Halfway!

 Candidate Name: Xiomara Livingston

Week of Reflection: 2/26/2021 5th Week of Full Student Teaching

   

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

I would rate this week a 4! This was a really good week! Students returned for the 2nd week of  in person instruction in group rotation. I had 8 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. This was my 5th week of full student teaching! I am starting to find a balance between my personal and family responsibilities, student teaching and school work.

Seven questions to end your week:

• Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week? I was surprised by student responses when they discussed their hopes and dreams during Mindset Mondays. One student said they wanted to be a paleontologist. I taught a learning segment about fossils last week. I wonder if my lesson influenced his decision. We are raising tomorrow's leaders in our classrooms. 

• 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 to increase student engagement. This week we started a BINGO Board with my name on it to increase student participation. Students' names are added on the board for having their cameras on during remote learning and volunteering to ask questions and staying on task. This is a cooperative incentive where students work together to fill the board. Once the board is full student names will be selected to win a prize.

• 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. I set aside time each day to edit my edTPA task to prepare for submission next week. 

• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing? This week I could have spent more time preparing for math lessons. Students are learning how to multiply fractions and change improper fractions to mixed numbers. This is a very difficult concept for students to grasp. I provided opportunities for extra practice during small groups. 

• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do? I had some apprehension about extending learning for my TD students who have mastered multiplying fractions and changing improper fractions to mixed numbers. I extended learning for these students by having them solve fraction word problems.

• 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. I will create review games for multiplying fractions to increase student understanding and prepare for the next assessment.

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help guide your decisions? I analyzed data from math exit tickets. The data showed that students need more practice multiplying fractions. They need more practice identifying what the question is asking when solving word problems with fractions.

• 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 Idemonstrated leadership by participating in a professional development that focuses on making our teaching practice equitable. I learned strategies that I can use to empower students in the learning environment. 

• 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 recognized the influence and contributions from people of the African American race, in honor of African American history month. 

• 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 researched methods to teach students how to multiply fractions. I will continue to research methods to  increase my proficiency and prepare for math instruction. 

• 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 collaborated with my colleagues on the fourth grade team to plan appropriate instruction. We discussed ways to engage students in the learning process.

• 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 by looking at student exit tickets in math and reading. I will use this data to plan instruction for next week.

•  Other:

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