You Got This!!

Week Of Friday Jan. 6th, 2017

Level of Difficulty: 3/4 (working on transferring power mmmmmuuuuuhahahaha!!)

Observe

As I begin the process of moving into the full time role as Student Teacher, I am working on developing rapport with my math group. So far, I was able to teach a mini lesson last week and this week I will begin assisting and really developing a style to match the math CE as well. She is really great with her class and I have learned a lot from each teacher I have worked with. I will continue to lead in the class changes, lunch line, recess, specials etc…  I also have watched a ton of Youtube and reflected extensively on different websites to work out a better classroom management style.  I will update soon on this.  Another tool I would like to use as a development resource is #observeme for my fellow classmates and teachers to give me options, critiques and advice.  (Thanks Amber Townsend for leading the way on this for this semester!!!)

Reflect

For the start of this week, I have been pondering what full time teaching will look like. There are no reservations, but I continue to want the best for my class and to develop the best methods possible for each student to learn. I have one student in my Math group who is VERY stubborn and I love it! I know, I am a glutton for punishment. This interests me because while doing a symmetry lesson I attempted to get her to participate. Every student was asked to come to the board and help me figure out how to create symmetry with different shapes. This student continually raised her hand and so I asked her to show her work on the board. She said “no, come look!” I walked to her desk and she had created the shape on the board on her desk with the coins that she had in her wallet. I proceeded to ask her how to split the heart and make it symmetrical and she was unclear. We worked it out together with her classmates and she finally figured it out!  THEN she wanted the whole class to see what she did!

We continually read and talk about differentiated learning, but this situation made it very real in my eyes. It showed me WHY it is important and HOW to incorporate a way for this student. Sometimes, students need a different platform. This doesn’t mean let them do whatever they want to do, it means sometimes we have to offer them choices on how they provide us feedback for our assessment purposes. This could be PBL, using technology to present work, find what interests the student etc. Forcing a student to perform is very negative and counterproductive in my mind. All this to say, I want to be super intentional with my lesson plans and my instruction. It will benefit us all, but for the next 10 weeks, I will see this in action and continue to mold my learning and my pedagogy through real life experience.

Focus

Not to sound like a broken record, but I am continually working on classroom management. This is not to sound like I don’t have it together, but my hope is that by the end of the semester, I will have developed my teacher voice and learned what works and what doesn’t. This week, I am continuing to establish my presence more and set clear expectations as well as follow through with my students. Short term, my goals are similar with this, but I feel the less I have to repeat myself, the more I will feel like I am progressing. The most important part for me with CM is making sure each student is understanding and that I am able to convey the information and direction efficiently.

Be Productive

To be more productive this week, I am intentionally and thoroughly looking ahead. My CE and I have been able to work on plans during our Teacher Workdays, but we won’t always have that luxury. Taking each moment I can, I am thinking about what I can check off my list and how I can stay ahead (for my sanity and so I can create quality instruction) as well as not putting extra stress on my Supervisor :) !

Have Courage

Courage for this week is to be strong in my abilities. We all still have much to learn (always a student) but I think sometimes, myself included, we are not confident in all that we have learned and experienced. I was reminded of this by a fifth grade teacher on my hall.  She asked me how it was going Monday and I said good, I think. She said she has seen me in action and that I look like I know what I am doing. This was very good for me to hear and I told her I wasn’t sure if I was on point or not.  She said “You don’t give yourself enough credit. I have seen you as I walked by the classroom, YOU GOT THIS!!”  Confidence is learned by doing/trying something you are unsure of. If you fail, learn from it and try again. Kids can tell if you are unsure so it is important to convey that confidence to them.

Begin Anew

One new thing I want to implement this week is being more proactive as a leader in the classroom. I have been working on this over the past month, but now as I transition, my focus needs to be set and directed at running the show. I will still need help, but it will be in the form of feedback from week to week and in real time from my CE.

Data

This week, we worked on Data Notebooks that show the progress each student has made since the first of the year. They will be showing these to their parents on Friday and then we will have an assembly to award students who have achieved A or A/B honor roll for the last quarter as well as other outstanding students. We are also working through a writing assessment on Wednesday-Friday. It is cool to see where these students have progressed and giving them a chance to take ownership of their work.

