January 9-13- Making a Difference (Example)

It was a great week!  The kids have made me feel so loved and continually tell me they are glad I am back in their classroom.  I have received daily sweet hugs and notes this week.  They melt my heart!

I continued doing calendar this week.  I can't believe I didn't like calendar at the beginning of the year.  I feel certain the reason I didn't like it was because I wasn't confident while teaching calendar.  We are using a new song to count by 2, 5, & 10's.  The kids love it!  I can't wait to use it in my future classroom!  "type the words of the song and tune so you will be able to remember it in the future"

My mentor let me teach a math lesson on rounding. Learning experience for me!!  The lesson had a fun small groups activity.   I assumed they would retain rounding from December but several students were so confused.  After the small groups activity was proving to be a flop, I realized I had skipped the "check for understanding" component of my lesson.  I realized if I had included this step in my lesson, the group activity would have been successful. Our small groups turned into a whole class activity.  I realized the importance of every step of the lesson cycle!  I was also happy to improve on one of my goals during this lesson.  My mentor counted my number of "um's" and it has declined considerably!  (from 25 in December to 5)

I also had a meaningful conversation with a student, Jadon,  this week.  (He was my "Making a Difference" student.)  He has had a terrible attitude all year.  I have tried so many times to connect with him.  I have finally had confirmation that he knows I care for him.  He willingly came to me, with tears in his eyes, to talk about his very unfortunate home life.  It broke my heart.  I am so thankful he felt comfortable to share his story with me.  I realized I can never give up on these "tough" kids.  Teaching is so much more than teaching............these kids truly have to know how much you care before they care how much you know!!

January 3-6- Back to School (NON-example)

I am back in my first placement. It has been a good week!
 Our first day back was a staff development day. I didn't think the speaker was very effective but had a few good ideas.
The first day the kids came back was exciting. My mentor did a great lesson in reading. I plan on using it in my future classroom!
 My mentor let me take over calendar in the mornings. It has gone well. I have also been walking the class to specials. They have been so talkative in the halls.
It's been a good week!

December 3-7- last week in 2011 (NON example)

I had a busy week.  I taught math, reading, and science.  I taught a lesson in the computer lab also.