TEACHER INTERVIEW REFLECTION

Upon my first meeting with my clinical teacher I had asked her several
questions. Through my interview and my clinical experience, I observed and
learned a lot from my clinical teacher. I am very glad that I had her as a guide
because she taught me several tips, tools, and provided helpful advice along the
way.
I was lucky enough to have a well, experienced clinical teacher so with
that said, she had a lot to offer. She showed me a lot of different tools that the
teachers use to plan their lessons and different ways that all of the teachers
work together to meet the individualized needs of each of the students. The
teachers have a lot of tools. One tool I was particularly fond of was
Planbook.com where all of the teachers on a team select one subject and create
the lesson plans for the whole team so that each teacher doesnt have to stress
out about writing each lesson plan every single day. The teacher also has many
learning tools and manipulatives for her students inside of the classroom. The
teacher also as many classroom aids that come in and out of the classroom to
help the students by groups based on their abilities with reading, writing, math,
and science throughout the day.
Another reason why I appreciated my clinical teacher is because we have
the same philosophy in teaching. She focuses on the success of properly
educating her students in a way that the actually understand and can apply
what they are learning and to prepare them for the long run. In addition, her
school agenda consists of an even balance of integrating all subjects including
science and social studies. I think that this is important because not all schools
find it necessary to focus on subjects such as science and social studies.
Classroom management is another topic that we discussed that I needed
a lot of advice on. I feel that classroom control/ management is very important
in having a smooth running classroom and is a weakness of mine as a teacher.
Her rules and tac-tics, to my surprise, are very simple and straight forward. The
students are able to earn Dojo points or dog paws (if the students earn a
certain number by the end of the quarter then they get some sort of reward).
Consequences are straight forwards as well (either points are taken away, they
are given a verbal warning, or she calls their parents). She explained that there
isnt, in her case, a secret method to a great, organized classroom; you just
have to set the classroom rules from the start, be consistent, and stress
responsibility and respect throughout the classroom.
I am grateful that I got to work with my clinical teacher. She gave me a lot
of helpful advice as well as apps, activities, ideas, tools, techniques, and that I
can utilize when I become a teacher.
Instructional Lesson Observation
Classroom: Mrs. Parker

Observer: Alissa Carlson

Grade: 3rd
Curriculum Area: Reading
What I notice
Daily Schedule

About the teacher

Date: March 11, 2015

Time: 8:00 AM
Thoughts, Questions, Connections to Methods
Classes
7:40 8:10 Arrival
8:15 9:45 Literacy
9:45 10:35 Science/ SS/ Writing
10:35 11:05 Recess
11:15 11:45 Lunch
11:55 12:35 Specials
12:35 1:50 Math
1:50 2:35 D Block
-

The teacher is very clear and concise.

Encouraging and systematic.
Works with each student individually.
Provides several examples for students
that they can relate to/ understand.
Challenges students.
Great classroom management.

Daily Question

A question is displayed on the overhead every

morning. Students respond on their index card
flip book. The teacher checks each answer, as
well as their agendas and homework.

The teacher practices two different teaching

strategies.

She begins with a whole group lesson with the

students on the carpet, facing the overhead.
Afterwards, students break up into their
designated rounds to work at different
reading stations. (Computer stations, read with
a partner/ at your desk, work on reading/
writing with the classroom aid, or work with the
teacher in a reading session). They rotate
rounds when she rings the alarm.

Reading Groups

My assigned reading group popcorn read the

book, Matilda, and answered chapter review
questions in their response journals.

Topics taught today

What is a biography?
Discovered and read about famous
people from Kannapolis.
What is a record? (music disk)
Each student constructed a famous
people chart where the students had to
draw each celebrity they had learned
about by drawing them with
recognizable props.
The students learned about idioms and
participated in a double meaning
activity.
What is historical fiction?