Name:

Skylar Linnett
Week: Aug. 24 - 28th

1. How did you spend your time this week?
I started the week of with observation and helping out where I
could. I was still getting comfortable and familiar with the
classroom/students. I was helping the students that would raise their
hand and answering the question, "Can I use the bathroom?" frequently!
I was also learning the policies and procedures of the classroom this
week, as well as the rules for recess and the lunchroom and busing
rules.

2. What responsibilities did you have?
My responsibilities this week were to help around the classroom
when I could, help get the lesson plans organized and prepared, and I
was in charge of a bucket filling lesson on the Friday of this week. I was
given as much responsibilities as I was comfortable with and had the
chance to take on more or less until I felt confident and ready.

3. What were your most satisfying experiences this week?
I would say that my most satisfying experience was to actually see
a whole first week of classes. I had been wondering about the first week
for sometime now, but none of my practicums were in their first weeks
when I would arrive. I wanted to see how the students acted in the first
couple days after summer break.

4. What were your most challenging experiences this week?

During this week, I think my most challenging experience was not
actually at the school, but changing my own home life routine in order
to get enough sleep and be prepared for tomorrow. Going to Runnells
Monday through Friday for the entire day is drastically different than
anything this program at Drake has been like and that I do not think I
was quite ready for.

5. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
For the next week, the plan was to start taking over aspects of the
classroom. For the next week, I started taking over Writing Lessons
from the Writing Community curriculum and to continue helping out
when needed.

Week: Aug. 31 - Sept. 4th

1. How did you spend your time this week?
I spent my time this week conducting the writing lessons each day,
helping to prepare lesson materials, helping the students when they
needed it, checking some math worksheets and fast facts, and a whole
range of other things that practicing teachers should be doing.

2. What responsibilities did you have?
I would think my main responsibility was the writing lessons and to
make sure I was prepared as can be for those. But I also am there to help
out wherever needed so I would say another main responsibility was to
just be present and help the students when I can and to help the 4th
grade teachers when possible! I also watch over two literature circles
during the guided reading time.

3. What were your most satisfying experiences this week?
I think one of the most satisfying experiences this week came from
walking with the students in the hallways. Students that weren't even in
4th grade were approaching me and calling me, "Mr. Linnett," and
wanting to chat about whatever they were thinking and I thought that
was awesome. Getting a chance to talk to MANY students in the building
is such a great thing, and one group of 5th graders thought that I should
stay at Runnells all year - I would say that was pretty satisfying even
though they were not basing that opinion on my actual teaching. I found
it funny. I am also becoming much more familiar with the students and I
find that satisfying as well - before I felt more like a volunteer that
wouldn't leave in their eyes, but now I am starting to feel like much
more than that which is exciting.

4. What were your most challenging experiences this week?
I've had a couple experiences in which I was just not sure how to
handle the situation - I've already spoken with Mrs. Avitt on this one,
but during literature circles, I had a group reading a story about a
Jewish family during the Holocaust and they laughed when one of the
women in the story was jumped and beat up by a mob of angry men, and
when her clothes were torn off. I had no idea how to respond and was
afraid that my tone would come off almost scolding because of the
laughter - but Mrs. Avitt was able to share with me a great strategy of

preparing the students for those situations in the story ahead of time
and talk with them about when they feel uncomfortable - other actions
besides laughing they could do instead. I think another challenging
experience that is more of a general experience is the fluidity of my
lessons. I find myself checking the lesson plan out during the lesson
instead of just being fluid about the entire lesson - I am hoping that will
change with time.

5. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
The plans are to continue doing the writing lessons as well as taking
over the language arts lessons within the "Tale of a 4th Grade Nothing"
reading and questioning. I will also continuing to help out when I can
and when needed and to continue with my two literature circles.


Response:

Skylar,

I believe you had a valuable experience this week with the situation
regarding the assault on the woman in the story being read. Always,
always, know the content of the items you are going to use in a lesson
and ask yourself questions that you think students may need to
understand before teaching the lesson. Mrs. Avitt's experience was
helpful for you in this incident.

Skylar Linnett
Week 9/7 9/12
1. What did you spend your time on this week?
I spent my time all over the classroom this week! I was able to
help students work through problems they were having, continue with
my lessons that I am in charge of, I attended a math curriculum meeting,
in which I thought was very useful due to other districts also using this
math curriculum. I was also able to sit in on other meetings which were
just as insightful as to how teachers operate with other teachers in
different areas of the school. I spent my time helping and working with
students, working with my mentor teacher, and just continuing my
responsibilities in the classroom; as well as learning as much as I can
through this experience.

2. What responsibilities did you have?
This week I continued with the My Community writing
curriculum in which the time limit for silent writing increased. I
continued with my usual duties around the classroom, helping set up,
pass out papers, help the students when they need it, and be present. I
also took of the language arts unit in which we are reading Tales of a 4th
Grade Nothing, and I ask questions while the chapter is being read,
attempting to get them to think about what they are reading and
attempting to check for their comprehension.

3. What were your most satisfying experiences this week?
I really enjoyed reading aloud this week with the Tales of a 4th
Grade Nothing, I felt it went smoothly and the students were actively
engaged in the reading. When the students would laugh when a funny
part of the story I found that incredibly satisfying because I could tell
they were listening AND understanding the story. I think that was
definitely the most satisfying part of my week. Seeing the students
engaged is the best.

