February 5, 2021

What a week! I would rank this a 3 1/2. I recorded my lessons this week for edTPA. They went OK considering that I had to do them via Zoom. My kids are first graders so they have a hard time seating still while on Zoom. They stayed engaged just full of energy. We had a staff meeting to talk about how we are going to come back to face to face instruction. I am hoping that we move into a hybrid plan. That is the recommendation from our superintendent. Cohort A would go Monday and Tuesday and Cohort B would go Wednesday and Thursday with Fridays being remote learning day for all students. I would feel more comfortable if we were vaccinated first I guess that will have to wait until the next group.

I completed DESSA on my student this week. Now, I have to begin progress reports that will be released next Thursday. Since we are all virtual, I have decided to record individual progress reports on each of my students. We were given the option of recording them or completing a paper progress report that would then be sent via Zoom to each student. I feel that recording them was a little more personal. 

I ended my week by getting sick. Thank goodness it was just a sinus infection, however it still knocked my off my game. I went to the clinic and after a dose of antibiotics, I am happy to say that I am feeling much better. I am finally able to concentrate on Task 2. Since my students completed their assessment Friday via Seesaw, I am waiting until Monday to respond with feedback and print their completed organizers. 

I plan to continue next week with my math lessons on partitioning and then give my students their assessment. I am aiming to do a re-engagement lesson with the students that need it next Thursday. 

Also, next week I need to complete modules from a PD we had Friday before last. The PD was on Fastbridge which is a new assessment that we will be doing with our students on reading and math. I am excited about using Fastbridge as it looks as if will give more information on how students are doing as compared to iStation.

I need to get these PD modules and progress reports off my plate so that I can concentrate more on edTPA. It seems that each week I have priorities for my school that are taking precedent over edTPA. I understand that edTPA should be my top priority, however I do have a job that is a priority also. A priority that involves children. It is a lot.

Standard 1a: Teachers lead in their classrooms. I looked at all the assessments that I have given since 3rd quarter began in January. I wanted to make sure that I have everything that I need to complete progress reports on my students. 

Standard 2a: Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. I have strived to create positive environment for my students while they are learning virtually. I take the time each morning to greet each student as they are admitted into Zoom and ask how they are doing. I take the time each day to listen to them when they want to share. I have set time aside each day for "socialization". This is when I let my kiddos interact with each other. 

Standard 3a: Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. I continue to make sure that my instruction aligns with NC standards. I continue to challenge my students to think about outside the box. I also include writing wherever I can. This includes math and science.

Standard 4b: Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students. I have really put a lot of thought into developing lessons that are engaging and culturally diverse. This past week started Black History month and I have assigned books to my students Epic accounts that highlight accomplishments of people of color. I am going to continue to show Brain Pop videos and have discussions on famous people and events of people of color. This past week we watched a video on Martin Luther King, Jr. Next week, I have a short mini lesson on the Tuskegee Airmen planned.

Standard 5a: Teachers analyze student learning. This past week I have looked at my students assessments and thought a lot about how to improve upon ways that I get lessons across not just for now but also for next year.