Teaching Bluejays: Keeping the Rythm (Week 8)

Week 8 was not defined by any major events, relating to student teaching. I had the opportunity to attend the 4-H advisory council meeting on Monday night, bur for the most part it was business as usual at Central Columbia.

My biggest source of growth came from trying to finish unit content. I have to use Mr Brown and Mr Turners summitive assessments because they were approved by the district. I write my own and am able to make the units my own, but I have to make sure that the students are prepared for the assessments. In fasteners, I have to go back and cover some content that I missed when I went trough the unit the first time. It is annoying (especially because everyone including me is totally over that unit) but necessary. I will also be going back and double checking other unit assessments, making sure that I didn't miss anything in preparing my other units.

My plant science unit also relates to that content idea. There is so much in that unit that I can teach, I have had a hard time remembering how basic I need to make things for freshman in high school. With that being said, that unit is also coming to a fast close, so I am now able to have students in the greenhouse planting and transplanting for the spring plant sale!. That was the highlight of my week, seeing everyone working and engaged but also getting to see individual personalities shine through in that interaction.

A few other notes to mention, I believe I have 4 students that I will be working with to enter the Teach Ag! Essay contest. Looking forward to that being in the works. Also, I created a portfolio in the evenings after school and had my first job interview on Friday!

With the end of the majority of my current units on the horizon, the focus of this coming week will be assessments. I am looking forward to the reset opportunity of new units, and continuing my mindset shift from student teacher to first year teacher!