PRE-SERVICE TEACHER REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

This form is to be filled out weekly by the intern and reviewed by the Mentor Teacher at the end of each week. After sharing
and/or discussing with the Mentor Teacher, write his or her response or feedback from your conversation at the bottom.

1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:August16forweek#1

Todaymarkstheendofmyfirstfullweekintheclassroom,andoverallIfeelthat
hasbeen,andisgoingtobe,andverypowerfullearningexperienceforme.My
mentorteacherisstronginclassroommanagementandholdsherstudentstohigh
expectations,whichthestudentsareveryawareof.Thestudentsseemtobe
receivingmewell,andreactpositivelywhenIofferaidorassistinclassroom
management.Ireallylikethestudentsthatareinmyclass,thereareonlyafew
studentswhoarechallenging,butwithtimeImsuretheywillsteelinnicely.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Iamstillgettingintothegroveoftheinternshipandgoingatalltimes,Itis
exhausting,butveryrewardinginaway,tocorralandguidethestudents.Icould
useimprovementonmyabilityofengagingwiththestudents,Imstillatiny
hesitant,butwillgetmorecomfortablewithtime.Notsomuchastruggle,but
learningtheproceduresaswegohasbeenexciting,mymentorteacherhasa
uniquesetofproceduresthatIthinkImayuseinmyownclassroom.Theywill
takealittletimeforthestudents,andmyself,togetusedto,butwillbeworthitin
thelongrun.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
Ifeelthatmyclassroommanagementcanalwaysuseimprovement,butforthenext
weekIwanttofocusonmypresenceintheclassroom.Iwanttobeassertive,butnot
aggressivewiththestudents.IfeelattimeIcanbeabitsoftandletthingsslip,butI
knowthetimeIspendinthisclassroomwithreallyhelpwiththis.Itsnotmyclassroom
yet,butIwanttomakesurethestudentsknowImtheretoteachandnotjustsomedude
hangingoutintheclassroom.

MentorTeachercomments:
Iamgladtoseeyouwantstrengthinclassroommanagement,thataspectisvery
importantinorderforlearningtooccur.Youhavejumpedintoremindstudentsofsome
oftheexpectationsalreadywhichisagreatwaytostart.Ihavenotnoticedyour

hesitationwhichmeansthatthestudentsprobablydonotnoticeiteither,thatsagood
thingforyou.Youseemontheoutsidecalmandcollected.Iwillhaveaseatingchart
madeupthisweekandyoucanuseittoworkonrememberingthenamesofthestudents,
whichwillhelpyougetmoreinvolved,theywillbehappytoknowthatyouknowtheir
names.Onceyouknowtheirnamesbuildingrelationshipswillcomemorenaturally.A
noteonbeingassertive,saythesamephraseforeachprocedurewehaveinplace.If
yourepeatitthesamewaytothemanddemandthemtolistenwithyoursternbutcalm
tonetheywillfollow.Forexample,Itellthem,goleftconstantlyratherthanmakeita
bigspeech,thisallowsthemtogetusetothesmallcommandratherthantryingto
processmoredetaileddescriptionoftheprocess.Youhavedonegoodinthe1stfull
week.Thankyouforhelping.
4. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:8/24

forweek# _2__

ThisweekIgottheopportunitytoruntheclassroompracticallyindependently,
mymentorteacherhadtoadministerschoolwidetestingandrequiredasubstitute
teachertocomein.Whilelessonplanswerealreadymadeandwehadalready
discussedtheactivitiesfortheweek,Iwantedtodomybesttoruntheclassroom
independently,sofarastoaskthesubtointerveneaslittleaspossiblesoIcouldtry
outwhatIhavelearnedsofar.IfeelthatitIwassuccessfulleadingtheclassroom,
onlyhavingoneissuewithastudent,thatendedupgettingdiffusedwiththehelpof
thesubstitute.Icirculatedtheclassroom,transitionswereok(notevencloseto
prefectthough),andsomeofthestudentsgotalloftheirworkdone(trustme,thisis
prettygood!).Thestudentsseemedtobemorecomfortableaskingmeforhelpand
acceptingdirectionsfromme.Ithonestlymademequiteexcited,butImstillabit
nervousabouttakingovertheclassesfulltime.
5. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
LearningnamesisWAYmoredifficultformethanitshouldbe.Seatingcharts
werefinishedthisweekaftergettingtoknowthekidsmore,andIhadone
opportunityperclasstotaketimeandwalkaroundtheclasswiththeseatingchart.
WhenIhavethechart,andthestudentsaresittingIfeltlikeIwasok,abletopassout
theirstarswithoutlookingatwheretheyresupposedtobesitting.Afterthestudents
gotupandstartedmovingaround,orIhadtocallonthemeverynameseemedtoslip
mymindandIdrewablank.TheonlynamesIknowwellarethatnameIhavetosay
aboutfifteentimesaclassperiod.WeallknowthestudentsImtalkingabout;the
disruptiveones,theoneswhocantsitstill,ortheonesthatzoneoutandneedthat
littleextrabitofattention.ThosenamesIhavedown.
Icandefinitelyworkontiming,whichIhaveknownforsometime.Idontfollow
myownpacingguidescloselyenoughandletthestudentsworkforlongerthanthey
shouldsotheycangetmoredone,butinturn,Igetfurtherbehind.Itrobsstudentsof
theopportunitytolearnmore,eveniftheydontwantto,andmakesithardertocatch
upduringthefollowingclasses.Itsaskillthatcomeswithtimeandpractice,butI

