-How is the classroom organization working? Why?

            We have been in school for around eight weeks and have a familiar routine going. The students all seem to like the routine and work well with it. The students like to know what is going to happen next and what the expectations are. This also helps make transitions go a lot smoother.

-How involved are all the students, and how are individual needs of your focus students, or other students, being addressed?

            All students seem to be involved for a period of time. After something goes to long or students already know the information, they tend to loss focus. Student’s needs are met through asking various levels of thinking in order to reach those students at the lower end and to also reach those at the higher level. Students also like to have a chance to share their ideas individually with the class. I feel this helps to validate them and their ideas.

-How effectively are lesson objectives being met, especially for your focus students? How do you know? What is working well for them, and what needs to be changed?

            Lesson objectives are being met successfully with the occasional need to re-teach or pull students to cover material more deeply. Both of my focus students do very well grasping the material up to this point. One of my focus students is at a higher thinking level compared to the other, but both are successful. One student sometimes requires more motivation and push, but is able to complete the work independently. This student also needs a little more attention to finish work in a timely manner or he gets distracted very easily. The other student likes to have clear directions when working. This student also needs to work on fine motor control, like gluing, cutting, and other tedious work. One thing to keep in mind, but not necessarily change is time. All the students have trouble working on the same thing for longer amounts of time. I have experienced that about 15 minutes is the longest the students can work efficiently.

-What problems are you encountering, and why? How are problems being solved? What is working well, and what isn’t? Why?

            As mentioned the only problem is setting the right amount of time for one particular lesson that gives all the students the needed time. This class doesn’t seem to have many behavioral problems. Another problem is what to say to a student that says, “I don’t wait to do this!” even if there is a reason for doing it. Most problems are solved as a class and talking about what is expected and to make good choices. This works well because it is normal to have to refocus students or remind them.

-Describe one strength, one need for improvement, and one thing you are learning about how to teach, as you see yourself in action.

            Strength-Students are very respectful and see me as the teacher, which reflects in their behavior and attitude in the classroom.

            Improvement-I need to improve on being more clear and explaining in more detail for those students that need it. Some students catch on very quickly, while others need a little more guidance.

            Learned-To give the students a chance to share and tell you what they think. Sometimes it feels you have to stay on schedule minute by minute, but it is those moments that you learn about your students.