Classroom Reflection

My time spent in the Clinical setting, so far, has been extremely inciteful as to how to become a better educator in a classroom setting. Through the data I collected I was able to connect Borich’s Seven Variables of learning to the students. By being in the clinical setting for nearly two months, I have been exposed to new ways of thinking when it comes to structuring a classroom and instructing a classroom. Within this reflection you will find out how I would better plan an effective lesson for the pupils in my future classroom. You will also discover what I will do about certain issues in the classroom and how I will address/fix them.

There are seven SPED/inclusion students in Mrs. Jackson’s first period class. Mrs. Smith, a paraprofessional, comes into the classroom every day and assists these students with their weekly skills. She may also pull them to the resource room to allow them to have a quiet space to complete independent assignments and/or practice fluency. When Mrs. Smith is unable to be in the classroom, the teacher must take the extra time to make sure that these students stay on task and are given the extra help they may need.

Park’s classroom is designed to limit student distractions. The students are seated facing the board in columns and rows. This seating arrangement is used during the warm-up and instructional period. However, when the students are working independently, they have the option to work by themselves or rearrange their desks to work with their peers. The teacher’s desk is off to the side so that each student is visible while the teacher is at the desk, although Mrs. Park rarely sits at her desk during the class period. The frequently used materials such as calculators, paper, pencils, and textbooks are easily accessible but do not impair students’ ability to see the

My passion about teaching and my students motivated me to learn more about teaching. So, I really have to admit that I enjoyed this course a lot and I was so excited to take this course to know more about the teaching strategies used and the techniques of the classroom management.

Today in elementary schools, children are far more advanced than my generation of children in elementary school. Countless amounts of their parents are more open-minded, as well as inclined to hold challenging conversations with them at such a young age. Aside from communication, some parents are also helping students brush up on other academic skills, such as mathematics. Parents are not just preparing their students to meet standards in their classes, but to surpass the requirements for their grade levels. In classes, many teachers now take part in three twenty minute rotation activities. This is a formative assessment, that seems like a game to students, but actually allows teachers to reflect on students progress. It also creates this illusion of children being able to have freedom over their learning, and choose what activity they want to begin their rotation periods with. That way, no one is left feeling bored with repetitive lessons, and no one feels overwhelmed with hurried instructed activities. With that being said, I believe Dewey is the perfect representative of this type of learning structure. In this reflection, I will state and explain my reasons why I mainly support Dewey. Next, I will then explain what reasons made me, disagree with Cubberley. Lastly, I will finish up my reflection by readdressing my main thoughts in a brief summary.

Question 1. How do you make work more meaningful to your students? What motivators are you currently using with your students? Examine the climate in your classroom. What would you change to make it better?

When I arrived to my classroom today, Mrs. Beach’s students were still at their special. This gave us about ten minutes to talk about my upcoming less. Mrs. Beach would like me to teach my lesson on October 24. I am not certain which standard I will be teaching, but I do know that I will be teaching students how to solve story problems using the standard subtraction algorithm. I am excited to teach this lesson, but I am also very nervous because I don’t know exactly how to introduce this topic to the students. At 10:10 A.M., the students returned to the classroom, grabbed their math baskets and sat down at their desks. I am constantly amazed at how well behaved these students are. I cannot to learn more about the management strategies that Mrs. Beach implements in her class.

On November 11, 2017 I attended the Victoria Crossroads Council for Math Educators from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event is hosted twice a year, once during the Fall semester and once during the Spring semester. The conference is hosted by Dr. Barba Patton and Dr. Teresa LeSage Clements. Students in the education program at UHV in Victoria and Katy, come together to present and teach lessons on Science and Math. There is a morning keynote speaker, a lunch speaker, and a closing ceremony speaker the speakers are individuals involved in the field of education that present on topics regarding education.

The article, “Making Inclusive Education Work” was an eye-opening read. I was under the impression that all classrooms were inclusive. However, the article states that in Hawaii in 2003 only 18% of students with disabilities were in a general education classroom for 80 percent of the day even though IDEA was reauthorized in 1997. Vermont had the highest percentage of inclusive classrooms with 80 percent. The article went on to examine why some schools can successfully implement inclusive classrooms for all students who have a disability, but never explains why there is such a discrepancy for inclusivity throughout the country.

On September 25, 2017, I was unable to participate in class due to an infection. However, I was able to observe and evaluate the others in class. This opportunity allowed myself to view the students’ body alignment, challenges, and the ability of picking up phrases. Not only did I observe the students, but I tried to imagine myself in the space and wonder what would have been difficult for me.

2) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)

When starting this class, I was a little concerned as I only have one class of my own this year and thought maybe I was taking the class at the wrong time. The more in depth we go in this class it is helping me more and more at my school because of the types of differentiation we are doing this year. I always thought I differentiated my lessons but through this class and my co-teaching experiences this year I’m learning that I have not differentiated enough. I have felt a pride in knowing that the music that I incorporate into student work time is beneficial. I also am glad to see that the use of pre and post assessments is important.

Throughout this class, there has been a substantial number of topics covered that helped the class learn more about how science and the environment are intertwined. Topics have included things such as the Rapa Nui and their extinction all the way to learning about new technologies and environmentally friendly options that are around today and could be created. While there has been a large amount of material covered over this semester, there are many specific learning objectives that have allowed me to learn through different methods. Some of these include leading others in a thought-provoking discussion, understanding how the environment has been embedded in society for centuries, and even realizing many new company concepts that could be

Dr. Karen Lea (2016) stated that aggressive behavior has been shown to grow from overly severe and punitive parenting, association with highly aggressive peers, and heavy viewing of television and film violence. Several of my students have clearly experienced such environmental influences which have led to the development of attention seeking behaviors, violent behaviors, poor attitudes towards school and learning, truancy, and below average academic progress. My students have also faced poverty, close family ties to gang activity, death or incarceration of a parent, lack of parental supervision, abuse, hunger, online bullying, inconsistent friendships, and rape.

This semester has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride for me, but with many, many more highs then lows. My first semester in the College of Education, has reaffirmed what I originally believed; I was meant to be an educator and I want this more than anything in the world. At moments, I was scared to follow through or was discouraged, but other moments in the Cohort and in the classrooms, are moments that stay with you for the rest of your career. I can honestly say that every day I was in the classroom with my kids and supporting them during their educational journey was a highlight, but one specific highlight comes to mind when looking back. While I was always there helping the kids out and supporting my teacher mentor, I was given my