Being Productive

 Candidate Name: Xiomara Livingston 2/19/2021

Week of Reflection: (list the date of the Friday for week just completed)

   

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week

I would rate this week a 5! This was a great week! Students returned to in person instruction in group rotation. I had 7 students in group A on Monday/Tuesday, Wednesday was remote for students and staff and 8 students were present in group B on Thursday/Friday. It was great interacting with students in person. I also participated in 3 virtual Professional Development Workshops this week.

• Seven questions to end your week:

• Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week? I was surprised at how different students acted in person versus being remote. Students were eager to participate. I learned some new engagement strategies that I implemented this week. My CE was absent on Friday. I was able to accomplish all of my teacher responsibilities and instruction without having to call my CE. There was a substitute present. She is a former kindergarten teacher. The substitute said she was impressed by the way I managed the classroom and that I must have a really good teacher.

• Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week? Next week I will continue to build upon my classroom management strategies. This week I began playing soft music in the background as students worked. Students enjoyed this. It helps them to concentrate. I will also work on explaining each step before I model how to use the related skills during instruction.

• Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned? My short term goals are to finish up with my edTPA tasks. My long term goal is to become an effective teacher. At the end of each day I will reflect on my lessons and take note of what worked well and areas where I can improve. 

• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing? This week was very productive in the classroom. I think i managed my time very well. I reviewed my lessons each night to prepare for the next day. I entered grades in the grade book and created a log for brain breaks for students. It is so important to incorporate breaks because students are sitting for the majority of the day.

• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do? I had some apprehension about returning to school in person. There are safety procedures that helped me to relax and make the adjustment. It took courage to teach students in person, with a mask on and socially distanced. 

• Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear? I know that I can do this. The first logical step is to keep putting one foot in front of the other and show up every day! The student teaching experience is preparing me with the tools I need to be an effective teacher. I am looking forward to finishing up my edTPA so that I can focus on student teaching.

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help guide your decisions? I analyzed data from science exit tickets. Students were asked to name 3 forms of energy after watching a video. Every student was able to name 3 forms of energy. Several students added different ways we use energy. I will use this information to extend their understanding by creating lessons where they can explore and experiment with using different types of energy. 

• NC Professional Teaching Standards (be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer)

• Pick an element from standard one of the evaluation tools and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. This week I introduced a drawing technique that I use to relax and destress. Students were apprehensive at first, but pleased when they saw their final product. I made the connection between their willingness to try and how it applies to our daily lives. Students complimented each other and themselves. They each found something to be proud of. 

• Pick an element from standard two of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. This week I introduced a Think-Want-How (T-W-H )Chart to students. Students listed what they think they know about a topic in the first column. What they want to know about a topic in the second column. How they want to learn in the last column. Students had some great ideas and took responsibility for their learning. 

• Pick an element from standard three of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. I teach the NC Standard Course of Study. Each week I plan lessons that are aligned with the NCSCOS. I deepen students' understanding by making instruction relevant to students by incorporating life skills such as leadership. This week I selected students to share their writing from their exit ticket. I gave each student specific feedback and affirmed their responses. This increased student confidence and engagement. 

• Pick an element from standard four of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. This week  I helped students develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills by putting them into groups and giving them word problems to solve. Students worked together to determine what the question was asking and what was the best way to solve the problem. Student were able to learn from each other.

• Pick an element from standard five of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. This week I reflected on my teaching practice and participated in 3 professional development opportunities to improve my teaching practice. Hello, are you there?- Strategies for student engagement during in-person and remote instruction, Math Anchor Charts-Go Digital, and the Do’s and Don’ts of pre-assessment data. Each of these professional developments included valuable information that I have begun implementing into my teaching practice.

•  Other:

• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete? I added to my running logs for my teacher portfolio.

• What support does your clinical educator need from Mrs. Suttle? My CE does not need any support at this time.

• What support do you need from Mrs. Suttle? I do not need any additional support at this time.