Haidee Garcia

EDUG 863
Dr. Kosky/ Ms. Schultz
Reflection Journal
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 (Formal Observation)
My third formal observation lesson consisted of the students working with money. The aim for
the students was to find and draw money amounts greater than one dollar. I have gotten to know my
students in this placement for the past 5 weeks. I have gotten to know how they work, write and learn
as well as, their reading and collaborative work abilities. With my cooperative teacher's help, guidance
and advice I prepared a lesson using practical strategies that incorporated modeling such as drawing
and visuals such as the use of the projector. In following my cooperating teacher's math instruction
format I followed her advice to not use anything that the students are not accustomed to. As a student
teacher I have to follow the guidelines and the routines my teacher has in place. I will have ample
opportunities when I have my own classroom to set up the environment the instruction, strategies and
routines fitting my own needs as a teacher as well as, those of my future students. Yet for now, I do not
have the privilege of using strategies that may fit other students who may have had exposure of using
and interacting with a smart board, or used coins and manipulatives. I know this would have been a
wonderful tool and I am anxious of incorporating that in my own classroom future. I am confident that
I will get better and better at instructing students and of managing time, but in no way does that
outshine the desire and confidence I have to let my natural skills and rapport with students shine
through. Even if the lesson observations are not fitting the expectations. I know that as a student
teacher I am eager to learn and determine to exceed expectations. I can only do the best that I can do.
A major part of teaching is learning and I am learning to take the amount of criticism as positive as
possible to keep improving my practice.