Journet Week 8

This week was a 4 day week.  The teachers are done Step Testing.  Our schedule should normalize a bit next week as far as guided reading groups go.  This week I will officially have taught two whole math units.  The money unit and the foundations of division unit.  I also began to teach the students R.A.T.E writing strategy.  They have learned about RATE which stands for Restate the question, Answer the question, use Text evidence and Explain a bit further.  I had the students read a grade appropriate Scholastic News Magazine.  They responded to comprehension questions using the R.A.T.E writing strategy.  It was a bit challenging for some of them at first.  I provided a sentence starter and a visual for them.  I also checked their work and supported them in checking if they were missing R(restating, A(answering), T(text evidence) or E(explaining further).  I provided the following visual so that they can check their work. 

Some students did not use RATE because of their modifications.  I had two students just restate the question and answer it.  I also provided them with support in restating and answering the question.
Standard-6 Reading, Writing and Oral Communication.  The competent Teacher 6P) teaches students to develop written text appropriate to the content areas that utilizes organization (e.g., compare/contrast, problem/solution), focus, elaboration, word choice, and standard conventions (e.g., punctuation, grammar) 

I also continue to attend the grade level meetings with the 3rd and 4th grade team along with the Principal.  I find them very informative and relevant for me.  This weeks meeting was about the upcoming standardized test which I believe is new this year.  They taught us how to administer it and how to be a proctor.  Standard 9- Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy- The Competent Teacher 9O) participates in professional development, professional organizations, and learning communities, and engages in peer coaching and mentoring activities to enhance personal growth and development.

The 3rd grade students take a paper and pencil test.  Fourth grade and higher will take it online.  It feels as if the students are always testing.  During my time in the 3rd grade studnet teaching placement, the students have done the NWEA reading and math testing.  They have also done the STEP testing and soon they will start the IAR standardized test.  I am happy to learn all about them.  I know that it is important to track student progress but I can now understand what "teach to the test" means.  I was also able to review the STEP data and how all of 3rd grade students have moved up.  It is overwhelming to see the huge gaps in STEP Levels.  For example, half of the class is a STEP 12 which is great, but we also have students at STEPS 2, 4, 6, 7, 8.  This shows me the importance of having guided reading groups. My CP and I will discuss the new data and make changes if need to the groups or lessons.Standard 7-Assessment: The competent Teacher 7M) maintains useful and accurate records of student work and performance.

I was excited about playing a kahoot game with the students.  As we culminate the end of Black History Month, I promised the students that I would let them play a Martin Luther King Kahoot Game.  They have been asking about it and I had an opportunity to let them play.  I had to train them them to not be too loud, boastful or upset if they didn't win.  I like kahoot because I can make a game out of any content.  It does have its draw backs because my struggling students can easily feel unsuccessful.  With my non reader I had a sub sit with her and support her during the game.  I also set a long timer in order to give the students thinking time.  I read each question out loud and I also read the answers.  I like kahoot because I can download the detailed report on how each student did.  It tells me which questions my students struggled with as a whole group and as individuals.  I also found a kahoot to review their 7's multiplication facts.  I displayed a multiplication answer wheel to help the studnets that do not know their facts yet.  My CP Teacher gave me positive feedback as she saw the students participating and engaged in the multiplication fact review game.

Standard 3 - Planning for Differentiated Instruction –The Competent Teacher 3E) understands the appropriate role of technology, including assistive technology, to address student needs, as well as how to incorporate contemporary tools and resources to maximize student learning.

          

What did you learn in terms of new idea’s concepts, techniques, strategies, best practices? Did you have any personal insights about teaching, student learning, teacher or student role, or new connections?
I had a personal insight about my classroom management.  On Tuesday, I noticed that I had good control of the class and if they became chatty, i would stop.  If the volume increased in the hallway, I would stop and I didn't have to yell or higher my voice.  The students would shush each other up as I just stared at them and held up the give me five signal. I noticed that I was doing better at getting the students to listen.  On Wednesday this personal insight was validated by the substitute that was in the classroom.  She gave me positive feedback and said that I have good control over the classroom.  I was happy to hear that.  On Thursday my CP also complimented me on the classroom management.  She said that I was getting better at my classroom management.  She said she saw the difference in me and in the students.  This meant a lot coming from her and it also confirmed what I was already noticing.  

Standard 4 - Learning Environment -The competent Teacher 4G) knows strategies to implement behavior management and behavior intervention planning to ensure a safe and productive learning environment.

What do you hope to learn or discover about your teacher or student learning in the week ahead? What might you do differently now based on your experiences than you would have done previously?

Next week I pretty much give back control of the class to my CP Teacher.  It will be interesting to continue to observe her as she is a master at her craft.  I have learned so much and have grown so much.  It is a bittersweet feeling to move on to my next placement.  I created a great rapport with the 3rd grade students and now I will be moving on to my next placement.  Thursday, the studnets had their Black History Bowl and I was so proud of them and their hard work.  They did not win.  They only lost by one point.  I created a participation certificate for each one of them because I wanted to recognize them for their hard work.

   

Goals for the next week:

• Review all of my edTpa videos just in case I need more footage before my next placement.
• Clean or organize things before i move to my next placement.
• Give final Math unit Test and gather student work for Edtpa.