The End

Well I must say, this week has been a breeze compared to being full time. I will definitely rate this week a 5. Without the stress of so many lesson plans to write, I felt that I could really enjoy my time with my students. I know that my time with them is drawing to an end and it saddens me that I have to leave them, but I am so proud of how much all of them has grown throughout the year.

On Monday of this week I had the awesome experience of taking my students on a "field trip" to Honduras. We looked up plane tickets and everything! This related to the science unit I have been working on with my students for the past two weeks on landforms and Earth's features. This lesson helped me teach my students about diversity in the world (standard 2) as we looked at artifacts from Honduras and how they differed from what we have in the US. I was also able to use a variety of instructional materials (standard 4) in this unit. We traveled to a mountain peak in Honduras using Google Earth and my students were so excited to look at the different landforms around them. I have found throughout my experience student teaching that science is my favorite subject to teach and I know that there is a big possibility that it will not be on my schedule in my future classroom. Because of this, I have really tried to get better at integrating science and social studies into every subject and I am proud to say that I feel much more confident doing that now! (Standard 3)

Even though I feel experienced in the classroom, each week I gain new information and experiences as well. This week, that came in the form of proctoring practice EOG's. I demonstrated leadership in the classroom this week by helping proctor the tests (standard 1). There was a lot of data to evaluate throughout this process and since I have been the teacher for the past few months, I was responsible for my students' learning. I felt really accomplished after grading those mock EOG's and seeing student growth. They have come so far since their BOY tests. Looking at the data also allowed to me see where each student was still struggling and even though I am not teaching them in the upcoming weeks, it helped me and my CE prepare for how to best help each student. I was really able to reflect on student learning this week and how certain concepts I have taught have really stuck with students and which concepts I may need to revise before I teach them to my future students.

Overall, this week has been a good transition week for both me and my students. My long term goal of successfully completing full time student teaching has been accomplished. My next goal is to complete my portfolio. Going into next week, my first steps are to try to get as much as possible finished over the weekend. I have really been trying to get as much completed on my portfolio as possible and beginning next week, I hope I am able to spend more time working on my video because I know that is going to be a tedious task. My portfolio is slowly but surely coming together! My CE and I both feel that this has been a smooth transition and right now we do not need any support. I wish everyone the best of luck as you finish up your time in your classroom. Remember to cherish every moment because it will soon be over!

Wonderful Week Ten

Wow! I cannot believe that as I am writing this blog, I am finishing up my final week of full time student teaching. It has been such a crazy experience that at times seemed never ending but it is finally here. With this being my final full time week, I am happy to say that I can rate it a 5. I missed my students over spring break and we were all happy to be able to see each other and start learning together once again.

This week, my class has kicked off countdown to the EOGs. Since coming back from spring break, my CE and I have really been digging into the data from the whole year to see exactly what our students need. I must say that one pleasant surprise that came this week was looking back at all of my students' scores from the beginning of the year and seeing how much they have already grown. By reviewing all of this data, I am exhibiting standard 5 of the NCPTS. With this information, I have been making my lessons center around making sure my students have learned all of the information they need to feel confident when it comes time for the EOG. By making sure my lessons connect the standard course of study, I have been exhibiting standard 3.

In math this week, I introduced my students to using a calculator to help them find answers. It really surprised me that up until this point, my students hadn't ever really used a calculator so that in itself developed into a mini lesson in the middle of class! But students were very excited to learn that there was a portion of the EOG that they were allowed to use a calculator on and I think that helped to build their confidence. This has been a goal of mine since the very beginning. A large portion of my class struggles with feeling confident in themselves and their ability even though I am confident in them. Throughout the semester I have trying to create a safe, positive environment in the classroom where students can feel confident in themselves, but also not feel discouraged when they are not understanding. I am so happy to see the progress some of my students have made throughout the semester!

On Friday, third graders at WES got an awesome experience! We went on a field trip to Lone Mountain Farm where my students got the opportunity to learn about Native Americans. This was such a fun way for students to take in a social studies lesson and students enjoyed being able to get out of the classroom and they all learned so much about the history of the region we live in as well as a different culture.  I hope to take what all we have learned on this field trip and build upon it in the classroom next week. This field trip was a good change from just sitting inside the classroom and allowed me to use a different method for instruction (standard 4). Of course, being outside of the classroom also came with a lot of responsibility and leadership. I was in charge of a large group of students and it was my job to make sure that the environment was safe and orderly (standard 1).

In terms of portfolio work, I have begun organizing my videos and pictures to begin work on my video presentation since I know this will be very time consuming. I have also started talking with my CE about observations which will be coming up in the very near future. After looking through the rubric for the portfolio on Thursday, I know that it will be a lot of work, but I am also confident in being able to make it the best it can possibly be. Next week, I hope to be able to spend more time completing portions of the portfolio than I was able to spend this week but not being full time is going to give me that opportunity.

Overall, I feel that I have had a good week to end full time teaching on. I am at the point that I no longer apprehension and indecision impact my lessons. I know what to expect and am usually prepared for just about everything! With it being the end of my full time experience, I do not feel that there is any mental clutter to clear for next week. Currently, my CE and I do not need any additional support as we make the transition back in the classroom to her teaching full time. I hope everyone has a wonderful week next week. We are so close guys!! Keep pushing through!