Number 8.

If I were to great this week, I would probably give it a five out of five.

• Observe:  I've been surprising myself more and more with these ratings every week. At the beginning of the year, I would've said most weeks were around three, if not a two! 
• Reflect: But I've really been learning a lot about myself and I'm realizing that what I have here is good and my students are great. I'm happy here!
• Focus:  I am still focused on completing my student teaching and graduating in May. I'm still working on my PDP and I am going through my professional log to help my learning through teaching.
• Be Productive: I need to work on my portfolio, holy cats.
• Have Courage:  I have been studying my content in science and social studies, but sometimes students ask questions that I would have never considered and I have a mini freak out moment. I need to know that I am learned in what I have studied and if I think about the question logically I can figure it out.
• Begin Anew: Next week is my 9th week!! This in itself is a reason to celebrate!!!!!

NC Professional Teaching Standards

Standard number one, I recognize the importance of being a leader. This week, I haven't only been a leader in the classroom, but I've been a leader with my kids out at recess. Honestly, one of the best ways that I've gotten my kids respect is by being apart of every kickball game we've had. I'm the permanent ball roller for the teams and every single day before we go out, they beg me to be the ball roller. The kids will come in from recess and some might be a little angry because they lost the game (I have really competitive kids) and some will come in with a frown on their face the whole time. Because of my interaction with the students outside at recess, I'm able to pinpoint the matter that exactly messed them up and made them angry and I'm able to talk some sense into them.

Standard 2: I realize the importance of having a nurturing and caring classroom. I called on one of my students the other day for being good in his seat. But this is a student that never behaves well in class. And when I say never, unfortunately I really do mean 98% of the time he acts up. But during one of my lessons I call out his name because he was sitting quietly in his  attention, and the entire classroom went silent and the only thing he said was "well that's a surprise." I looked at him and I said "yes it is, but it's a pleasant one" and I continued my lesson, with all attention on me.

For standard three, I'm pleased to say that this week has been a very strong week for content. I know decimals well, and I feel I am able to strongly teach this to the class, and I can confidently say that 90% of the class know what's going on the whole time. I know that by my close monitoring, by questions that I ask, met by raised hands, and I know because I don't have that confused look from that one kid in the back of the class and math. 

Standard four this week was met this week by using world maps as a global awareness strategies. Not only was I able to use this map as a brilliant hook, but I was able to educate the children about our world. Students are so enthusiastic about learning about places outside of their little town, and I really do mean little town.

For standard five, once again I am learning the lesson of reflection. I feel that I reflect on most of my lessons very well, knowing my weaknesses and my strengths, but rather than documenting these things I simply hold the knowledge within my mind. I know one of my weaknesses is organization, and fortunately I do think student teaching has helped those skills, because those are necessary to run a smooth and operable classroom.

• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete? Uh, I have a lot to do.
• What support does your clinical educator need from Dr. Parker? They are emailing, so this is taken care of!
• What support do you need from Dr. Parker? Prayer would be good.