I would rate this week a 4 out of 5. This week has been probably one of my best weeks in the classroom! I have had great lessons and have been able to really engage my students during my instruction. I have felt confident when teaching the material and my students have been well behaved for the most part.
Observe: What pleasant surprises/ accomplishments did I achieve this week?
This week I continued with my poetry unit and my students have just embraced poetry. This completely shocked me because I did not expect this to be one of my stronger units, but it has turned out to be my best yet! My students loved all of the learning experiences and activities that went along with each poetic device we learned and especially got into drawing what they saw when they read a poem, imagery. I also completed my EdTPA math learning progression this week on multiplication and tested out using Plickers to assess my students. They LOVED it! I will definitely be implementing this technology tool wherever I can in my future lessons.
Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
This week, I am beginning a new science unit with matter. This is somewhat of a difficult concept for me to grasp, so I want to familiarize myself with the material as much as possible before teaching it. I want to make the lessons relevant for the students, so there is not that disconnect like I have had in previous social studies lessons.
Focus: How are my short term efforts and long term goals still aligned?
My short term goals are going to be to immediately reflect on my lesson plans and rearrange them as need be when changes occur. This week, Read to Achieve started back up and has cut my reading block in half. I am beginning a new reading unit and novel as well next week and so I feel like I am having to rearrange some things for pacing reasons in order to fit all of my instruction in for time sake.
Have Courage: How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
I have been apprehensive about making my resume. I have been looking up some tips on how to create one, and researching some great things to put on there in order for me to stand out. I plan to make mine this week!
Be Productive
I am going to submit my classroom website link for approval and hopefully get that checked off of my checklist. I need to continue to work on my portfolio pieces and start putting together and brainstorming what I want my video to look like as well.
Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
I am starting all new units next week and so I have put a lot of time and effort into my plans, however, with it being spirit week next week and special occasions taking place, I need to keep in mind that not everything may go as planned and that's something all teachers just have to accept. I have given my best planning lessons and just hope for the best when teaching them.
Data
This week I started Plickers with my students. I love this tech tool because it gives you immediate, individualized feedback. I used this to help motivate my students by stating, "We almost all got it right, let's see if everyone can get this next question right!" I used this data to assess who truly comprehended the concept.
Advice
Don't overthink your lessons or underestimate yourself. This week, I was unsure how my poetry lessons were going to go, but I even surprised myself with how well my students performed and how they were engaged throughout the whole unit. Own it and go with it, so your students will buy into it!
NCTCS
1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms - I have taken it upon me that all 24 of my students are relying on me to plan my instruction so they can learn and succeed in order to move onto the next level. I use data collected from assessments to determine what kind of activities and my delivery of instruction for particular lessons during W.I.N. time. This has worked beautifully because it aligns with the standards they are learning now, or are going to learn in the upcoming weeks.
2b. Teachers treat students as individuals- I am trying to improve my proximity praise, so often times I will find myself naming students to thank them for doing the right thing. My CE said she has noticed a difference with how I am addressing the students and that is so reassuring to hear!
3a Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.- I am becoming more and more familiar with where to find certain concepts within the Common Core and Essential Standards.I need to work on making sure that everything I am teaching is aligning with the standards.
4d. Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction. I feel as if my students have earned the privilege to use technology in their center time and will use this resource to enhance their learning experience by providing them with content that is relevant to the standards they are learning.
5a. Teachers analyze student learning.- I am continuing to assess students constantly, but whenever a student does well on something, I make sure to give them a shout out or call them aside and tell them how proud I am of them. This ties into standard 2 as well and my students love this! They always smile when they know how well they have done on an assignment, The reassurance has helped motivate their performance and positive attitude.
Support from Supervisor- N/A
I'm a little jealous! That's one reason that I would love to be placed in upper grades at some point. I really love novels and poetry. Of course we do some poetry in kinder, but it's mainly just trying to identify rhyming words. I hope all of that continues to go well for you!
ReplyDeleteMy instructional coach suggested that I create a virtual website that has a QR code to attach to my resume. The website can house lesson plans and units that you have created, pictures of your work, and videos of you teaching. I haven't done this yet, because I wanted to be able to submit something to HR when I attended a meeting at the central office. However, it is something that I would like to add at some point. It would be easy to submit even after you have submitted a more conventional resume. Maybe that's something you want to try. Good luck!
I'm so glad to hear that your week went well. I am also happy to hear that the students responded positively to the poetry unit. One thing that I have learned is that students can often surprise you! You are so right with your advice. I have caught myself overthinking about my lessons. You do just have to go with it. If it doesn't work out, you can go back to the drawing boards, but you'll never know unless you try! Good luck this week!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you had a great week. It's great that your students understand poetry and enjoyed it as well. I have found that it is difficult to keep students engaged with something that is not that interesting. It's awesome that you and your students were able to have a great week and learn a lot. Great blog and keep up the great work.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read this comment..."I have felt confident when teaching the material and my students have been well behaved for the most part." Your preparation to really understand the concepts before teaching the material is vital. What differences in student outcomes do you find when you are confident in your teaching?
I am pleased that your poetry lessons were successful. I look forward to reading your edTPA reflections.
Have a great and productive week!
Take care!