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

I would rate this week's overall experience at a 4. I feel pretty good about my first observation being behind me and I am looking forward to my return to the classroom on Monday. I was able to submit my lesson plans for the week along with my plans to teach edTPA on Thursday and Friday of next week. I was able to spend some time tweaking my task 1. I also received some really good feedback from my ce and Dr. Suttle about improving my lesson plans moving forward.

 Questions to end your week:

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

My accomplishment for this week would have to be that I was able to submit a videoed lesson and made it through my first observation.

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

The lesson my work taught me this week was to stay in tune with where my students are academically and build on their prior knowledge.

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

My short-term efforts of planning lessons that align with the standards and using the curriculum will aid in growing my students which is the ultimate goal.

• 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.

1e. Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards. Teachers demonstrate ethical principles including honesty, integrity, fair treatment, and respect for others. Teachers uphold the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators (effective June 1, 1997) and the Standards for Professional Conduct adopted April 1, 1998 (www.ncptsc.org).

I think forcing ourselves to think week after week about differentiation in the classroom is an ethical standard that is essential. Providing education for all students shows respect and fair treatment.

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.

2d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs. Teachers collaborate with a range of support specialists to help meet the special needs of all students. Through inclusion and other models of effective practice, teachers engage students to ensure that their needs are met.

Throughout my planning this week and prior weeks I am always searching for new ways to plan appropriately for all students and differentiate instruction to meet all of their needs. This may include having to dictate for students who are not strong in writing or allowing them to answer verbally to gauge for understanding.

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.

3d. Teachers make instruction relevant to students. Teachers incorporate 21st-century life skills into their teaching deliberately, strategically, and broadly. These skills include leadership, ethics, accountability, adaptability, personal productivity, personal responsibility, people skills, self-direction, and social responsibility. Teachers help their students understand the relationship between the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and 21st-century content, which includes global awareness; financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy; civic literacy; and health awareness.

In my edTPa plans, I submitted this week I used a preassessment and interest survey to guide my instruction and help in my planning process. This allowed me to better understand the prior knowledge and interest of my students.

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.

4b. Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students. Teachers collaborate with their colleagues and use a variety of data sources for short and long-range planning based on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. These plans reflect an understanding of how students learn. Teachers engage students in the learning process. They understand that instructional plans must be consistently monitored and modified to enhance learning. Teachers make the curriculum responsive to cultural differences and individual learning needs.

 After communicating with my ce this week about my lesson plans for next week she was able to guild me in a more appropriate direction in planning for our students.

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.

5a. Teachers analyze student learning. Teachers think systematically and critically about student learning in their classrooms and schools: Why learning happens and what can be done to improve achievement. Teachers collect and analyze student performance data to improve school and classroom effectiveness. They adapt their practice based on research and data to best meet the needs of students. 

Once my ce explained to me how to adapt the curriculum we are required to use in teaching phonics, I made adjustments to my plans that will be taught next week that will be more appropriate for our students.