Week 16

4/23-4/26

What Happened

It does not feel like this week was my last full week! It was a busy, busy week! I was still teaching most subjects, which was nice so I could see be interacting with my students much of the time. Many events occurred this week such as plays, arbor day celebrations, a talk from Central middle school's principal, new math centers, and the delivery of duck eggs and caterpillars. 

The students finally got the chance to perform their plays that they have been working on for so long! The first round of performances were a little rough. We used this as an opportunity to watch the videos of their performances and have the students come up with constructive criticism to help one another improve. As we were discussing how reflecting on the video will help them see how they can improve, a student raised her hand and said, "Isn't this kind of like what Miss Furlong does after she video tapes herself teaching?" It was cool to see that she was able to make that connection and that they were able to connected their self-reflection to my self-reflection being modeled. 

On Thursday, the whole school had an Arbor Day celebration by gathering in the front of the school. Earlier in the week, each class voted for the type of tree that they wanted to be planted in front of the school. The choices were Maple, Elm, or a Catalpa tree. It was announced at the assembly that the Elm tree won and the students got to watch the tree actually being planted. Two students also read poems they had written for Arbor Day. This event showed how important it is to teach students more than just academics. Students learned how they have a role in taking care of the Earth while Literacy (the poems) and Science (the importance of trees) were incorporated. 

The principal from Central middle school paid the fifth graders of visit to give them information about sixth grade and to answer the many questions they had. I thought it was really nice that the principal takes the time to talk to the fifth graders. We have learned how important it is to communicate change with students and to help prepare them to be successful. 

This week I thought the math centers were especially neat that my CT picked out. Each station was interactive and reviewed skills students had previously learned. I loved getting to watch the students work together and help one another out. The stations pictured are the symmetry station and sequencing station. In the symmetry station students got different templates and then had to use pattern blocks to finish the picture using symmetry. The sequencing station had students cut out the decimals and then order them from least to greatest. Then, they glued the sequence on a sentence strip. I could tell the students were very engaged and enjoyed getting to participate in the hands on activities. 

Also, this week the duck eggs and caterpillars came in for the upcoming Science unit! The kids were very excited about the duck eggs and my CT explained how the process will work, and marked off the amount of days on the calendar. I think that it is really neat that the students have the opportunity to experience these things in their classroom because it really helps them connect their learning to the world to make it more meaningful. 

What I learned

Through having the students participate in self-reflection, I really saw how important modeling for students is. I didn't even realize that the students really understand what I did with the videos I was taking even though I explained that I use them for school to reflect so I can become a better teacher. This showed me how I really am a model to my students and how important of a role that is. It was very cool to see them participate in their own reflecting. 

This week I also learned and saw how much of a difference hands-on, student-centered learning can change the classroom environment. I enjoy teaching activities that allow kids to discover and construct their own knowledge. Therefore, if I put myself in the shoes of my students, I see how activities such as hatching duck eggs in the classroom and engaging math centers are very appealing to them.

Goals

My goal from last week was to continue to work on minimizing side conversations. I think I am progressing at this goal. This week the side conversations were very minimal. I think that it really helped that I made it clear with students that they are distracting their peers by doing so and taking away from their own learning. Also, using the management system and having students talking during at an inappropriate time during a lesson owe a ticket was also very helpful. My goal for next week is to really enjoy the final days with my students and also observe in the 3rd and 4th grade classrooms, and also the other 5th grades. I previously observed in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd so I am eager to observe the other grades as well.