• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult | 5 - Great week. 

I would rate my overall experience of this week at a 3. Still being in quarantine presents challenges on how I can manage my student teaching responsibilities. The planning template we are asked to use is very overwhelming especially when planning for a week of instruction but I do understand in part why we are asked to use it. Differentiation continues to be a struggle of mine. I know that most always you will scaffold your lessons to build on prior understanding and allow for the opportunity for students to practice what they have just learned. However, many times you don't know how a lesson is going to be received until it's taught and it is at that moment that you tend to make a  differentiated plan.

Seven questions to end your week:

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

On Thursday and Friday, I was able to complete Math and literacy lessons which resulted in a 45-page lesson plan doc for my CE to teach next week.

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

I need to work on the closure of my lesson plans and continue to think about ways to differentiate instruction.

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

I think planning for Math and Literacy this week will be a good foundation for planning all subjects in the weeks to come.

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

I could have spent more time working on my edTPA at the beginning of the week when I had a little extra time.

5. Have Courage: How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn't do?

Apprehension and indecision impacted what I did this week by lengthening the planning process for my lesson plans. I tend to second guess myself when I should just go with my gut, to begin with.

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

Getting better organized about when I will teach my edTPA and when what, and how I will begin taking on the full teaching experience upon my return. Mental clutter I can clear is last week is gone, take what I learned forward but leave the stress that belonged to that week in the past.

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help guide your decisions? 
• NC Professional Teaching Standards             

1. 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.

I have chosen 1c. teachers lead the teaching profession. Because of our assignment on our school's improvement plan this week, I am more aware of the goals my school has established for improvement. I can now aid in this effort of improvement through my instruction in the classroom.

2. 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.

I have chosen 2d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs because through the planning process this week this was a subject I struggled with but gave a lot of thought to as well.

3. 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.

I have chosen 3b teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. (Encourages students to investigate the content area to expand their knowledge and satisfy their natural curiosity) Through the use of manipulative and asking (HOT) questions through my lesson plans aids in investigating, expanding, and satisfying natural curiosity.

4. 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.

I have chosen 4c teachers use a variety of instructional methods because through my planning this week I used manipulatives, Letterland stories, songs, chants, (HOT) questions, and books to provide varying instruction.

5. 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.

I have chosen 5c teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment. I used research-based strategies throughout my planning this week such as scaffolding, Bloom's taxonomy, and manipulatives.

• Other: 
• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete? None
• What support does your clinical educator need from Mrs. Suttle? None
• What support do you need from Mrs. Suttle? None