amalwaysawareofmyweaknessandalwaysconsciouslytrytoimproveattime
keeping.
6. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
LikeImentionedbefore,namesaremyAchillesheel,theyalwayshavebeen,but
overthenextweekorsoIwanttolearnmystudentsnames,orlooklikeafooldoing
so.Ivebeenwalkingaroundwiththeseatingchart,passingoutmaterialsand
quizzingmyselfontheirnames;anythingIcandotoremembermystudentsnames.I
willgetthis!
MentorTeachercomments:
Iamgladyouaregettingopportunitiestoworkwiththeclassindependently.Alittleata
timehelpsyouadapttotheminsteadofbeingthrowntothewolves(thatisforthe1styear
teaching,lol).Thenamethingyouarebetteratthanyougiveyourselfcredit.Dontbe
afraidtoactuallytrytocallthembyname,practicemakesperfect.Ifyoumessupthatis
alearningtoolforthemaswellasyou.WhenIcannotrememberaname(usuallyforme
itisvocabulary)Ifindastupidwaytorememberit.I.E.MarcustalksALOTandhe
istall,tomethismakessensebutitmaynotmakesensetoeveryone.Theonlymemory
thatmattersinthiscategoryisyours.Keeponworkingonitandifyouverballygiveita
tryitwillbecomeeasier.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:_8/31_ forweek# _3__

Itseemsthedistrictreallylikestoscheduletheirmeetingsduringtheworkday,
ironicallyenough,somymentorteacherhadtogodowntownandIwasableto
leadtheclassbeginningtoend.Itwentwell,Ireallyenjoyedleadingthestudents
inthedaysactivity,anditbuiltmyconfidenceupmore.Ievengotacompliment
fromanotherteachermentioningthatIdidntlookorcomeoffasastudent
teacher,butsomeonewhohadbeendoingitforawhile.IwasflatteredbutIknow
Ihaveagreatdealstilltolearn.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
KeepingtheflowofclasstimeseemstobeyetanotherweaknessIhavefound.
Thatforwardmomentumthatcarriesintotransitionsandintothenextlessonis
hardformetofigureout,andcompletelystalledmyclasstime.Ihadalistof
aboutfivesmalltaskstotakecareofduringmyclassperiods,butofcourseI

couldntdoonebecausetheinternetwentoutandwasreallyonlyabletoovera
quiz,notesandsomechapterreviewwork.Idontlikestoppingthemoncetheir
working,butitsnecessarytokeeptheclassproductive.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
IamhappywithhowIcanwalkintoaroomandseemtolooklikeIknowwhatI
amdoing,fakeittillyoumakeitindeed,Haha!Mrs.Kustrasassertivenessis
rubbingoffonme;wehadtodoarainydaydismissalandthestudentswereso
loudthatwecouldntheartheAPoverthePAsystem,untiltheprincipalcamein
andstartedreamingthemout.Therewereabout20teachersintheroomand
maybe3ofuswereactivelytryingtokeepthestudentsquiet.Youknowitsbad
whentheinterntakesamoreactiveroleduringdismissalthanamajorityofthe
teachers.Really,IjustwanttocontinuekeepingthisconfidenceinwhatIdoin
theclassroomandaroundcampus.
MentorTeachercomments:
Eventhoughyouhaveyettotakeovertheclassroom,youhavehadadvantagesthatmany
internsdont,beinginchargewhileaguestteacheristhere!SpeakingwithboththatI
havehad,youhavegreatpotential.Theflowoftheclassisdifficult,evenforaveteran
teacher,whichiswhymanydonotcoverthematerialtheyneedto.Ihaveusedtimeasa
blessing;Ibelieveitwilltake5minutesIsetatimer.Thisyearduetotechnology
differencesandrelearningthesubjectprocess(scienceismuchdifferentthanmath),I
havenotdonemuchofthat.Iwillimplementthatmorethisweektoshowyouhowitcan
helpyouasateacher.Manyteachersdoonethingaday,givingalotoftime.Ihowever,
choosetodomultiplethingstokeepthemengaged.Thereasoningissimple,ifyoudo
onethingfor60minutes,theydontlistenafter510,ifyoukeepchangingitup,they
haveto.TherainydaydismissalhasnotbeenimplementedwithfidelitysinceIhave
beenattheschool.Theteachersaswellastheteachersdonotknowwhattodo.Many
donothingbecausetheyareunsure;othersarenotashandson(whichisadownfall).I
believethisisaworkinprogresswithnewadministrationonboard,morelikelytohave
somechangesoccur.Youshowedamajorstrengthinbeingabletostepinandhelpin
thatverychallengingatmosphere.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:__9/7__ forweek# __4_

Oneplusaboutthisweekwasthethreedayweekend!Itwasnicehavinganextra
dayoffbutitseemstomaketherestofthedaysoftheweekdragbyalittle
slower.WearestartingthelabportionofourbiginvestigationactivityandIgetto
playtheroleofthelabtechniciansupervisoraka,Ihandoutthemagnifying

glassesandevidence,oncethestudentshavegoodsupportfortheirsuspectclaim
andproperlyfillouttheirevidencerequestform.Wellhaveachancetouseneat
microscopesthathaveadisplayscreenandletkidstakesomeinitiativeand
followtheirownideasaboutwhotheythoughtstoletheschoolscamera!So
excitinghaha!
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?