ADVICE

Work on developing an organization system. This goes for paperwork, Google files, lessons, financial aid paperwork, EVERYTHING! It will make life easier as well as show your CE and Principal that you are professional. You will have to be intentional about this. The more you practice your system, the better you will be at it and the more accurate you will be.  

Standard 1 1A: Teachers lead in their classrooms

• This week will be a lighter week on instruction. Since this is the case, my goals are to continue to implement classroom management and work with my CE on how to develop the best strategies to encourage participation. Making sure students are on task and putting forth their best work is important to me.

Standard 2: Teacher creates a safe and loving environment for their students.

• Tattle tales, lunchroom spot thieves, pencil thieves etc. are going to happen in our classrooms. How you deal with this is very organic to me. Each situation is different, but having a plan in place that students already understand is a great idea. This seems like not a big deal, but I find myself every week trying to break up arguments and confrontations. Not only does it help the teacher out to have a way of dealing with these situations, it is our job while we have our students to show them how to be good citizens in our society.

Standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach in the classroom

• We are beginning Poetry soon, so I am brushing up on my knowledge on this area of ELA. We are also beginning fractions too, so this is top priority. Not only am I brushing up but I am using the instruction methods I have learned as well as researching new ways to instruct to include real world application as well as visual stimuli to encourage students to not “memorize” the content.

Standard 4:B: Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students

• I began this week during teacher workdays to prepare for next week (Week 5). I am beginning to think about how I want to lead as we progress through our ELA block as well as how I will teach the math content. We are on a pretty set schedule, but we are able to move around content if we need to. This enables me to plan in advance which is nice! The more I work with the classes, the better I can prepare to differentiate and create plans that flow as well as make sense to all students.

Standard 5: Teacher Reflect on their Practice

• This is ongoing for me. Each time I see my CE do something awesome I take note. I am on Twitter constantly seeing what everyone is doing and trying. I am constantly reading blogs (I try to read everyone in class each week) as well as other articles to get a better understanding of pedagogy, new and old tips as well as how other teachers deal with stress and other factors of education.

My agenda for the weekend is to attend the edTPA seminar and learn as much as I can to prepare my heart and soul for making the best submission possible. I have already started working on creating lessons for the following week, but I do plan on working on any revisions I need to make.

My CE and I have discussed all of the necessary transitions and requirements for the next process in student teaching. I believe everything is great as of now. She continues to support me and give me great feedback so I am confident in moving forward.

If I need ya Dr. Parker, I will Tweet ya!  Haha!  

Week 3: Confessions of a Broke Student Teacher

Week Of Friday Jan. 20th, 2017

Level of Difficulty: 4 (Writer’s Workshop 3 day micro unit and starting to plan for each week)

Observe

First off, I would like to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. and the inspiration he brought to the world.  We were off in remembrance of MLK on Monday, so we had an extra day to reflect, prepare, and somewhat relax before the start of the week.  I was able to talk with my students on Tuesday about the significant impact this man had on our Nation and how could follow in his footsteps by following our dreams and believing in something bigger than ourselves.

This week, I began planning a little more in depth and watching my CE when I wasn’t fully teaching.  My plan was to start full time teaching next week, but we have two teacher workdays and benchmarks the rest of the week...so that will be pushed back another week. That is good and not so good, but it will be beneficial in the end I believe.  My CE is a GREAT example to follow and I have learned a lot from her. I will continue to monitor these traits and learn from them for FT student teaching. I am learning more and more about the importance of classroom management, transitions, being thorough with your plans and developing that teacher “stare” (as well as authority).  Students know when you have your guard down. They know when you won’t follow through.  They also know when you mean business.  I will continue to watch my CE and others in this area.  This is going to be my goal for the end of the month.  My “I CAN” statement is: I CAN develop respect and strong leadership in my class. (all three)

