Rate
I would rate this week a 4 out of 5 again. For some reason it seemed like a longer week than normal and my students were kind of crazy today.
Observe
This week I planned my edTPA Literacy Learning Progression and will teach it next week.
Reflect
I had my first observation this week. Mrs. Suttle had some great suggestions for how to improve my lessons and my own teaching practices. I began implementing these suggestions this week and will be using them completely next week.
Focus
I feel a little behind on portfolio work. I really need to buckle down this weekend and get some things knocked out (website and resume) to get myself back on track.
Be Productive
I could have spent less time feeling stressed this week. I am a natural stresser, I let everything stress me out. In the coming weeks I want to continue to be goal oriented, but not let my goals and weekly work stress me out.
Have Courage
This week apprehension and indecision impacted how I taught a little. I taught subtracting mixed numbers today and I felt that this lesson was not my best. I had to learn how to subtract fractions with regrouping before I could teach this material. I didn't feel confident in this lesson until I practiced with the students a few times.
Begin Anew
Getting all of my edTPA materials together is my first step in preparing for next week. I need to make rubrics and get everything organized so that it all runs smoothly.
Data
This week I analyzed student station work. In our reading small group time students have a Have to Do and Can Do list. They have the whole week to complete these tasks. Many students did not complete their work and several did not follow the directions given verbally and written on the assignments. This was disheartening because the students appear busy during the week, yet so many of them had not finished their work.
Advice
I would advise other student teachers to use the other teachers in their grade level and school as a resource. They have all been teaching longer than we have and have suggestions for how to improve our practice or make things run more smoothly. They may not come to us with these suggestions, but that doesn't mean we cannot ask!!!
NCTCS
This week, I really tried to make instruction relevant to students (NCTC3d). My students have been losing papers and assignments lately in the abyss of their desks. They have folders for each subject where assignments are kept until they are collected. I noticed students just shove papers in their desk when we transition from subject to subject and then have to dig through the mess to find the next set of papers needed. We had a discussion about personal responsibility this afternoon. I am going to give the students a set amount of time to clean out their desks on Monday and from then on I expect them to keep their desks organized and to be able to find papers quickly when I ask for them.
Portfolio
This weekend I am going to complete my PDP so it is ready when I am observed again. I am also going to prepare everything for my edTPA lessons.
University Supervisor
My CE does not have any questions at the moment.
I never heard back about my edTPA idea. I am assuming it is okay to use. I am excited for what I have planned and how my students perform.
Leslea,
ReplyDeleteI texted you back a few more questions concerning your EdTPA. Did you get these? Let me know.
You have no reason to stress....You will get everything accomplished. You are a very good planner!
Questions for you concerning your following comments,
"Many students did not complete their work and several did not follow the directions given verbally and written on the assignments. This was disheartening because the students appear busy during the week, yet so many of them had not finished their work." Why do you think this happened? Did you circulate enough to check student time of task behavior? How do you plan to address this problem?
Take care! Donna
I replied to your text and never heard back from you.
DeleteThe students were working on this work while I was leading a small group. It appeared all students were on task because they were working quietly and there was a steady flow of students to the area where they get each assignment when they have completed one. Many students started each assignment, but did not complete them all.
Next week, I am going to talk with my CE about collecting work mid week and at the end of the week to keep students accountable and working towards smaller goals. Maybe assigning them 5 or 6 assignments to complete at their leisure throughout the week is overwhelming. Having 2 assignments to complete each day may be a better way of getting the tasks finished. We try to let the students work at their own pace and to choose the order that they want to complete tasks, but this does not seem to be working
It seems this week has been especially stressful to me as well Leslea. I feel your pain! I sometimes feel 4th graders should be farther along or understand more than they do. I have to remind myself that they are still experiencing new things in life. BUT I also do feel they are capable of doing more if they are taught and encouraged. I think all of us are swamped and flustered with the whole process of training/learning on the job. It is a huge shift but it is certainly a great indicator of what we can focus on to become BETTER. Hang in there, I know you are doing great.
ReplyDelete