Student Teaching Reflection

Week 3
Monday, August 29thToday began my first week teaching all the lessons. We began with the letter
C. We practiced writing it and then talked about words that began with C. Next, all
the students got a card and if it began with a C they got under the Begins with C
column and if it doesnt, they would stand under the Does NOT begin with C
column.
Next, I read about Surprise as they followed along. We then discussed the
story and talked about the difference in fiction and non-fiction. Along with the genre,
we discussed nouns and named some that were in the story. We went over our sight
words and wrote them in our reading journal. An activity we did with the sight words
is one that I really loved! They got out a green crayon and while writing their sight
words in their reading journal, they wrote each vowel green and the rest of the word
with their pencil. They really enjoyed this, as did I!
For math, we practiced writing numbers to 20. We went around the room
counting off each other and a few other practice exercises. This transitioned them
well into math and they settled in nicely. After this, they got out their math journals
and wrote 1-20 in them and then wrote tally marks for each number. Tally marks are
something they were asking about, so we went over them during some free time
last week, and now we see them everywhere on their papers!

TuesdayWe began the day writing our Ps; lower and upper case combine so they
could pick out the difference in the two. Next, I displayed a picture page on the
Elmo that had pictures of P words, and words that did not begin with P. They raised
their hand and came to the elmo to write a P on the picture of their choosing. We
then looked at a city picture in their reading book and they came to the front to
point to words that began with P with a laser light. They loved using it!
Next, we sorted pictures into P categories. This allowed them to come to the
board and place their card into the correct category. They enjoyed this and it gave
them some stretching while learning at the same time. Lastly, students got a
cut/paste sheet with P words on it. If the word/picture began with P, they cut and
then glued it under the Words That Begin with P category, or Words that DO NOT
begin with P category. They always like cutting and gluing!
Students picked up in math from yesterday on the number 20-29 five times
on the sheet provided. Next, we played a 10 match game. Students got cards 0-10
that they had to cut out. Once they cut them out, we used a pocket chart to make
problems that equaled 10; for example, 2 + 8= 10. They made the problems on
their desk with their cards and then wrote it in their math journal.
Two days a week we switch rooms for social studies, science and health. We
do social studies, and we thought it would be a good idea to let them flip through
the book and get familiar with it. So, they did that for a few minutes and then we

discussed laws, rules and responsibilities. They stayed engaged with the
conversation very well!

WednesdayTo begin the day, we started with the letter N. We talked about things that
started or ended with N. Then, I read them a little poem with N words in it. They
worked on the letter by writing it on a handout provided, and then coloring the
pictures that began with N. We also talked about rhyming words and what words
that rhyme have in common. We flipped to a picture in their reading book and I
displayed it on the projector. They raised their hand to come to the board and find
rhyming words. They love doing anything in front of the class!
Next, we listened to a tape about rhyming words and following directions. In
order to complete the activity, they had to pay attention the whole time. Ive never
seen them to attentive! After the rhyme, we played a word sort. Everyone got a
flash card; 12 had N words on them and 12 did not. An example would be a net, and
someone around the room had a fish to match with it. Another example would be a
nest, and someone had a bird.
For math we used blocks to discuss 10s and some loose numbers. After
explaining, I would say make me 12, and the students would put together 10 blocks,
and then lay 2 loose ones beside the 10. They liked this a lot, it was something new
and exciting. They worked really well with the blocks, and its something Ill do

again in the near future. We also switched again for social studies, and we did the
same as yesterday. Let them get familiar with the book and then discussed rules,
laws and responsibilities.

ThursdayToday we began star testing. This is a type of assessment given month by

month to see if they are progressing. This took about an hour, so some of my
lessons had to be cut short. Our results from star testing were shockingly good! We
had many on level, three above level, and two below.
The first thing we did in the room was read our Snap story and go over some
things in it. We discussed settings and characters. Next, we went over the letter C
and P. Activities for these included ones like normal, writing the letter, naming the
picture that begins with the letter, etc. These are methods of learning theyre
familiar with and even though theyre only in first grade, they like routine.
My favorite thing of the day was shape boxes. We practiced our high
frequency words with them and the kids loved it. They had a paper with boxes on
them and they had to decide which sight word fit in which box. It made them think
about the letter and its shape instead of just guessing. We also used dot cards that
look like dominos. They like using these, because its something different, not pen

and paper. We cut the cards out glued the side with the flap down. It allowed us to
flip the card over to see the other side. Students would count the dots, and then
write the number underneath of the card.

FridayToday was test day! With the exception of a few bathroom breaks,
dance/stretch songs, lunch, gym and recess, we tested most of the day. This was
their first experience with test, and for the most part they did exceptionally well. We
had to go over directions and test taking to dos, because they had never heard of
them before. You can tell Kindergarten is not a grade for tests of any kind.
We did tests on sight words, counting, nouns, and letter N and a few others.
We did throw in one fun assessment activity which was a cut and paste assessment.
They colored the picture of the word that began with N, clued it on their paper, and
then colored the picture. After a few tests they were starting to get anxious and
tired of sitting so we got up to stretch. We played a song that counts to 100, and the
kids really love it. We play it about once a week and they sing and dance the whole
time.

At the end of the day I got to grade most of their tests while on planning and
bus duty. It was really pleased at how well they did, honestly it made me really
happy. I wasnt for sure if I had gotten through to them much this week, but I
definitely did. Their test scores made me realize even though they may talk and
goof around, they are listening and they do understand what theyre doing for the
most part. This was another great week in the books, and Im ready for next week!