Throughout my field experiences through Bradley University, I have continued to

grow in the teaching filed. With the help of professors and cooperating teachers, I have
come to better understand the importance of the state standards and how to link them to
lesson learning objectives. In this section, I am going to reflect on my growth in six
subject areas and how my understanding of the subject itself and teaching the subject has
been changed throughout the years.

Language Arts
Before I began teaching, I didn’t understand the different elements that went into
teaching language arts. Honestly, I thought children just learned from being read to and
tracing letters. I never realized the importance of letter sounds, blending, and pronoun
usage. The reading curriculum I have been utilizing this semester has really helped me
create more structured lessons. The curriculum has also given me more ideas on how to
teach language arts next year.

Science
I always thought science was creating, explaining, and carrying out experiments.
Before I was introduced to an integrated curriculum, I figured science would have its
own, designated time in every grade. While doing my student teaching, I learned that
science and social studies are often integrated into the language arts curriculum instead of
having a designated time. Although this concept is strange to me, I understand the
importance of the early exposure to science and holding back on the hands on
experiments that students can later create.

Social Studies
Looking back at my experiences of social studies, I think of government, the
Oregon Trail, and the presidents. Currently, social studies is integrated into the language
arts curriculum. The school I am currently student teaching at teaches the students about
an important historical figure every morning on the announcements. This is a great way
for students to learn about people just like them.

Fine Arts
In regards to early childhood education, I figured art was coloring pictures and
encouraging the students to stay within the lines as best as they can. However, from a
primary art teacher, I have learned that art is much more than that. The students can learn
about primary and secondary colors. They can also learn about artists and try their best to
recreate art themselves. Young students also have the capability to act many of the
different subject areas out. Students actually really enjoy acting out important stories or
events they learn about. A lot of the students get very involved with the acting and often
make their own props or add their own flare to the role.

Mathematics
Before reading through math curriculum, I always thought students learned math
by being exposed to flash cards and tracing their numbers. I have come to learn that math
is so much more than that. I didn’t learn about number bonds, counting the “say ten
way”, or using manipulatives to enhance math skills until recently. The students do better
with hands on learning rather than just copying math problems and explaining them.
Students need to understand that numbers are physically made up of things and they can
represent them with whatever they have around the classroom.

Social Emotional Learning

I actually did not understand the importance of social emotional learning until
later in my teaching career. I never really noticed that everywhere I taught and observed
stressed the importance of emotions and learning how to regulate them. This semester in
student teaching I actually have a social emotional lesson plan to teach every day. The
students respond to these lessons well and are able to connect them to their own lives.
These lessons also help me reflect on my actions as an educator and help me learn new
ways to approach difficult subjects.

Professionalism
In the past at my observations, I haven’t been the most professional teacher
candidate I could be. In my observations freshman and sophomore year, I often left early
and didn’t give the teacher much notice when I wasn’t going to come in. Now, I make
sure to give my cooperating teachers as much of a heads up as I can when I am going to
be absent or need to leave early. I have also begun to utilize my cooperating teachers
more and take their advice seriously. In doing so, I have become a better teacher
candidate and learned the value of correct professional behavior.