January 19th 2015

This past week has been an amazing one. So far I really enjoy being in the classroom and getting to know the students. I wanted to teach 7th grade science, because I like interacting with children that age. I thought they would be interesting to work with, because they want to be independent and they can have some interesting conversations, but they also still need your approval and caring.
Let's just say that I wasn't mistaken.

My two goals for these upcoming two weeks (for the weeks of January 19^th and January 26^th) are:
1. To learn the names of all my 127 students. I'm well on my way, but I still need more practice.
2. To find what teaching style works for me best with my students. What is the best way to get my lesson across to them.

 

If I had to use one word to describe your past week it would be - Exciting. But I'd have to add that it was also not as stressful as I thought it would be. I thought I would have a harder time getting into the swing of things. But Anna - my cooperating teacher, has pushed me and made me jump right in. I was co-teaching classes on Monday of the 2nd week. It didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked it, but it didn't go terribly.

 

In the past two weeks I observed that the school is a very friendly place; all of the teachers are very welcoming and supportive. I believe that I could ask any of them for advice or help and I would get it. In fact many of them already offered. My observations of the classroom reveal that students really do come in many "shapes and sizes." What I mean by that is not their actual size, although that applies too, but rather their behavior and their learning styles. I've begun to get to know some of the students; who has an IEP and I've begun to learn which ones are the ones that struggle. I never thought it would be as easy to identify the struggling and the ones who are the higher achievers.  I think that those observations will help me in preparing my lesson plans, to make sure that I strive to meet everyone's learning needs?"

From the very beginning, my cooperating teacher has made sure to set time aside at the end of the day to talk with me and to go over what the instructional plan is. She also gives me feedback on continuing basis, that is she tells me how I've done after I've thought a lesson. That really helps me to adjust and improve from period to period since I teach the same thing 5 times a day.

What are two “takeaways” from your readings in “The First Days of School”.
 
In my preparation for my "edTPA Project" I have taken several steps. I've already downloaded the templates and started filling out TASK 1. I've also sent home with students the Permission slip to film in class, and I've started planning the unit and lessons that I will be teaching. I've also set a preliminary timeline for myself on when I will teach and film my lessons.