Reflect
From a work perspective, I believe I worked pretty hard. I created a  3 Day micro unit developing a writer’s workshop.  The first lesson was WAY too much.  So I broke it down into 3.  We developed a research paper about the bald eagle. The first lesson almost totally bombed, but the second one (during which I was observed by Dr. Parker) went a lot smoother.  Now I know in Elementary you don’t always have that luxury to teach one lesson twice a day, but we have block scheduling, so that is a plus.  This was a great experience for me because it showed me how a pretty typical FULL day of teaching will be.  I have taken over many of the responsibilities (herding the students around, getting them from here and there, morning read aloud [we are reading Esio Trot!!] and other teacher duties.) so I am getting a good taste of what the next few months will fill like.  My thoughts this week is that this is a great fit for me as a professional.  Other thoughts are….what in the world!  Haha!  Just kidding.  I really do feel more comfortable and I know with time and more experience, things will flow better for all of us. I’m rooting for all of us!!  

Focus

So, a few snow days, benchmarks, classroom/teacher swaps and teacher workdays have pushed back my LRP.  BUT, I am constantly and consistently working on my short term goals.  I continue each day to build rapport with my students.  My classroom management skills are still developing but getting better than a month ago. Today is Wednesday, but I plan on speaking with students to remind them that I will be taking the lead soon and make sure we are on the same page. Still chipping away.

Be Productive

This week was rather productive, and next week will be less demanding.  But I have a completed curriculum map now that my team has developed. I will use next week to plan for the following week when I will take full control of the class. This way I can have a solid week under my belt and make sure everything is top notch.  

Have Courage

Courage for this week would be to not to be held back by my own self doubt. As most of you know, I am pretty positive for the most part. But all of us have that tendency to be frozen with fear from time to time or not believe in our abilities. Friends, I have seen a lot of your work. Our crew is VERY equipped to do great things. That doesn’t mean we are perfect, but we are grinders. We work hard until our lessons, skills and abilities are top notch. My mantra is try something you think you can not do. If you fail, try it again. If you see it is not going to work, scrap it and rebuild. We want to do our best and be proficient in our requirements, but this is a great time so see what bombing on a lesson looks like and how we can recover from it. Have courage to grow.

Begin Anew

So for next week, I will not let doubt control me. This means really digging in a researching my trouble areas, build great lessons and submit them to my CE and Dr. Parker, and continue to listen to any criticism (constructive of course) and analyzing it to see how I can grow from it.

Data

As we continue to look at benchmarks and other assessments from this week and next week, I can get a better idea of how to teach and how other elements are affected by this. Parents and students are obviously very concerned about getting good grades and scoring high on these tests. I see how it puts pressure on teachers and students.  I feel assessments have their place, but it can create unnecessary fear.

ADVICE
For upcoming Student teachers I would recommend really thinking about how you design your lessons. There is a great book I have been looking through at Barnes and Noble (broke college student style) called: Growth Mindset Coach by by Annie Brock  (Author), Heather Hundley. It has some great insight into lesson design, but also in how to build your teacher skills in management, relationships etc.  Teaching a lesson during your first year of a K-6 degree is way different than full time student teaching, at least for me. Earlier, you can teach a well planned and executed plan and split. When you are in the lead however you have to take into consideration controlling behavior all day, resource teachers and other distractions and moving from one portion of the day to another. One day might be super productive.  The next day, you may think you are in a different classroom. It is important to plan accordingly in your lesson.  How are you going to model learning?  What are you going to do with ADHD students to keep them on task? MAKE YOUR LESSONS MEANINGFUL!  Students get bored easy.  Just my two cents.

Standard 1 1A: Teachers lead in their classrooms

This is a constant struggle, but getting better for sure.  My CE is continually encouraging me in this area and giving me ideas to strengthen the way I lead our room. I am also attending planning meetings and PLC meetings and offering input.  I am not stepping on toes but showing that I care and I want to do the best job possible (always interviewing :) )

Standard 2: Teacher creates a safe and loving environment for their students.

Two times today I was able to establish my leadership for my students, but also I am

continually working on building relationships with them so that they will want to do good. Not just behaviorally, but that is the starting point. I don’t want to be the constantly nagging teacher, so the more I can get them to focus and follow directions the first time the less correcting I will have to work toward.  

