Week 8 Reflection

Sarah Gilbert

Friday, October 9, 2015

Week Rating: 3

Questions to end the week:

What pleasant surprises/accomplishments did I achieve this week?

This week has felt very off kilter for me.  I’m not sure if it was because of having Monday off, or something else, but I almost feel like there were no accomplishments this week.  However, I do know my students learned this week.  We had some very engaging science lessons this week, and the students are still talking about the things they learned in science early this week.  They kept wanting to know if I was going to get my supplies for science out of the cupboard again today.

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

This week, during my observation, my video did not work, and I almost fell apart.  I was so upset, partially because I was concerned that I would like I had not previously tried the video, when I had, and I was just embarrassed that the one time my technology will not cooperate, it was for my evaluation.  However, I figured out, that sometimes, the technology just will not work, even though you did everything right and do everything to fix it, so you just have to move on and not worry about it, even though not worrying about something is not in my nature.

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

After the meeting yesterday, I have already researched some PBiS attendance incentives, which correlates to my PDP and the updated goals.  I am still researching more methods of fluency and comprehension for my other PDP goal.

What could I have spent more or less time doing?

As always, I wish I had spent more time planning.  I feel like no matter how much I plan, it will never be enough and I will always wish I had spent even more time planning. 

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

The biggest issue that I have with apprehension is the constant worry that I have about taking too much control over someone else’s classroom.  I am not a licensed teacher yet, and I always have a fear of overstepping my bounds, whether it is in the classroom, or in the whole school.  I am always scared of doing something wrong.

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

The first steps for next week are to plan for the week after.  I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be.

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

This week, we took the eight-minute MAP progress monitoring test.  I was able to grade that data, and see that almost all of the students are having issues with solving to find out how much time has gone past.  On Monday, we will have extra practice with counting forward and backward on a number line to see how much time has gone by, and we will review that process several times over the next couple of days before our mid-module assessment.

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.  Fall festival sign up sheets were available today, and I am signed up to help my CE with the two events that she signed up for. 

·             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.

·             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.  Time on a number line has been hard for the students to grasp this week, but their math work shows that they are making progress on that.

·             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

o   Classroom management contract

o   Observation 2 complete (reflection in progress)

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

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