Week of March 29

Week of Reflection March 29

 

This was a really good week of which  I would rate as a 5. Not only in the classroom but on my outlook as well. This week and some of last week I have really found myself getting back into the thrill and joy of teaching. For so long I have been worried about things for my own grades that I have found myself holding my class at arms reach without even realizing it. I asked my mom a few weeks ago why it seemed so hard to feel for these kids in my own mind when I have always connected so easily and so strongly with kids under my care. She informed me that even though I might not realize it I was subconsciously looking at them as a grade and it was keeping me from falling for them. I realized how true that was but I could see this week how much that was changing. With a little less on my plate with my own school I started noticing more with my students and getting back into my swing. It has made for a really good week but also made me wish for a longer time because it is so close to the end of the year and I do not have much more time with them.

Observe/reflect: Monday half of my class wound up being out because of being sick and battle of the books. My math lesson was very simple this day as well and I would up doing both Monday’s and Tuesday’s lessons together because the kids were ready to move on. Well after discussing it with the kids we decided together that the next day they would get to teach the lesson the next day to those who had missed it. They were so excited and it worked so well Tuesday. Since then they have been begging me to let them do it again. I changed up my lessons for the rest of the week trying out some different things and did a lot of experimenting.

Focus: I have been doing a lot of printing, collecting, and organizing, of things for both my NCTCS artifact book and my portfolio.

Productive: I have been focusing a lot on my artifacts and portfolio and I needed to put a little more time into my lesson plans so they were not all piled up at the end of the week.

Have Courage:  My CE has been out of the classroom a lot this week training for a new job which has left me a lot of time alone with the students. I have just noticed how I change so much when she is not in here. I am more confident with the students and am not worried about doing something wrong. It has made me realize more how hesitant I am when she is in here.

Begin Anew: I need to catch up on some grading. But I am also planning to work this weekend on a plan for two of my students to help them get more organized.

Data: I had two tests last week that I really pulled a part and looked at the patterns for each question to see where the students needed extra support.

Advice: Don’t forget why you are doing this and we are almost there.

Week of March 15

Week of Reflection March 15

  

This was a rough week in the classroom. Personally, my week was about the same as usual. But in the actual classroom, it was a struggle. I think that daylight savings took a toll on teachers and students alike. It just seemed that everyone was at their worst, all grouchy and at everyone’s throats. All of the behavior quirks that the students have at times were all at a tenfold this week, all at once. Let’s just say I am ready for the weekend for a recharge and hopefully a reset for next week. Even so, there were a good bit of bright points this week. I think I will rate this week as a 3.

Observe: 

Tuesday night we had a literacy and science family night. This was a night that I planned with the Title 1 teacher as a part of my PDP and one of my contributions to the school’s SIP. It went wonderfully, everyone was really happy with it, and I had a lot of fun. The only thing that I was disappointed about was because I had to run one of the stations and we were so busy I did not get to go around and see the other stations in action. Still, it was a great experience.

Reflect: I actually had a lot of learning moments this week. Lessons that went really well and some that just did not work out, mainly because of behavior. But I learned from each one. In social studies this week the student chose an issue in America(they chose homelessness and hunger) to research and then create a bill on to pass through the legislative and executive branch into a law. From the law they created and their little “arguments” over it I could really see how limited their perspective is of money and what the government can do to support these people. These were some enlightening lessons for both the students and me. I found that this is a great thread for the rest of our lessons on government, economics, and citizens’ rights and responsibilities. I’m really excited to get into it if we can just get everything done in the short time we have for social studies. 

Focus:

It is so close to the end of my 10 weeks I am just trying to get everything for my portfolio done between now and then. 

Be Productive: 

As usual, I am spending all day every day on school work. Every minute I get. I try not to work after 8 at night so that I have a little time spend with family before going to bed. And I take time on Sunday evening to go to my grandparents but other than that I spend every moment I have doing work. The problem is I still have so much to do but I don’t know what else I can do to get it done.

Have courage: I’m not sure I cannot really remember something that stood out to me.

Begin anew: This weekend I will be grading papers and trying to get some things done on my portfolio before next week.