Friday, October 14, 2016

Week 7; October 10-14

I rate this week a 5. 

Observe: I was animated with the littles when I told a story to complement their cows song. I was also animated with the story “Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.” My CT was pleased and even giggled during my teaching. 
Reflect: I had to remove a few kindergarteners from the lesson. At the end, one of them came up to me and apologized, and I melted. This made me realize that even if I have to correct a student, if they improve their behavior, I should try to emphasize this. 
Focus:  Short term goals for this week were completing four professional development activities, aligning with the long term goal of completing professional development for my portfolio. 
Be Productive: I should have done more portfolio work this week. 
Have Courage: I was apprehensive about giving a class a honeycomb (which is earned for good behavior for the entire class); so, I didn’t give them one. Afterwards, I felt as maybe I was too strict and should have given them one. Although there was some excessive talking and not following directions, there are two students in that class that really struggle, and I want to make sure I am holding them to high expectations, yet not being too strict. 
Begin Anew: Our week has been beginning on Tuesdays because of Labor Day holiday, but this week I will begin teaching new lessons on Monday of each week. Monday is our most hectic day as well, so I need to make sure I am comfortable with each grade’s lesson and the back-to-back transitions (seven in a row). 



Standard 1a, “Teachers lead in their classrooms.” I was able to tell a story to kindergarteners that complemented their lesson. The story was on Carl who loved cows, and his journey as a Spindle student, who graduated from RS Central High and went on to college. Even with the littles, high school graduation can be promulgated. 

Standard 2d, “Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs.” I have communicated with the homeroom teacher of the class to which I am teaching my learning segment in order to specifically find out what accommodations she makes for the students with IEPs. Strategies to implement include: allowing the student with ADHD to complete assessments in a private, quiet area; and having the student sit in the front of the classroom. For lower readers—reading written questions/directions aloud, providing visual aids, lowering written assessment vocabulary two grade levels, and allowing students to work in partners.

Standard 3a, “Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.” I am of course incorporating literary instruction into my edTPA learning segment. This week, students will specifically focus on identifying and describing. This will require knowledge of and correct use of discourse taught throughout the segment thus far. 

Standard 4f, “Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities.” This week, fourth grade participated in a game in which they identified instruments of the orchestra. They worked in teams and competed for the highest scores. 

Standard 5b, “Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.” This week, I was able to attend professional development seminars. Topics included: reaching students who are in high poverty, web page design, technology integration, and drumming in the music classroom. 


My advice to student teachers is to be authentic with the students. When I was teaching third grade this week, I made a mistake that was very noticeable to them. I just giggled a little, and when I did, most of them did too. Most all the time, students are the ones being corrected by the teachers. When they see that teachers make mistakes too and are willing to admit them, they can relate to you. It definitely closes the gap and allows bonding with the students. 


I would definitely appreciate feedback from Dr. Soja regarding my Standards notebook when she comes to observe on Monday.

5 comments:

  1. Chrysalis,

    Did the being more animated help you? I remember you talking about this either on my post once or at seminar. I hope it did! Hopefully it made it more fun for you at least, haha. Thats so weird about classes have been starting on Tuesday because of labor day, unles I misread what you said. Hopefully Monday goes as smooth as a new jar of peanut butter :)

    Ben

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  3. • Observe: Glad that you’re able to “let go” a little more with your little ones. They are the ones that we can be really silly with, and it’s great that you’re embracing that!
    • Reflect: It’s so hard sometimes to tell them that their behavior is unacceptable, even when it is, because you don’t want them to lose out on the fun. But, it’s clear that what you did made a difference, and the student improved! Absolutely, make a big deal out of them making a better choice! Students sometimes get into their heads that they only have ONE CHANCE, and if they don’t do it right the first time, we mark them forever and ever. Knowing they get a clean slate is important!
    • Focus: Great!
    • Be Productive: You all have a lot of portfolio work, and it’s hard to feel like you’re chipping away at it. Keep it up!
    • Have Courage: One of the most difficult decisions that we make is whether or not to reward kids who clearly need the motivation for work that in another class is “below standard”. Sometimes, you’ll be really happy with your decision, sometimes, you won’t. It’s a mixed bag.
    • Begin Anew: Such a busy day! You’ll get it!

    Standard 1a, This is so neat! Very cool that you were able to do this!

    Standard 2d, You learn SO MUCH when talking to the classroom teachers. In the elementary grades, they are with that teacher almost all day, and they have so much to tell you about what works and what doesn’t. It’s great that you’ve been able to talk with them and find strategies that work for your students.

    Standard 3a, EdTPA really does make sure that you know your content and are aligning it! (Not that you weren’t doing that anyway, because you were!”

    Standard 4f, So cool to create learning teams! I love when kids work in groups! You get to see their personalities shine through, and sometimes a student that is really shy and quiet finds something that they really enjoy learning about that they latch onto!

    Standard 5b, SO COOL! Those sound like awesome sessions!

    That’s great advice! We cannot be perfect all the time, and it’s great for students to see it and know it. That tends to jive with my philosophy, which is teacher as facilitator, rather than teacher as all-knowing dispenser of knowledge.


    MCS

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  4. Chrysalis,
    It sounds like you had a great week. I am curious to know more about your "cow story." It sounds intriguing. You have very unique way of meeting your standards, and I really liked reading your examples of ADHD techniques. I will definitely use those in my future classroom. Your advice is great too. When students see a mistake, and you laugh at it, it helps them learn to be okay with mistakes they make in your classroom. Looking forward to seeing you later this afternoon.

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