Working on My Communication Skills
Hi everyone,
This week I really learned something, education majors should receive a minor in Communication, because our profession is largely based off of this! I realized this point when I was doing some self-reflecting earlier. Lately, I set a personal goal to improve my communication skills with others, whether it be professionally, to the students in my clinical, or to my friends/family. I've never excelled in this area due to my unfortunate disposition of being an introvert. However, I have seen how important this skill is to possess. I'm proud of my communication skills with my CE so far. Though my nerves are definitely present, I have tried to move passed this in order to effectively show what I know and also how dedicated I am to being in the clinical setting.
In 435, we submitted a Social Studies lesson plan. I thought we had to do the edTPA format (we didn't -.-) and so I was quickly reminded of how detailed edTPA is, and the struggling began. Because edTPA is so detailed and complex, I feel it's easy to remember how to complete it. Though I struggled, I referenced my previous edTPA lesson plans, looked at the handbook and kept going. I constantly mix up "Language Function" and "Language Skill" but Dr. Nanney in Math Methods has greatly helped our class in that area.
In Science class today, I was satisfied with the development of my ecocolumn. It looks so cool!! I had to review some information on composers, decomposers, and producers because my knowledge is lacking in this area. Through my research, this website appeared. The site would be excellent to use in my future classroom, especially if I land an upper-grade level job. The interactive game offers different organisms that are either producers, consumers, or decomposers. It is kid-friendly and explains why the organism is what.
I feel like I should contribute to class more often and help my colleagues succeed in their work, however I have not had much opportunity to do so. In the discussions board posts, I do contribute by presenting well thought out responses that can lead into conversations. But again, I definitely need to do more!
Over the next week, I plan to really dive deep into my unit plan for Science Methods. So far, I have no ideas (sadly), and therefore I really need to get the ball rolling. I am already feeling overwhelmed and I know this is only going to get worse. If I follow through with this action plan, the end of the semester will hopefully not be as crazy. Another plan I have for the upcoming week is to sit down and talk with my CE about edTPA and the requirements I need to fulfill in 435!
Another article I read this week is: 10 Tips for edTPA Success. I believe I'll be referencing this material VERY often. A major point is planning ahead and communicating with your cooperating teacher. Like I said above, this is a personal goal that I am really working on. I've completed a lot of reflecting this week, following NCPTS V, but the main focus is on NCPTS IV.g: "Teachers communicate effectively." I believe this is a skill that will constantly need to be worked on and improved. I can see the improvement in myself already and am excited to notice more!
One current event that is relevant in all of our lives right now is hurricane season! We are about to experience Irma and hopefully it isn't terrible, but this season is important to talk about in all grade levels. Even the Kindergarteners I'm with should be taught about weather and can be taught the basics of a hurricane, especially what to do with the possibility of an emergency.
Finally, here are my tweets:
This week I really learned something, education majors should receive a minor in Communication, because our profession is largely based off of this! I realized this point when I was doing some self-reflecting earlier. Lately, I set a personal goal to improve my communication skills with others, whether it be professionally, to the students in my clinical, or to my friends/family. I've never excelled in this area due to my unfortunate disposition of being an introvert. However, I have seen how important this skill is to possess. I'm proud of my communication skills with my CE so far. Though my nerves are definitely present, I have tried to move passed this in order to effectively show what I know and also how dedicated I am to being in the clinical setting.
In 435, we submitted a Social Studies lesson plan. I thought we had to do the edTPA format (we didn't -.-) and so I was quickly reminded of how detailed edTPA is, and the struggling began. Because edTPA is so detailed and complex, I feel it's easy to remember how to complete it. Though I struggled, I referenced my previous edTPA lesson plans, looked at the handbook and kept going. I constantly mix up "Language Function" and "Language Skill" but Dr. Nanney in Math Methods has greatly helped our class in that area.
In Science class today, I was satisfied with the development of my ecocolumn. It looks so cool!! I had to review some information on composers, decomposers, and producers because my knowledge is lacking in this area. Through my research, this website appeared. The site would be excellent to use in my future classroom, especially if I land an upper-grade level job. The interactive game offers different organisms that are either producers, consumers, or decomposers. It is kid-friendly and explains why the organism is what.
I feel like I should contribute to class more often and help my colleagues succeed in their work, however I have not had much opportunity to do so. In the discussions board posts, I do contribute by presenting well thought out responses that can lead into conversations. But again, I definitely need to do more!
Over the next week, I plan to really dive deep into my unit plan for Science Methods. So far, I have no ideas (sadly), and therefore I really need to get the ball rolling. I am already feeling overwhelmed and I know this is only going to get worse. If I follow through with this action plan, the end of the semester will hopefully not be as crazy. Another plan I have for the upcoming week is to sit down and talk with my CE about edTPA and the requirements I need to fulfill in 435!
Another article I read this week is: 10 Tips for edTPA Success. I believe I'll be referencing this material VERY often. A major point is planning ahead and communicating with your cooperating teacher. Like I said above, this is a personal goal that I am really working on. I've completed a lot of reflecting this week, following NCPTS V, but the main focus is on NCPTS IV.g: "Teachers communicate effectively." I believe this is a skill that will constantly need to be worked on and improved. I can see the improvement in myself already and am excited to notice more!
