week of reflection 11/04/16

Sorry about this weeks blog being so late as well as the responses. I was at the NCMEA conference all weekend and left my laptop at home. But last week was really good as well as the conference. We had our last football game and it was also senior night for the band members. The game was really good and I would say it was the bands best run of the marching band show.  I also taught my last edTPA lesson and it went really well! Now I am just scrambling to get everything for student teaching completed. I'm counting the days until graduation! But conference WAS AMAZING. This conference fed me musically and educationally. I feel very excited to use some of the things I learned in my classroom! This past week I watched a little too much tv and I shouldn't have done that knowing that I had conference this weekend. This week I am in now is also a short week for me, but I have my first interview for a job this Thursday, so please be sending me good thoughts, vibes, and prayers. 

NCTCS

1c: This past weekend I gained a lot of professional development from the music educators conference! Loved it so much! 

2d: For my last edTPA lesson, I had a student who is EC that I accomadated by giving them a separate playing space. 

4h: After finishing up all of my edTPA, I really am finding little ways that I assess my students. One example would be asking for group responses after asking a question, I find this extremely helpful when rehearsing. 

5b,c: Conference really put me in a different environment, I wasn't used to the city, but I loved being able to talk with other educators and get to and from the sessions. 

Not much longer everyone! We all got to keep pushing forward and get through all of this!

week of reflection: 10/28/16

This week I want to give a 5. I feel like this was one of the best weeks I have had during students teaching. Most of my edTPA was this week and it all has gone surprisingly well. The kids seem to be reacting very well to what I am asking of them. Also this week was the 2nd meeting for flute choir and the first actual rehearsal. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS. I have had a couple of the flute students come up to me saying they love flute choir and wish we met more. I am so excited to be able to expose them to this chamber music so young because this will really help them develop. This is also helping me enhance my pedagogy for flute and I'm discovering a new passion in this as well. Next week we are really focusing on concert band music and preparing for 4th periods performances on Friday. So all this week I have been giving verbal feedback to lots of students about the music they are choosing for their project as well as helping some of them with their individual part. I absolutely enjoy this part of teaching!!!!! I really am digging in deep and I feel like I truly am helping them become musicians. One of my long term goals is about professional development and I have written out my schedule for conference coming up next weekend and I'm looking forward to that!! This week I spent most of my time on edTPA related things. So that is coming to an end, however I haven't touched the portfolio in weeks..... No huge apprehensions this week, except sometimes I am still hesitant with some of the seniors in my classes. Next week I need to focus on getting all things EdTPA completed and non stop work basically. During my first edTPA lesson I took up some exit slips where I asked if anyone had any questions about the project, and I actually got a few questions and I was able to take this data to help those students with their questions. I just thought this was really cool because students actually took the exit slips seriously and it gave good data for me. One thing I want to share with all you student teachers is, write everything down!!!! I have been using notecards to jot down small notes in the class of things I observe from students and some of those notes have helped me in flute choir. 

NCTCS:

1a) In my first edTPA lesson we had a learning activity called 'Throw the Ball'. This basically is a way to have an active discussion without having the students completely bored during it. So I had parameters for the students to keep the activity orderly and safe. 

2c) my edTPA lessons are providing me so many opportunities to talk with students individually and give them feedback on the progress of their final performance project.

3) I'm starting to go deep into all the concert band music on my own time. I'm beginning to write out plans for rehearsals on all the pieces. 

4d) I used team survey cahoot in my class during my edTPA lesson this past Wednesday  They got into their groups I assigned and they voted on which criteria they wanted to use to evaluate performances. 

5c) I am pretty active in the entire school now. I know the people in all the offices and the library. So they always help me if I need it and I am successfully functioning day to day. 

Only been working on edTPA really. All good.

