Week 3 Reflection

Week 3 Reflection

Sarah Gilbert

Friday, September 4, 2015

Week Rating: 5

Questions to end the week:

What pleasant surprises/accomplishments did I achieve this week?

This week, as per usual, it shocks me how much this school and everything that it does is set up for student success.  It amazes me.  Also, I have talked to parents this week.  I had never been allowed to talk to parents at the previous school that I worked at.  I was very nervous when I went to speak with the mother of the student that I want to work with for my behavior management process.  She wanted to know some more information about the project and how it would help her son.  I was very happy to explain it to her, but I was very nervous doing it, since I had not been able to before.

What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

This week has taught me that I have a wonderful support system in this school.  All of the teachers here, and especially the ones on my hall, are so supportive of me and have very willing to help me with anything I need.  I have borrowed computers to be able to access internet when I needed something, and they have all offered their help and/or resources.  They are all amazing here, and I know I am being supported, which is a wonderful feeling.

How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?

One of my long-term goals is behavior management. This has been going very well for me.  They do not have any problems listening to me and knowing that “what I say goes”.  This week, I have definitely been enforcing the behavior/clip chart with the students, especially since I have been transporting the students to their specials.  The hardest part is when the students start whispering in the hallway, I can’t always tell who it was talking in order to enforce the “no talking in the hallway” rule. 

What could I have spent more or less time doing?

This week, I could have spent more time planning for the week after next, when I take over the full schedule, but I have really been trying to work on some portfolio elements.  I will be working out a weekly schedule of the things I need to handle at night, and figure out a way to split my time between planning and preparing for school each day as well as time for the portfolio.

How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?

This week, apprehension wasn’t too much of a problem for me, which is a bit surprising.  The biggest problem that I had this week was related to not knowing the previous years’ information.  One of the student’s asked me about a question about something that I had not heard of before, and I had to send that one to Mrs. Lawson.  She said it was something they did last year.

What is the first logical steps for next week?  What mental clutter can I clear?

The first steps for next week are to study the flip charts and other materials for the math lessons next week.  I do not have access yet to the LIF and MIF websites yet, and that will be complicated when I am teaching next week.  I will be able to use Mrs. Lawson’s account, but I would feel so much better if I could review the flip charts at home the night before I came to teach it the next day.  I have reviewed all the charts for next week, but I would still feel better if I had access to them at home.

What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help did it help guide your decisions?

We are still in the middle of several assessments.  Thursday and Friday are MAP testing days.  We have looked at the scores and compared them to last year’s scores, but we have not done much more than that yet.  Mrs. Lawson also started DIBELS testing this week and will be finishing next week.  The mClass Reading 3D Benchmark testing is Thursday and Friday of next week.  Also, on Wednesday is our third grade BOY Reading, which is basically a beginning of the year test just like the EOG test. 

North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards

·             Standard 1a – Teachers lead their classrooms:  Even though I have not been teaching yet, I know that I am gaining ground on this one.  I have been planning for next weeks lessons, and I have established a good relationship with these students and they know that I am their teacher, and they see that I am an authority figure, not just someone who is hanging out in the room with them while they work.

·             Standard 2d -Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs:

This week was my week to assist in the classroom, and since several students need an accommodation of having their material read aloud to them, I was able to do that with the students this week.  It amazes me how much that helps them focus. 

·             Standard 3b – Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching speciality:  While this is still difficult to demonstrate, since I am not teaching yet, I feel that all of the studying that I have done proves that I am trying my best to know third grade curriculum better and understand the new methods of teaching multiplication and division.

·             Standard 4b – Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students:  This week, I have been planning the math lessons that I will be teaching next week.  I have used the county curriculum websites and resources as well as Mrs. Lawson’s help to make sure that the lessons are appropriate for eight and nine year olds.

·             Standard 5c – Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment:  The state has made many changes in education for this year, and the county has as well.  We are still unsure of other changes that will eventually happen, and so part of the education world seems to be in limbo right now, which is very unsettling for many.

Other:

·             Components of the portfolio started/completed:

o   Permission Forms collected for one-on-one students

o   Technology Tools

o   Résumé

o   Philosophy of Education

·             Mrs. Lawson does not need anything from Dr. Parker at this time.

·             I do not need anything from Dr. Parker at this time.  Thank you for the MacBook help.  Mrs. Ledford came to the school today and she was able to look to see if if I was in the system.  She told me that I was, so I should have a computer soon.  She also called and found out my login information, so I can now access the websites from any computer outside of school.  I am just waiting on the MacBook.