Student Teaching

This week was a great week. We did two different assessments on Tuesday and Wednesday. Learning how to grade and do these assessments is vital moving forward. My cooperating teacher was very helpful as this was my first time grading elementary students on a exceeds, meets, or approaching scale. The two assessments we did were on volleyball passing and performance within a volleyball match. Next week will also be doing our volleyball verbal assessment. My goal from last week was to set some parent teacher conferences meetings up with numerous parents. I have contacted and set a handle full of times to meet with parents during our parent teacher conference slots which will be happening a week from this upcoming Monday. My goal for this upcoming week is to update my students documents of the good things happening in class and the issues that are happening in class so I am prepared and organized for the parents who are attending parent teacher conferences. I think having documentation is v...

This week we started really getting into our volleyball unit. With the second grade we taught them different ways to throw the ball over the net which was a necessary skill for a game call Newcomb we played on Wednesday and Thursday. The students really like this game. It's a modified game of volleyball but you throw the ball 3 times on each side instead of bumping, setting, spiking, and serving. The third and forth grade we started off having them serve early in the week and work them into playing an actually volleyball game later in the week. As this can be the very first time the third grade has ever played in a volleyball match before it was vital to be extremely clear while instructing. I improved throughout numerous times of instructing the material. My goal was to write at least one lesson plan. I achieved this goal. My new goal set for next week is communicate with parents and schedule parent meetings for parent conferences which is coming up in two weeks. Classroom Confi...

Week eleven was another good one. We started a new unit; volleyball. Students were excited to get going with volleyball. Something I noticed and can be difficult is that 2nd grade does different lessons compared to 3rd and 4th grade. With that being said, I feel as if it is more difficult for me to get more comfortable teaching the material or lesson. My goal I set for this week was to teach more often rather than observing and contributing only a little bit. This week, I co-taught with my cooperating teacher. Co-teaching with my cooperating teacher is beneficial in many ways. I look forward to leading the class in the upcoming weeks. My goal for next week is to write my first lesson plans at this placement. Classroom Confidential My biggest takeaway from this chapter was communication to parents. I have some experience with communicating with parents over the last 4 year coaching baseball and basketball. There is definite need for improvement. I know with being a teacher, communic...

This was my first week at my new placement. Heading into this placement, I was a little more excited than I normally would because this is where I have the job come January. With that being said I have my own shared office with my cooperating teacher and my mentor. First week consisted of figuring out the schedule, students names, and helping out in every possible way. Last week the students had finished a whole unit therefore all week consisted of games. It was a good week to join in on and kind of just throw me out there and learn with the students. I had already met majority of students in August at Open House so students were excited to have me finally there. Heading in on my first day I felt nervous because this was soon to be my job and this would be the first real time working with 2nd through 4th graders I'll admit I was really nervous. But once the classes began and I was contributing, I felt like I belonged. It felt really good. It was a big difference compared to my firs...

Week nine was as expected. It was great to finally make it to the last week at my first placement. Students were upset I was leaving and it was bittersweet for me. I enjoyed all my classes, but I am also excited to move on to my second placement in which is where I have the job come January. This week we had a laid back week. We played some KanJam, ran a team PACER in which students enjoy, and played dodgeball for the first time the whole nine weeks I was there. It was a great surprise to the students. On Friday morning before classes had started the students had a planned something for me as it was my last day. Students made me a huge sign with my name on it. Students had signed it. It was a great jester. Also, on Friday the Special Education department through me a little party at the end of the day giving me cards and making shakes. My experience at my first placement has been a good one. My goal for my last week was to thank staff members. I had the opportunity to do this before cl...

This week my overall teaching improved. As my time at this school district is coming to an end its bittersweet. I've created a bond with many of my students that I will remember for a long time. I have a different student everyday tell me how important I am to them and they don't want me to leave. This comes as a shock to me. I didn't think I would have such a great impact on so many students this quick. It's really great to hear because my main reason to becoming a teacher was to have a significant impact on my students just like a few of my teachers back in the day have changed my life for the better. This week is our last full week of Ultimate Frisbee. The students are enjoying this unit more than I anticipated. As this week was our last full week of Ultimate Frisbee, my goal was for students to take more leadership and student lead. Not even class met this goal, but majority did. Some of the classes are just more timid than others. Overall, it was a great experience...