Week of Reflection: 10/28

◦   Rate your overall experience of the week: 5Great week

◦   Seven questions to end your week:

•                     Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?

                        I taught a lot of classes this week.  Outside of my normal classes, I got to teach a lot of classes at the middle school.  I connect extremely well with the 6^th grade woodwinds class.  I finished teaching my EdTPA lessons finally!

•                     Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

                        I learned that in order to teach global awareness in the music classroom, it has to take one of two forms.  Directly incorporated into a lesson, usually through a piece from another country.  The other option is by being totally random, and teaching it briefly as an intro to or exit from class (I chose option 2 this week).

•                     Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?

                        Long term goal: Graduate with a good grade

                        Short Term goals: do the things, as soon as possible (not SMART)

•                     Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

                        -More time on Portfolio stuff

•                     Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?

                        There were several times this week that I got to the end of a rep, and I didn’t know what I wanted to say to the students.  This added for extra discomfort.  However, this only happened a few times. 

•                     Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?

                        Goal for this week is to finish Task 2, and start Task 3!

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?

      Wow I analyzed so much data this week.  I used a rubric for every class, some better than others.  I used this data of how the students were doing to help inform how I taught, and who I focused on each day.

•   What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

      Stand in the hallway as the students leave, and give basic/informal feedback to some students.  This can be encouraging to them, and remind them what you want them to work on this week.

•   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- We have classroom rules.  I took a picture of them, and posted them in my notebook.

•                     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.

                        2A- I mentioned this in my advice to other teachers, but a way in which I foster an inviting environment is at the end of 6^th grade band when we give “stamps” to all of the students.  I use this time for feedback, and to connect with all of the students on a human/personal level.

•                     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.

                        3B-I demonstrated extensive knowledge in my content area this week by teaching my EdTPA lessons on phrasing.  I was able to model on my instrument the different concepts of phrasing that I wanted the students to emulate.

•                     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.

                        4A- I was able to differentiate appropriately in 6^th grade W.W. class. I know how each of my students responds to instruction, and I differentiate my instruction for each of them.  When they play as individuals, I know how each student learns and give them feedback as appropriate.  I am aware if they need more proximity, or if I can ask a leading question to have them think critically.

•                     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.

                        5B- I sought out professional knowledge this week.  Normally I practice during lunch break.  However, we started to have a really great intellectual discussion as directors.  We talked about a variety of topics, but mainly we discussed the role of classical music in today’s world.  It was a great discussion.

•   Other:

•                     What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?

                        Technology evidences (screencasts are done), philosophy is almost done

•                     What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?

                        Nada                        

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

         When are you planning on coming with the COTC?

Week of Reflection: 10/21

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 3
• Seven questions to end your week:

• • Observe: One experience that surprised me this week was when I became the substitute for half the day on Friday. My CT had to leave last minute, and I got to teach 6th grade woodwinds and band elective by myself. These were great opportunities. I also, taught two of my edTPA lessons this week, and I'll finish early next week.
  • Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week? I learned a lot about my own teaching, and how I value student feedback as formative assessment. However, I realized that I have to be extremely intentional to write down assessment during lessons.
  • Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned? I'm on track to keep working with percussion, and I'm learning more about communication with groups of students.
  • Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing? I could've spent less time driving this week. That just wore me out this week. I could've taught edTPA lesson 3 this week, but I was unprepared, bummer.
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do? Some apprehension comes from not working with 7th and 8th grade percussion. I probably should have, but I'm hesitant, and don't feel confident in my abilities in technique.
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear? I need to finish teaching edTPA, and spend every bit of time finishing up step 2 and 3 while it's fresh in my mind.

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 analyze some data from my edTPA lesson 2 where my students wrote observations on a choral version of Candlelight Carol.
  
  
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
• Vote

• 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- I posted a copy of our classroom rooms in my notebook
  • 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.
    2B-I think a crucial aspect of "diversity" is teaching those that we might consider "culturally diverse" some of the more common place aspect of our education. However, this line is getting more and more blurred. This week I taught a lesson on a sacred piece. While this is a band arrangement, I wanted the students to hear the lyrics. I read the lyrics to them, and had them listen critically to a choral arrangement for phrasing aspects. I hope this was a diverse topic for some "diverse students." #backwardsthinking
  • 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.
    3B- This week I prompted student curiosity. One student asked me if I could get a couple piece of music out of our library for him. These were pieces that he had played before, but wanted to play them again by himself. I found most of the pieces by the end of the week, and he seemed really excited. I overheard him ask a classmate if they wanted to play "March Slav" together. I was happy that I get to serve my students in this way.
  • 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.
    4D-I did a progressive activity that I mentioned above, standard 2. I began by having the students critically listen to a piece of music. We used a Bose bluetooth speaker, linked to my laptop. That night I analyzed their data, and made a wordle (shown above) to help them organize their thoughts, show them that I really do respond to their feedback, and make some goals as to how to improve the piece we're working on.
  • 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- This week I researched some strategies to help teach students with ADHD.
• Other:
• • What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
    -Philosophy, and working on edTPA
  • What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
    nothin'
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  • I think I'm good

Week of Reflection: 10/14

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 5
• Seven questions to end your week:

• • Observe: I finally a punching edTPA in the gut. I'm done with planning commentary, and I'm merely finalizing my lesson plans. Now it's time to teach them next week.
  • Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week? I learned that having a school that is "hands-off" is a beautiful thing. However, it means that, not only are they out of the loop with you, you are out of the loop with what's going on sometimes. There are always, and especially this week, random interruptions and class adjustments. We had several short days, conferences, and pep rally's to do this week.
  • Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?
    Things are great. I met with a percussion teacher this week, and got some great insight on how to better teach beginning percussionists. I'm very grateful, and I was able to implant these strategies the next day in class.
  • Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing? I could spend more time working on student teaching assignments and grad school apps. However, I spend a lot of time practicing, and doing chores around the house. IDK if it's really out of balance yet
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do? I mentioned before that a lot of interruptions happened this week. For example, the 7th graders had fundraising that impacted several days this week. One day, I decided to listen to some great music while the students filtered in from fundraising activities. However, students asked if they could move around seats. I let them, and I wish I hadn't. It wasn't that bad, but it seemed to increase the volume level in the room. Anyway, I merely wasn't sure what to do, and had to be decisive.
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear? I need to do any final preps for edTPA this week. There is a lot going on this week, and I hope I can get enough practice in.

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 students playing at an individual level, in 6th grade band. I heard almost every student play their first notes (even percussion), and gave specific critique.
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
• I'm not sure where you all are with edTPA, but I approached it by writing a basic idea down for each lesson, then I answered the planning commentary, and then I'm writing my official lesson plans. This has helped a lot, and has squared my thinking in a way that I know helps me cover all the bases without being too redundant.

• 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.
    1C- The past superintendent of the school system that I teach in, is an alumni of the school I work in. He comes to work with the band every week because his child is in the band, and because he was a band director before he did school administration. Anyway, talk about developing professional connections.
  • 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.
    2E- One way that I am trying to improve parent communication is by maintaining our "upcoming events" on our website. Our statistics show that people look at our website, so I hope that this is helpful.
  • 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.
    3B- One student in particular, is very interested in become a band director. He and I have been bouncing off recordings that we really enjoy. This is a really cool back and forth to prompt his curiosity. It also allows for opportunity for this student to ask me questions about other areas of music.
  • 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.
    -We, the band directors, are spending a lot of time looking for music that is appropriately challenging for each group's upcoming concert. We are still looking for a few pieces that enable to teach what we know they need to learn.
  • 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.
    5B- I met with a percussion teacher this past week, and it was extremely informative, and helped me with my professional knowledge and skills.
    
    
• Other:
• • What components of your portfolio have you started to complete? Merely working on edTPA, a little bit of PDP and classroom management
  • What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
    nada
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor?
  • Cya Wednesday