Wk+11+Nov+8-12




 * 4 More Weeks to Go!**


 * 3 IEP Meetings in 1 Week**


 * Monday, November 8, 2010**

So today for our Kinder Phonemic Awareness Group, we changed and started a new intervention to where it was supposed to have been from the beginning according to Ms. Wright. The Phonemic Awareness books we were following was ineffective not just with the small group I teach but apparently, with the other lower Kinder groups as well. Our new intervention is from the regular SRA ImagineIt! curriculum. (Intervention Guide and Reteach)

From having our first day following it, I can say that I think it will work much better with my group. The activities in the lesson are connected to whatever their class lesson is about so students can easily relate to the sounds, language, and vocabulary. It was nice to hear that one of my Kinder students came out of our group using one of the vocabulary words I quickly discussed ('protect').

Ms. Wright stressed the importance of **differentiating instruction.** I think some teachers have a hard time doing this.

Another feedback I received from Ms. Wright is something I'm already aware of and regularly practice: **reinforce good behavior.**


 * Tuesday, November 9, 2010**

I'm glad that the students in my Kinder Reading Mastery Group are doing well with using prepositions (on, over), saying parts of a head (eyes, ears, etc.), identifying wet and dry, and working on following directions in their workbooks (cross-out marks and other coloring rules).

2 girls in my Phonemic Awareness/Intervention Kinder Group had fun (it seemed) for the first time being in that group. (Sometimes I feel they might think they're being separated while the other centers are going on since we go in this tiny little room and we sit on the floor.) I used their classroom puppet the Lion in playing a blending game.

In my 2nd grade Phonemic Awareness group, I'm glad Ms. Wright noticed that the 'small' group is too big. There are 7 students with only ONE ESE student. So hopefully we can reduce that size to meet the need of that ESE student who is our priority.

Today I learned an important lesson about the value of having a (audible) voice. I taught all day long with a sore throat and a voice that I was progressively losing. Most students noticed my hoarse voice and the fifth graders even gave tips on how to get better :)


 * Thursday, November 11, 2010**

Went to an IEP first thing this morning for a 2nd grade student. It's been nice to be a part of these meetings especially when Ms. Wright asks how a particular student behaves and performs in class. She also **bring the grade book** so that we can share with the team the grades/progress I've been **recording**.

Ms. Wright also asked about the **Early Childhood Reference Card** I bought from Barnes and Noble. I had to buy a whole pack because that's the only way they came in. However, I'm only using one as part of my Child Case Study but laminated a few others as well for our other 1st grade students. Ms. Wright wants to buy the rest of the pack from me so that we can use it with our Kindergartners especially those who specifically can benefit from it.

Mr. Justin Moore asked to see me. He wanted to find out what my goals and priorities are for after graduating. Of course, my goal is to get a job! He wanted to keep in mind that I mentioned how I need to teach in a Title I school because of the TEACH Grant I've received. I told him I have a window of 8 years to fulfill it so I don't necessarily have to start teaching in a Title I school.

At the very end of the day after my Car Duty, there was another IEP meeting I participated in :)


 * Friday, November 12, 2010**

Another bright and early IEP first thing in the morning! It's nice when parents make it a point to show up! They're in **integral part of the IEP team.** How can we emphasize that to them?

There was a Substitute teacher in our Kinder class so I made sure to stay an extra longer to offer support.

The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade groups had their tests today. I made sure the students had a copy each of the **NURTURE STRATEGIES** while they took the test.