One area of growth I noticed this semester was my ability to feel confident in the classroom. I felt that within teaching my second lesson, I was more able to assert authority over the classroom and take the time that was needed. Within my first lesson, I was nervous about the amount of time I had but this next lesson, I was aware of everything that needed to be accomplished.
Another area of growth would be my ability to get to know each of the students. I spent a lot of time trying to understand who they were as a person and what made them unique. I spent time at their level asking them questions about school and about their life.
A final area of growth I saw was my ability to time manage and communicate assignments that needed in the classroom. The start of the semester was very rough and I had a hard time keeping up with school work. There was also very limited time to communicate with my teacher on what I needed to complete in the classroom. I may have also not given her enough time to prepare for me to teach or work on assignments in the classroom. Though, while not perfect at the end, it significally improved from the beginning.
I plan to work on disciplining the students more and finding ways in which I can get their attention. It can be hard to teach a lesson if they are talking or not listening so working on those behavioral management skills within teaching a lesson.
One way I plan to improve in this area is getting to know more about their home lives that may affect how they learn in school. It may be hard to get too much information but trying my best to learn their economic backgrounds. Getting to know what their family is like and how that impacts their learning and understanding. I got to know their personalities more rather than their backgrounds.
My goal in this area is to prepare in advance for this coming Spring semester. I recognize how hard this first semester was so knowing that, I know what I must do differently. Getting to know my Elementary teacher better would be the first start. Even spending time outside of the classroom with the teacher to get to know them as a person can be beneficial in our relationship within the classroom.
One area of growth I felt I had this semester was my ability in teaching lessons. It felt like I was much more confident in being able to manage the classroom and creating engaging lessons that structured around what students were learning.
Another area of grwoth I felt was in being able to relate to the students. This was much different that 1st grade, so being able to speak to the students to see how they were doing was very helpful in bguilding relationship with them.
A final area of growth would be in building relationship with the other teachers. I felt much more comfortable getting to know the other teachers and eating lunch with them was nice. So being able to put myself out there and introduce myself was very nice.
One way I plan to work on my lesson planning would be through differentation. Being able to step in to help the students when it is needed. Making sure that the students know what they are doing within the lesson.
One way I can improve upon this would just to be engaging with the entire class, not just those students who directly receively. I found myself talking to the same students rather than branching out and being able to be with other ones.
A goal in this area would just be to continue to grow and meet new people in the school. To gain advice from other teachers and what they go through when teaching. Finding ways I can build more connections and allow my name to be out there.