Busy Busy Week 4

If you had asked me last week, about my outlook for week 4 I would have said stressed and chaotic. I had a lot planned and going on this week. However, now that it's over, I can definitely say I feel relieved and I'm ready for week 5! This week I taught my students about global awareness using the olympics, incorporated two new tech tools into the classroom (the kids were PUMPED), and had my first observation. Overall I would rate this week as 5 because even with everything going on it was great/productive week.

This week I incorporated some global awareness using the olympics. We discussed the history of the olympics and the current olympic games. Then the students did a small research project on a country a day that is involved in the games. To my surprise, the students handled this very well and LOVED it. Everyday they asked what their new country would be to research.

One of my learning experiences from this week was on my day 1 of incorporating Plickers into my math small groups. Day 1 was a tad chaotic, which was kinda expected because it was new and different for them. However, on day 2 of using Plickers, I tried printing out the questions and then they just answered with their car. This made a world of difference! The students could pace themselves easier and did not feel rushed or slowed down by others. I also started using Quizziz during my math small groups for their independent chromebook time and they thought it was awesome! Another formative assessment and tech tool all in one, if you haven't seen it you should definitely check it out.

My goal for next week is to finally to be finished with edTPA and submit on Thursday! I will be very relieved once that is over. This week I could have spent more time preparing. But the edTPA workday was very helpful and productive.

This week was all about data in math. My lessons were very vague because all week was about reviewing fractions. Each day we decided what students needed to focus on most during rotations for math the next day.

This week I exhibited 1A, teachers lead in their classroom. I did this by analyzing student's formative assessments daily and making instructional decisions based on that for the next day.

I exhibited 2A, Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.  Unfortunately, with this week's current events of the school shooting in Florida my students were very on edge. They had several questions. Me and my CE answered all of their questions and made sure students knew our action plan for various scenarios. This helped ease their minds even with such a difficult subject.

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 4E, teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. I did this by helping students analyze different real life stories to identify the revolutionary ideas embedded. We also discussed what it meant to be revolutionary and be a revolutionary thinker.

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