The End is Near!
Hi everyone!
I hope your week was fantastic! I am SO happy to say I have completed my final 10 full weeks of teaching. Honestly, I don't know where weeks 4 - 10 even went because it feels like I was just preparing for edTPA, I blinked, and now it's over (basically). However, overall it has been a phenomenal experience at my placement. I cannot explain how lucky and thankful I am to have been placed at my school and with my CE.
One proud moment occurred after teaching a pretty horrible STEM lesson on Wednesday. I realized the target goal had not been met and that reteaching was necessary. So on Thursday, I retaught the lesson and it went MUCH better. I was able to analyze student learning and truly focus on teaching methods that were best suited for the class, which centers around Standard V.a and IV.b of the Professional Teaching Standards. The students were engaged and (for the most part) mastered the target goal. I believe realizing my failure and persevering in order to help the students understand the material also showed leadership in the classroom (Standard I.a).
I completed the last bit of my PDP this week, specifically related to my goal of increasing engagement with an autistic student in the class. This situation is difficult, because the child is only in the room for a total of 30 minutes a day. So, I truly had to work efficiently in order to help him with his engagement level. I have implemented various strategies (manipulatives, exercise, weighted vest, etc.) for the child this semester. Originally, he would only stay engaged for 2 minutes at a time and completed minimal work. My goal was to increase this time to 5 minutes, and I'm happy to say that goal was met. Working to benefit the needs of special needs students contributes to Standard II.d!
This week, our STEM unit focused on living and nonliving things. Conveniently, I found a Scholastic Weekly Reader magazine that focused on Spring characteristics that was used for a Shared Reading time. I integrated the two concepts of comprehension for ELA and living and nonliving things by having students read their 'weekly reader' and locate living and nonliving things within the magazine. I absolutely love when integration works out this way, because it truly deepens and enhances student learning (and it follows along with Standard III.c)!!
So far, I am making progress with my portfolio. A lot of the requirements have been completed, but now I need to focus on typing up what was implemented in the classroom. My goal this weekend is to complete both the behavior management plan and my school improvement plan. Additionally, I have one more Global Awareness component I will need to teach next week! A longer term goal is to have my CCS and GCS applications completed within the next two weeks. Applying for jobs is a very scary thought - but I'm ready to move on to my next phase of life.
I cannot believe things are coming to an end; it feels unreal. I know you all are starting to feel some relief, and also some panic about finding a job. I want you to know I am SO HAPPY for all of you and I know you'll be great teachers.
Have a great weekend,
Gabrielle :)
I hope your week was fantastic! I am SO happy to say I have completed my final 10 full weeks of teaching. Honestly, I don't know where weeks 4 - 10 even went because it feels like I was just preparing for edTPA, I blinked, and now it's over (basically). However, overall it has been a phenomenal experience at my placement. I cannot explain how lucky and thankful I am to have been placed at my school and with my CE.
One proud moment occurred after teaching a pretty horrible STEM lesson on Wednesday. I realized the target goal had not been met and that reteaching was necessary. So on Thursday, I retaught the lesson and it went MUCH better. I was able to analyze student learning and truly focus on teaching methods that were best suited for the class, which centers around Standard V.a and IV.b of the Professional Teaching Standards. The students were engaged and (for the most part) mastered the target goal. I believe realizing my failure and persevering in order to help the students understand the material also showed leadership in the classroom (Standard I.a).
I completed the last bit of my PDP this week, specifically related to my goal of increasing engagement with an autistic student in the class. This situation is difficult, because the child is only in the room for a total of 30 minutes a day. So, I truly had to work efficiently in order to help him with his engagement level. I have implemented various strategies (manipulatives, exercise, weighted vest, etc.) for the child this semester. Originally, he would only stay engaged for 2 minutes at a time and completed minimal work. My goal was to increase this time to 5 minutes, and I'm happy to say that goal was met. Working to benefit the needs of special needs students contributes to Standard II.d!
This week, our STEM unit focused on living and nonliving things. Conveniently, I found a Scholastic Weekly Reader magazine that focused on Spring characteristics that was used for a Shared Reading time. I integrated the two concepts of comprehension for ELA and living and nonliving things by having students read their 'weekly reader' and locate living and nonliving things within the magazine. I absolutely love when integration works out this way, because it truly deepens and enhances student learning (and it follows along with Standard III.c)!!
So far, I am making progress with my portfolio. A lot of the requirements have been completed, but now I need to focus on typing up what was implemented in the classroom. My goal this weekend is to complete both the behavior management plan and my school improvement plan. Additionally, I have one more Global Awareness component I will need to teach next week! A longer term goal is to have my CCS and GCS applications completed within the next two weeks. Applying for jobs is a very scary thought - but I'm ready to move on to my next phase of life.
I cannot believe things are coming to an end; it feels unreal. I know you all are starting to feel some relief, and also some panic about finding a job. I want you to know I am SO HAPPY for all of you and I know you'll be great teachers.
Have a great weekend,
Gabrielle :)
Gabrielle,
ReplyDeleteYour students are very fortunate to have you planning such engaging lessons.
I am so proud of you for realizing the need to re-teach a lesson in a different manner for student success.
I know you will finish strong!
Gabrielle,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct The End is Near! I found your title very funny. Thank you, I needed a good laugh. Student teaching is all about learning and getting as much experience before we enter the job field. I think its terrific that you did a reengagement and all your students mastered the skills you intended to teach. Your doing a great job. I'm so glad that your placement went well. I wish you the best of luck and hope you find a position somewhere you can shine.
Gabrielle, I agree weeks 4-10 seemed to fly! However, this experience has definitely been a valuable one. It's so easy to blame students when a lesson goes poorly but a lot of times it's on us. I'm glad you were able to recognize this in a lesson and retaught with new strategies in mind. I'm so glad you've been able to work with your autistic student to improve in his time engaged, this is something that will benefit him for the rest of his life and that is a an awesome accomplishment. I know you will be an amazing teacher wherever you land, but applying and deciding is nerve wracking. Best of luck next week and congratulations!! :)
ReplyDelete