January 25, 2019

I have survived my first kind of official first week of full-time instruction. This was a crazy but good week. I would rate it a 4 out of 5. It was a short week, and even shorter with a delay Wednesday. But, this also tampered with my planning of lessons. I had to experience my first shifting of lessons and squeezing things in to make it all fit.

OBSERVE

            Even with a short week I still was able to accomplish filming almost all of my edTPA lessons. This has been helpful getting this done some-what early so I really have time to focus on selecting the perfect video combination.

REFLECT

            I have my first observation this week and I was able to reflect on my overall teaching environment and get some helpful suggestions to improve my classroom management as a whole. This is an area I strive to grow the most in and put myself in a constant situation of reflection to analyze what works and what doesn’t in the classroom to provide a smoother setting.

FOCUS

            I am beginning to find some tools to start using for some management tools especially with transitions in the classroom. This will help me towards my long-term goal of having more control of my classroom.

BE PRODUCTIVE

            I feel like I spent a lot more time this week planning lessons simply because I am in the process of trying to branch out and try newer things with my students so there was a lot of changing lessons and re-writing and editing taking place trying to find the best and logical progressions.

HAVE COURAGE

            This week after my observation I had the courage to step out and plan/change our classroom system for next week. Some of these adjustments included changing our classroom layout at the board some, re-vamping our whole literacy center system that we go through, and some changes in the class schedule as a whole. This was big step simply because I do not want to step on any toes with the other kindergarten teachers. But after talking with my CE I think these will be great new changes and addition to our classroom to help make lessons flow better.

BEGIN ANEW

            Next week I am beginning all these new changes to the classroom so students can find adapt to a new routine especially with a full week back on a somewhat normal schedule without any testing.

DATA

            Some data that I observed this week was on myself seeing areas that I need to improve on based upon the checks I received from my observation. We are constantly looking at data from our students, but we need to always reflect on ourselves as well.

           

ADVICE

            I think the advice that I can give my fellow student teacher friends is to always ask for help and suggestions to make your teaching and methods of teaching more relevant and appropriate for students.

NCTCS

1a. Teachers lead in their classroom

            This week I was the main leader now that I have officially taken over full instruction of the classroom.

2a. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.

            This was my highest score on my observation evaluation and considered one of my strengths. I want all students to be exiting about learning and also welcomed in the classroom.

3a. Teachers align their instruction with the NCSCOS.

            There were some lessons this week that I had to re-evaluate the standards I chose to make sure I really was aligned and that this was the best pick for this particular subject.

4b. Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students.

            This week we dove into some global awareness and student got to see what the Ukraine looks like in terms of the weather, what clothes children wear, and what their ABC’s look like. These are all things that students can relate back to their own lives and how we live in the U.S.

5b. Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.

            This week after my observation I was able to set some short, and long-term goals and see where I need to grow professionally in the weeks to come.

The only big stride that I have taken towards my portfolio this week is in teaching and videoing of my edTPA lessons. As far as support my CE and myself do not need any as of right now.