Omg...I'm exhausted...
First full week of student teaching all 3 classes and there's only 1 word to describe it...EXHAUSTED!!! I can barely hold my eyes open long enough to write this post haha. But, other than it being one of the hardest and most stressful weeks...the days flew by and it's finally the weekend. I would rate this week a 3.5 out of 5, only because trying to get used to everything and being the "head of the class," hectic schedules, weekly meetings, and students being out because of sickness it takes a lot of getting used to.
Honestly, I would say the students adjusted so well to me stepping into the full time teaching role and I also have a great support team surrounding me at the school. One of the things that I struggled with this week was staying on top of my work...I had so much on my plate and so much to do to get ready for lessons, think about planning next week lessons, and think about edTPA week I've definitely been slacking. I met with my CE and we were able to come up with the survey questions that I am going to ask my focus student so we can start implementing the plan ASAP.
This week, my short term goal is to have all my lesson plans for edTPA polished and finished, have all the materials that I need for it to be completed correctly, and feel fully confident in teaching each lesson. I think I am getting into a good routine of completing all of my lesson plans in a timely manner, but I'm still not spending as much time as I would like to planning them out. However, since math is one of those subjects that you never know if the students will understand the lesson or you'll have to reteach it, I will be having to push some of my lesson plans from this week to next week.
This week was MAP testing week, so this allowed me to have time to sit down and talk to my CE about the scores and compare them to what the students made at the beginning of the year and see if they grew or not. The website that we use on our computers for MAP testing allows for us to see what exactly each student is struggling in so this helps us see what we need to go back and focus on and also what each student has already mastered.
For Standard 1, since this was my first full week student teaching this week I feel like I was able to exercise this standard a lot more than I normally did. There were many times where I was having to make the decisions in the classroom such as, calling on a student, differentiating during instruction, and coming with another example on the spot just so my students can practice the skill a little bit more, but by having these certain situations it has definitely strengthened my ability to lead the classroom.
For Standard 2, I was able to exercise this standard by adjusting my lesson plans to fit the needs of each of my students for each week. This allows me to make my classroom a caring and nurturing environment for my students.
For Standard 3, I apply this standard to every one of my past lesson plans and future ones that I plan for, for my class.
For Standard 4, I was able to exercise 4c a lot in my classroom. I would have to come up with different ways to approach the lesson that I was teaching and also come up with different examples off the top of my head that would help them relate prior knowledge to what we were learning then.
For Standard 5, I was able to practice 5a by analyzing and reflecting on my lesson and how well the students understood it and mold my future plans to approach it a different way so that it adapts to the students learning.
Overall, this week was definitely a stepping stone into the right direction. This week has taught me a lot about time management, and mostly exercising Standard 5, reflecting on my practice. I hope everyone has a fabulous next week!
See everyone tomorrowwww,
-Alanna :)
Honestly, I would say the students adjusted so well to me stepping into the full time teaching role and I also have a great support team surrounding me at the school. One of the things that I struggled with this week was staying on top of my work...I had so much on my plate and so much to do to get ready for lessons, think about planning next week lessons, and think about edTPA week I've definitely been slacking. I met with my CE and we were able to come up with the survey questions that I am going to ask my focus student so we can start implementing the plan ASAP.
This week, my short term goal is to have all my lesson plans for edTPA polished and finished, have all the materials that I need for it to be completed correctly, and feel fully confident in teaching each lesson. I think I am getting into a good routine of completing all of my lesson plans in a timely manner, but I'm still not spending as much time as I would like to planning them out. However, since math is one of those subjects that you never know if the students will understand the lesson or you'll have to reteach it, I will be having to push some of my lesson plans from this week to next week.
This week was MAP testing week, so this allowed me to have time to sit down and talk to my CE about the scores and compare them to what the students made at the beginning of the year and see if they grew or not. The website that we use on our computers for MAP testing allows for us to see what exactly each student is struggling in so this helps us see what we need to go back and focus on and also what each student has already mastered.
For Standard 1, since this was my first full week student teaching this week I feel like I was able to exercise this standard a lot more than I normally did. There were many times where I was having to make the decisions in the classroom such as, calling on a student, differentiating during instruction, and coming with another example on the spot just so my students can practice the skill a little bit more, but by having these certain situations it has definitely strengthened my ability to lead the classroom.
For Standard 2, I was able to exercise this standard by adjusting my lesson plans to fit the needs of each of my students for each week. This allows me to make my classroom a caring and nurturing environment for my students.
For Standard 3, I apply this standard to every one of my past lesson plans and future ones that I plan for, for my class.
For Standard 4, I was able to exercise 4c a lot in my classroom. I would have to come up with different ways to approach the lesson that I was teaching and also come up with different examples off the top of my head that would help them relate prior knowledge to what we were learning then.
For Standard 5, I was able to practice 5a by analyzing and reflecting on my lesson and how well the students understood it and mold my future plans to approach it a different way so that it adapts to the students learning.
Overall, this week was definitely a stepping stone into the right direction. This week has taught me a lot about time management, and mostly exercising Standard 5, reflecting on my practice. I hope everyone has a fabulous next week!
See everyone tomorrowwww,
-Alanna :)
Alanna, like you, I am exhausted after this crazy week! I have definitely felt the stress that comes with being a teacher and it sounds like you have too! It sounds like you have had a really good start becoming the leader in the classroom and I am sure that you are going to make an awesome teacher! Good luck with EdTPA!!
ReplyDeleteAlanna,
ReplyDeleteWow, I totally can relate to feeling exhausted! I feel like I need a whole week off just to catch up on sleep. Despite the exhaustion, the rewarding and fulfilling moments of teaching make it worth it. It sounds like you were fully ready for full-time teaching this week and were able to really lead in the classroom. I can really understand having to modify lessons if students do not get something on one day. I do not think I stuck with any of my lesson plans this week. I was constantly changing them to meet the needs of my students. Have a great week and good luck with EdTPA!
Alana, I totally understanding that feeling of exhaustion! I never would have imagined that teaching could take so much energy. However, I think all of us student teachers this semester agree that despite the exhaustion, it is still a very rewarding and enlightening experience. I also understand the struggle of staying on top of work now that we are teaching full time. I was getting my lesson plans in early but I admit, last week I turned them in just a little late. I have faith, though, that I will adjust and figure out the best way to manage my time. In the mean time though, most of my portfolio work is taking a back burner until edTPA is submitted. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAlanna, Remember...the weeks will get easier and easier as you adjust to the new norm. Continue to get as many things done ahead of time as you can and find ways to be smarter with your time.
ReplyDelete