Iamhavingsomedifficultybuildingmomentumonmylessonplans,Icanseem
tofindamethodorstylethatfitsmeyet,Idontwanttopreachatthem,but
findingsmallactivitiestoseparatetheblockandreengagethestudentsisproving
moredifficultthanIanticipated.Iknowthecontent,butconveyingthe
informationtothestudentswithoutboringthemtodeathmayprovemoredifficult
forme.Mymentorteacherdidgivemeabitofsolacethough,shetoldmetodo
whatIwascomfortablewiththefirstfewlessons,andthenshewouldhelpme
modifyandaddactivitiesasneeded.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
Well,thisistheweektobuckledownandreallygetsomelessonplanscrushed
out.Iwanttogetatleast5lessonsdoneperclass,withactivitiesandnotesto
showmymentorteachersowecanstarthammeringoutfinedetailsorfull
reworksiftheyreneeded.Notsuperexcitedaboutthispart,honestlyitmakesme
abitanxious,butitsabigpartofthecareer,timetojumpin.
MentorTeachercomments:
TheunitthatwearedoingisdraggingouttimemorethanIanticipated,however,theyare
engagedandlearning.Iwouldliketoreversetimetogivethemmoreofthedownand
dirtyofthebook,butthisunitisareviewfortheentireyear.Howtheyactand
demonstratetheirskillsthisunitwillgiveusanideaofhowtheyarefortherestofthe
labsandactivitiestheywillencounter.Iliketestingthemtoseewhattheyareableto
handle,sofartheyhavedoneexceptionally.Yourlessonplansareonlythat,plans.
Planschangedailysometimes,theymayworkperfectlyandtheymaybecomeadisaster,
youonlyknowoncethestudentshaveencounteredthem.Thisisaliveandlearnpartof
teachingthatwillneverleave.Ifyoulearnfromthose(notsogreatplans)youhave
achievedsuccess.SometimesIwillhaveaplanandchangeit5timesthroughouttheday
becauseitdidntworkwell,bytheendofthedayitwasmagnificent.

4. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:_9/14_ forweek# _5

OnethingthatisgoingwellthisweekisthatIthinkImayhavefinallyfound
somemomentuminmylessonplanning.Itstilltakesmeagooddealoftimeto
findactivitiesorlabsthatIthinkareinterestingandthekidswillenjoy,but
blockingtogethernotesandfoldableshasgotteneasier.Iwasabletolocatesome
greatresourcesforthat.IfeellikeIcouldspendaneternityfindingandfine
tuningeachlesson,butwith7thand8thgradepreps,Icantaffordthatkindoftime
investmenthaha!
5. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Mainly,ithasbeenkeepingontopofmyselftospendenoughhoursoutsideof
schoolworkingonmylessonprep,orresearchingforlabs.Itsgottenbetter;I
havestreamlinedtheprocesswhenIgettoit,butfindingadecentlessonthrough
allthemediocrechaffisachallenge.Idontwanttojustsitandhavethestudents
donotesandbookwork,thatsnotagreatwaytolearnforsomeofthekiddos.I
havebeentoldbymanyofmystudentsthattheyhaveneverreallydonelabs
before.
6. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
Ifellitwouldbeagreatopportunityformetocontinuetoworkonfinding
excitingandinterestinglessonsformystudentsandactuallyspendacouplehours
anighttuningmylessonssothestudentsgetthebestIcangivethem.
Realistically,Iwanttobeabletocutthatresearchtimeagreatdeal,butIwantto
bepreparedforthefieldwhenIgetthereandIfeellikeImgettingofftoapretty
decentstart.

MentorTeachercomments:
Whenyoufindthosegreatactivitiessavethemsomehowinordertohavethemforfuture
reference.Youmayfindsomethingthatyoulovebutarentreadytodobutnextyearyou
maywanttodoitanditwillbeavailable.
Finetuningyourlessonstakestime,sometimesreflectingonpastlessonsworksbetter
thantryingtomakeitperfectpriortothelesson.Practicemakesperfect!
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:9/21

forweek# 6

Thisweekistheweekofmyfirsttwolessons,onmyown,thatIcreated

thelessonsforcompletely.Thisweek,theclassismineandImnotsurethatIam
completelyreadyforitbutIhavemylessonswrittenforthenextfewdaysandI
feellikeIampreparedasIcanbe.Imodifiedthelessons,studiedthem,and
constantlyrunthroughwhatImdoingforeachperiod,theonlythinglefttodois
teachthem.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Ihadsomethinghappenthisweek.Ilostmyflashdrivewitheverylesson
andunitIwrote,everyassignmentfrommyeducationprogram,andeveryneat
documentsIfound;everything.Ihavebeenuptoatleast1amforthelastfew
nightsrewritingallmylessonssoIampreparedformyfirstdaysofteaching.So
thisweekImcompletelyfightingmynerves.Itsmyfirstdaysofmytakeover
andIfeelnauseousfromanxiety.Iwasabletogetthisweekcovered,butifyou
knowme,losingtheflashdrivewithEVERYTHINGimportantinitwasnearly
crippling.IwasntevenlikeIcouldgobackandfindit,thenightIlostit,there
wasastrongthunderstormanditpouredallnight.Itwasgone.Thiswasmyrant
forthisweekaboutthismistakethatIdontplanonevermakingagain.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
Well,forstarters,Iamnowbackingeverythingupinatleasttwoother
places.IamNOTlosingallmydataagain.Honestly,Ifeellikethatisthebiggest
lessonIhavelearnedthisweek.Itputmesofarbehind,andgavemesomuch
stress;Ialmostdidntknowwhattodo.SomehowIworkwellunderpressure,so
thathelpedmeout.Themoralofthisstory;neverputeverythingyouneedinone
place,especiallywhenthatplaceisatinyflashdriveattachedtoyourkeysbya
smallplasticclip.Investinsomethingmorerobust.
MentorTeachercomments:
Losingyourworkisverydifficultbutyougotthroughit.Ialwayskeepmyworkkeysand
mypersonalkeysseparateforthissamereason.Italsoavoidsanystudentstryingto
takeyouritemsduringclass,Ihaveseenithappentootherteachers.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:9/28

