Jan 16, 2026
AoP Item 5. Specifying and Reinforcing Productive Student Behavior
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During the students’ work time, I walk around the classroom and notice who is working on their project productively. If students are working while talking, that is totally fine, the goal is for them to complete their work by the end of the last day on the project. If any student is being extremely disruptive, there are steps that we follow to try and deal with it inside the classroom, such as giving different suggestions on how to work on a project, asking if they need a break, and practicing one-on-one with them. The middle school does a ten-minute turn around where the student goes to the office to cool down, then answers questions on a worksheet of why they needed to cool down and what they can do differently in the future.
AoP Item 16. Building Respectful Relationships with Students and Incorporating What They Learn Into Instruction
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I have made it a goal of mine to build relationships with students so that they feel comfortable enough to come up and ask me questions as well as for them to be comfortable with my presence. My mentor and I have noticed that I tend to gravitate towards students with behavioral issues which has allowed me to create a respectful relationship and understand those extra accommodations they need to be successful. The students have been able to complete tasks that they wouldn’t have been able to/wanted to if I didn’t work with them slowly.
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Jan 21, 2026
AoP Item 8. Explaining and Modeling Content, Practices and Strategies
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This week, I have been explaining my own lessons to students and have had many questions about how they are supposed to work. I ask what is confusing to them and I explain a different way to them so that it is easier for them to process and go ahead with the project.
AoP Item 18. Providing Oral and Written Feedback to Students
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I am currently working on grading my 6th graders' lesson of the project I have just finished teaching them. I have a feedback worksheet that I am filling out with positive feedback as well as constructive criticism to ensure that they learn what to do better from this experience. I also walked around the room providing oral feedback about each of their projects including what they were doing well on and what needs to be improved.
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Jan 28, 2026
AoP Item 15. Coordinating and Adjusting Instruction During a Lesson
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I had a scrap woody city project for my second graders and the first day was very scrambled and overwhelming. Today was the first day for my other group of second graders and with some changes in how to set up and who can help with what, it went WAY better than the first time. There was also a lack of respect for the former class which could have been another cause of the scramble.
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Today, we had to talk with our principal about a student who has been lying about other students, as well as teachers, about them breaking her glasses or her clothes. We believe her to be a pathological liar since when we catch her in a lie and make her reset, she conjures up a sinister smile.
Feb 11, 2026
AoP Item 8. Explaining and Modeling Content, Practices and Strategies
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I have been getting back into the groove of giving directions of what we’re working on for the class period and soon I will be directing my own color theory and saturation lesson in painting! I will also be explaining the altered book project in the contemporary arts and crafts class soon as well. AND I will be kind of subbing since my mentor has to leave for half the day. There will be an actual sub there but since I haven’t been able to get into the Red Rover system they have, I can’t officially sub. I will be explaining the practices for the 3rd step of our current project by myself.
AoP Item 13. Designing Single Lessons & Lesson Sequences
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I have been creating two lessons so far that have a mini project they have to do first in order for them to start the “big” project. I’ve got my examples ready for both of them and all I need to really do is add them into my slideshows. As I was creating one of them during classes, some students came up to me and thought that it was super cool. I mentioned that it was a part of a project they’d be doing soon and they were STOKED.
Feb 18, 2026
AoP Item 4. Implementing Norms & Routines for Classroom Discourse & Work
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My time at Holt has consisted of literally no norms or routines for classroom discourse and work. I want to implement that because I know that it is something that is extremely helpful, especially as a high schooler when the world feels like it’s caving in. I teach only seniors at the north campus building so it’s even worse if there aren’t any routines because then they don’t feel like they have to give it their best. I made up some rules for while I am the one teaching that I expect them to follow and I am wanting to establish my authority as their teacher.
AoP Item 10. Selecting & Designing Assessments of Student Learning
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I have made it my goal, with help from my mentor teacher, to give them a small worksheet for them to fill out and label the colors and their values. This is so I can gather how well they know about the topic of the lesson I will be showing them next. I’m also doing a Google Form to learn more about the kids at an individual level so that I can better understand and connect with them while I’m there.