Unexpected Revelations
Hello everyone!
Well, again it has been a crazy week. I'm wondering when we'll actually get back to normal and have a regularly routined week. Because of all the 'inclement weather' Gaston County allowed students to go home early on Monday and have a 3-hour delay on Tuesday. Because of this, students were pretty wacky and the week felt quite long. If I were to rate my week, I would give it a solid 3. This is because of tiredness, mainly, as well as hard-to-manage students due to the change in schedule. However, I am happy with all that I learned and accomplished during this time.
A surprise moment for me was initiating and accomplishing some professional development outside the classroom. It started with a simple conversation, asking my CE if there was a website I could browse to search for professional development near me. She conveniently had just received an email about an opportunity and I quickly jumped on the event. So, Thursday after school, I was able to receive professional development experience by listening/partaking in a webinar on the KEA (Kindergarten Entry Assessment). This is a huge assessment at the beginning of the year, but what I was more interested in was the focus on implementing this into a STEAM classroom. I learned about a technology app that I can implement in the classroom and today started pulling kids aside to show them briefly how it works. Taking initiative to find professional development helped me show leadership for my classroom (NCPTS 1.a), and beginning to implement the new app today follows NCPTS IV.d. So, I was quite proud of both these accomplishments.
I had the opportunity to teach Reader's Workshop this week, but quickly had to adjust my plans due to the weather. The lessons taught went successfully, however on Monday, I was very nervous and felt awkward in front of the students. I reflected on how I was acting, and it seemed like I was thinking too much about the plans. I would continue to have the thought 'okay, what was explicitly written on my lesson plan' and that caused me to freak out. After reflecting (NCPTS V.a), I focused more on the concept of the lesson, rather than the direct quotes from my lesson plans. When I did this on Wednesday, the lesson flowed much better and students were more engaged. After teaching four ELA lessons, I feel much more confident about the routine of this subject. Though perfection is far from view, improvement is very encouraging. Next week lessons are more specific to each student's needs, because I learned more about how they intake information from teaching this past week (NCPTS III.d).
My goal for next week is to write one subject's lessons each day. The following week, I will be taking over full-time, so writing those lessons will be time-consuming! I want to plan out my workload so that stress does not fully consume me. A long-term goal of mine is to work individually with a below-grade level student so he knows all his letters and sounds by Spring Break. This week, I began that plan by having the Teacher Assistant pull him aside during ELA to work individually with him, learning 3 letters/sounds at a time. There has already been a difference from this, and though it may be small, differentiating for this child is beneficial to his academic success (NCPTS II.c).
My portfolio is coming along, especially after the unexpected professional development. Additionally, the management behavior focus student has been given a 'Student Interest Survey' in order for this child's plan to be more specific and motivating. This weekend, I plan to write up the official management plan and send it to my university supervisor for feedback. Other than that, my CE nor I need additional help from Mrs. Suttle (though I'm sure that will change very soon :) ).
One thing that blew my mind this week was how addicting social media truly is to people. I deleted all my social media apps from my phone and I could not count the number of times my brain would continue to throw signals for me to pull out my phone and open an app. I did not realize how addictive it is, nor how much time I waste on Facebook or Instagram. This semester, I don't have time to dedicate to these websites, so deleting them will be very beneficial. My advice for you all is to observe how often you look at social media, because if you're like me, it's a large amount of time. Again, if you're like me you'll procrastinate doing work by looking at this, cleaning that, laying in the floor with your dog, etc. I believe I'll be in a better mental state throughout this duration of Student Teaching by focusing on what's important without the constant distractions. At least, I hope so.
I hope you all have a wonderful, long weekend!
Gabrielle :)
Well, again it has been a crazy week. I'm wondering when we'll actually get back to normal and have a regularly routined week. Because of all the 'inclement weather' Gaston County allowed students to go home early on Monday and have a 3-hour delay on Tuesday. Because of this, students were pretty wacky and the week felt quite long. If I were to rate my week, I would give it a solid 3. This is because of tiredness, mainly, as well as hard-to-manage students due to the change in schedule. However, I am happy with all that I learned and accomplished during this time.