One day, I pulled a student aside as we changed classes who is an exemplar student in academics as well as behavior and respect. I have noticed him the last few weeks really standing out. He is quiet (which doesn’t mean behaved) but he doesn’t speak when I am teaching, he doesn’t goof with his friends and he always tries to answer. I am not saying he is perfect, but he is what we would probably all love to have in our class.  Anyway, I spoke with him and explained that have noticed how he is a leader and how he is modeling such a great example of behavior and interaction. I let him know that I am starting a new system next week to reward those doing the right thing when no one is looking as well as immediate rewards for great behavior during group time and lessons.  I want those who are doing great to feel that recognition even if it is not for a reward.  This can go a long way in developing that rapport with all students.

Standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach in the classroom

I worked on my Writer’s Workshop a lot this week and I did plenty of research on how to make it all work. I wanted to get more familiar with how other lesson planners design their content to help me. My CE and I developed more strategies that worked well with this lesson (mostly her ideas) but she has helped me see how to better develop students’ understanding and how the lesson will flow better.  #teachingishard

Standard 4:B: Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students

This goes along with the previous statement. I am really seeing a lot of what works, what doesn’t.  What needs to be improved?  What can remain but be modified? How can I engage more or how can I provide more understanding or vigor to higher performing students?  How can I make lessons more personable? These are questions I ask everyday.

Standard 5: Teacher Reflect on their Practice

In our PLC today (Thursday) I received a free account to one of our teacher resources for ELA. I kind of geeked out about it because I am a broke Student Teacher and every free thing is awesome!  This will help me develop ways to lead students correctly toward proficiency in their assessments and their writing in general. (I might be able to share some PFDs if anyone needs something)  Again, growth mindset coach is a great book to check into for reflection.

Tasks for this weekend are to develop and hopefully complete my website to have it up for parents next week.  I will have two teacher workdays next week to work with my CE and my Math CE on lesson plans. Hopefully I can plan a math lesson or two that I can teach next week. I also will work on my Global Awareness for January.  

The CEs are good to go for now. I have spoken with my Math CE about edTPA and we picked my 3 focus students.  It should be interesting.  :)   I am confident in the next week and will begin completing my first full week of lessons starting this weekend.  Here we go!  I am rooting for you all!

WEEK 2 (Walkin In A Winter Wonderland)

Week Of Friday Jan. 13th, 2017

Level of Difficulty: 2 (just for figuring out schedules and routines)

Observe

Snow, Snow, and more Snow!  That is what I observed the first few days of this week.  I experienced what all teachers covet the most during the winter season….SNOW DAY!  Honestly, I had a great time hanging with my family and doing SOME work.  On the same note, I really wanted to get back in the classroom.  We didn’t go back until Thursday, so I was ready to go.

I am continuing to learn from all of my 4th grade teachers different methods and techniques.  This week, what is left of it, I am taking more of a leader role by transitioning students, working on “hallway control”, taking them from class to class etc…  I think the kids are getting a little TOO comfortable with me (meaning my authority is being tried a bit).  Again, something I am working on.

Reflect:

This was kind of a nice break, but I honestly was ready to get back.  I was able to work on some more of my portfolio however so that was a plus.  Another good thing from this break was working on lesson plans and participating in some Twitter chats to get information from my PLN.  Moving forward, I see the importance of having a backup plan in the winter as well as being flexible with your class schedule and routine.  We are in NC so you never know what the weather will bring in the winter.  

Focus

Each day we miss cuts into our long and short term goals.  This also shows us how important it is to be on top of things.  I have been in contact with my CE to develop any lessons/activities etc. for when we return to normal class time.  I will be starting to transition into lead teacher role next week.   

Be Productive

For this week, I plan to continue learning as much as I can about transitions and classroom management techniques. I need to start spending more time analyzing and planning future lesson ideas with my CE so that I can have an idea of how to plan and initiate those lessons in a productive and efficient way.   

