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)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.