Week 9 - Second placement - Introduction

My first week of student teaching at my 2^nd placement was nice! I think I really going to like 3^rd grade. My cooperating teacher and co-teacher are amazing! They do not have desks or work areas just storage areas. They are up and assisting in the classroom throughout the entire day. There are more students with IEP’s and challenges in this classroom, but the classroom was directable. Students gave attention to the teacher and worked to complete work. There was no yelling! Co-teaching was with 2 teachers both up and teaching at the same time – this was not the case at my first placement. The classroom also has various specialists who push in throughout the day to assist students. Students are pulled out with the sped co-teacher for small group work instead of being at a side desk which was extremely helpful in keeping the students who are receiving the small group intervention and other students from getting distracted. This week was extremely busy and only observation took place as this week was report card pick up and the instruction and school schedule were both altered.  I did, however, get to experience report card pick up which was scheduled for all students in the classroom.

My focus continues with the implementation of Standard 4 - Learning Environment and Standard 5 – Instructional Delivery as I am observing teaching, Standard 6 (Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication) continues to be addressed in all lessons as reading, writing, and oral communication are integrated into every lesson. I continued to observe Standard 8 (Collaborative Relationships) and Standard 9 (Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy) through the daily professional behavior of both teachers. Throughout each day Standard 1 (Teaching Diverse Students, Standard), Standard 2 (Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge), Standard 3 (Planning for Differentiated Instruction), and Standard 7 (Assessment) are addressed through the discussion of how grades are determined and how lessons are planned to ensure standards are being met. My beliefs about teaching or learning continued to remain the same. Next week I look forward to more observation and possibly beginning to teach. 

Week 8 - Increased Teaching

This week was my final week at my first placement. For the most part, this week was a normal week and went well. My responsibility continued with lessons. Although I am more comfortable, I am still working to improve my classroom management with simple/direct language and taking dojo points from students.  Students seemed a bit distracted about me leaving and have asked many questions, including if I could stay. On Friday, students greeted me with goodbye cards which found their way to me throughout the day. At one point in the day, the students were super sweet, and all wrote me letters of recommendation to my future Principal. While writing the letters I was constantly told about how much they enjoyed me teaching them and how I will get a great job and be a fun teacher.  We spent some time in the afternoon where I was able to show them pictures about me. I showed them pictures of my boys, my cats and my dog who they heard about often. The day ended with gifts from my cooperating teacher and her co-teacher. I was grateful and humbled with the donations given to me to start my first classroom.

My focus continues with the implementation of Standard 4 - Learning Environment and Standard 5 – Instructional Delivery as I am now teaching subjects on a daily basis Standard 6 (Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication) continues to be addressed in all lessons as reading, writing, and oral communication are integrated into every lesson. I continued to observe Standard 8 (Collaborative Relationships) and Standard 9 (Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy) through the daily professional behavior of both teachers. Throughout each day Standard 1 (Teaching Diverse Students, Standard), Standard 2 (Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge), Standard 3 (Planning for Differentiated Instruction), and Standard 7 (Assessment) are addressed as there is constant discussion about lesson planning and assessments to ensure the learning needs of all students are met and students are progressing as needed. My beliefs about teaching or learning continued to remain the same. Next week is my first week at my second placement. I can’t wait!!! 

Week 7 - Increased Teaching

This week was a short week. This past Monday was Columbus Day, so teachers and students did not have class. On Tuesday we had another teacher institute day. Although institute days, in general, have mixed reviews. The institute days in my district are informative and engaging.  I’m sure after a while they all mesh together and seem to be repetitive but from my perspective, they help to keep everyone on the same page in terms of the bigger picture within the school district. The students only had a three-day week but had no school fever. It took students time to adjust back to the routine, then Friday arrived, and everyone had the weekend fever. Instruction this week is chugging along I am more comfortable with the routines and classroom management. On Friday I had another teaching observation which was helpful.  I really appreciate the feedback I get from my professor as she is positive, encouraging and honest.  