forweek# 7

ThisweekIcompletedmyfirstfullweekoflessons!Itwasfun,exciting,
terrifying,difficult,satisfyingandexhaustingallrolledintoone.Imstillnot
completelysurehowIfeelaboutit,otherthanitwasarush.Ibeganmylessons
onwavesfortheseventhgradersandbeganmatterwiththeeighthgraders.Itis
hilarioushowyoucancompletelyknowthecontentofasubjectareaineveryday

life,butthemomentyouwanttogetthatknowledgeintoanotherpersonsmind,
everyexampledisappears(haha!).
AnothercoolthingthathappenedthisweekisthatIgottorunmyfirstlab,
aclassicmass/weight/volume/densitylab,butwithalittleMr.Sparkesspin.
Really,Ijustusedinterestingorweirdmaterialstomeasure,likeactionfigures,a
sillydeckofcards,andsomenerdydice;anythingtocallalittlemoreattentionto
whattheywereworkingon.Ifeltlikeasfarasfirstweeksteachinggo,itwasnt
toobad!Someofmylessonsweredefinitelyrough,butthatgivesmeagoalto
improveupon.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Ohman,whatamInot?ThemainthingIwouldsayrightnowisthatmy
transitionsarenonexistent.WheneverIwouldhavethestudentsswitchtasks,I
wouldfreezeandforgetwhatIwasdoing,fumbleovermywordsandloseany
momentumthatIhadbefore.Thiswouldhappenatleastthreetimesaperiodand
Iwouldprobablylosetentofifteenminutesaclass.Thatsoveraperiodlostby
theendoftheweekandImnotokwiththat.IhavebeentryingtoemulateMrs.
Kustrasstyleandprocedures,buttherehasdefinitelybeenalargelearningcurve
forme.
AnotherissueIvehad,Imentionedinthefirstsection:Iblankoutwhen
Imtryingtothinkofexamples.IknowhowallthisscienceIteachworks,butI
fumbleovermywords,stutter,andblankoutwhentryingtogiveexamples.Im
hopingitisalljustnerves,butIhavefearthatitmaybepersistent.Wewillsee
withtime.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
Iwouldlovetogetmytransitionsbetterandtogetmyspoken
communicationtoflowmoresmoothly:Speakclearly,concisely,andbeheardby
theentireclass.Stumblingovermywordsmakesiteasierforstudentstohaveoff
topicconversationsornottakethelessonseriously.Ineedtofigureouthowto
smoothoutthetransitionsfromoneactivitytoanother,getmythoughtsacross
clearlytothestudentsandregainsomeofthetimethatislostwithevery
distractionorpoortransition.
MentorTeachercomments:
Transitionskeepyouorganized.Youdidworkonitwhenitwaspointedoutandisone
thingthatneedspractice.Thisisareasonsometeachersonlygiveonethingeachclass

insteadofswitchingbetweenmultipleactivities.Thisaspectisverydifficultforsome
teacherstomaster.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:10/5

forweek# 8

Thisweekhasbeenagreatlearningexperience;Ihavelearnedsomanyof
myweaknessesitsnotevenfunny,butithasbeengreatlyenlightening.Tome,
thisisagoodthingbecauseithelpsmerealizewhatIneedhelpwithandwhatI
amdoingthatissomewhatworking.Igotmymidtermreviewinandletmetell
youthereisplentyofroomforimproving.Ithasgivenmeanactual,tangiblegoal
andcriteriatosetmyselftoward.Ihavebeengettingmorecomfortableinfrontof
thekidsaswell,itisstartingtofeeleasierandImabletorespondandinteract
withthekidsmorefreely.
Ialsogottodoacoollabthisweekwheremy8thgradersgottousethe
kitchens.Wewerelearningaboutchemicalandphysicalchangesanditturnedout
tobeprettysuccessful!Thekidslovedeatingchocolateandmarshmallows,then
meltingandburningthem.Itsmelledawful,butitwasfunforeveryone.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Inahyphenatedword.Classroommanagement.Itisstillsohardformetogetthe
studentstoanappropriatenoiselevel,andkeepthemworking.Someofthe
studentsare100%engagedallday,whiletheotherscouldntbeinterestedifIwas
offeringvideogamesandfootball.Iamstillstrugglingtogeteveryoneengaged,
butIthinkImgettingalittlebettereveryday.Ivestartedmovingaroundthe
roommuchmore,aswellasusingdifferentstrategieslikemorecreativeactivities
andmoreconversationallectures.Imstillverygreenthough.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek
Idreallyliketoimproveonmylessonplanningabit,ihavethisfeeling
thatmylessonsaredryandboringforthekids,mostlybecausesomeofthemare
dryandboringforme,andImanadult.Itshardformetofigureoutcreative
ideasandimplementsmallthingstobreakupaperiod.Thereissomuchcontent
inscience,somuchvocabulary,thatIfinditdifficulttogettheinformationtoo
themwithoutrotenotetakingorlecture.Idontlearnwellthatway,whywould
they?
Iwouldalsoliketogetbetteratclassroommanagement.Iknowclassroom
managementcomeswithexperience;Imjustgettinganxiousthatoverthelast4
weeksofteachingIstilldontreallyhavecontrolofmyownclassroomandthatI
willbethatteacherthattheneighborclassroomscomplainthatitstooloudorout
ofcontrol.

