Domain 4
4a: Reflecting on teaching:
Observation Reflection- In the Observation Cycle I have my post conference form that I used to reflect on my teaching. This is a practice that I use frequently, but this is a documented example of my reflecting.
Book Report Modification- An additional sample of my reflections on teaching is in two Book Report Rubrics that I have used with the students this year. I have used the 1st Rubric for this year as well as last year, and I felt that it was putting too much emphasis on the end result instead of looking back at what the work and reflections that the students had worked on throughout the book. So I adjusted the rubric to allow the students a chance to do more self reflection as well as self assessment on their own work.
GRL-I also use the Book Report Rubrics to help guide me to what skills the students are still struggling to master. In addition I will use Scott Foresman comprehension tests that are based on the basal readers, but I feel that this rubric is a stellar example of how I am using assessments (self and teacher based) to best help the student body.
4a: Reflecting on teaching:
Observation Reflection- In the Observation Cycle I have my post conference form that I used to reflect on my teaching. This is a practice that I use frequently, but this is a documented example of my reflecting.
Book Report Modification- An additional sample of my reflections on teaching is in two Book Report Rubrics that I have used with the students this year. I have used the 1st Rubric for this year as well as last year, and I felt that it was putting too much emphasis on the end result instead of looking back at what the work and reflections that the students had worked on throughout the book. So I adjusted the rubric to allow the students a chance to do more self reflection as well as self assessment on their own work.
GRL-I also use the Book Report Rubrics to help guide me to what skills the students are still struggling to master. In addition I will use Scott Foresman comprehension tests that are based on the basal readers, but I feel that this rubric is a stellar example of how I am using assessments (self and teacher based) to best help the student body.
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post_conference_form_-_instructional.doc | |
File Size: | 48 kb |
File Type: | doc |
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book_report_rubric_teacher.docx | |
File Size: | 28 kb |
File Type: | docx |
4b: Maintaining accurate records
Grade book- I have included a sample page of my standards based grade book. I align the grading pages to the Common Core standards as well as the curriculum that we are assessing each term. The sample is one for math, showing the weekly assessment grades of each math student, in each homeroom. This is for a 3 week unit covering CC.5.OA.1-3. I use these grades to help direct my week to week instruction to ensure our progression with integrity throughtout the unit.
Camp Duncan- For this field trip I was responsible for planning and executing our Camp Duncan field trip. I had constant contact with the event director, Addie Smits. I wrote all the paperwork for the trip as well as for the transportation. When the date and deposit was completed, I was then responsible for determining which activities were best for our curriculum as well as student body needs. On the day of the event I provided each teacher with appropriate maps, schedules, groups, and any other relevant information. We left on time, had an amazing day, and returned on time. All students were accounted for and safe. The Lunch room supervisors were aware of our fieldtrip with plenty of notice to provide any lunches, and the nurse was informed with ample time to prepare all medications. The trip was a success to the very end, when I went to the PTO meeting to present them with Thank You letters from the 5th grade, and to personally thank them for funding this magnificent trip.
Mentor log- As a mentor it is my responsibility to record all means of contact that I have with my 2 (out of building) mentors. I record all meetings, phone calls, emails, and text conversations to keep count of the amount of hours that they spend with me on their year 1 mentoring. These forms are then copied and given to Audrey Lankin on specified dates. It is essential that I am organized and detailed on these forms.
Grade book- I have included a sample page of my standards based grade book. I align the grading pages to the Common Core standards as well as the curriculum that we are assessing each term. The sample is one for math, showing the weekly assessment grades of each math student, in each homeroom. This is for a 3 week unit covering CC.5.OA.1-3. I use these grades to help direct my week to week instruction to ensure our progression with integrity throughtout the unit.
Camp Duncan- For this field trip I was responsible for planning and executing our Camp Duncan field trip. I had constant contact with the event director, Addie Smits. I wrote all the paperwork for the trip as well as for the transportation. When the date and deposit was completed, I was then responsible for determining which activities were best for our curriculum as well as student body needs. On the day of the event I provided each teacher with appropriate maps, schedules, groups, and any other relevant information. We left on time, had an amazing day, and returned on time. All students were accounted for and safe. The Lunch room supervisors were aware of our fieldtrip with plenty of notice to provide any lunches, and the nurse was informed with ample time to prepare all medications. The trip was a success to the very end, when I went to the PTO meeting to present them with Thank You letters from the 5th grade, and to personally thank them for funding this magnificent trip.
Mentor log- As a mentor it is my responsibility to record all means of contact that I have with my 2 (out of building) mentors. I record all meetings, phone calls, emails, and text conversations to keep count of the amount of hours that they spend with me on their year 1 mentoring. These forms are then copied and given to Audrey Lankin on specified dates. It is essential that I am organized and detailed on these forms.
4c: Communicating with families
Clip-it, Homework check list- Weekly I send home an overview of each students performance. This includes our homework checks as well as the students earned clip-it grade. Any student that is living below the line requires a returned form with parent signature.
Emails- I am including a couple of emails. One is from Kathy Zust. She is referencing my final report card and comments as well as Danny's overall year. The second is a true sampling of my emails that I have back and forth with Jenny Bowen, Odin Lira's Mother, referencing his homework. This is per agreement through multiple conversations that we have had about how to best assist Odin in making better decisions with his homework.
Parent night PPT- This is a Power Point presentation that I give at the beginnin of the year. I also send home a copy to any parent that was unable to attend so that they have the information and my information if they have any questions.