4. What were your most challenging experiences this week?
I think the most challenging experience was helping a couple
students with their math. I am not as comfortable teaching/helping with
math quite yet, so when students are struggling to understand, I attempt
to help them work through the problem without giving them any
answers, but occasionally, the student will just keep guessing instead of

thinking about what I have told them. I guess I am not quite sure how to
guide the students through the problem without just answering their
guesses. I do think that as I learn more about planning and teaching
math that I will come up with better solutions to this problem. Overall, it
wasnt super challenging, just something that sticks out in my mind.

5. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
This upcoming week, the main plan is for me to play a much larger
role in planning the lessons for the following week so that I will be
prepared to take over much more of the classroom responsibilities. I
will also continue with the writing units and finishing up the language
arts unit this week that we are currently working on. I think the general
plan is to just slowly take over more of the classroom responsibilities
little by little to make the transition as easy and smooth as possible.

Responses:

Skylar,
When you are helping a student who is struggling, especially with math,
it is a good time to practice questioning skills by breaking down the
problem in more simple steps for thinking.

Bill Orcutt

Skylar,
Great reflections! Math will become easier as you practice it more. One
thing to help in place value is to have them go back and repeat the
places. One thing to help in rounding is have them say their little ditty.
When comparing numbers encourage them to stack them. They may
even need graph paper. In subtraction: bigger bottom borrow, and
always borrow from the closest neighbor. Let me know when there is
one that you are having a hard time explaining, together we might be
able to work out some steps. After looking at their quizzes, I would
really like to do some small groups maybe even from 1-1:30 while Marla
is in there. I will email Denise tomorrow as I didn't want to bother her
today as Kelsey leaves in the am and they were having a family day. I
will let you know our thoughts tomorrow late afternoon/evening.

Pat Avitt

Skylar Linnett
Week 9/14 9/18

1. What did you spend your time on this week?
I spent my time doing my lessons and continuing to be all over the
classroom helping where I could. I spent time lesson planning and
attending small meetings; I even went to an assembly. Basically, spent
the week being a teacher in training!

2. What responsibilities did you have?
This week I continued with the My Community writing
curriculum but I changed it up a bit and cut the writing time down. One
of the days we were running short on time, so I did an even quicker
quick write and the students all were writing! I also cut down the time
for silent writing and the students continued working hard on their
writing. I realized that by asking them to write for 10-15 minutes or
longer was just not holding their attention, but having them write for a
shorter time, they were willing to concentrate and actually write. I am
pleased that I figured that out before wasting more time and they are
doing more writing in the shorter time than they were in the longer
time frame. I also continued and finished Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing,
this week. I was also helping struggling students work on tests and
other areas of concern during math and basically, whenever they
needed.

3. What were your most satisfying experiences this week?
I dont think I can pick just one. Overall, I am just really enjoying
being in a classroom and learning along with the students. The class is
full of a bunch of great kids and I think that makes the world of
difference to my own learning. We are all learning A LOT and also
having fun while we do it I think its a great balance of the two and I
definitely would want to model my own future classrooms from it.

4. What were your most challenging experiences this week?
Without even thinking, the most challenging experience this week
was learning how to get a student that is falling behind and struggling
help that they need. I learned that in order to get a student help, they
need to be probed with tests for 6 weeks, even if they are clearly far
behind. In order to even start getting them help, they basically need to

be allowed to fall another six weeks behind so that we can prove they
need to help. I thought that was very discouraging even when multiple
teachers past & present agree that a student needs the extra help.
5. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
This upcoming week, I am continuing with writing, doing some
work with math enrichment, starting my social studies unit, working
with language arts and reading, among many other areas.

Responses:

Skylar,
Thank you for the weekly log. I have to agree, if a student is behind it
seems strange that the school would force that student to get further
behind before help is available.

Bill Orcutt

Teacher Observation Form

Name: Skylar Linnett
Date: 9-11-15
Time: 9:30 to 10:00
School: Runnells Elementary
Subject/Activity: Writing
Professional Demeanor
+Your manner in handling getting ready for the lesson was done in
conversational tone and volume.
Communication (Spoken / Written)
++You are able to identify and call upon students using their names.
This is good and important, especially for the students. That tells them
they matter.
Knowledge of Content
+You made use of some previous learning to help students understand
the person being used by the writer.
Monitoring Student Learning
+You made good use of your eyes to see that all students were on task
during the time they were on the floor.
Planning, Preparation, Organization
Although the lesson plan was brief, it seemed to be appropriate for this
particular lesson. Later, as you become more involved with more
complex lessons, you will want to use the lesson plan template provided
by Drake.


Classroom Management
+The instructions given to get in their positions on the carpet were clear
and easily followed.
+You are willing to give gentle reminders in the form of questions, ie.
_________________, are you thinking?
~See if you can use terms to address the group other than You guys.
Address Individual Student Needs / Strengths -
Strengths
+I note that you have a good beginning in developing relationships with
individuals as well as the group.
+You made good use of voice tone and volume throughout this lesson.
Your demeanor is calm and direct, and I believe students respond well
to that in the short term and over time.
Suggestions
~Make sure you have everyones attention before giving instructions.

William J. Orcutt
Supervisor
Drake University