At this point, my responsibility is continued. Students, although, extremely talkative at times seem to respond to my lessons and have commented on how they enjoy certain subjects.

My focus continues with the observation of Standard 4 - Learning Environment and Standard 5 – Instructional Delivery as both teachers model their own effective method of teaching. Standard 6 (Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication) continues to be addressed in all lessons as reading, writing, and oral communication are integrated into every lesson. I continued to observe Standard 8 (Collaborative Relationships) and Standard 9 (Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy) through the daily professional behavior of both teachers. Throughout each day Standard 1 (Teaching Diverse Students, Standard), Standard 2 (Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge), Standard 3 (Planning for Differentiated Instruction), and Standard 7 (Assessment) are addressed as there is constant discussion about lesson planning and assessments to ensure the learning needs of all students are met and students are progressing as needed. My beliefs about teaching or learning continued to remain the same. Next week is my last week at my first placement. I look forward to learning as much as I can this week and observing a couple other classrooms while I am at the school. 

Week 6 - Part - Time Teaching

WOW! What a week this has been! I think this may have felt like the longest week yet. The week started off with a full day Ed TPA writing session. Then continued with the remainder of the week being composed of regular schedules and routines. Classroom management is challenging not only for me but for my cooperating teacher and her co-teacher. Our students are just different. They refuse to quiet down, we have even experienced a few displays of extremely inappropriate behavior. However, with everything, there is a lesson. I am learning to take everything day by day and to endure as kids will be kids. I try my best to remember that this is the time for students to make mistakes and when they do they need to have an understanding, positive yet firm adult to rely on. I am still working to improve my classroom management with simple/direct language and have begun to take dojo points from students and provide an explanation in the app for the parents to view when a point is taken away for behavior such as disrespect.

I am continuing to increase my responsibility in the classroom through teaching. My cooperating teacher is extremely supportive, answers all my questions and makes herself available during off hours through text messages if I should have a question.

My focus continues with the observation of Standard 4 - Learning Environment and Standard 5 – Instructional Delivery as both teachers model their own effective method of teaching. Standard 6 (Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication) continues to be addressed in all lessons as reading, writing, and oral communication are integrated into every lesson. I continued to observe Standard 8 (Collaborative Relationships) and Standard 9 (Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy) through the daily professional behavior of both teachers. Throughout each day Standard 1 (Teaching Diverse Students, Standard), Standard 2 (Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge), Standard 3 (Planning for Differentiated Instruction), and Standard 7 (Assessment) are addressed as there is constant discussion about lesson planning and assessments to ensure the learning needs of all students are met and students are progressing as needed. My beliefs about teaching or learning continued to remain the same. Next week I look forward to writing my continuing my lesson plans in PlanBook (lesson plan software) and developing focus groups during the writing lessons.

Week 5 - Part - Time Teaching

I love that I am experiencing all that teaching has to offer. My cooperating teacher is giving me increased responsibility. This week continued with normal schedules and instructions. The students are becoming a bit challenging with the non-stop talking but I am embracing the days, learning as much from each day as possible.

As I continue to take on more responsibility I am continuously aware of my classroom management and work to improve it with simple/direct language. I am also learning to priortize more and be aware of the many ways students try to get out of class with bathroom and water breaks.

My focus continues with the observation of Standard 4 - Learning Environment and Standard 5 – Instructional Delivery as both teachers model their own effective method of teaching. Standard 6 (Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication) continues to be addressed in all lessons as reading, writing, and oral communication are integrated into every lesson. I continued to observe Standard 8 (Collaborative Relationships) and Standard 9 (Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy) this week through the daily professional behavior of both teachers. Throughout each day Standard 1 (Teaching Diverse Students, Standard), Standard 2 (Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge), Standard 3 (Planning for Differentiated Instruction), and Standard 7 (Assessment) are addressed as there is constant discussion about lesson planning and assessments to ensure the learning needs of all students are met and students are progressing as needed. My beliefs about teaching or learning continued to remain the same. Next week I look forward to becoming more comfortable with my lesson delivery.