MentorTeachercomments:
Classroommanagementisaverydifficulttaskforallteachers.Inthepast4weeksyou
haveimprovedyourmanagementbutitwillneverbeperfect,noonesis.Settingspecific
proceduresandexpectationsishowyouminimizebehavioralconcerns.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:10/12

forweek# 9

IthinkIfinallygotagraspofwhatagoodlessonFEELSlike.Ihadacouple
goodsuccessesformethisweek.Myfirstwasareviewdayfortheseventhgraders
wherewewentoverallofwavesandtheEMspectrumandIfeltthestudentshada
lotofpiecesfallintoplacetheytheywerestrugglingwithbefore.Ialsolearneda
littlebitmorehowagoodreviewdaygoes,theresroomtoimprove,Ijusthadagreat
feelingaboutit.
TheothersuccessIhadwasjusttoday,ImadealessonforAtomictheoryandhad
afeelingthatitmayhavebeenalittletoelementary,butthekidsactuallyenjoyedit.I
hadthemreadastoryabouttheatomsfamilyandtossafoamdicearoundtopick
thenextreader.Afterthatwewentontoanonlineactivitythat,Ifeel,didagreatjob
ofmakingthestudentsthinkabouthoweachpartofanatomaffectswithweightand
charge.Ihadalotoffunwithittoday
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
ThisweekIvebeenstrugglingwithcommunication.Well,Ishouldsayit
wasaconstantissue,Ijustwasntawareofit.Ihadquiteafewstudentsnot
realizethattheyhadassignmentsthatwerehomeworkandweresupposedtobe
turnedinforagrade,andnowthatitstheendofthequartertheyrepanicking
becausetheyhavesomanyzeros.NowIhaveapileofpaperstogradeandvery
littletimetodoit,aswellasahandfulofstressedoutstudents.Theonesthatcare
areworkinghard;theotherseitherdontcare,oraremoreforgetfulthanmyself.
Rememberingtocommunicateisjustanotherthingtobemindfulofforthe
comingweeks,andwhileImintheclassroom.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?
LikeImentionedabove,Iwanttoreallyworkonmycommunicationof
expectationsformystudents,sobothofuscanbesurewhatisdueand
everythingiscrystalclearbetweenthestudentsandmyself.Mymentorteacher
andIhavediscussedthisafewtimesandhavebeentryingtoworkonstrategies
tohelpmewithgettingwhatIwantacrosstothestudents.MyADDmakesthis
difficult,butifIcancreateahabitofcratingguidingquestionsandtakinga
momentbeforetheendofclasstoclarifywhatIwantforthebeginningofthe
nextclass,willsavemyselfandmystudentsmanyheadaches.

MentorTeachercomments:
Communicationisagiftandanightmare,ifyoudonthaveititallowsthe
students/parentstoblameyouforwhatisnotdone.Ifyouhaveitthestudents/parents
cannolongerblameyouforsomethingthattheyweresupposedtodo.Itallowsthemto
beresponsibleforthemselves.Italsoallowsyoutobemoreontrackwithyourthoughts
becausewithcommunicationthereisalwaysproofofwhatwassaidordone.
Communicationisvitallyimportant.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek? 10/19 Date: forweek# 10
OneofthecoolthingsIwasabletodothisweekwassitdownandcreateabrand
newseatingchart,andithonestlyprovedtobesupereffectivesofar!Ihad
trouble,asImsureallmiddleschoolteachersdo,withmystudentstalkingand
gettingthemselvesofftask.Wewereusingtheoriginalseatingchartfromthe
beginningoftheyear,whereweletthestudentssitwheretheywantedtosowe
couldlearnwhotheywerefriendswith.WiththisnewseatingchartIwasableto
separatestudentsintogroupswheretheywouldnttalktoomuch,andhad
multiplelevelsofstudentsateachtable.Sofarithasbeenworkingoutgreat.
Creatingandimplementingtheseatingchartalsoreallyhelpedmemasterallmy
studentsnames.
Anotherbonusforthisweekisthatmylessonshavebeengettingbetteras
wellasmytimingmoreaccurate.Ifeellikemylessonsflowinabetterwayand
itsMUCHeasiertokeepthestudentsontrackifIhaveagoodsenseofthetime.
Ipersonallyusemyphoneandthebackwallclock,whichIhavetoadjustdaily
becauseitsslow,tokeepmyselfontrack.Isettimersonmyphoneandletthe
kidsknowwereonlyworkingonsomethingforXminutes,andthenkeepthem
tooit.Ifwerenotdonewithnotes,thentheyrenowhomeworktobechecked
nextclass.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Procedures.Figuringoutanefficientwayforthestudentstotransition
aroundtheroom,fromtasktotaskandtomakesurethatwhatisexpectedis
known.My7thgradersareSTILLnotreadingtheboardfortheirassignmentsand
homework.Ivereinforcedthefactthattheyneedtoreadeverythingontheboard
dailyandthattheyshouldbeaccountablefortheirownhomeworkandfinishing
theirassignments.ClearlyIneedtofigureoutsomesortofprocedureorstrategy
togetthesekidsmoreawareofwhatsexpectedofthem.

