Week of Reflection: 9/16
- Rate your overall experience of the week: 3
- Seven questions to end your week:
- Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?I got to teach a lot of beginner flutes this week, and it was humbling yet very satisfying after a few days. A surprise of my was when we gave the 6th graders a test of note names, it was almost 50/50, great/terrible haha. I also think that the format of the test was a little bit too confusing for the 6th graders, so we aren't grading this one.
- Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week? I learned that I tend to teach at a slightly slower pace than my CTs. I often am not sure what I want to do next, and I just don't say anything for a few seconds, and then move on. I want to try and keep the pace up, but not just talk immediately after cut off. Anyway, I also found out, as I alluded to in the previous question, that explaining the format of a pop quiz that involves music notation is very important. I got a myriad of responses on the note test where all I wanted was their name and a simple list of note names based on what I had written on the board. One student even went as far as writing down the example name (Jimy w.) I had written on the board on their test LOL
- Focus: How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?Two of the my goals are: improve my percussion skills and pedagogy, and to work on my teacher-student communication skills in the classroom. I'm getting experience teaching, recording/reflecting on myself teach, working with percussion etc... I'd say it's going pretty well.
- Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing? I really need to spend more time sleeping, working on EdTPA, and my portfolio video. I need to spend a little bit less time reading for fun, and driving.
- Have Courage: How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do? This past Thursday was just really challenging. When we got to the High School, we were informed that our rehearsal space for the 9th grade band was unavailable. It really threw a wrench into our plans for the afternoon. After that, I just felt like i was caught between a lot of miscommunication. We had to change plans on the fly constantly, and the rehearsal I was supposed to do with the drum line went from 30 mins to, 12 mins. It was a frustrating day. Thankfully none of us directors were mad at each other, and we were able to talk about how stressful it had been.
- Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear? Next week I need to begin video taping or voice recording as many lessons as possible. I also need to start planning EdTPA more intentionally, it's gonna creep up on me real quick.
Adapted from: Cernoff, M. (2013, August 7). 7 Questions to End Your Week With. . Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/08/08/7-questions-to-end-your-week-with/
- What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions? I analyzed some student learning on note names, and found out that at least 1/3 of the 6th graders have no idea what their note names are. Wow! I also recorded some good data on a 7th grade playing test, and we're trying to best help them out based on their results.
- What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers? Being willing to do whatever is thrown your way has become a way of life for me. Just embrace it.
- NC Teacher Candidate Standards (be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer)
- Pick an element from standard one of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. 1A- Safe and orderly classroom: This past Monday, I began class for the 6th graders. They were walking in like a herd of elephants talking and causing general hullabaloo and ruckus. I asked them to quiet down twice, and nothing really changed. So, once things settled down a bit and most student had began to unpack, I had every student collect their things and head back out into the hallway, and show me that they can come into class quietly. It worked!
- Pick an element from standard two of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. 2C- I've been able to work with a 7th grade trumpet player who has been having some confidence issues while playing. After a few notes, and a mess up, the student would stop playing and try to figure out the fingerings. I made some flashcards for the student to help with note names this past weekend, and sure enough the student is doing much better this week. I've been able to encourage them, and have seen a lot of immediate improvement. On a side note, apparently this student almost quit band, but apparently my help and some encouragement from the other directors is just what the student needed, and they are now thriving.
- Pick an element from standard three of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. 3A- I've briefly mentioned this before but I've been reflecting on what my CT said about the effectiveness of literacy instruction in the classroom, that new words taught in the band room need to be used multiple days, not just once. I taught the word "Autonomous" to the 8th grade brass, and I've been using it every couple days. I've been asking the students if they remember it, and most of them didn't after the first day. They are beginning to remember, and I hope they can become autonomous band members.
- Pick an element from standard four of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. 4H- During 6th grade band, I got to work with the flutes. I gave them opportunities to assess themselves, and each other. This was really good for them. It gave them an opportunity to figure out their own issues, and also help each other.
