Week 6

This week brought a few of "firsts" for me. On Tuesday, I attended my first school field trip (without being a chaperone). We went to the Homewood Science Center for an STEM engineering activity. We learned about the Homewood native, John Miller, who was considered the "father of modern high-speed roller coasters" due to his component inventions. Then, students got to use various materials to design and create a marble roller coaster. Then they identified failure points and made improvements. (This would have been great when we were doing the engineering design process.) Here are a few of their creations;

   
I also created my first test about plants and photosynthesis for science. Mt CT approved it and offered me suggestions to modify it for the students who are EL learners or have IEP's. I also read the test to those students. This was not as successful as I thought it would be. There were 7 students who scored below 70%. They will be allowed to make corrections for more points on Monday, so we will see how that goes. I also experienced my first lock down drill (which interrupted my test review activity of Quizlet Live on Thursday). 

My goals for this week were to remain sane during the EdTPA lessons, which were Tuesday - Friday, and to have an improved and positive observation #2, which was Monday. 
✅I felt surprisingly calm during the delivery of the EdTPA lessons I recorded. I thought I would be on edge, but I felt much more natural up there than I have before. Hopefully, my viewing of the videos will reflect that, as I have yet to watch those.
✅My second observation was also positive. I was a little nervous, but not like last time. This time she observed a math lesson. She was happy to see how I handled student mistakes or misconceptions in a way that allowed learning without shame or embarrassment. There was even a point where a student was thought to be wrong in his calculation by most of his peers, however he was using higher order thinking in his work. Thankfully, I was able to catch what he was doing and explain how his thinking was absolutely correct. The main criticism was that students were not coming up to the board to show their work. I explained that I had been doing this before, but my CT wanted me to cut that for time sake. I will just have to find a happy medium between what I want to do and what she wants me to do. I also need to work on my pacing.

My goals for the coming week are to be approved to stop writing these time consuming lesson plans that no actual teacher ever writes, begin tackling these EdTPA videos and create my task 2 outline.  

Classroom Confidential

Chapter 9 really emphasizes the need and value of incorporating movement and music into the classroom. I especially love the ideas of using "galloping grammar" when making sentences, and "show me" for discussing elements of stories. That could even be used for any subject! So many learning standards are dry and outright boring at face value. I am seeing that in classroom now. As I read this, it made me think of how I could have used movement to act out pollination in science class, then maybe they would have remembered what it was. My CT doesn't appear to share my view on movement and noise from students (as long as it is constructive) so, I may be waiting until I have my own class to try these ideas out. I'll see what I can get away with while I am here though.  

Week 5

This week I had the opportunity to take part in an after school "Fall Fest" which families were invited to attend from 4-6 p.m. This is a fundraiser for the school PFC organization, which is like a PTA (I assume it stands for Parent/Family/Community but I am not actually sure). It was held outside and included many games, food, prizes, and a pie eating contest. It was HOT...but a lot of fun for me and all the kids. I got to meet some new people and be my loud and silly self without consequence! I ran 2 games in the beginning, since all volunteers had not arrived, and stayed with games the whole time. I was very animated with kids, especially when they'd win, which kids got a kick out of. It was a nice time.


In regards to teaching, one area I am struggling with is pacing. I know that I am moving more slowly through lessons than my CT would like. For example, I spent extra time on word problems since I saw many misunderstandings. However, word problems are not on the summative test. Does this mean I should just push through? 

My goals for this week were to relax, enjoy myself in the classroom, and not lose my mind as I begin EdTPA content. 
✅I felt a more relaxed feeling about all of the student teaching business this week. I tend to over think most things (which I am working on). 
✅By the end of the week, I was enjoying myself in the classroom more so than I have been. I was more myself, with a bit of humor and silliness. I have been a bit on edge about this because my CT is more demanding on order and quiet. Whereas, I am fine with a bit of noise and silliness. 
⛔I did not lose my mind as I began EdTPA content because I did not begin EdTPA content. Although I have this as an unmet goal, I am content with it. The plan was that I would begin my multiplication segment on Thursday, after doing the "Addition: Standard Algorithm" lesson Monday, "Addition Word Problems" lesson Tuesday, and Multiplication: Doubling/Halving 3 Digit Numbers" Wednesday. However, since we got cut short on Monday for the "bus evacuation drill" and based on student performance, I did move on as quickly. Word problems are an area of struggle, so we spent extra time on that. 