3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
LikeImentionedabovethebigtaskforthecomingweeksistofigureout
awaytomakethekidsfeelaccountablefortheirlackofinterestandaloofnessin
classandtofigureoutsomeprocedurestomaketheclassrunalittlebitsmoother.
Hopefullytheseatingchartshelpoutwiththebehaviorandofftaskbehavior.
MentorTeachercomments:
Behaviordidimprovewithamoveofseats.Ihaveheardthatnoseatingarrangement
shouldbeusedformorethan6weeks,IdontknowbutImovethemonceaquarter.
Keepingthemaccountableisagreatgoalbutrememberthiswillnotbedoneovernight
ormaybenoteveninyour1stfewyears.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:10/26

forweek# 11

WegottostartaprojectthatImprettyexcitedabout;Mymentorteacher
showedmeababybookforelementswherethestudentshavetocreatea
background,poemandfamilytreefortheirelements.Iletstudentsrandomlydraw
papersoutofabucketandthatwastheirelementfortheproject.Overall,the
studentsseemedprettyexcitedtostartresearchingfortheirproject;Iguessthey
dontgetverymanybigprojectsintheirotherclasses.Iftheykeeptoonepage
peritemitcangettoninepages,sosomearealittleintimidatedbutwere
breakingitdownintosections.Weregivingonepageperclassperiodforthe
studentstoworkontheirbooks.Weevendecidedaduedateforityet.Thisismy
firstlargeprojecttooverseewiththestudents,soImprettyexcited!
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
ThisweekIranasmalllabwithmyseventhgradersandImustsayitfelt
likeacompletedisaster.Weweredoingalessononenergytransfer,soIsetupa
labwithdominosandastopwatchwheretheyhadtocreateadatacharttocollect
dataonthedistancebetweendominoesandhowfasttheyfall.Iwastryingtoget
themtoseethecorrelationbetweenkineticenergyandhowlongittakesforthe
dominostofall.WhatIactuallyendedupbeingisabunchoftwelveyearolds
stackingandpushingovernoisydominoswhilesomeoneplayswithastopwatch.
IfIhadadollarforeverytimeIhadtoanswerquestionsthatwerepartofthe
directionsontheirlab,oronthefrontboard,Icouldretirerightnow.Iamstillnot
sureifmydirectionswerebad,theexpectationsweretoohigh,thelabwaspoorly
writtenorifmystudentshavetheattentionsspansofADDcats.NowthatIthink

aboutit,itcouldhavebeenafullmoonhaha!Whateverthereasonforthe
confusedandofftaskbehavior,Ineedtosortitoutbecauselabsareabigpartof
scienceandifIcannotrunashortlab,Iamgoingtohavebigtroubleinmyown
classroom.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
ThisweekIamgoingtofocusongivingbetterstepbystepinstructions
formylessonsandlabs.Lookingbackonit,Ihavebeenshootingmyselfinthe
footbyassumingthatmystudentsshouldbeabletoinferdataandproceduresby
readingthedirections.Instead,Ishouldhavebeenwalkingthemthroughitbefore
thelabbegins,andthenwhenwestart,havethemasktheirpeersandreadthe
directionstomeoutloudbeforedirectlyansweringtheirquestions.Iamgoingto
putalldirectionsandexpectedproceduresontheboardaswell.Iuseslidesto
marktheclasssprogressionthroughthelesson.
MentorTeachercomments:

ThatlabwasagoodideabutIthinkwiththeexactnessofthemeasurementsandbeing
onthetablesitendedupnotworkingwell.Iftheydiditinthekitchensitmayhavebeen
better.Asforfollowingdirectionsandinferringdataremembermanyteacherassume
theyknowhowtodoit.Youneedtogointoitasiftheyhavenoideaandteachthe
basicsaswellasthematerialthatisyourobjective.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:11/2

forweek# 12

Man,sofarIamLOVINGthebabybooks!Ihaveacouplethathave
alreadybeensubmittedandthekidsaredoingfantastic!Icanreallytelltheyare
enjoyingtheprojectandthattheyareputtingeffortintomakingitlookgood.Iam
sohappyMrs.Kshowedmethisproject;Iamdefinitelyusingitinmyclassroom.
Wearealsostartinganewunitforbothclasses,thecarboncycleforeighth
gradersandecologyfortheseventhgraders,bothsubjectsIfindreallyinteresting.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Content.Ineedtofigureoutawaytomakethislighter,becauserightnow,
thiscontentislikeatonofbricks,heavy.Imstuckinarutofcontentdelivery

whereallIdoiswalkaround,lectureatthestudents,havethemtakesomenotes
andhaveasmallactivitytobreakitup.Itisboringtothem,Icantell,andIhate
thatbecausethecontentissointeresting!Ifeelbadformystudentsthattheyare
boredandarentlookingforwardtoclass.Iwanttomakeeverythinginteresting
andfun,butIamstillhavingtroublekeepingmyselforganizedenoughtohave
everythingreadyforthekiddos,muchlessrunaninquiry,labdrivenclassroom.
BabystepsIsuppose.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
LikeImentionedabove,keepingthestudentsinterestedandengaged
duringclassissomethingIdreallyliketoimproveon.Iwantsciencetobe
interestingforthesekidsandIwanttocatchtheirattentionsotheystayfocused
andingestsomeoftheinformationthatIamtryingtogetthemtolearn.Hopefully
somehandsonactivitieswillhelpwithengagementabitmore,butIknowmy
seventhgraderscanbeengagedbutnotlearnasinglething.Ihavetostayontop
ofthemtomakesuretheyregettingtheappropriateinformationfromtheactivity.