A surprise moment for me was initiating and accomplishing some professional development outside the classroom. It started with a simple conversation, asking my CE if there was a website I could browse to search for professional development near me. She conveniently had just received an email about an opportunity and I quickly jumped on the event. So, Thursday after school, I was able to receive professional development experience by listening/partaking in a webinar on the KEA (Kindergarten Entry Assessment). This is a huge assessment at the beginning of the year, but what I was more interested in was the focus on implementing this into a STEAM classroom. I learned about a technology app that I can implement in the classroom and today started pulling kids aside to show them briefly how it works. Taking initiative to find professional development helped me show leadership for my classroom (NCPTS 1.a), and beginning to implement the new app today follows NCPTS IV.d. So, I was quite proud of both these accomplishments.
I had the opportunity to teach Reader's Workshop this week, but quickly had to adjust my plans due to the weather. The lessons taught went successfully, however on Monday, I was very nervous and felt awkward in front of the students. I reflected on how I was acting, and it seemed like I was thinking too much about the plans. I would continue to have the thought 'okay, what was explicitly written on my lesson plan' and that caused me to freak out. After reflecting (NCPTS V.a), I focused more on the concept of the lesson, rather than the direct quotes from my lesson plans. When I did this on Wednesday, the lesson flowed much better and students were more engaged. After teaching four ELA lessons, I feel much more confident about the routine of this subject. Though perfection is far from view, improvement is very encouraging. Next week lessons are more specific to each student's needs, because I learned more about how they intake information from teaching this past week (NCPTS III.d).
My goal for next week is to write one subject's lessons each day. The following week, I will be taking over full-time, so writing those lessons will be time-consuming! I want to plan out my workload so that stress does not fully consume me. A long-term goal of mine is to work individually with a below-grade level student so he knows all his letters and sounds by Spring Break. This week, I began that plan by having the Teacher Assistant pull him aside during ELA to work individually with him, learning 3 letters/sounds at a time. There has already been a difference from this, and though it may be small, differentiating for this child is beneficial to his academic success (NCPTS II.c).
My portfolio is coming along, especially after the unexpected professional development. Additionally, the management behavior focus student has been given a 'Student Interest Survey' in order for this child's plan to be more specific and motivating. This weekend, I plan to write up the official management plan and send it to my university supervisor for feedback. Other than that, my CE nor I need additional help from Mrs. Suttle (though I'm sure that will change very soon :) ).
One thing that blew my mind this week was how addicting social media truly is to people. I deleted all my social media apps from my phone and I could not count the number of times my brain would continue to throw signals for me to pull out my phone and open an app. I did not realize how addictive it is, nor how much time I waste on Facebook or Instagram. This semester, I don't have time to dedicate to these websites, so deleting them will be very beneficial. My advice for you all is to observe how often you look at social media, because if you're like me, it's a large amount of time. Again, if you're like me you'll procrastinate doing work by looking at this, cleaning that, laying in the floor with your dog, etc. I believe I'll be in a better mental state throughout this duration of Student Teaching by focusing on what's important without the constant distractions. At least, I hope so.
I hope you all have a wonderful, long weekend!
Gabrielle :)
I am so proud of your for searching out and finding a valuable professional development opportunity. I am so pleased it was beneficial! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteYour reflections give me a good picture of your progress! Keep up the good work!
Hi Gabrielle,
ReplyDeleteWow, it sounds like you have had a very productive week. What a great opportunity for you to go to a webinar for the Kindergarten Entry Assessment. Does your classroom use the software Letterland. Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade use the software for the phonics program. Students learn their letters by associating them for the various letterland characters such as A for Annie Apple, B for Bouncy Ben, or C for Clever Cat. There will be event in early Feburary which my CE and I will go to where several of the educational staff will dress up as letterland characters. The event is to encourage early Kindergarten registration. I look forward to seeing the event and the process of how parents sign their children up for Kindergarten.
I hope you have a wonderful long weekend.
I look forward to seeing you next week.
Gabrielle, I have to agree the inclement weather has really complicated things. I'm so glad to have a normal schedule this week. My students seemed a bit excited and confused by the changes in our routine. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to attend that webinar for KEA. I must say I'm a bit jealous. I will next week be able to attend a seminar next week with my CE. I'm also glad to hear that you've quit ( for now) the social media world. I remember Dr Parker saying it's very addictive. At least it's just for a short while. It sounds like it's working for you, you've had quite an accomplished week.
ReplyDelete