Alma Rose Jackson

August 24, 2019

Reflection - Names are pseudonyms

My responsibilities this week included teaching math lessons, doing read aloud, running

bellwork, and helping students as they work. I also helped make copies of assignments and grade

work the students had done. This week something that went well was teaching my math lessons.

I was able to fully take over this week. I planned all of my lessons and it seems like the students

are really getting the hang of the concepts. At first, it was challenging getting the transitions

smooth and keeping the student’s attention but I think I have made good progress in how the

lessons have been going.

It seems like the students are getting more confident in the subject and they are able to do

more on their own than when I first took over math. It seems like the students know what to

expect when I teach math and we are able to progress smoother through the lessons. I think that

is really helpful because then I don’t have to explain what everything is. If I say we will do

bookwork, they know what that is and are prepared to do it. They know what the practice will be

applied to. They are doing a better job of explaining their work step by step and saying why a

problem’s answer is the way that it is.

One thing that I want to improve upon in the future is my time management. I really have

little concept of time. I always feel like I am taking too long or am not spending enough time on

anything. I have the guide from the curriculums to help give me an estimate of the time I am

supposed to take but I get so caught up in teaching and I usually neglect to look at the time.
 I feel like I rely on my cooperating teacher a lot for how much longer we have or how

long should I spend talking about something. That is something I am unsure about when it comes

to doing my full takeover teaching because I will just have to know about the time management

myself.

One student I will tell you about is a girl I will call, Cynthia. Cynthia has a very bold

personality and a lot of attitude. On the Meet the Teacher day she and her family came in. Her

dad was sure to tell her that if we said something she had to do it and that we are the bosses.

Later her past teacher came in and told us that she would end up having to sit by herself.

We noticed if we told her to do something or asked her to stop doing something she

would roll her eyes or look at us with a major attitude. She usually gets along well with the other

students and she would run the classroom if we let her. We often have to tell her, “thank you, but

we will be the teachers”. She is very smart but she does not apply herself. She would rather chat

with friends than do her work.

Her reading level is at the end of 4th grade and she does well on her math timed tests and

homework. My cooperating teacher had a chat with her about her struggling to finish her work

due to her chatting. A couple of times from that conversation Cynthia was able to remove herself

from her group to be able to focus and complete her work. I am glad she has been able to make

good choices for herself so that she is able to complete her work.