Week of Reflection: 10/21/16

This week overall I would give a 4. The beginning of the week was kinda crappy, I had my second observation and it did not go as well as I would have liked it to. I really had a hard time getting through all that until Friday. On Friday I was tired of feeling so terrible,so I wanted to push out of the slump. So I just went into the whole day and taught all of the classes. I pushed everything out of my head and just did what naturally worked. Rather than trying to force a plan I just went with the flow and had an amazing experience. I really feel like I was reaching the kids but still being firm to have them learn. One of my goals is to gain more meaningful professional development, this week during planning we attended a literacy in our content area professional development. The whole time I thought of Dr. Clark and how I learned a lot of this in Ed 316. So it was really awesome being able to contribute to the conversations and get some info. to help in my personal conversations. The beginning of this week was one of those "should I really be a teacher?" weeks. I felt extremely defeated and I was really down on myself. But I got out of that mindset after my classes on Friday. Next week is when I am supposed to be doing my edTPA, I am really nervous about it just because I really am challenging my students. I just have to do the best that I can and hope I reach some students in the process. This week I have really been focusing on how I am going to instruct the percussionist after marching band. Most of them are extremely un-motivated and don't want to do anything in class. So if we do concert band music the whole time they will become bored and that creates no motivation as well. So I found a percussion ensemble piece and also a body percussion piece I want to try with them. No major advice this week, more of let's finish strong! 

NCTCS:

1a) Friday when teaching the freshman band I felt like a real leader. I facilitated in running the marching band show and gave opportunities for the sections to talk to each other to name their sections trouble spots. 

2b) My school that I am student teaching at is not really diverse in general. The main population is almost 80% caucasian students. So I have been struggling with how to  express more diversity in the classroom. What it came down for me is, the biggest diversity is the different social classes. There are a lot of really wealthy students and a lot of very poor students. With this being said, the band program is selling band jackets that are $83. For someone wealthy that is pocket change, but for someone not a wealthy that is saw as like a million dollars. This really struck with me and I was scared that these jackets could really divide the band and show the wealthy, "better" students having the jackets and the poor ones not being "cool" just cause they didn't have a jacket. So I came to my CT with an idea about the jackets. I wanted to see if there were some band parents/teachers/ anyone who would be willing to be a sponsor for a couple band kids who really wanted a jacket but couldn't afford it. He really liked that idea and it is in the works.

 3c) We had that professional development this past week about literacy in your content area and it really helped refresh my opinion of literacy in the classroom. It really is so important to incorporate reading/writing/analyzing texts all of those things that can help enhance literacy skills. This also is going along side with helping the school improvement plan to improve ACT and English II scores.

4a) I have been struggling with how to act with my freshmen class. They are in high school but aren't really at the maturity level for being in high yet? So I was being very harsh with them because they weren't listening and they talked all the time. So this Friday I learned to let go of some of the nonsense a little because they aren't my wind ensemble who are used to being in high school. I feel like I now have a better balance with them. 

5) This week I have done a lot of reflecting from my last observation. Just really trying to see where I can improve, I brushed some of the negative thoughts out of my head and really did well in class Friday.

Portfolio stuff I have set to the side. I'm just trying to get through edTPA. (HALP) My CT and I are doing okay. I'm looking forward to going to Dr. Soja's house on Monday evening! 

Week of Reflection: 10/14/16

I rate this week a 3. It has been kinda an 'eh' week. I have really been struggling with all of the responsibilities. I feel like I am barely hanging on and I hate that feeling. All of these things I am responsible for at school are happening because of marching band. But I am conflicted because I still am a student and have all of these assignments. Just where is the balance? because right now I don't have any. The best part of this week was me talking to all the flutes and we are going to have a flute choir. This will be a flute choir of 12 people including myself! Non of the flute students have ever played on the bigger flutes before so I am excited to be able to give them this opportunity! This week I conducted more in front of the wind ensemble and I continue to gain more confidence. My biggest issue still deals with trust, the seniors of this program have a lot of ownership because they have built this program up. They were the first freshmen of the band and have been here all 4 years, so most of the seniors don't really trust me. That is where I have apprehension because the seniors act like I do things so wrong when I come up on the podium. I am hesitant in correcting seniors specifically because I always feel tension. If anyone has suggestions for that please let me know??!?!? One of my PDP goals is to gain more instructional technique for brass instruments and I found an article discussing how to help brass players move air. Which is what really controls most issues with brass instruments. I found the article very helpful and I took some of the info into mind for my next lesson. This week I used all my time wisely in one way another. What it boils down to is, should I sacrifice basic needs, like laundry, making food, and sleep. I rarely take time for myself soI am struggling in that aspect as well. Next week I must finish EdTPA. For data this week, I have really focused in on my freshman band and how they struggle reading music. So next week I am going to have a class period dedicated to working on sight-reading. Fellow student teachers, only advice I have taking away from this week is make sure you keep your laptop charged cause I forgot to charge it and it cutout on me during class one day this week. 