Have Courage

This week, I had my first back talker.  I felt that I handled it well, but it was a rare thing for this particular student.  I have noticed him being a little more quick tempered and chatty.  The scene went like this: I asked them to line up in the hall to change classes.  As they were waiting in the hallway, they of course grew a little restless.  I used my management skills and in my teacher voice asked the students to get quiet.  My FRIEND said “we don’t have to listen, you’re not the teacher!”  Now, this was unexpected and I was shocked because this student is typically pretty good.  My response at the time was: “Mrs Redding and I are your teacher.  She may not be out here, but I am responsible for you right now friend.”  He was silenced after that, and I did say this in a calm but serious tone.  I later asked my CE what she thought about it.  I was advised to possibly pull him aside next time and ask why he said what he said.  Another thing was that we are going to establish that I am transitioning into the Teacher role so that way we can reinforce the fact that I am a teacher just as much as my CE.  So again, I am beginning to work more on my “teacher persona” and less on getting on everyone’s good side.  As they say, it is better to be respected than liked.

Begin Anew

This coming week, I am transitioning into more teaching.  I am creating a writer’s workshop to prepare students for a writing assessment.  We are doing a research project on the Bald Eagle and team writing it.  

Data

I worked with my Math group on CFA assessments dealing with conversions using measurement.  (word problems)

• I plan on using this data to help me in designing lessons and how I teach the information.  This data has shown me that we still have a lot of work to get the student ready for the future standards that we are going to have to teach them.  I have narrowed down a few students I would like to use for edTPA in the math portion.  

ADVICE
A great piece of advice this week is to be flexible.  Prepare for snow delays/closings, power outages, absent students, the list goes on.  If you are super stressed when things don’t go your way, learn how to manage your feelings and “reboot”.  Fortunately, I have had the experience of having my own kids and so I have learned to not sweat the small stuff.  The better you can deal with stress quickly, the easier it will be for you to work through these kinks during student teaching.  Always have a backup plan for anything that could happen.

Standard 1 1A: Teachers lead in their classrooms

This week was full of opportunity for me to lead in the transitions, lesson wrap ups and reviews.  I am continually learning what works and what doesn’t.  Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t, so the more you know the better.  

Standard 2: Teacher creates a safe and loving environment for their students

The better you can “control” the craziness in and out of the classroom the better.  I find myself continually being the scales of justice in a few groups within my class.  “HE took MY pencil” “She is getting on my nerves” “He or She did this in the Hallway.”  It is important to develop fair decisions and outcomes in the classroom.

Standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach in the classroom

I was able to attend a Math seminar/PD on Fractions this week taught by a very awesome instructional coach from Randolph county.  The more I know about math as well as METHODS to teach the content the better.  I am continually asking folks online, my CE and consulting with many websites on great methods of all instruction.  Always learning!

Standard 4:B: Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students

This week, I was unable to plan anything for the two days we were here.  I have, however planned a writing assignment/lesson for next week.  

Standard 5: Teacher Reflect on their Practice

Confidence is building in my instruction and classroom management.  As I continue to develop this in my class, I plan to be more proficient by the end.  

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For this weekend, I will be continuing to develop and complete my website.  I am currently researching my tech components for learning and my top resources to help students and parents to list on my site.  I am still developing and strengthening my PDP goals and will hopefully have that component finished in the next week.  I will continue to communicate with CE and Math Teacher to ensure I plan appropriately and to develop a plan for each class.  

Week One Reflection: (Back In the Swing)

Week Of Friday Jan. 6th, 2017

Level of Difficulty: 2 (just for figuring out schedules and routines)

Observe

This week was the first week back for faculty and students.  It was not as chaotic as I had imagined it might be.  I was welcomed quite well and learned a lot more about the classes routine and how each “full” week will generally flow.  I was able to work on a few mini lesson plans as well as lead the class in multiple areas throughout the day. (ex: walking to specials, lunch room, bathroom breaks, recess, dismissal etc…) I have been trying to establish my presence more in the classroom as a lead role so that I can continue to build and develop rapport.  I have two classes currently because our class is on a block schedule.  This may change soon, but it is interesting the level of respect from one class to the next.  The last class of the day seems to be more compliant and willing to work hard.  

Reflect

As always, my experience is continuing to grow and develop in classroom management as well as lesson delivery.  I can see that my “teacher” voice is still needing some work.  Although, all of the students I have worked with are very well behaved for the most part.  I do have one student, whom I will continue to use as my focus student, that will need a little more of my “attention” throughout the day.  We are developing a strategy to help me as well as help him.  He is very intelligent and sweet,  but he is also very strong willed and excitable.  Give him an inch….and well, you know.