Week 4 - Part - Time Teaching

Week four had ended. The weeks are flying by! This week was a full week of regular schedules and instruction. I am continuing to enjoy my time in the classroom as I learn new things every day. I am getting to know the students better and enjoy when they come up to me to tell me random stuff about themselves or the day.

This week I continued to take on more responsibility with the students as the teachers are working diligently to complete the F& P reading testing. Throughout the week I also assisted with small group instruction, proximity control during assignments, grading, 1:1 evaluation with Lexia and general task instruction. I am enjoying taking on more instruction responsibility with instruction. I am getting better with classroom management utilizing simple/direct language.

The school is big on communication with both staff and parents. Monday, I attended a 5th-grade meeting where the Principal checked in with the teachers regarding planning and pace to ensure all necessary elements of the curriculum were being addressed. Tuesday, I participated in an open house where the parents were able to come into the classroom and find out more about 5^th grade. Meeting some of the parents proved invaluable as it gave insight into their child’s progress or lack thereof. The students, as expected, seemed proud to bring their parents to school and enjoyed the evening. Thursday, per usual is the Morning staff meeting to keep everyone on the same page and address any thoughts or concerns that week. 

My focus continues with the observation of Standard 4 - Learning Environment and Standard 5 – Instructional Delivery as both teachers model their own effective method of teaching. Standard 6 (Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication) continues to be addressed in all lessons as reading, writing and oral communication are integrated into every lesson. I continued to observe Standard 8 (Collaborative Relationships) and Standard 9 (Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy) this week through the daily professional behavior of both teachers. Throughout each day Standard 1 (Teaching Diverse Students, Standard), Standard 2 (Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge), Standard 3 (Planning for Differentiated Instruction), and Standard 7 (Assessment) are addressed as there are constant discussion about lesson planning and assessments to ensure the learning needs of all students are met and students are progressing as needed. My beliefs about teaching or learning continued to remain the same. Next week I look forward to integrating more technology into each lesson, working on increasing eye contact with the students during lesson delivery and increasing student : student participation during lessons.

Week 3 - Introduction to Teaching

Wow! Three weeks of student teaching has flown by! I am learning a lot and getting to know the kids better. This is Map testing week. The week started with a regular day of instruction on Monday. Tuesday through Thursday the students tested with a normal day of instruction again on Friday. In addition to Map testing this week I also experienced my first observation by my supervisor, Professor Griffith.

This week I continued to take on more responsibility with the students and assisted with what I could during MAP testing. Throughout the week I also assisted with small group instruction, proximity control during assignments, grading, 1:1 evaluation with Lexia and general task instruction.

I am enjoying the time in the classroom. Thankfully our classroom does not have extreme behavior issues, only constant talking and the non-completion of homework.  Classroom Dojo is used to communicate behaviors with parents during school which has proven to be effective. Students are aware of the teacher/parent communication and respond to well they know they might receive or lose Dojo points. Currently, I believe 85% - 90% of parents are signed up and receive communication.

My observation went well as I learned more about my own teaching methods and expectations. I received positive feedback that I can immediately put into practice in my lessons.

My focus continues with the observation of Standard 4 - Learning Environment and Standard 5 – Instructional Delivery as both teachers model their own effective method of teaching. My cooperating teacher has been invaluable as she has given me an explanation of assessments (Standard 7 - Assessment) and how she plans for instruction /assessment with diverse learners (Standard 1 -Teaching Diverse Students, Standard 2 – Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge, Standard 3 – Planning for Differentiated Instruction). Standard 6 (Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication) continues to be addressed in all lessons as reading, writing and oral communication are integrated into every lesson. I continued to observe Standard 8 (Collaborative Relationships) and Standard 9 (Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy) this week through the daily professional behavior of both teachers. My beliefs about teaching or learning continued to remain the same. Next week my cooperating teacher will give me the full responsibility of the writing block.