of my lesson plans by Wednesday afternoon. This gave me a lot of time to work on EdTPA! I got to spend 4 days working on this, and it was wonderful feeling productive. I think I spent a balanced amount of time working on all of my assignments.
• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?

This week, I did not have any specific things that I felt apprehensive about. Since there are so many things going on this week and next, I had constant communication with my CE about what was going on, and the things that needed to be finished.

• Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
• The first logical step for next week is is to make a HUGE to-do list of everything I need to complete for EdTPA. This will be the last full week I am able to work on it, and everything needs to be done. I can clear the mental clutter of planning for the crazy week next week, and begin writing lesson plans for the next in hopes to free up some days to only work on EdTPA as the submission date becomes closer and closer.

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

This week, I looked at the data from my students Accelerated Reader grades in order to send home some reminders about reading at home. I noticed that some of my students were not taking tests, so I sent a simple note home in their folder reminding them of what book level they are, and the times they are allowed to take tests at school.

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

I would advise other students teachers to make a weekly list of every lesson plan that need to be written. I normally write my list on Saturday or Sunday, and then cross off every lesson that I write as I complete it. This has helped me stay organized, and it feels good to cross off getting something done! I normally keep this in my planner or lesson plan binder and carry it with me wherever I go.

• NC Teacher Candidate Standards (be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer)
• • Standard 1:Teachers lead in their classrooms. - This week, I feel that I led in my classroom very well. There was a lot of work to be done, and I clearly communicated with my students that we needed to work hard and complete everything, since next week will be difficult due to swim lessons and the parent event. In specific, one of my students was out of school last week with the flu. Due to being out, she missed 5 graded assignments from last week. Together, we worked hard and caught up so she would no longer be behind. 

• Standard 2: Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world. - This week, I planned to teach two of my global awareness lessons for the month of February. Since my students love Valentine's Day so much, We talked about Valentine's Day around the world in our WIN group. Students loved it! Additionally, we learned about government in our center rotations. My groups compared the job of the Queen of England to the President of the United States using a venn-diagram. 

• Standard 3:Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines. - Since our class does not get a specific time dedicated to Social Studies and Science, we have to integrate them into our ELA time. This week, students focused on Social Studies as we continued to learn about American Heroes, and the government of England. 

• Standard 4: Teachers use a variety of instructional methods. - This week, I used a variety of instructional methods in my teaching. My students used anchor charts and venn-diagrams to prove their knowledge on different American Heroes, videos to help my auditory learners, and hands on manipulatives during our math lesson. 

• Standard 5: Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.- Throughout the week, I really dug deep into data I had from each lesson to see what students were understanding or not understanding. After each day, I looked back and planned a short (less than 5 minute) review for the next day to help students study and practice what needed additional work on. I did this especially for math. Since starting a new unit, my students need to make sure they know the foundation skills in order to be successful in the lesson. I planned a review each day to help solidify these skills and fill in gaps. 
• Other:
• • What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
• This week, I have logged some more technologies in my log, as well as communicated with a few parents. I send home a few "positive parent mails" as well as communicated with the parents of the student I am completing my behavior plan on to keep them updated.
• What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
• At this time, my clinical educator does not need any additional support from my university supervisor. If she does, I will make sure to communicate to my supervisor.
• What support do you need from your university supervisor?
• At this time, I do not have any specific questions for my university supervisor. If I do, I will send a text or email.