Week 9; October 24-28

I rate this week as a 4. 

Observe: I was able to practice classroom management strategies in some challenging situations (described below). 

• Reflect: My focus student had trouble in class this week. I will meet with him next week and discuss the reason behind some of his inappropriate behavior and possible ways to improve it. 

• Focus:  I have a “portfolio map” with everything that is still outstanding for me to complete, and the date on which I plan to complete it.

• Be Productive: Honesty time again. Less media.

• Have Courage: I wrote a conduct letter to a student for the first time this week. It was for him repeatedly not following directions and disrespecting another student, despite multiple warnings. Discipline is difficult for me; especially when I know the student has a difficult home life, which impacts their behavior. This boy has a difficult home life, and it honestly makes me just want to adopt him and give him support. Afterwards, I was a bit apprehensive about whether I should have written the letter. I just hope that he receives guidance from his teacher and that the letter prompts him to change his behavior. I never want to discipline in a way that beats a child down, I just want to manage behavior in a way that ultimately helps the student. These are challenging situations. 

• Begin Anew: It’s especially challenging teaching the lessons for the first time on Mondays, because I teach nine classes in a row, with only a fifteen minute break after the seventh class. So, I just need to be focused and ready to teach all brand new lessons on Monday. 

Advice: Embrace moments to encourage students and show that you care about them. You may just be the only person that shows them that all day.

Standard 1c, “Teachers lead the teaching profession.” Now that I have been teaching full time for six weeks, I have built relationships with many of the faculty members. I have had conversations with some of the homeroom teachers and other travel teachers regarding specific students and how to accommodate them. Since they are experienced, I ask what they do in certain situations. I discuss what I have done and ask for their feedback. I enjoy learning from them and implementing the strategies to benefit the students. 

Standard 2a, “Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.” There have been two injuries in the classroom that have resulted in students crying. In both situations, I consoled the kids and tried to be funny to get their minds off their injuries. It really warms my heart when I have the opportunity to comfort a student who is sad, and they cheer up. 

Standard 3c, “Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines.” This week, I taught a lesson on Dance Macabre, by Saint-Saens. In this, we discussed that the composer was from France and how to pronounce his name (that in the French language the endings of words are not usually pronounced). We also viewed France (where the music was written) on Google Earth. We discussed the unique way in which music could be shared and enjoyed among different cultures. 

Standard 4g, “Teachers communicate effectively.” In the final edTPA lesson this week, we did review and post-assessment. In the review, I gave students much opportunity to discuss the information and ask any questions. I also asked them a lot of open ended questions regarding the material. We reviewed by viewing pictures, reading facts aloud (displayed on the board), and listening to audio clips. 

Standard 5c, “Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.”  A part of this standard is understanding that change is constant. This past week, there have been many surprises in the classroom, including but not limited to—broken A/C in the classroom, yellow jackets flying around the room during third grade Veterans’ Day music rehearsal, a bleeding lip (and many tears) because of a body collision in kindergarten, a smushed finger (and many tears) because of a body collision in first grade, a first grader who would not leave the classroom (conduct letter), a first grader who would did not follow directions throughout the class period (another conduct letter), a kindergartener who wet his pants and the carpet during class, and a third grader with emotional/anger management problems screaming shut up in another student’s face. As a teacher, it is essential to be aware that unexpected, challenging situations can happen at any time. The best way to learn how to handle these situations is for them to occur, to work through them, and to reflect on any ways they could have been handled better. I think I’ve had enough surprises and growth with this standard this week. No more surprises, thank you. 

As far as support, I just want to make sure that I am on track with how to impact the School Improvement Plan.