Blog Post 4

The first week at Willow Springs is complete and I have learned new lessons and have enjoyed observing Ms. Jokubauskas' teaching style. Since I have been observing this week I have not been able to write a lesson and incorporate which practices I would utilize within the lesson. However I have been recognizing the best learning practices Ms. Jokubauskas incorporates into her lessons and writing notes on them. As I witness them I am testing myself by distinguishing which practices she is utilizing at the moment such as scaffolding, allowing time for students to practice, collaborating with colleagues, using interdisciplinary instruction, providing students time to correct incorrect ideas, using technology, engaging students in active learning, and using background knowledge. I have witnessed all of these learning practices everyday and I aspire to do the same. It has been great practice for me and the learning practices I have observed have been very successful! I have been taking the time to take pictures of projects she is currently working on with her students and projects she has done in the past that I hope to use in the future with my students. I feel very fortunate to have wonderful cooperating teachers!
As I develop my first lesson for the students at Willow Springs I will be sure to include the best learning practices I will be utilizing. I have been working on learning the student's names and connecting with them. Willow Springs is a close knit school and the students and staff have made me feel very welcomed. I will continue to work on these two goals during the next couple of weeks.

This past week has been refreshing! (New beginnings)

The most recent lesson I taught was at Covington School during my 7th week. I taught 1st graders about Joan Miro, a Spanish artist. A lot of his work was made up of a variety of lines and shapes. What made the lesson exciting for the students was that I was able make a connection between them and the artist. When students are able to make a stronger connection to the content on a personal level they enjoy it even more and they put more effort into their project. They learned that Joan Miro loved art when he was in school and began drawing at a very young age like they did. Through research I have found that when referring to where an artist is from it is important to show students where it is on a map. It provides them with a visual reference and Spain is no longer just a word to them it is something real. These two small adjustments made a significant difference in teaching the students about Joan Miro and their learning process.

I found the principal panel extremely helpful! It opened my eyes to what administrators look for in a prospective teacher. I learned to pay close attention to detail, it is important to go above and beyond because it may distinguish you from the 300-400 applicants, and we are expected to ask them questions as well. Above all it was very reassuring to know that our passion for students, enthusiasm, authenticity, heart, and overall character will set us apart from everyone else. Prospective teachers may look amazing on paper but if they do not have good character and love for children they will not get the position. I was happy to know those characteristics are at the top of their list and to know I posses them.

• The greater the structure of a lesson and the more precise the directions on what is to be accomplished, the higher the achievement rate.
• Standards do not deprive you of creativity.  Rather they form the base point from which to design the lesson.

When developing the three TPA lessons, it is important to build on their current art language and knowledge. The lessons need to build upon one another in order for the students to have enough content to complete their project. It is also important to incorporate many of the learning practices into the lessons and utilize all of my resources such as my cooperating teacher, technology.

As I  continue to work on my TPA project I may need my supervisor's feedback and help when necessary. My college supervisor would be surprised to know that my cooperating teacher has a Promethean board in her classroom. It is similar to a smart board but has many exciting features and the children love it! I cannot wait to incorporate it into my lessons! Here's to technology!