Beginning of the year welcome letter- This is the letter that is mailed to the homes of my incoming students. I try to give an accurate portrayal of what they students and parents can expect from me as their teacher.
Clip-it, Homework check list- Weekly I send home an overview of each students performance. This includes our homework checks as well as the students earned clip-it grade. Any student that is living below the line requires a returned form with parent signature.
Emails- I am including a couple of emails. One is from Kathy Zust. She is referencing my final report card and comments as well as Danny's overall year. The second is a true sampling of my emails that I have back and forth with Jenny Bowen, Odin Lira's Mother, referencing his homework. This is per agreement through multiple conversations that we have had about how to best assist Odin in making better decisions with his homework.
Parent night PPT- This is a Power Point presentation that I give at the beginnin of the year. I also send home a copy to any parent that was unable to attend so that they have the information and my information if they have any questions.
Beginning of the year welcome letter- This is the letter that is mailed to the homes of my incoming students. I try to give an accurate portrayal of what they students and parents can expect from me as their teacher.
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4d. Participating in a professional community
Mentor- As a personal passion, I chose to apply for a district wide mentor position. After my positive experience with my year 1 mentor, I wanted to pass on my enthusiasm for teaching in any way possible. I was fortunate enough to be chosen for this position, and have attached my offer letter to prove this.
Math CC- For the past two years I have participated in the Common Core Math Committee. This is at a district level where I meet with other 5th grade teachers to gain a deeper level of understanding of the Common Core language as well as to build unit plans and student assessment tools. This committee has also put me in a leadership role within my team for planning and pacing our math instruction.
Buddies with 2nd grade- Each year I am buddied up with a lower grade level class. This year I have buddied up Kaitlyn Okane. We schedule our classes to meet up at least once a month to do a seasonaly appropriate activity. My students benefit by teaching the younger students, and the younger students benefit by the wisdom of the older students. Both groups seem to enjoy the activities and it is fun to collaborate with a 2nd grade teacher to gain insight into what they do in their classroom.
Mentor- As a personal passion, I chose to apply for a district wide mentor position. After my positive experience with my year 1 mentor, I wanted to pass on my enthusiasm for teaching in any way possible. I was fortunate enough to be chosen for this position, and have attached my offer letter to prove this.
Math CC- For the past two years I have participated in the Common Core Math Committee. This is at a district level where I meet with other 5th grade teachers to gain a deeper level of understanding of the Common Core language as well as to build unit plans and student assessment tools. This committee has also put me in a leadership role within my team for planning and pacing our math instruction.
Buddies with 2nd grade- Each year I am buddied up with a lower grade level class. This year I have buddied up Kaitlyn Okane. We schedule our classes to meet up at least once a month to do a seasonaly appropriate activity. My students benefit by teaching the younger students, and the younger students benefit by the wisdom of the older students. Both groups seem to enjoy the activities and it is fun to collaborate with a 2nd grade teacher to gain insight into what they do in their classroom.
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weir_mentor_offer.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
4e: Growing and developing professionally
ICE conference- Attending this technology conference and gained a lot of ideas of how to use technology more effectively in my classroom.
STAR online- Enrolled in Star online courses over the summer to learn about more ways to utilize technology in the classroom.
Mentor Application- This is a piece of my mentor applicaiton where I was asked to reflect on why I wanted to become a mentor. This reflection helped me to grow in my own teaching and to pinpoint what I think is a priority in the classroom.
ICE conference- Attending this technology conference and gained a lot of ideas of how to use technology more effectively in my classroom.
STAR online- Enrolled in Star online courses over the summer to learn about more ways to utilize technology in the classroom.
Mentor Application- This is a piece of my mentor applicaiton where I was asked to reflect on why I wanted to become a mentor. This reflection helped me to grow in my own teaching and to pinpoint what I think is a priority in the classroom.
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weir_1314_mtr_application_form.docx | |
File Size: | 21 kb |
File Type: | docx |
4f: Showing professionalism
Donors Choose- I created this Donors Choose "grant" to better serve my students. This grant allowed me to spend, approximately, $300 on books that we could use for book studies. My class has benefited from this grant in a multitude of ways. The books that were purchased were free to me and they were funded by my family, friends, and strangers that felt that this grant was an effective use of their funds.
Emails to parents regarding integrity of students’ work- please see Jenny Bowen Email from 4c. In addition, I have a variety of parent emails that range from positive emails to emails regarding missing assignments or concerns. My policy with parents is that I return all emails by phone or in email response with in the following business day. My personal goal is to respond as quickly as I can. Many parents also communicate through assignment notebook as well.
Donors Choose- I created this Donors Choose "grant" to better serve my students. This grant allowed me to spend, approximately, $300 on books that we could use for book studies. My class has benefited from this grant in a multitude of ways. The books that were purchased were free to me and they were funded by my family, friends, and strangers that felt that this grant was an effective use of their funds.
Emails to parents regarding integrity of students’ work- please see Jenny Bowen Email from 4c. In addition, I have a variety of parent emails that range from positive emails to emails regarding missing assignments or concerns. My policy with parents is that I return all emails by phone or in email response with in the following business day. My personal goal is to respond as quickly as I can. Many parents also communicate through assignment notebook as well.
Donors Choose Project Link: http://www.donorschoose.org/project/creating-a-riveting-library-for-my-class/876446/?challengeid=254589