MentorTeachercomments:

Thelabswillworkbetterwhenyouhavemoreorganization,thedirectionsneedtobe
giveninsmallamountsatatime.Youalsoneedtomodelsomeoftheexpectationsyou
have.Thebooksweremarvelouswhencompleted.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:11/9

forweek# 13

Inthespiritofcreatingengaginglessons,wecameacrossagemcallthe
cellthemeparktoreviewforthecarboncyclewiththeeighthgraders.Theygot
cellstructuresbackinsixthgradeandmostofthemcouldntrememberwhata
mitochondriawas,sowewantedtogivethemachancetoreviewinacreative
way.Theassignmentwastocreateacellthemeparkbrochure,wheretheyhadto
useatleasttenorganellesorcellfunctionsandapplythemtofunctionsfound
insideapark.Wewereonlygivingthemtwodaystodoitaswell.Foralmost
everystudent,thiswasanexperiencetorelearnwhatorganelleswereandwhat
theydid.Sofar,theyhavebeenenjoyinggoingcentertocenterandtakinglight
notesoneachorganellewiththeirpartner.Theyarestartingtostrugglewith

associatingthefunctionofanorganelletofunctionsinathemepark,butthats
partofthefunandthechallenge!
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
LikeImentionedlastweek,Icreatedsomeprettyneathandsonlessons
formystudentsandsomeofthemareworkingwell.Theseventhgraders,
however,cantakeagreatlessonandreduceittocinders.Itverywellmaybemy
inexperienceornaveniceness,butthesekiddosarejustnotbringinginanywork,
myoneclasshasLITERALLY18%oftheirassignmentsinfortheweek.Wedid
themath.Idontknowwhattheissueis,butapparentlytheyredoingitforall
theirotherteacherstoo,sothatsaplus?Icreatedafoodweblessonwherethey
havetofigureoutwhatlevelanorganismisinafoodweb;aproducer,primary,
secondaryortertiaryconsumer,ordecomposer,andthenduelforwhoconsumes
who.AttheendofthegameIwantedthemtocreateafoodwebwiththeiranimal
cardsthattookuptheirentiretable.Needlesstosaymyinstructionswereloston
themandtheybegantojustlookatthenumbersonthecardsasopposedtothe
wordsthatexplainwhateachcarddoes.ThenonceIclarifiedit,theycomplained
thatIwastoomuchreadingandtheactivitywastoohard.ItwasTWOsentences
andalistoforganismsona3x5card.Theleveloflazinessinmyseventhgrade
classesisoverwhelming.OnceIgotthembackontrack,theymovedatthepaceI
moreexpected,slowlyandcooperatively,discussingandreadingoutloudwhat
eachcarddoes.Thisisbetter.
IguesswhatImstrugglingwithishowmuchhandholdingisrequiredfor
thesekids,itsliketheyhaveneverbeenexpectedtodoanythingontheirown
before.Iknowtheyreonlytwelve,butIvebeentoldtohavehighexpectations
formystudentseverystepofschool,andIdontthinkitsoutoflinetoexpect
themtofollowclearasdayinstructionsandtoturnintheirassignments.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
TwoofmybiggeststrugglesarekeepingontopofalltheassignmentsI
havetogradeandgeneralorganizationalskills.Imstartingtoseethatevenwith
planningtimeandtakingtimeafterschool,itsmoredifficulttogeteverything
accomplishedthanIpreviouslythought.Ihavetospendafewhoursonthe
weekendsgettingallmypapersgradedandsubmittedintothegradebook,ontop
ofwritinglessonsandfindinginterestingactivitiessothestudentsarentbored
outoftheirminds.ThisisagoodlessontolearnbeforeIgettoteachingfulltime
andhavepilesofpaperssneakuponme.
Myotherareaofimprovementisgeneralorganizationalability.Ihave
none,orverylittle.IvehadtoimplementanaccordionfolderthatIlabeledwith

needtograde,gradedandgraded/submittedforbothseventhandeighthgrade
classes.Ihavealsobeenkeepingbetternotesandfoldersonmycomputerand
tryingtokeepmylessonslidesmoreorganizedforthestudentstofollowand
knowwhatisneededofthem.

MentorTeachercomments:
7thgradeisprobablythetoughestofallmiddleschool.Thisyearinparticulartheyarea
handful.Theyhavehadtheirhandheldfortoolongandwhentheygetto7thgradeitis
aneyeopener.Organizationwise,youhaveimprovedbutthereisroomfor
improvement.Trynottoletwhatyougetonedaywaituntilthefollowingday,grade
thembeforeyouleave(maybeenterintothegradebookthenextday).Whenyouwait
youendupstressedandbusywhenyoucantbebusy.
1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:11/16

forweek# 14

SinceMrs.Kustratooktheclassroombackover,Ivehadplentyoftimeto
workonmyschoolassignments,andIhavegottensomuchdone.Thisisthefirst
timeIhavefeltlikeIwastrulyontopofwhatIwasdoing,andmaybealmost
evenaheadalittlebit.Iamjustaboutfinishedwithmyreflectivejournalsand
Ivehadagoodheadstartonmyportfolioproject.FeelinglikeImayactually
makeitthroughthisinternshipyet!
Oh!Ialsohadmyinterviewwiththecountyandgotintotheteacherpool!
IfeltlikeInaileditandtheAssistantPrincipalinterviewingmesaidhewasvery
impressed.Iknowthatwastheeasyinterview,Istillhavetoapplytoindividual
schoolsandspeaktotheirprincipals,whichisgoingtobescary,butbabysteps!
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
IstillhavestudentsfinishingassignmentsIgavetothemweeksago,like
thebabybooksandthecellthemeparkorevenjustregularbookwork.Itsinsane
thatIamlettingthemturnstuffin,majorprojects,whichwereduetwoweeks
ago.Ireallyamtooniceattimes.Ireallyneedtolearnhowtotoughenupwithout
beingmean,Ihatebeingmean,butwithsomeofthesekids,ifyougiveaninch
theytakeamile.
Myseventhgradersarestillterribleatgettingassignmentsin,evenwith
meandMrs.Kustrahoundingthemincessantly.Ithinkaftertheweekend,Igot
abouttenmissingassignmentsin,outoflikeonehundred,nojoke.Idontknow
howtogetthesekidstoturnintheirassignments.Theyalreadyhavezeros,we

