Weekly Topics

In each weekly Blog:
State 2 goals for yourself for the upcoming week.
Make sure to update your progress on the previous week's goals.
Describe your experiences during the week.

Along with a description about your experiences, here are some specific issues to address by week:

Week 1:
-What did you observe this week? (Describe what the teacher did. What was effectively done this week?)
-What did you learn in terms of new ideas, techniques, and strategies?
-What did you learn this week about creating a learning environment that encourages social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation?
-Any questions you have or anything you need feedback on from your supervisor.

Week 2:
-What have you learned about effective communication in this classroom?
-How did you create varied opportunities for all students to use effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication this week?
-Describe an example of when you practiced effective listening, conflict resolution, or group-facilitation skills this week
-Any questions you have or anything you need feedback on from your supervisor.

Week 3:
-Describe how your lessons demonstrate instructional techniques that encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
-Describe a lesson that you taught this week that successfully engaged your students. While you were teaching, how did you monitor and adjust strategies in response to your students' feedback?
-Give an example from this week where you adapted the curriculum and used instructional strategies and materials that were adapted to the characteristics of students with disabilities.
-Any questions you have or anything you need feedback on from your supervisor.

Week 4:
-What role does the anticipatory set play in your lessons? Describe what you do to "hook and hold" student interest?
-What role has student assessment played in your practicum experience? What types of assessment have you used?
-Tell of an incidence where you actively sought out and collaboratively shared a variety of instructional resources with colleagues.
-Any questions you have or anything you need feedback on from your supervisor.

Week 5:
-As you finish your placement, what are two "gems of knowledge" that you will take with you from your experience?
-What have you learned about leading an instructional team with multiple classroom assistants?
-What are your next steps to grow professionally in the field of special education?

Practicum

During your practicum, you will keep a Blog in order to communicate weekly with your College Supervisor. Please refer to your handbook about topics to cover each week. Your College Supervisor will respond to your weekly reflections on this Blog.