Full Week 9!

 Blog for Full Week 9: April 1, 2021

I would rate this week as a 5/5. We had our last day with each cohort this week, and it is exciting to be planning for them all to be together after spring break! I have been pleasantly surprised by my students’ positive attitudes this week. Sometimes student restlessness before a break can manifest in different ways, but this time it was pleasant in our class. I accomplished a review in each class that demonstrated to me that my students are prepared for a smooth transition to plan A. I was able to make sure that both cohorts are performing at the same level of understanding in each class. I will build upon everything that I have done this semester when students return from spring break because both cohorts are finally going to be together! I am anxious to see how classroom management changes when my classes are larger but I am super excited to hear how the sound changes. My short term goals and long term goals are aligned because I am entering week 10/10. I am anxious to find out about my edTPA score tonight, and am working to complete my portfolio now! I feel like I have begun to manage my time really well, both in class and in my planning. Indecision still manifests sometimes when first noticing small disruptions like talking or gum. I have improved at managing my classroom, but there are still times where I could address something faster/smoother. My first logical step for next week is a sing-through of all of the pieces together using circle-style rehearsing so that students can begin to hear each other. I am so excited to hear it come together. This week, I analyzed student’s flipgrid singing assignments which showed me places where there are gaps in understanding so that I can go back and reteach and reinforce. My advice for other student teachers is this: ENJOY YOUR SPRING BREAK!

I was a teacher leader when I effectively guided students through a fire drill and effectively facilitated a transition back to direct instruction afterwards (NCTCS 1). I improved my implementation of NCTCS standard two this week by continuing to work both with a student who has some behavior issues, and with her classmates who often can be distracted by her or cause her to escalate. I demonstrated content knowledge (NCTCS 3) by effectively conducting my students through a varied selection of repertoire. I facilitated effective learning for my students (NCTCS 4) by integrating literacy into my lessons in having students write a “music in our schools month reflection” to support my School’s SIP goal of improving literacy performance. I reflected upon my practice (NCTCS 5) to create more structured warm-up routines that are timed out to be more efficient. I have begun filming excerpts for my portfolio video, have completed my resume, and have continued tracking my student for the classroom management portion of my portfolio. Today, I am being observed by an administrator at my school. I have also begun contacting other teachers to observe after my ten weeks and I am planning and creating materials for my website! My CE and I do not need additional support at this time.