One current event that is relevant in all of our lives right now is hurricane season! We are about to experience Irma and hopefully it isn't terrible, but this season is important to talk about in all grade levels. Even the Kindergarteners I'm with should be taught about weather and can be taught the basics of a hurricane, especially what to do with the possibility of an emergency.
Finally, here are my tweets:
If you haven't heard already, Grace caught a snake Tuesday! We've been working on our ecocolumns for two days and I've found it's a lot more difficult than it looks. None of us caught anything but Savannah with her fish and Grace with her snake!
I greatly needed this encouragement when this tweet showed up. I typically throw pity-parties and get discouraged easily. That should not be the case though. We all need to be driven by what we want and work towards things that matter (like teaching).
Classroom management in Kindergarten is HUGE! Many kids have never seen structure and don't know how to stand in a straight line. It has been frustrating, but sticking to the 3 main rules of our class, constantly following procedure and backing it up with praise is essential. You'll be surprised at how quickly they learn.
Well, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend,
Gabrielle :)
Gabby, I definitely agree when you say education majors must be communication experts!! It's nothing that I excel at either so I think you have a great goal! Like you, I have been stressing about edTPA this week. The website that you provided seems like it will be a big help to us as we continue to work on it. We have had an interesting week in class with snakes, goldfish, and bugs. It's been fun having that experience though!
ReplyDeleteGabby,
ReplyDeleteCommunication is definitely so important as education majors and future teachers! We hear the terms networking and collaboration all the time in education and this is because education is about communicating with other passionate educators to create positive change in our schools and students. I am so glad that you are breaking out of your comfort zone and embracing communication! I was also stressed about the EdTPA lesson plan and really want to get more comfortable with it so it doesn't scare me so much! We definitely have had some adventures in SCED this week (:
Gabby, I 100% agree with the first sentence of your blog; education majors should receive a minor in communication. That is one of the most important parts of our profession. We need to be able to communicate well and effectively. I think working on your communication skills and being more outspoken is a great goal for you to work on throughout this year! I can also relate to you about how I need to get going and get thinking about my unit plan. That is my goal for next week as well, to start brainstorming what I want my unit to be on. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Gabrielle,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you discussed communication this week. As future teachers, people expect us to be excellent communicaters. No ums or uhs are accepted. I am trying to work on my communication as well. Sometimes I have a bad habit of talking too fast that I trip over my words. I am trying to practice talking slower so that I can carefully get my message across without any extra nonsense words thrown in. I love your tweet about Grace. That must have been so much fun to see.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Gabby, I also am an introvert. Since coming to college, though, I have come out of my shell a lot. Even so, when I am thrown into a new situation or environment, I clam up quickly. This semester/year is full of new situations and new environments! However, with each new day I spend in my clinical, I can feel myself opening up and settling in. You are absolutely right about communication. It is key! Being able to communicate with our CE, students, and their parents, each in a different but appropriate way, is very important.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing we have in common, I also did the edTPA template for our SS lesson. There has been a whole summer between now and the last time I looked at edTPA. I feel like I have forgotten every thing. I too struggle with the language function portion of edTPA. But, I have every confidence that our amazing professors will prepare us well. I love the article you shared on tips for edTPA. As soon as I am done typing this I am headed to print it off!
Gabrielle, I agree with you good communication skills are important in our profession. I have an advantage that some others may not have. I worked in the business industry for 20 years. In those years I took many communication classes. One that stands out is the ABC's of Communicating with people. It's an acronym for Attitude, Behavior, Communication. I often tried to refer back to this course when I'm having trouble communicating with someone. As for your unit plan, I'm still trying to find a topic. I think your idea of getting a jump on it is a good idea. This course is content heavy and getting it done sooner than later is a very good idea. Thank you for sharing about your ecosystem. I enjoyed the class pictures.
ReplyDeleteGabby, I look forward to reading your blogs weekly! I saved the 10 tips for edtpa in my resource kit, thank you for sharing that with all of us! I loved getting to go to broad river with all of you guys even though Grace and Savanna were the only ones to catch something in their aquarium! I have also been thinking about communication lately and how important it is in everyday life. We all have to communicate with our professors, our peers, our friends, family, students, co-workers, and students parents! It seems overwhelming when you think about all of that communication but I know you will begin to feel more comfortable with your CE and your class very soon where it will feel like a second home! I hope you have a great rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteGabrielle,
ReplyDeleteI did not know you were an introvert! When you speak in class and assignments you appear confident and at ease. Your practice has worked well for you. Your responses that can lead into conversations has gone over well. It's difficult for everyone to speak out during an one hour and fifteen minute class period. I hope you do well this week!
There are many way the world and experiences can bring us down. We all have personally dealt with or will deal with this. It is unfortunate that those with passion are brought down, but keep your head up and keep moving forward despite others.
Oh the snake story. That story will be around for a while!!!!! I am proud of the progress you have already made this semester...you are right...teaching is communicating and communicating is teaching! Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDelete