Blog Post 1

Goals for the next two weeks:

• Learn the full names of my math students
• Get to know the fifth grade teachers with whom my fourth grade team will be working on Smart Goals

Word of the week: Informative

In the last two weeks I have had the opportunity to begin getting to know the students of my homeroom and math class. Watching the way my cooperating teacher interacts with the students has given me insight into some techniques that work for this learning environment. One specific item is the website used during math lessons and review. My cooperating teacher has walked me through the use of this site, which comes from the  manufacturer of the math textbook. It offers not only a way to walk through the lesson visually with the students in a way that takes them out their books, but also several resources for additional support, including a tutor feature. I have to look further into it in the next week so that I can use it to it's full advantage, but I have a grasp of the basic features to begin teaching math this week.

Daily, my cooperating teacher is allotted the time from 8:15 to 9:15 as plan time. Besides Friday, when we had a literacy meeting, we have used this time to discuss the lessons and schedule for the day ahead as well as any important information which needed to be shared. Our grade level team meets after school on Thursdays to outline plans for the following week in order to be on the same page with lessons across the board. At the end of the day, and during independent work time for the students, my cooperating teacher and I sit down and discuss concerns, problems or questions from the day. I have jotted down questions to ask when time allows and Ms. M is always willing to take the time to explain anything I need. We have exchanged phone and email contact information in order to stay in touch as needed outside of the school day. 

Two takeaways from the book The First Days of School are the ideas of celebrating the first day of school and offering minor disciple with a smile. The idea of making the first day of school a celebration appeals to me in that it sets a tone of excitement and enjoyment within the classroom from the beginning. By sparking this excitement, students are more likely to be motivated to participate and do their best each day. 

Providing minor corrections with a smile is an interesting concept for me. For years I have seen mothers and teachers alike use "the look" to convey to that something is going on which is not acceptable. This method can be employed without calling any verbal attention to the situation if eye contact can be made; however, it upon further thought, it also does not convey much information to the student in need of correction. For example, a student gossiping about another student may be on the receiving end of "the look" and believe the teacher does not appreciate them speaking at that time when in fact the teacher is upset about the content of the conversation. The behavior at present may be eliminated, but the student does not know how to redirect their future actions to meet expectations. The books suggestion of smiling, calling the student by name, stating the expectation and thanking them for complying provides all the steps necessary for the student to succeed in the future. By employing this method, the teacher can foster a positive relationship with the students in which they build the student's body of knowledge rather than just teach them how to demonstrate outwardly compliant behaviors. 

In preparation for my edTPA Project I have prepared and sent home introductory letters with release forms with my homeroom and math classes. I have already received back approximately 40% of the releases signed by parents approving the use of their students work and image for the project. I have settled on Math as my subject matter for the project, as it is the first class I am taking over and I feel I will be well practiced with my interactions with my students by  the time I record. 

College Supervisor Corner:

I do not have questions just yet, but look forward to scheduling our first observation that in order to receive feedback on my work with my students. 

I have been practicing/studying and have learned the first and last names of all the students in my homeroom!