My goals for the coming week are to remain sane during the EdTPA lessons (which begin Tuesday), and to have an improved and positive observation #2 (which is tomorrow).


Classroom Confidential

This was a great chapter that highlights some concepts that seem like "no brainers" but have not always been typical of classroom environments. I especially love the idea of the students creating a class resume to highlight skills and differences so that the assets contained in the group are celebrated. Through this chapter, I have learned that "eptness" means creating a classroom environment that utilizes the varying abilities of every student, channels the potential of every student, and makes learning relevant to real life for every student. It means focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. It means that the students are actively involved in decisions about their learning. It means that mistakes are great opportunities for growth. It means the days of sit quietly and listen to the expert teacher are over.

Of the 10 behaviors that promote eptness, I hope to use them all eventually. I have already been using "expectations" throughout my previous years working with students and am doing so now. Despite any issues my students have upon entering the classroom, I am  trying to figure out how they can succeed. For example, I currently have a super fidgety student that is always messing with some kind of object, which is sometimes distracting to others. Rather than shaming her for this need (or expecting her to sit still), I made her a fidget out of a key ring and letter beads that spell her first name. I let her know that I have noticed her need to fidget and that I want her to be able to do so without distracting others. 

I will also use "encouragement." I make it a point to notice and point out positive behaviors and actions in detail. Commending students for positive actions allows confidence to grow, while telling them exactly what they did that was commendable. I actually had a student leave a math problem undone on homework. However, she wrote a note on it telling me that she didn't understand what to do and asked for help. I spoke to her about it (and wrote a note on the homework), thanking her for letting me know. I then re-explained and offered a model to reference.

I will also use "feedback" to help students have a solid understanding of what went well, what needs work, and exactly why. (I am struggling with this now, because I want to offer detailed feedback and examples for everything I review, but with all this student teaching workload it is not feasible. That bothers me.)   

Week 4

It was another busy week! I am beginning to see that there are frequent variables in the academic schedules from day to day that can make planning difficult. For example, there are several pull outs for students to receive resource, EL, speech, or social work services. As I gave my first summative assessment in math, 3 students were pulled for resource and will now have to make up the test. As of this week, band was added to that mix. We have 6 students in band who will be pulled every Thursday, during a different period each week, but not at the same time. They are split into 2 groups of 3 students each. So, this week one group went during first period and the other during last period. Also, there was an assembly and parade that student attended the last hour of the day on 9/11 and a visit from the Cub/Boy Scouts that each grade level attended at a particular time on Thursday. Our time was right in the middle of math, but they were running late so worked on while waiting to be interrupted. This week coming up, we will have a "bus evacuation drill" and a visit from a local author on Friday. Additionally, 2 students from 3rd grade have joined our math class for enrichment. There is a lot to keep track of and make up for!  

My goals for this week were to begin filming/get students used to the camera, finalize the math segment that I will use for EdTPA, and figure out a better system for managing the workload of life, student teaching, and EdTPA. 

✅I am happy to say that I finally got to film the class and they were mostly unaware of the camera! Audio is going to be a bit of a challenge.

✅My EdTPA math segment has been chosen! I will be doing a multiplication segment on the 5's and 9's facts. 

✅⛔I am beginning to feel better about my workload as I am getting better acclimated to everything. I still feel that a better system, like a very set schedule for tasks outside the classroom, would be helpful. However, the time, effort, trial and error that would be involved is probably not worth it. By the time I'd be in a good groove, it would be December 🤣.

My goals for this week are to relax, enjoy myself in the classroom, and not lose my mind as I begin EdTPA content.

Classroom Confidential

This chapter reinforced my understanding of cultural awareness since many of these concepts were explored in my "Foundations of Teaching Bilingual/ESL Students" course. I like that she points being "culturally blind" as a flaw rather than a virtue. Saying that one does not recognize color or culture, and essentially views everyone as the same, is a denial of meaningful identity and self esteem for students. Such views dismiss a significant part of who our students are in life, and in turn dismisses that part them. 

Week 3

It was another very busy week and I cannot believe how tired I feel on a daily basis! I had my first observation on Friday and had the pleasure of getting to meet my college supervisor for the first time. I taught the math and science lessons for our class this week and it went well enough. I had a stomach bug all last weekend, that was still with me Monday, so my first math lesson was not so great. Otherwise, I am off to a decent start. I am becoming more comfortable with using Origo's (the math program) on-line content for presentation of class material. We had our first math centers on Friday to wrap up a segment and the students seemed to really enjoy it (and so did I). I was able to work directly with the lower performing students and use the "number box" materials for Origo. These include graphic cards, dry erase number lines, and six digit number place value expanders. They seemed to grasp the material well and verbally expressed their enjoyment of the activities. Score! I also attended the first after school staff meeting that focused on lock down procedures.

