Week 10 Reflection

Sarah Gilbert

Thursday October 22, 2015

Week Rating: 3

Questions to end the week:

What pleasant surprises/accomplishments did I achieve this week?

This week has been a rollercoaster.  I have been sick to my stomach on and off for the last two days, and the kids have been all over the place.  I started my unit on Sarah, Plain and Tall on Monday.  The students are really starting to get into this book and thinking in the same mindset as the characters.  While we haven’t made a lot of progress in the book this week because of the portfolio, we will cover a good bit of it next week.  The book will probably take closer to three weeks to finish since we have to cut out time for the portfolio.  I am excited about next week’s lessons for my unit.

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

This week, I worked hard to be involved and as rehearsed as I could possibly be in my lessons, and as on top of things as I could.  To be completely honest, it was hard to be completely excited when talking made me even more sick to my stomach than I already was.  

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

I am still working on efficiently planning lessons.

What could I have spent more or less time doing?

As always, I feel like I could have spent more time planning for next week.  I think that no matter how much I plan and prepare, I will never feel like I am completely covered.

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

Indecision wasn’t a problem this week, but apprehension has.  I am constantly afraid of doing something wrong, and it has definitely been getting to me this week.  I am in the mindset (and I’m not sure how I got there) that if I make the smallest mistake, it means the worst will happen.

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

As always, the first steps for next week is to get a head start on planning.  Again, I don’t think that it is possible to start planning too early.  As for mental clutter, this week has not been the most stressful, but I seem to have a high stress level.  I am constantly sitting on a high anxiety level, so I am ready for some decompress time this weekend.

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

Today in flex, we did the progress monitoring for Tier 2.  I will be scoring the test shortly, and we will compare to previous scores next week.

North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards

·             Standard 1a – Teachers lead their classrooms:  I have definitely been leading the classroom in every way I can.  I am also beginning to become a little more involved in school activities.  Tomorrow is the Fall Festival, and I am working on one of the inflatables with a few of my students’ parents. 

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

I am still finding ways to help my special needs students.  I am still recording books for some of my students, and all of my special needs students read aloud to me throughout the week.  I am also working with students individually to help them with skills that they are not completely getting in class.

·             Standard 3b – Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty:  I am constantly trying to catch-up with the new math methodology, which is getting better.  This week, we have been rounding numbers, which was confusing at first, but overall, the students caught on very quickly.  I worked with two students to help them grasp the concept, and they both picked up on it very quickly when I worked with them separately.  They went on to solve several more problems on their own, and I was very proud.

·             Standard 4b – Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students:  This week, I have been planning the lessons that I will be teaching next week.  I am also working to find more ways to boost my effectiveness. 

·             Standard 5c – Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment: Compared to others, this week has felt very long.  It hasn’t been bad at all, but I am glad that this week is closing down.  This week has felt like it has been one thing after another, and I feel like I am stretched very thin this week.  I am looking forward to having the weekend to decompress a bit.

Other:

·             Components of the portfolio started/completed:

o   PDP – in progress (updates are shared)

o   Student Work Samples collected

·             My CE does not need anything from Dr. Parker at this time.

·             I do not need anything from Dr. Parker at this time.