CHECKLIST OF EXPERIENCES

Teacher candidate: Catherine Gubbels School: North Park Elementary School

Cooperating Teacher: Meredith Shafer Grade: ____Second Grade_____
The following is a list of suggested experiences in student teaching. The examples listed are
meant to serve as a guide. It is not expected that the teacher candidate will experience all items
listed.
Curricular Areas List your experience in the following areas. For example, what weeks did
you teach them?
Reading

- Led two small reading groups (6 children in each) from January until May.
- Implemented the Read Well curriculum with students reading below grade level.
- Used weekly and biweekly curriculum-based measures to monitor student
progress in reading.
- Assessed students daily
Language
Arts
- Assisted a narrative writing unit from October to December.
- Led a non-fiction writing unit the month of March (four weeks), which involved
student research and writing a book all about a chosen non-fiction topic.
- Assisted a persuasive writing unit the month of April.
Mathematics

- Led and co-taught whole group lessons tied to the 2
nd
grade mathematics
standards from December until May.
- Led math ability-based small groups from January until May, and differentiated
math instruction to meet the needs of students performing below grade level, as
well as students with special needs and English learners.
- Developed math large and small group lessons based upon 2
nd
grade math
standards and student experiences.
- Assessed students in mathematics using quarterly teacher created tests based
upon curriculum.
- Assessed students in mathematics quarterly using CBM fact assessments.
Science

- Created and led a three-day science unit based upon air, wind, and weather.
- Co-taught STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) from
January to May.
- Implemented Project-based learning projects within science and engineering
units, such as:
Solids and liquids science unit integrated with a play-dough engineering unit
integrated with an advertising project unit used to persuasive buyers (2
nd
grade
teachers and advertising expert guests) to buy/choose their play-dough for
students to use in the morning.
Plants science unit integrated with a hand pollinator engineering unit
integrated with a scientific method/experiment project in which 2
nd
graders will
test plants to determine the best growing conditions for 3
rd
grade to use when
growing plants in the courtyard.
- Adapted and taught Foss Science Curriculum and Engineering is Elementary
Curriculum.
- Used mathematic standards as well as 2
nd
grade science, math, engineering, and
technology curriculum/objectives to collaboratively design STEAM projects.
Social
Studies
- Assisted with teaching the Second Step social skills curriculum for the month of
October
- Assisted with the guest social studies curriculum/program Junior Achievement
- Integrated social studies standards within language arts and reading curriculum
and instruction
- Designed and taught a geography lesson on city, state, country, and continent
boundaries.
Morning
Meeting
- Led Responsive Classroom based morning meetings all year long with base
group of students (25 students).
- Integrated the monthly values of CaReS (cooperation, assertion, responsibility,
empathy, and self-control) in morning meetings.
- Led grade-wide morning message (approximately 98 students)


Instructional Strategies check the instructional strategies utilized and indicate which week
you used them.
Whole Class Teaching - Led whole class instruction in all subject areas from January to May.
Cooperative Learning - Created and guided collaborative learning groups in STEAM (engineering
collaborative learning groups, science collaborative learning groups, and project-
based learning groups)
Peer Instruction/pairing - Students share math strategies with peers during math instruction. While this is not
traditional peer instruction, peers benefit from discussing math strategies with one
another during small and large group instruction.
Individualized Instruction - Met with small groups in math and reading. Focused on individual students within
groups for one-on-one instruction
Journal Writing - Students have writing journals they write in when responding to writing
prompts. I respond to each journal entry with a further prompt or comment.
The journals are used for writing expression, so grammar and spelling is not
the focus of the responses.
- My small math groups use math journals they use to solve CGI math word
problems.
Computer Assisted - Students use desktop computers and iPads to play specified apps as well as do
projects during reading, math, STEAM and writing.
- Students in higher math groups use a computer program called Khan Academy
as a math workstation. The program tailors math skills and practice to their
individual level.
Inquiry and
Experimentation
- Implemented inquiry-based science and engineering instruction in all units.
- Implemented inquiry based mathematics through the use of CGI math
instruction.
Learning Centers or
Statations
- There are math learning stations during small group time, where students are
assigned to a specific game, iPad app, or computer program to work on for a given
time, then they switch to working with small groups.

Co-Teaching Methods check the co-teaching strategies utilized and indicate which week you used
them.

One Teach, One Observe


- Weeks 1-4
One Teach, One Assist


- Implemented this co-teaching strategy throughout the year.
Station Teaching


- Math work stations, stations for STEAM activities, and stations for -
Parallel Teaching


- The 2
nd
grade-learning studio uses parallel teaching throughout math
instruction, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math)
instruction, and writing instruction.
- As a team, we parallel teach in large group and small group instruction.
Supplemental Teaching


- The small groups for reading and math serve as supplemental teaching.
- We also have students in the 2
nd
grade studio who receive reading intervention,
which is supplemental intervention, during reading time.
Alternative or Differentiated
Teaching

- The small groups for reading and math serve as differentiated teaching. The
newcomer English learners also have an alternative group that meets for
writing time.
- The products and processes for writing are differentiated for students needing
varying levels of support.

