Student Teaching Weekly Log

Directions: Answer these questions each week and email them to your student teaching
supervisor by Sunday evening.
Name: Alison Trimble

Week: 3 9/14-9/18

1. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities did you have?
This week we focused on teaching the students more about the individual organelles and had
them create cell analogies. I focused on doing bell to bell with a little of Mrs. Henrys assistance.
We also showed students a video on the Fish philosophy which was a new concept to me, but I
really think that it helped more students view our classroom with an even more positive way.
2. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your most challenging
experiences?
Among the most satisfying experience was the conversation I had with the student who
challenged me while you were observing me last. I found out that he is very interested in
engineering, and is a very bright student. With him in mind I set about adding to the planned
lessons for the week a way to challenge him and other students like him. I planned an activity
involving virtual microscopy experiences. So there are two parts, the first reinforces the
microscope skills they have already learned, while challenging the students to go deeper in their
thinking through questions. The second part involves a virtual scanning electron microscope
(SEM) where students can virtually examine how SEM images are created, and then look at
individual SEM images to guess what they are. There are some deeper questions that go along
with the SEM images as well.
My most challenging experience was seeing how attached some students are to their phone. The
constant firm reminders that we need to give, texting from the lap, behind bags, even from inside
the bag on their desks. It is amazing how connected to their phones the students really are. We
have started taking phones on occasion, and in one case it caused an outburst of swearing that
resulted in the parent coming to the class for her son to apologize. I was impressed by how Mrs.
Henry intervened in this case firmly informing him how his behavior was not appropriate, and
giving him a choice to calm down and remain in class, or to go somewhere more drastic. I feel
for him, I think he is acting out for attention, and Mrs. Henry did say it is classic attention
seeking behavior that he exhibited when this happened. This resulted in quite a conversation
regarding classroom management skills, and the training that Mrs. Henry has engaged in to
improve these skills over her 30 year career.
3. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
The plans for the upcoming week include discussion of cell membranes, osmosis and diffusion.
In the coming days the students will be using microscopes to examine cells, followed by an egg
experiment. In the egg experiment the students will create their very own laboratory report, and
we will use inquiry to create the lab template.
I have created a biochemistry PowerPoint to start the discussion of biochemistry soon, and we
team planned a video from the amoeba sisters that will go nicely with it. I am now looking for
another activity that will go with it, but will be at the level that is appropriate for the biology
course. I find that I am still picking activities that are a bit too advanced for students based upon
their current level; this makes team planning a very valuable tool to bounce ideas off of others.