implementeddonutsfortheclassthatgetsthemostworkinattheendofthe
week,andnothingisworking.Theyneedabitofgoodolintrinsicmotivation.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
ImtryingsomethingoutthatIhaveneverreallydonebefore.Im
attemptingtoworkonmycriticaltasksbeforetheyaredue.Ihavebeengettingby
thesepastyearscrushingeverythingoutthedayofanddoingwellatit,forthe
mostpart.Ivealwayshadanissuewithtaskanxiety,ifsomethingisdueIwill
freakoutandputifoffuntilitsthedayofandthenworkonitstraightthrough
untilitfinished,whichisusuallyminutesbeforeitsdueatmidnight.Idont
recommendthistoanyoneduetothestressandanxietyinducedbyracingthe
clockonaresearchbasedassignment.
ThistimeImalreadystartingmyassignments,weeksbeforetheyaredue,
andfeelmuchmorecomfortableworkingonthem.Idontfeellikemyhandsare
shakingorlikeImhavingapanicattack,itsnice.Iwanttokeepthismomentum
goingforwardwithmycareer,keepingabufferaheadofmysoIcangetthings
donebeforetheyremeanttobefinished.Workingwithnobufferwithstudentsis
neveragoodidea,especiallyforsomeonelikeme.

MentorTeachercomments:
Gettingthingsdoneaheadoftimewillkeepyouorganized,trustme.Whenyoudoland
thatjobandtheysendoutemailssayingthisneedstobedonebyorthatbydoit
IMMEDIATELY.Itallowsyoutobefreedupforotherthingslikelessonplanningand
grading.

1. Overall,whatwentwellthisweek?

Date:11/23

forweek# 15

well,itisthelastdaysofmyinternship,andIhavelearnedsomuch.Ithas
trulybeenasurrealwhirlwindoflearningandkeepingittogetherbytheseatof
mypants.OverallIfeellikeIdidok,butIknowforafactthatIlearnedagreat
deal.Mrs.Kustrahasbeenanamazingmentorteacherandhasshowedmemore
thanjusttheteachersideofeducation,butalsoadministrativeandhowmuch
reallygoesonbehindthescenesofbeingateacher.Beingateacherskid,I
alwaysknewalothappenedbesidesjustteaching,butIneverreallysawthetrue
faceoftheadministrativeandbureaucraticissuesteacheshadtofaceattimes.

ThisexperiencetrulyhasbeeneyeopeningandIfeelthattheexperiencesI
gainedfromthisinternshipwillmakememuchstrongerintheclassroom.
2. WhatamIstrugglingwiththisweek?
Notalotisgoingonthisweek,thestudentsarealltakingtestandImjust
pluggingawayatmywork,helpingoutwhereIcan.Iguesstheonethingisgoing
onfromhere,Ihavegottentoknowthesestudentssowell,andIthinktheylike
me,stillnotsupersureiftheythinkImokorabigweirdojerk,butIamprettyok
withboth.
Thenextthingtotakecareofisgettingallmypaperworkforthestate
going,ImprettysureIhavetowaituntilIgetmydegreetosubmitthe
paperwork,butIamgettingreallyantsytostartinterviewingandnaildownajob.
3. WhatwouldIliketocontinuedoingorimproveuponnextweek?Ifthisisa
significantopportunityforimprovement,writeagoalonyourProfessional
DevelopmentPlan.
Nowthatwereattheendofthisadventure,Iwanttokeepimproving
myselfsoIcanbeabetterteacherformystudents.FromwhatIhavegleanedso
farfromthisexperienceisthatIneedpracticeimprovingmyuseoftime,space
andattention,developinghigherorderthinkingquestions,anddevelopingmytool
boxofdifferentstylesofassessments.Iwanttokeepthingsoriginalandfunfor
mystudents,buteffectiveandstructured.Todothis,Ialsoneedtoimprove
myselfandmyhabits.OverthisinternshipIfeellikeIhavegottenexperiences
thathelpprovideabaselinetodevelopthesehabitsandworkonmyareasof
greatestneed,andhonestly,Ivehadalotoffundoingit.

MentorTeachercomments:
Thestudentswilldefinitelymissyou,onesaidyouarethegoodcopandIamthebad
cop,lol.Youhavegrownbutthoseitemsyousaidyouwanttoworkon,Iwouldtakeone
onatatime.Makeagoaleachweekandimprove(startwithyourdesk,lol).Teaching
seemslikeitissimpleforpeopleoutsideoftheschoolbutonceyouareinthereand
realizealltheavenuesthatareheadingtowardsyouonadailybasis,admin,students,
parents,otherteachers,staff,IEPs,504s,etcitisoverwhelmingbutyoucandoitfor
sure.Youwillimproveonthoseareasyouseethatyouneedworkonandyouwillbea
fantasticteacher!!!Kudos