Team Teaching


- Team taught throughout the year in all subject areas.


Specialized Observation List any specialist or specialized observations. Examples: curriculum
specialists, high potential coordinators, in-services staff meetings, workshops, etc.

Art

Integrated art and creative design within Project Based Learning Projects.
Music

Integrated music and movement throughout transitions and work time.
Media

North Park does not have a media specialist. All media is integrated in the 2
nd
grade
curriculum, and is available in the learning space via iPads, desktops, and laptops.
Teachers choose, plan, and implement the use of specific apps and online tools for
research, reading, writing, math skills, and projects.
Staff Meetings

- Participated in monthly staff meetings all year long
Team Meetings

- The second grade team meets two times a week, as well as throughout each day
informally.


IV. Classroom Mechanics Check the classroom duties in which you engaged.
Attendance Took daily attendance from January to May.
Lunch Count North Park Elementary does not take lunch count.
Supervision - Responsible for taking all students to their buses at the end of the day.
- Volunteered to supervise Playworks (a structured recess program).
Room Arrangement - The 2
nd
grade studio is a flexible learning space. Tables and chairs, as well as
alternative furniture (such as hokki stools and plush benches/stools) are moved
throughout the day to accommodate the needs of the lesson, small group, and/or
activity occurring in the space.
Parent Letters or other
Communication
- Made phone calls home to discuss homework and reading at home.
- Have emailed with parents concerning students in my reading groups.
- Have contributed to parent weekly newsletters and Thursday folders with information.
- Have contributed to the 2
nd
grade website concerning a page introducing myself to
parents and students at the beginning of the year.

Evaluation Check those methods of evaluation you utilized or observed.

Standardized Tests - Administered the MAP reading and mathematics fall and spring tests.
- Administered the biyearly aimsweb CBM reading assessment.
Portfolio Assessment - 2
nd
graders have their own Google drive websites for their second grade year. These
websites will be theirs for each year at North Park. Students add any electronic
projects, videos, and or collaborative projects to their websites, and write a reflection
about the experience. I have facilitated the website creation with 2
nd
graders, as well as
reviewed the work.
- For each conference (fall and spring) we collected student work from each content area
to put in a portfolio and present to parents, along with test scores, student self
assessments, and teacher assessments.
Informal Assessment - Informal teacher made tests
- Activity books in reading
- Observations and anecdotal notes.
- Worksheets and projects/products
- Self assessments
Report Cards - Wrote report cards for base group students, math students, and reading students.
Parent Conferences - Attended fall and a spring parent-teacher conferences
- Conducted spring parent-teacher conferences
Assessment Creation - Created rubrics, checklists and spreadsheets to assess reading and writing.
Audio-Visual, Technical and Other Resources Check and briefly describe your use of
supporting resources.
Computer Students use computers to play reading and math games, conduct research, create
google presentations individually and as a group, apply for class jobs, math and reading
skill practice, and reading books online.
Internet Students use the internet to conduct student-friendly research (using kid-friendly
research engines), find pictures, create presentations, create and update individual
websites, and for specific reading and math skill practice games.
iPad Students use the internet to conduct student-friendly research (using kid-friendly
research engines), find pictures, create presentations, create and update individual
websites, and for specific reading and math skill practice games, as well as various
reading, math, English language, writing, and presentation apps.
SMART board While the learning studio does not have a SMART board, lessons are taught using
google presentations presented on white boards.
Document Camera The document camera is used for modeling activities, giving directions, and showing
small objects up close.
CD Player/iPod There is no CD player or iPad. Music and brain breaks are done using youtube and
Pandora.
Listening Center There is not listening center. Students listen to books through an interactive book
reading app on the iPad or Computer.
Bulletin Boards A weather and calendar bulletin board is in the front of the room.

Outside the Classroom Check and briefly describe your experiences outside the classroom.
Field Trips Facilitated two field trips.
Classroom Events - Technology night for parents: parents invited to the school after hours for tutorials on
the technology their students use at school. Tutorials are in Spanish and English.
for Parents - Art bash night for parents.
- School spring picnic and family gathering.
All School Events - Arts fair: The art and music teachers conducted an arts fair after school where
students, teachers and families viewed visual, musical and dance art for one
another.
- 2
nd
grade student music concert: after school hours students in 2
nd
grade
performed a music concert about saving the plant for friends and family. The
music teacher led the concert.
Professional
Development
- Teacher/Parent Connection group
- Staff meetings qualify as professional development through the district.
Use of parent
volunteers
There is one parent volunteer who comes and reads with students once a week.