7 Days Until SB, but Who Is Counting?!!

Rate: I would definitely give this week a 5!!  I am so excited to say that I have passed all 5 of my observations and am starting to wrap up my student teaching experience as this semester comes to a close.  I felt like this week, everything fell into place and my students seem to thrive off of my instruction during my lessons!     

Observe: What pleasant surprises/ accomplishments did I achieve this week? 
My students did their first research project this week.  They were put into groups of four and assigned an Olympian to research.  They had to find four facts about their Olympian and the Olympic sport that they play.  I was surprised at how well my students conducted the research project and how well they organized their facts for their infomercials.         

Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
I am starting to hand back over some subjects, which is exciting!!!  I will only be teaching reading and during W.I.N. time next week.  I am excited to sit back and start to observe how my CE prepares my students for the EOG tests.           

Focus: How are my short term efforts and long term goals still aligned?
My short term goals are to finish and finalize all parts of my portfolio before Spring Break and that wa over break, I can focus on clipping and editing my video.  I know that is going to take the most time, so I want to have some time to work on that over break.  My long term goal is to make this portfolio as strong as it can be and be prepared for my presentation at the end of the year.     
  
Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
I have been apprehensive about making my video because I have heard how much time and patience it takes.  I am not all that great when working with technology, so this will be an interesting experience to say the least.    


Be Productive
I am going to finalize all parts of my portfolio, except for my video before Spring break.  


Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
I am finished with all 5 observations and now it is time to turn my focus towards my portfolio!       

Data
I am continuing to document EVERYTHING!  I need to elaborate on some of my entries.  I am making sure I document every time I contact parents and keep a log of when, what the purpose was, and what the outcome of the situation was.         

Advice
I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully you are too!  It is surreal how my college career is coming to an end.  Make the most of the time you still have in this chapter of life!             

NCTCS
1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms - I have taken it upon me that all 21 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 have mastered this standard and I am glad to say that I have met my PDP goal!!!!!!!!
3a Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.- I am becoming more and more familiar with how concepts align and how to teach at an appropriate pace for each standard.  
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. They use multiplication apps, fractions, and a reading fluency program to enhance their academic abilities.   
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.  I love seeing their smiles when they earn a shoutout and I am also finding ways to approach students who may not have understood the content originally to make the situation more positive!