Week 5

This week I continued to teach more read-alouds. I've learned to be more animated and I've learned that if I keep students on the carpet for too long they lose interest. I am still working on the flow of my lessons. I use sticky notes throughout the books to guide me when I'm reading to the class. There are a few students who do seem more fidgety than others on the carpet. Luckily, Mrs. E has seat cushions. When certain students use seat cushions on carpet it seems to help them stay more focused.

The PBIS system finally started. The school printed out tickets and I started passing them out to reward good behavior. The students responded really well to the tickets. I've noticed a HUGE change in behavior when we started passing them out. There is a certain student who we feel might need some sort of behavioral plan. Mrs. E and I are brainstorming ideas to help the student be more successful. Report card grades are due soon Mrs. E was showing me how to grade and when to use teacher discretion.

I'm making connections with the students. Some students have hugged me, given me drawings, and shared stories with me. I had a student tell me she was going to miss me during the weekend, and I was so surprised because I am constantly redirecting her. I reflected after she told me that. I thought, WOW! we are really like a second family to these children. We spend most of the day with them and they deserve to feel safe and happy in the classroom. Something I do to help me when I feel like my patience is being tested is think, "what if this was my son? How would I want a teacher to treat my child?" It really helps me put things into perspective.


This week I also taught the kids how to do a five-finger breath count. A relaxation/meditation tool that helps students calm down. We usually use the technique after they come back from recess and lunch, or when they've had a lot of movement. I also taught them a few call and response chants. 


My goals for last week were to get more organized with edTPA. I do feel like I have a better sense of direction. I also wanted to focus on the flow of my lessons, but I think that's just going to be a goal throughout my whole student teaching experience. I need to keep practicing. 

My goals for this week are...

- teach students another self-regulating tool
-be more confident
-TAKE MORE PICTURES
- teach math
-start recording for edTPA

Classroom Confidential

1. From Schmidt Chapter 2: What have you learned about Edptness?

2. Explain three behaviors you will use and how you will use them. 

 I really appreciated this chapter. I think it correlated really well with my experience this past week. Schmidt says, " teachers control behaviors, beliefes, conversation style, attitudes, and activities. In short, the culture of the class." I do believe that no matter what "type" of class a teacher gets he/she has the ability to lead and guide the students successfully IF proper classroom management techniques are implemented and if a teacher establishes a safe culture in the classroom. I enjoyed the analogy between a teacher and a movie director. Schmidt says that the director's job is to basically lead with a vision in mind. If the director intimidates or denigrates the cast and crew everything falls apart. I am reflecting back on something my teacher host said. She said, "this job is a self-less job, you have to be passionate about teaching." All teachers have to have a passion or belief that every child is capable of learning. 

I am definitely going to use the approximation technique. I feel that I have been too focused on transgression and changing inappropriate behaviors instead of focusing on the good. I need to learn how to ignore bad behavior and praise, praise, praise! I will praise the little things because I know how it wonderful it feels to be noticed and appreciated. 

I am also going to work on giving effective feedback. As a student teacher, I know how it feels to be observed and criticized. It's part of the learning experience. However, Mrs. E makes sure that when she gives me feedback it's a teachable experience. I learn what worked and what didn't and most importantly I learn what I can do differently next time. This upcoming week I will be modeling, identifying best efforts, and quoting students. 

I will also be using the never too late technique. I love the idea of creating a culture that celebrates social and academic breakthroughs. I will use this technique during conflict/resolution discussions to help with student friendships. I will also encourage students to keep trying no matter what, by making comments like, "I know you can do this" and "as long as your heart is pumping, there's still time to improve."