Student Teaching Weekly Log

Week 2: First Placement (First Grade)

1. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities did
you have?

This week I began the morning routine and started taking over
social studies. For morning routine, we did the calendar, weather,
number of school days, and sticky note problems. For social
studies, I lead a variety of lessons about families that included
read alouds and engaging activities. I began getting more
comfortable with managing the class, but it is pretty challenging.
I find it hard to build a positive relationship and getting to know
the students, while disciplining and directing them to meet
desired expectations.

2. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your

most challenging experiences?

I found it reassuring that the students are so excited to learn and

willing to participate when I am teaching a lesson. Like I said
before, classroom management is going to be a struggle, but I
believe that is common in every classroom. I honestly think that
classroom management is the most difficult thing to accomplish
as a successful teacher. I tried to implement catchy quotes like I
say, Holy Moly and the students say, Guacamole. I found that
this worked with other students that I worked in other
practicums, but it did not work with this specific set of students.
It made them squirrelly. Therefore, I look for help from my
mentor teacher. We discussed that the school uses very common
language and that I should try to use some of the phrases like
zero voices, get in control of your body, mind, and voice,
make me your focal point, etc.

When teaching my first social studies lesson, one of the students

started running around the room, throwing pencil cases and
chairs, and having extreme misbehaviors. Finally, we had to do a
room clear, where I lead the students to the library to read some
books until the student could calm down. This was a great and
realistic, while unfortunate experience to have.

3. What are the plans for the upcoming week?

 Next week, I am going to take over whole group core reading and
small group math. We are working on breaking the students into
small math groups, as we just got the new list for math
interventions. I am going to work on using common language
and focus on staying positive to maintain building strong
relationships, while showing that I still want them to be
successful and meet the expectations. Also, we are getting
prepared for conferences, so everything in the classroom is a
little crazy.

Week 4: First Placement (First Grade)

1. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities did
you have?

This week I was teaching a majority of the day. I was teaching

core group reading, writing, some small reading groups, core
math, some small math groups, and health/social studies. This
week I worked a lot on classroom management. The more I take
over, the more I feel the students push to see how far they can
go with things. I found it helpful to stay consistent and calm. This
is a group of kids that need positive reinforcement versus
punishment. I started using common language that the teachers
throughout the school use, and it helped immensely. I could not
believe how well the students responded from this. I believe it
showed them that I know the expectations that Mrs. Joens has for
them, and that I expect them to do their best too.

2. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your

most challenging experiences?

This week I found that being over prepared and organized is

essential. There are many times throughout the week that it was
helpful that I had extra activities planned in case of schedule
change or extra time. I found it challenging that the students
behavior changed immediately after Mrs. Joens would leave the
room to do something. I tried to stay firm and consistent so the
students did not feel that they could get away with things that
they are not able to get away with Mrs. Joens. In the beginning of
the week, it was challenging to help the students understand
that I am a teacher too, but by the end of the week I felt like the
students were responding to my directions. Also, I tried reading a
book before starting math to help them calm down from specials,
and I think that it helped tremendously. It gives them time to
 regain control of their bodies. I was very happy with this change
because our afternoons have been very difficult.

3. What are the plans for the upcoming week?

Next week is my full bell-to-bell teaching. I am very anxious to

see how the first day goes. I dont think it will be a lot different
that how things are going right now, but I am prepared and ready
to get started.

Week 8: First Week at Second Placement (7th/8th SPED)

4. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities did
you have?

This week I spent a lot of time trying to get to the school system
and observing what my mentor teacher does. He does not act as
a traditional teacher, but he supports a lot of content teachers.
He collaborates with the science, math, and humanities teachers.
Sometimes he might help the teacher catch up on work, or he
might help the struggling learners. It depends on the day and
class on his role. I led a practice Iowa Assessment test, which
was a great experience.

5. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your

most challenging experiences?

I was very excited because I got to observe my first IEP meeting.

It was very interesting, and I am glad that I received this
experience. It was beneficial to see appropriate dialect to use
when talking about a struggling learner. We worked with a very
involved family that truly follows up with the IEP to make sure
their child is being provided with the supports that are supposed
to be offered. We changed the students reading goal. We
switched from two reading goals to one reading comprehension
goals. Also, I got to go to the West Des Moines Learning Resource
Center for a professional development day. It gave me a better
understanding of what special education teachers actually do.

6. What are the plans for the upcoming week?

Next week, I will proctor the Iowa Assessment to a group of 8

students. A teacher will be gone, so Mr. Frey volunteered me to
do it. I am anxious to see how it will go. In addition, I will be
taking over skill development for the 7th and 8th grade group
during Thursday and Friday.