One week to go!

  Overall this week was a 5. It was a crazy week to say the least, but an awesome experience. Both my CE and TA had deaths in the family, so plans were changed, we had 50^th day of school rotations, I had my last observation, and I got a job!!! My lessons taught me that students still need work writing their numbers because a lot of them write their numbers backwards, even my higher students. I also learned that students learn their sight words the best when using games/sentences and a lot of practice. My short term efforts of adding classroom management tools, is aligned with my long-term goal of classroom management. This week I could have spent more time preparing my materials for the day the night before. I had indecision about making the students stay inside for recess if they did not finish their writing, but when they were goofing around and only wrote 1 word in 15 minutes, I decided to make them stay in to teach them a lesson that just because our TA was out, did not mean they could goof around and not get their work done. This first logical steps for next week are to work on my portfolio for next week, since I will not have to be writing many lessons for the following week.

     The data I analyzed this week was phonics, and math. I did not have time to assess them on sight words Friday, so I will do that Monday. Some students struggled to write the letter z, and about half of my students were still writing their 5,7, and 9s backwards. I know I need to work on their number writing skills and letter writing skills for next week. The advice I would give to the other student teachers is to finish this last week strong and get started on putting your portfolio together.

    This week I improved in standard 1e by relating all of my lessons to NCPTS. I increased in standard 2b by adding cultures to my lesson plans. I increased in standard 3d by making instruction relevant to students using 21^st century skills. I included technology, group work and partner work in my instruction. These are all skills that students will need in the 21^st century. I increased in 4c by using a variety of instructional methods. I used small group instruction, whole group instruction, computers, smart board, manipulatives, and students as examples throughout the week. Lastly, I increased in standard 5a by analyzing my students’ data each day. I was able to check off all of my standards this week, which was an accomplishment.

    I have completed all of my observations, videoed lessons, added to my parent communication log, PDP, and my focus student behavior log.  Both myself and my CE are all set right now.