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.