- Pick an element from standard five of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element. 5C- I had my first Charlotte Civic Orchestra rehearsal this past week. It's a great way to meet other music professional and educators, and also hone my skills as a musician. Playing in this group is part of seeking out my professional goals.
- Other:
- What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?Resume, Professional development
- What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?I think he's good. I'm just struggling to get the SIP from him, mostly because the access is restricted, sorta. I'm not really sure. I just have to keep reminding him.
- What support do you need from your university supervisor?
- As I begin to plan for my student teaching video, do you have any suggestions on things to make sure I include.
Adam,
ReplyDeleteGlad your week went well. I also utilized the "re-enter the classroom" strategy with some students this week. It's quite useful :). As I'm not familiar with band at all, I really admire you band instructors who have to be comfortable with teaching many different instruments. I taught a 5th grade chorus lesson today and it was a humbling experience as well, as that is a bit out of my comfort zone. But teaching out of our comfort zones help us improve! It's awesome that you were able to help the 7th grade trumpet player. Investing in the lives of students is the main reason we're doing this.
Have a great rest of the week.
Chrysalis
Adam,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a pretty interesting week! I find that one of the most difficult parts of teaching middle and high school for me was changing my communication style from age to age. When I would leave the high school and then teach my 5th grade, it was like night and day. You eventually find your sets of language, directions, motions, routines, that work for every group.
As far as pacing goes, as you get used to students, and have a really clear idea of what you want to hear, and what you want them to tell you, you'll get a bit quicker about getting it out of them. Pacing is something that almost ALL beginning teachers struggle with. You'll find your stride, but it's fantastic that you notice that it's a little sluggish and you want to improve it (that's half the battle, believe me!)
I think that it's great that you get to read for fun. But yes, you may need to do less if you feel like other areas are a struggle.
What is really awesome about the folks you work with, is that they're all very even-keeled and level-headed. "Oh, something got messed up? Roll with it. Do what you have to do. Move on. Do the best to make sure it doesn't happen again." It's great that that's how it was handled. You have a great model for how you want to handle those situations in the future.
Yes. Get that camera up and rolling as much as you can. And I'm really glad to hear that the playing test data is helping you guide instruction. I'm sure that note name test is giving you some directions about where to go next! How to do that while still playing a lot? I know you've got strategies in there!
1A- Great! Most students in band really want to be there, and when they feel like they're losing out on playing time, they get frustrated. Doing that more than once would really be annoying for them. Much easier to just come in quietly! :)
ReplyDelete2C- This is so great! I'm really glad that you've been able to work with this student, and be a positive influence that has made them stay in band! Brainstorm for yourself: "How will I be able to do this when I am the only band director?"
3A- Great! Now, keep it going by asking them to contextualize it. If they remember what "autonomous" means, they should start to think about what that means for THEM! If they're to be autonomous, they should _____, ______, ________.
4H- You're teaching one of the most important skills a band can learn. A lot of directors do NOT focus on listening and evaluation. Students wait for the teacher to tell them what was good, or not good. A band director who works smarter, not harder, gets the kids to recognize what is good, and not good. All part of being "autonomous!"
5C- Absolutely! Great music teachers are often great players in their own right, and participating in this group can create connections that will help you down the road. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have folks that your students could study with, or could come in and do master classes with your students from time to time? (I have a great friend who does this REGULARLY with his students). Not only is this great for the students, but it also makes them feel important and special. This person is coming and working with US!
I think it might be worthwhile to let your CT know that you have a deadline related to that SIP, and you'd really like to make some progress on it so that you can focus on edTPA and teaching, as your load in the classroom becomes heavier.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the videos go, part of the video needs to be tied to your philosophy. So, some of this is up to you. What do you value? What is important to you as an educator? What do you think defines a good educator, and how to you show that through YOUR teaching? Those are the elements you want to capture on video. Not just for the philosophy part, but also for the other portions of the video as well. You want to show who you are as a teacher. I think any administrator would want to see student-focused teaching, where you act more as a facilitator of their learning. A principal would probably want to see well-paced lessons that have integrated assessments that don't take away from the rehearsal time.