This week I rate a 4.
Thursday I introduced my concert band piece to the wind ensemble. We warmed-up and sightread Cajun Folk Songs. (I'm really upset because I had everything set up to record and when I went to watch the video afterwards it didn't record!!! :((((( ) but I have made my reflections for this lesson and I overall was not that please with it. My CT has an extremely hard time with letting go of control. So all during my lesson he kept interjecting and it felt like he wasn't giving me any opportunities to fail or even succeed. Afterwards my CT and I talked and I told him that I am never going to feel comfortable with this band if he doesn't let go some and give me a chance. He said he was just so worried and nervous about me messing up, he didn't want me to fail. I just encouraged him to let me do it and him give comments afterwards because I have to see what it feels like as the teacher, rather than the student teacher who is always under his wing. So Friday he gave me the whole freshmen band class period and it went so well! I really began connecting with the students and they were seeing more as the teacher. After this my CT gave me comments and it just overall was so much better. This past week I just spent a lot of time preparing for class time and I haven't had chances to work on any portfolio material. It is really starting to be crunch time and I wonder how I am supposed to play for classes, do portfolio requirements, and plan EdTPA all at the same time. I have to have time to sleep and eat! haha I didn't have any moments this week where I didn't have confidence. However; when teaching I told myself to just have confidence because my last time in front of the freshman band it wasn't that good. I just told myself "you do know what you're talking about and you are their teacher" this made me feel so much better being in front of them this time. Next week it is my goal to have everything completed for my EdTPA lesson plans. I'm worried about getting this part of student teaching complete because it is a lot to tackle. In wind ensemble we sightread my piece and I discovered this band doesn't sightread well, so I want to try and incorporate that into some of my instruction. Fellow student teachers, no advice really, just can you believe we are almost half way done????
NCTCS:
1a) I felt like I really had command of the classroom this past week in wind ensemble/freshmen band and I was leading them to getting ready for middle school band night.
2a) Indoor drumline season is about to start and I did some research to get info for auditioning for the limestone saints indoor percussion. This is because we have two percussionists who aren't challenged enough in our class, so I wanted to give them an opportunity to be in another environment to learn.
3d) This was something silly and simple; but in freshman band we have a stands tune where you have to say HUH! at the end of it and non of the students were doing it because they thought it was lame. So when we were playing it and we got to the part I "dabbed" and all the students laughed and they began saying the HUH! and dabbing lol
4g) This week my CT and I have had countless conversations trying to get on the same page when I am in front of the class. Slowly but surely we are getting there.
5) My video camera did not record my lessons, something is up with it. So directly after my lessonI went and wrote down everything that happened so I would have it and I reflected.
I didn't really do much with the portfolio this week. My CT and I are okay. Just whenever Dr. Soja you come out for my first observation just let me know! I hope everyone had a good week!
Hey Katie,
ReplyDeleteThat was courageous of you to ask your CT if you could have a chance to teach independently. I'm glad it went well for you! I taught a lesson last week to first grade that my CT had many suggestions on how to improve it (which she gave me afterwards). Even though I wish I would have done better the first time, a great way to learn is through mistakes, reflections, and revisions. I hope that process keeps going great for you.
It is definitely getting to be that crunch time, but you seem to be doing well staying on top of things. I know that for me, edTPA has become easier to tackle as I've worked with it more time. You'll get it!
And I also can't believe this coming week is week 7 of 16. It's flying by, which means we're enjoying it!
See you Monday, and have a great week!
Chrysalis
Hey Katie!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's intense! I agree with Chrysalis, extremely courages to have that talk with your CT, but the few times I have met them, I can tell they really care about the band and you. So I don't think he has any bad reasons for not letting go, it's just hard for any band director and they don't want you too fail. The more you do it, the more used to it they will get!
I'm excited to heard how this next week goes as you start to prepare concert music with them. It's going to be awesome! It was great hanging with you at Middle School Night :) even if everyone thought I was a bearded 8th grader.
Much love,
Ben
KD,
ReplyDeleteGood job standing up for yourself and your education! My CE doesn't chime into much anymore, but we haven't gotten to band aspect since we are outside majority of the time. Last indoor rehearsal was all about memorizing and since we haven't had concert band time yet, it's a little difficult to get in front of the kids any other time past warm-ups. I'm thinking about asking to maybe do one of the stands tunes with the drum majors like she does at a football game. But, I'm not sure how that'll go over. Lollol Like a turd in a punch bowl probably lollol!
Heaven
KD -
ReplyDeleteStanding up for yourself takes balls, I'll admit. I totally wouldn't have been able to do that, and yet you did. I'm sure things will go better because of it. Kudos to you.
I can totally relate with your example of 3d. In one of my music classes, the students are of the "too cool for school" variety, and hardly ever contributed. But once I started talking about something they were interested in, namely hip hop and rap music, they were all for it. Using whatever way we can to reach this kids is smart, even if it is just a dab.
You're killing it, and I'm proud of you. Don't have any doubts, because I know you're gonna succeed.
Davis Westbrook
Awww! Katie, I’m sorry that your video didn’t work out! That’s a bummer. But, reflection after the fact can be helpful, even without the video. It can be extremely difficult for some CTs to relinquish control of the classroom, and some DO interject, but I think it depends on the NATURE of the interjection. Ben’s CT will interject, but the kids don’t see it as a “Mr. Dawkins doesn’t know what he’s doing, so CT has to say the right thing.” It’s seen as a supplement to the good things he’s doing on the podium. Brandon Taylor had a similar relationship with his CT. Now, whether or not that’s the case here is yet to be seen. I’ll really take a close look today when I come to visit. But, try to take heart, you are your CTs first student teacher, and mentoring is HARD WORK.
ReplyDeleteI am also really glad that you were able to advocate for yourself in a way that allowed your CT to give you some trust. You are 100% correct. You need the opportunity to make mistakes. I think if your CT were to remember back to HIS time student teaching, he may recall that he learned a lot and that not all of his teaching was perfect. You won’t be perfect either, but you will learn a ton from being given some rope!
I’m so happy to hear that your confidence in front of the ensembles is improving! That’s fantastic!
Keep plugging away at edTPA. Remember that I can’t give you DIRECT comments like, “Katie, I think you should change.....” but I can say, “Hmm... I might take a look at _______, and see how it lines up with rubric _____”. Be sure to consider Task 3 while you plan Task 1. Also, the context for learning document in edTPA task 1 will help you plan the lessons. ☺ Keep going, you can do it!
NCTCS:
2a) great!
3d) HAHA! Oh no! NOT DABBING!?
4g) How are you communicating with the students? I think this standard deals more with your communication with them than it necessarily does with your CT, but the communications with your CT are really important too!
5) Awesome! Glad you’re able to reflect. Maybe check with the library or the school of ed. to see if you can borrow some equipment if yours is getting buggy!
MCS