NCTCS:

1) This week I really felt like I got to demonstrate leadership because I ran the entire marching band rehearsal during class on Tuesday. 

2c) We have a string bass player who often feels let out because we don't really focus on him a lot since he isn't a "typical concert band" instrument. So I really wanted to make sure he knew his worth in this band and I made an effort to get him actual bass parts to all his music (instead of baritone) and I also got him music to audition for all-district and the south-central orchestra. 

3b) I am focused on getting techniques to help brass. That is a priority for me right now. 

4e) The bands only pit player in the marching band was having trouble identifying wrong notes when he played. So I worked with him separately and asked posing questions to get him to come to his own conclusions about what was wrong.

5) I am still doing my weekly KWL charts and I love reading what I have written week to week. 

Most of my focus is still on EdTPA. My CE is doing fine. I just am looking forward to Monday when we all meet at Dr. Soja's home. 

Weekly Reflection: 10/07/16

This week I rate a 4. I had a pretty awesome week! The only reason it isn't a 5 is because Friday all day in school was just a nightmare. The hurricane caused a lot of rain predicted for Friday so they moved our homecoming game to Thursday. (Thursday games are the worst.) This week was my schools homecoming, so we had spirit week and the pep rally. I had my first observation this week and it went really well!! That made my week because I had been feeling very lost in this process. I know I still have lots to do, but at least now I know everything I have been doing is right on target. Everything from this past week has gotten me excited to teach more for sure! The kids are really starting to trust me more. They are becoming more vulnerable with me and we are making music. I have finished my professional development plan and am getting it all signed. This week I spent a lot of time focused on getting ready for my observation and EdTPA, so the portfolio has taken the back burner for sure. I'm hoping it doesn't stay there until the very end... I know one thing I could have spent less time doing is watching tv. (I had to get caught up on walking dead, having some regrets now lol) My biggest apprehension this week was giving suggestions for improvement for our guard. We don't have an instructor who comes regularly, I have gotten a few people o come in and help when they can. But I had 2 freshmen guard members come and ask me about a toss and I simply didn't know what to say. Next week I need to get the mental clutter of everything out except EdTPA. I HAVE TO FINISH THAT. In freshman band I ran over the song we were playing for homecoming, and I noticed that our mellophone player has terrible habits. So I want to take it upon myself to try and learn more about brass and how to better help him. You guys can you believe we are almost halfway done with student teaching???? I am shocked that it's October, but honestly ready to get my diploma. 

NCTS: 

1) I participated in spirit week and prepared the music for the pep rally at school this week.

2c) We have one student who is really into tv shows, and she always comes to tell us about her shows she has been watching. So this week I told her about a show I watch, (which she also watches) and I just felt like we bonded talking about that show. 

3a) While writing my EdTPA plans I have found specific standards that work for each lesson. 

4d) I have a student in my freshmen band who struggles with reading notes, so I asked my CT if we could bring the chrome book charts down and work for 20 mins or so everyone on some note identification. 

5b) I wrote a section in my PDP about strengthen this standard in particular. I don't just want to go to professional development because I half to. I want to make sure I gain something from the experience. 

As I mentioned above, I have mainly focused on this weeks observation and EdTPA. We both are fine and I am looking forward to Monday's seminar class.

Week of Refelction: 09/30/16

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!

Week of Reflection: 09/23/16

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.