This week was a 5 for me because this week was so much better than last. This week wasn't perfect but overall it just was a great week. I really didn't do much with the classes this week, my CT has been really focused on getting the band ready for our first competition this Saturday. But I have been able to get some work completed on my portfolio and EdTPA. That is slowly working, I am having a hard time with deciding on what to do lesson wise on that. This week has also been nice because we haven't had as many commitments. Just after school rehearsals where I felt like I have been contributing in a good way. My CT and I have devised a way for me to commentate and the students will actually listen to me. Rather than me just making comments and they not listening or whatever. But he will say, "Ms. Duncan what did you think of that? or Ms. Duncan any comments?" So he sets the stage for me to be able to make suggestions and comments and me practice hearing other things that I am not used to. He encourages me to listen to brass more. I usually try to post my blog up before Sunday so I have more time for other things on Sunday, but I have had a busy Friday and Saturday. As I mentioned before, We took the band to their first competition at Enka High School Saturday and we got 2nd in class 2AA out out 5 bands. So I am proud of the students for all of their hard work. With getting my first band competition under my belt now I need to focus heavily on EdTPA. This past week I have been struggling with my eyes, terrible headaches so I have spent most of my free time sleeping than doing work. I have schedule an eye exam this next week so I am hoping I will feel better to do more work. This past week I have really been feeling like I don't know what I am doing with this whole student teaching requirements. I am terrified that I am forgetting something important or that I haven't been doing enough. My situation just makes it so that I don't get much control of the class so I don't feel like I am doing what I need to. Not sure if anyone else is feeling like this? But next week I will be getting some class time which I am excited but very nervous about. I will be starting my concert band piece. Fellow student teachers, I took the time this past week to talk to the chorus teacher of my school and I got a new friend as well as some good advice. I encourage those of you who have that counterpart to introduce yourself! If anything you will have another friendly face around the school.
NCTCS:
1) At the competition my CT put me in charge of the kids for getting them dressed and ready for warm-up. I really had o use leadership for this to make sure everyone was ready to go and where they were supposed to be.
2e) This past week at our evening rehearsal I was with my CT when he was talking to the band parents who help with the pit crew. It was a good experience for me to be there to see all of the parent involvement needed for things like that and also finding parents to pull the band trailer and help out.
3) I didn't really do much with this standard this past week. Although, I did help our new bass clarinet player with some wrong notes in his part.
4f) This week for our playing exams, I gave my CT the idea to have the students work in teams creating quartets/quintets to play for us so everyones part was exposed. This actually went very well.
5c) At the competition, I met a lot of other band directors and got to talk with them professionally. I feel like this fit for 5c because there was a lot going on at the competition.
For the most part I have started every piece of the portfolio but haven't finished all of it.My CT and I seem to be doing okay wit everything. I honestly just need a one on one with Dr. Soja to make sure I am on track. I believe I am being observed this coming week so that will make a good opportunity for that.
Katie,
ReplyDeleteSo glad your week was better this week than last. Even though you're not doing a lot of full teaching, it sounds like you are able to give a lot of beneficial feedback to the students. It's awesome you and your CT can work together to make that possible. I'm really sorry you haven't been feeling well. I'll definitely be praying for you to feel better soon. I hope this week is as great as the last.
Chrysalis
Hey Katie,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading some of the stuff that happened this week, I was surprised that you said it was a "5." I'm sorry you had so many eye issues, and hope you can get that worked on. I'm kinda stressing about some car issues, so I kinda relate, sorta. Anyway, I definitely relate to you about not feeling like I really have full classroom control. I teach everyday, during all the classes, but since we team-teach here at KM, I often take on a 2ndary role. Anyway, I really like the quartets, and quintets idea. Maybe even goes as far as to try some duet playing in class. We did that this week in 7th grade, and had a ball. Anyway, tootles. I hope you have another "5" week!
Hey Katie!!
ReplyDeleteI get it with what you said about feeling like you are always forgetting something HUGE with the portfolio. I feel like way almost constantly! Haha. Much props to doing this with high school band competitions, I would be stressed out of the WAZOO. Excited to see what lessons you bring to the table for Edtpa, you always do great work.
Ya boy,
Ben
KD,
ReplyDeleteI think one of the most important things a band director/CE can do is give you the opportunity to say something. This let's the students know that you're not just there to look pretty, but to be an asset. It also let's the students know that your CE values and trust your opinion. I am so glad that is going well for you. It is so easy to flock to the place where you are comfortable (woodwinds...flute) and stay only with them. This is a habit I am trying to break. Its so easy to go to the drumline and listen to them, but I am making myself listen to the other sections bit by bit.
Hope your eyes get better!
Heav
I think that you and your CT have a great system in place that will help you build some trust with the students, so that you feel more like you’re being heard. When he asks your opinion, it lends some credence to what you say (not that you don’t deserve it regardless, but kids are weird). I’m really sorry to hear about your eyes/headaches! I hope you can feel better soon! Trying to teach when you’re not feeling great is really tough! Don’t be afraid to ask if you can do something. Since you are the first student teacher your CT has had, they might not know that you’re really wanting to jump in more, or might be helping you to feel comfortable, when you’ve just got to get in there. You will get out of this student teaching experience what you’re able to put in. Ask to do more if you don’t feel like you are. The chorus teacher at your school is AWESOME. She won’t know me, but I know her. She’s a rockstar and a good person to get to know!
ReplyDeleteNCTCS:
Glad that the students are getting used to seeing you as a leader. Be confident!
2e) Think about your own future program. How will you get those folks together? How will you motivate them to be a part of the program? Talk to your CT about how he does this. It’s different at every school, but he can give you some great ideas (that might be different from how your high school director did it!)
3) What you did still counts. If you didn’t know it, you couldn’t help, could you? What are you learning about brass? That’s helping to beef up your content knowledge. How are you expanding that knowledge?
4f) Glad the quartets/quintets helped! So, how did that link to assessment? Or, how COULD it link to assessment if it wasn’t before? Also, how did it contribute to students developing their teamwork/leadership?