My goals for this week were to pick up the camera and begin recording, bring in Arabic book translations for my student from Yemen, and to succeed with delivering 2 content areas. Again, I was only partially successful in completing goals.
✅I had 3 Arabic books for my student on Monday! I had translations of the first "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" in the series and the first "Harry Potter" as well as a book of popular Arabic tales with English translations side by side. He seemed happy to have these available and appreciates my effort. It must be so difficult for him.
✅Overall, lesson delivery went well. Students seemed to understand content and all went well enough that my CT is satisfied.
✅⛔I picked up the camera this week, but not until Thursday. I attempted to get it first thing, but there were some communication issues, so that set me back. Then I forgot to bring it Friday morning so I did not get to introduce the students just yet.

My goals for this week are to begin filming/get students used to the camera, finalize the math segment that I will use for EdTPA, and figure out a better system for managing the workload of life, student teaching, and EdTPA. Your prayers are kindly requested.


Classroom Confidential

It is amazing how many seemingly distracted behaviors may actually be self accommodations that aide in maintaining focus. For example, Schmidt mentions chewing on clothing. We have a few students who are frequently chewing on their ID (which is worn around the neck daily), and I find myself deterring them playfully by saying something like, "Are you hungry? ("No.") Then why are you eating your ID?" These self accommodation concepts will have me rethinking these behaviors discouraging them.

Luckily, I am very familiar with the idea of "camouflagers" since I was one in my grade school days. I find myself drawn to the "difficult" students because I know something is probably going on beyond the surface value. We have one student who is frequently off task, talking when we are talking, and very easily distracted. Her attendance is not steady either. From an academic standpoint, I am curious to discover what she is hiding. From reading her "All About Me" I learned that of her 3 wishes, 2 of them were social. She wished for more friends and for people to be nice to her. This tells me that she feels a social disconnection, so I have made it a point to have positive interaction with her daily.      

Week 2

I had a productive and busy week! On Monday, we had our new student from Yemen start. He has no English language comprehension, so I spent a good deal of time trying to figure out ways to help him. I took part in my first grade level meeting during our plan period with the my CT, Ms. Ezeldin (partner 4th grade teacher) principal, and the reading specialist. MTSS groups were determined for tier 2 and tier 3 students and behaviors were discussed. We also determined the plan to begin implementing the Wonders reading curriculum. Next, I delivered 4 science lessons successfully, according to my CT (though I am a bit more critical). Also, I began assisting with homework check in and review.

My goals for this past week were to plan and deliver quality science lessons, determine my EdTPA lesson set and dates of delivery, and introduce the class to the video camera. I accomplished about half of these goals. 
⛔I did not get to expose the class to the video camera as I had hoped. Although I got back all 24 permission slips originally distributed, the new student's slip did not go out until Friday. It took a bit longer since he has no English language. I used Google Translate to put my letter and permission into Arabic and then had the Arabic speaking EL teacher proof it. (I am glad I took that extra step because "student release form" translated into something like releasing a student from prison 🤣. We had a good laugh about that!)  Hopefully he will bring that back Tuesday, as I asked him to through Google Translate. 
✅⛔As for my EdTPA planning goal, I have a plan to use Origo lessons 1.8 through 1.10 which deal with multiplication of whole numbers using doubles strategies. I have a tentative date range of Mon. 9/9-Wed. 9/11 for delivery and recording. This depends on my comfort level with Origo math lesson delivery (1.5-1.7) that I will be doing this week.
✅ I accomplished the delivery of my first science lessons at an acceptable level of quality. It wasn't perfect, but the lessons seemed successful enough to please my CT. These lessons focused on the engineering design process and will sum up with conducting an investigation. Here are some pictures from the first lesson, using the process to complete the "Marshmallow Challenge" in small groups.

 

Students are having a blast building the tallest possible tower with 20 sticks of raw spaghetti, 1 yard of masking tape, 1 yard of string, and 1 marshmallow. The detailed lesson is required by the district and can be found here;

Marshmallow Challenge Lesson