Also, today (Friday) I tried to play a game with my students to just get their minds off work and enjoy theirself.  Well….it didn’t go very well….at all.  This was totally my bad and I certainly learned from it.  It was a TEAM based game, but everyone was unsure of the procedures, even though I did go over it with them.  I have some SUPER competitive students so I had to be on the ball with points and rules.  I will have another plan next time.  I had to control the group because they were bouncing off the walls and not focusing or listening to me.  I gave them two warnings and on the last one, I stopped the game and directed them back to their seats and asked them to put their head down.  My CE said I did the right thing and gave some pointers on how to do it better.    

Focus

My short and long term goals are still in alignment as far as I can tell.  I am continually moving back and forth between where I am and where I want to be, but I feel confident up to this point.  I still have a few things to develop to get there, but my CE has coached me very well so far and I know that my planning, behavior skills and other areas will start flowing a lot more.  

Be Productive

Next week, I could focus more on developing lessons for one portion of the day.  I mainly observed this week, but I did get some time leading groups, teaching mini lessons and directing transitions.  Now that I am getting more in tune with the schedule and what to do it is easier to figure out what I can prepare for.  Also, considering my CE already has things planned, I have just asked her what she needs me to do or prepare for.  

Have Courage

I think it is hard for me to assert my authority without being Mr. Nice teacher.  I know there is a way to be both “stern” and friendly.  I can tell how students could get confused if you are always joking and being silly with them at first.  They need to know you are the teacher/leader and that you are to be respected and that they will also be respected.  But sometimes, they just need to know when joking/laughing/playing is appropriate and when it is not.  I want them to have a great experience with school, but also develop that respect element and knowledge that sometimes their behavior is unacceptable.  Again, that is why classroom management is one of my PDP goals this semester.

 

Begin Anew

For next week, my next step is to develop a writing lesson for my ELA students.  We are going to do a research project/writing project on the Bald Eagle.  I am moving closer to full time teaching so I want to start learning how to plan for each day so that I will be ready when I take over in the classroom.  Next week, I will also work on developing that teacher voice, being more confident, developing strategies to engage students and to help cue them for transitions and when I need their attention.  

Data

My students ended this week doing a Benchmark Assessment.  I have been looking at their past test scores and current evaluations to help assist me in making their lesson and Unit plans effective.  I will continue to work closely to my CE to get a better grasp on how to move forward and for full time student teaching.

ADVICE

For upcoming Student teachers, one piece of advice is understand and PRACTICE classroom management as much as you can.  This is crucial to you being able to 1. Keep your sanity and 2. Be able to deliver your lesson/content effectively.  If you are not sure how to do this, there are several resources out there.  My favorite is www.smartclassroommanagement.com  it is full of great advice.  Mostly however, experience is the BEST teacher.  

Standard 1 1A: Teachers lead in their classrooms

• Worked on developing my teacher voice
• Reinforcing expectations behaviorally in the class, for outside of the class, and for outside on the playground.  

Standard 2: Teacher creates a safe and loving environment for their students.

• Explained to students the importance of paying attention, keeping hands to their self and respecting one another.

Standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach in the classroom

• Read a lot about the Lost Colony to brush up on the facts.  
• Reviewed lesson plans that were going to be taught so that I could deliver them effectively and plan appropriately for each learner.  

Standard 4:B: Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students

• Worked with CE on lessons that were taught this week.  
• Asking her advice on how to transition
• Getting to know the schedule to plan for appropriate time structures.

Standard 5: Teacher Reflect on their Practice

• Worked with CE on my weak points
• Implemented some new strategies for classroom management.
• Developing a writing assignment for new week so learning how to differentiate that lesson.

Tasks for this weekend are to get my website established.  I am trying to knock out a section at a time for my Portfolio.  I have established my PDP goals and will begin working toward getting those locked down by next week.  

I don’t think there is anything to provide my CE this week at this time and I don’t need anything that I can think of.  I know things are crazy right now.