February 20th-24th

Weekly Rating: 4! 

• Observe: I assessed in a formal way. I used exit tickets to find out exactly what my students could tell me at that moment. Though their responses weren't always what I would hoped for them to be, I have now officially assessed via response on paper.
  ALSO: I taught MUSIC a la CARTE. haha! Wednesday & Thursday I had to take music to the students' classrooms because of Variety Show auditions being held in the music room. This experience was a great one. It taught me a lot about being prepared and having my resources/materials exactly where I needed them. Flexibility and I became real close this week.
• Reflect: There are going to be times when I feel that I am talking to myself and there will be 100x the distractions that I do not need going on. I also learned that I can really clam up when a student directly defies what I tell them to do.. 

This was my first major incident during my student teaching experience. A 3rd came into class very distraught and disgruntled. She has had issues in the past and has been known to lash out/shut down. She complained that the people around her were not the people she wanted to be seated with. I offered her to move places, but she said she would be okay. Then she directly lashed out by not participating/making fun of the activity that we do every day in class (ASL). This was the last straw for me because she was beginning to distract the entire class. I told her to go sit in our "take a breath" chair and she said "no." That is when I turned to Mrs. F (who had just taken a phone call) and asked for her help. Though I should have handled this situation directly (because I am the "full-time" teacher now), I did not do so hot of a job. Mrs. F briefed me with her action of handling it after class, but I think I may have dropped the ball on that one. I was honestly just stunned that she would blatantly say no to me like that. However, once Mrs. F talked to her outside, she re-entered the classroom and did a great job the rest of class, as though nothing happened. 

• Focus: Assessment is becoming a normal in my class this week. I fully acknowledge that assessment doesn't have to be pencil to paper-exit tickets. I accept that. However, since my students are not used to that form of assessment, we are almost all going to be doing it-just to get them acclimated. 

• Be productive: This week was a lot better for me as far as preparing for the week ahead. I began thinking about my lesson plans and materials I would need last Tuesday, so today (Sunday) I haven't had to spend as much time preparing for the upcoming week. That means that I had time to relax and enjoy the weekend (thank goodness). It was much needed.

• Have courage: I would say that the 3rd grade conflict as stated above was my biggest apprehensive, "help! I don't know what I'm doing" moment. I have started to be more direct about my expectations for my students. Mrs. F had to speak up twice (once during 3rd and once during 4th) to tell the class that they were being very "disrespectful" towards me. I do not disagree. I just know that I am a bit more lenient to talking or speaking to me during class. However, I did try the next day to keep a tighter ship and it was much more productive, so I understand her reasoning. I have now given 3 negative DoJos (two of which happened this week). It has become easier to give DoJos (though I wait until absolutely necessary --probably past necessary-- to give them). I really just like grace and try my best to help the student make the right choice. I had to tell one of my 3rd classes that I really, really don't want to give negatives. 

Also, on a different note: I am searching for jobs. I have found a few that I am PUMPED about-but I have started to feel the hopelessness of the whole process. I feel that I am under-qualified for any job that I see posted, or that it is way too early to begin the process, or that I will never find a job and yada, yada until I'm in a big spiral of despair. I know I'll find one eventually, I am just easily wound up. 

• Begin anew: I have some cool lessons coming up this week. I am really excited about starting Ukes with 4/5. However, we have to bust our tails tomorrow morning to get them tuned. So that will be fun. I also start my edTPA unit this Wednesday!!! I'm excited to get it started (and over with). 
• Data analysis: 5th grade exit tickets (treble staff). This was a great experience and the students were not shocked at the concept of an exit ticket. I know they have them in their classes on the regular- just not with music class. The majority of my classes understand treble staff. I honestly am at a bit of a loss with what to do with the ones who do not. I've thought about pairing students up to work through problems together. I would instruct them to talk through every step of the process together, so that they know without a doubt at least 2 methods of figuring out the treble staff notes... We will see.
• Advice: Relieve stress. Play some video games. PLAY YOUR INSTRUMENT. Go see amazing musicals like Little Shop of Horrors. Go see Lang Lang at the Peace Center when he comes to town (tomorrow night!!!). Get ready for Lent & Ash Wednesday. Have friend-time that you are going to miss like crazy when you graduate. Have a life. Be great at what you do throughout the week-do what you have to in order to be prepared for that-but also enjoy this thing called College.

NCTCS: 

Standard 1: Teachers demonstrate leadership

1b: Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.
I have attended professional development as well as committee meetings along with Mrs. F. This has helped me be informed with the procedures and events that are happening around school. A leading teacher is an informed teacher.

Standard 2: Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of

students

2b. Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world.

This week in my 2nd grade I taught one of my favorite lessons. We talked about what might be different about the music from different countries. We then listened to an excerpt from my phone that came directly from the place we were studying (Ghana). I had pictures of the instruments that they use in Ghana for traditional music and then we compared/contrasted them to the instruments we use here in America. We then learned about Call/response singing and sang a song in the same style. It rocked, and it allowed my students the experience of thinking about music in other parts of the world.

Standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach

3b. Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty.

Standard 4: Teachers facilitate learning for their students

4a. Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development for their students.

I am no expert, by any means. However, I am learning about different ways specific grades need to be engaged in lessons. I am also reading supplemental materials to learn more about how to best engage my students in the content of music. Wiggins' book is AMAZING. I love it! It's a great insight into how students think about music and how we can take that and make it into a great lesson where they are engaged and eager to learn.

Standard 5: Teachers reflect on their practice

5c. Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.

Fire alarms, PLCs, grade-level testings, awards ceremonies, picture days, students telling you "no"... I'm not sure what a "normal" week would look like here at FES. We always have something cool going on.

• Management Question of the week: I feel that I am more lenient about talking than some people would be. I am 'okay' with students talking to one another for a few second before we settle down... and I put up with a little chatter between events.. But it works.. so I guess that is okay. 
• Portfolio: EE7: Website, Technological Evidences, Professional Development Plan and Resume. I started looking at the SIP and trying to figure out how to incorporate implementing those goals into my lessons and demeanor throughout the school day + NCTCS. 
• Support: I start edTPA this next week! I'm excited.