Almost a Normal Week...

As if there is such a thing, we finally were back on as close to a normal schedule since we've been back from Christmas break. We still had two work days on Monday and Tuesday this week so students did not return until Wednesday and then had to take their benchmarks on Thursday. Students definitely had difficulties coming back and adjusting to the schedule. Talk about a chaotic week. Overall it was still a good week and I would rate it as a 4 just because I was not as proactive as I would have liked to be.

This week I planned for my first full week of lessons, as I will begin full time next week. Also, this week for math due to the chaotic schedule, I learned a lot about adjusting lessons on the fly to adjust to a testing schedule and the needs of the students. This week I also learned about setting expectations before a lesson. For 2 of my 3 lessons this week students were working with pattern blocks to help them understand fractions. I quickly realized pattern blocks are an awesome visual and HUGE distraction.

My goals for the coming week are to continue and finish my Task 1, and also survive my first full week of teaching. This week I could have spent more time with task 1.

This week I exhibited 1A, teachers lead in their classroom. I did this by using pre-test information and reading levels to inform my plans for the coming week.

I exhibited 2A, teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. I did this by helping my CE create a new seating chart for the classroom. Prior to this experience I always understood this was an important part of a classroom, however I now appreciate that structure so much more and see the value in it.

I exhibited 3A, teachers align their instruction to NCSCOS. As I planned for the coming week I aligned my plans to the NCSCOS.

I exhibited 4B, teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students. I did this by discussing with the other 4th grade teacher how the lesson she taught the previous day went as I would be teaching a similar lesson that day. Based on her feedback I was able to tweak my lesson to avoid misconceptions and better meet my student's needs.

 I exhibited 5A, teachers analyze student learning. I did this by adjusting my plans daily based on the progress of the students.

Overall I am very excited and nervous for next week! Today we had a student move away and reading her sweet goodbye note telling us how much she would miss us reminded me of why we do this and was the perfect to end my week.

Goodbye Snowy Week 3...

This week I would rate my overall week as 5, even though we were only able to be in school one day this week due to snow I was able to get a lot done on our days off. I got a head start on next week's lessons, worked on my portfolio website, and worked with my CE to help group our next guided reading groups based on their new reading levels.

During the time we were in school this week I was able to teach guided reading groups, where we were continuing to work through their SS timeline. Surprisingly students were very interested and invested into this activity. I was also able to teach math groups, where we were reviewing their geometry unit to prepare them for their upcoming benchmark. I gave students a few minutes to reflect on the unit before we began and they really enjoyed having a moment to review before diving into the lesson.

This week my goal is to begin lesson for the next week and do one subject a night as I will be taking over full time the following week. We have two workdays next week where I plan to get oriented for the next week and work further with my CE on arranging the guided reading groups.

This week I exhibited 1A, teachers lead in their classrooms. As I assisted putting students into their flex reading groups based on their new reading levels. The flex reading groups are shared between 4th and 5th grade to help differentiate guided reading.

This week I exhibited 2B, teachers embrace diversity in the world. As we discussed the Trail of Tears, I asked students to step into the shoes of the settlers and the indians. Students did really well with seeing both sides point of view and continued to do this as we discussed other topics on the timeline.

I exhibited 3A, teachers align their instruction to NCSCOS. As I planned for the coming week I aligned my plans to the NCSCOS. Next week I will continuing teaching math and focusing on fractions.

I exhibited 4E, teachers help students develop critical thinking skills. As we worked on the SS timeline this week I focused a lot on having students info and predict. "Why would they have done that? How would they have felt?" This is a skill these students struggle with so these questions were very difficult for students to answer.

I exhibited 5A, teachers analyze student learning. I attended a professional development experience where we analyzed students scores and their growth levels in regards to testing. This was a great experience to see how not just how students scored but how they have grown from the previous year.

Hopefully this week we will be in school all days we are scheduled and get back on a normal routine! Cannot believe another week has already come and gone!

Week 2 is Over Already?

This Week I would rate my overall experience as a 5, we had a great week in the classroom! Towards the end of the week I was able to teach a rotation during guided reading so my CE could assess reading levels. During the rotation we were going through their Social Studies timeline. To my surprise the students were much more interested than expected and would even continue digging into their SS book once they left the group. One lesson that I observed this week was on fractions and I realized that students truly understood it as long as their was visual, next week when I begin to take on math, I plan to build on this to develop their knowledge of fractions even more.

My short term goal for this week is to write my lessons for the following week and attend/participate in third quarter planning where I will receive information to guide the rest of my lesson planning. My long term goal is to continue trying to conquer edTPA and begin task one.

This week I could have spent more time in edTPA but once we have quarterly planning I will have better understanding of how to plan for that week.

This week my CE is completing the mid year reading records to test what reading level students are now on. It's been amazing to see the growth in the students and how proud they are of this growth.

This week I exhibited 1B, Teachers lead in their classroom. I attended a collaborative planning session for the whole staff where we were able to collaborate with 5th grade and support staff to make sure students goals are aligned at all times during the day and to share ideas about lessons and assessments.

I exhibited 2D, teachers adapt their teaching for students with special needs. While students worked independently on a fraction assignment I pulled a low performing student to the back to adapt his assignment and provide assistance based on his needs. This was very effective for him and he was able to complete his assignment with this additional help.

I exhibited 3A, teachers align their instruction to NCSCOS. As I planned for the coming week I aligned my plans to the NCSCOS. Next week I will begin teaching math focusing on fractions.

I exhibited 4E, teachers help students develop critical thinking skills. As we worked on the SS timeline this week I focused a lot on having students infer. "What does this picture tell you? Why would that have happened?" This is a skill these students struggle with so these questions were very difficult for students to answer.

I exhibited 5A, teachers analyze student learning. During PLTs this week we were able to analyze the student testing pattern on EOGs for our students based on their previous year and to see their level of growth based on that knowledge.

I cannot believe another week has come and passed. We are beginning to have conversations informing students of the upcoming changes in the classroom with me and the CE beginning to switch roles and it is very exciting to see their excitement. Hopefully next week we can remain on a normal schedule all week, with the exception of the holiday on Monday, as I begin teaching math next week.

Week 1 of Our Last Semester...

Wow... how is it already time for us to begin our student teaching experience!! I feel as if a lot of my blog post begin with "Wow" or "I cannot believe", however when I take the time to reflect back on my week and how far I've come in this journey those seem like the only appropriate responses. This past week was my first week back after restful Christmas break. It turned out to be a very short week as it began with a workday followed by 2 hour delay and then two snow days.

Even in the short amount of time spent in the classroom, a lot was accomplished. I had the opportunity to continue diving into the edTPA handbook and the Making Good Choices to further understand what was expected of me. Once students returned it was time to get the ball rolling again (a couple of hours late but nonetheless), we pretested for our fractions unit and I had the opportunity to grade and analyze the pretest to situate math rotation groups. The rest of the day I observed and assisted students.

I am very much looking forward to continuing the rest of this experience. I have been working to finalize my long range plan. I plan to begin with math lessons as I start to take on part of the daily schedule. This opportunity for reflection is very valuable and an important step in any process. Welcome back everyone, we are almost there!!