Name: Andrea Johnson

Week: 1
1. How did you spend your time this week? What
responsibilities did you have?
I observed the teacher-student and teacher-colleague
relationships and interactions. My mentor teacher and I had many
discussions about her teaching experiences and how they have
changed/developed. We spoke about student relationships, parent
relationships, assignments, planning, assessments, our personal lives,
and so on.
Throughout the week, I learned everyone's name in her Art II
class, and almost all of the students' names in her Jewelry and
Ceramics class. -I have found that name tents help -after the first day I
memorized almost all of the names of those who used name tents!
After my mentor teaching introduced the day's activities, I jumped
right in and monitored/helped students. This entire week my mentor
teacher has encouraged students to ask me questions and has
included me in some co-teaching. I did an informal demonstration in
ceramics. I threw a few pots on the wheel as students were also
working. They asked me questions and followed along.
I also
helped the teacher with any clean up duties/set up responsibilities
(firing clay, running the pug mill, cleaning up the sink, putting things
away, etc.) On Wednesday I stayed after school for 2 "SPA" (Student
Parent Advisor) conferences. My mentor teacher talked with the
student and their family about requirements that the student still
needs fulfilled before graduating and how to register for 2015-2016
classes. (She has all juniors in her advisory group (homeroom).)
2. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were
your most challenging experiences?
So far, my most satisfying experiences have been developing
relationships with all of the students. I have made it a point to go
around to each table and get to know every student, and I have given
them encouraging, constructive feedback while they work.
My challenging experiences have been in her Jewelry class
because I have never taken a jewelry class or studied it. I have,
though, turned this challenge into an opportunity. Instead of merely
observing, I have sat with the students and had them teach me what
they have already learned. I have also read through their coursework
and researched online materials and materials provided in class in
order to further my own knowledge and understanding of jewelry. I
have practiced wire wrapping and have created a few rings and 1
bracelet.

3. What are the plans for the upcoming week?

This week, the students in Art II are starting a collage project. I
will be helping them find difficulty appropriate images to use, and I will
help them lay out the images. We are planning for me to give the
lesson and demonstration on the grid drawing -including layout, value,
contrast, etc. In Jewelry, the students will begin a soldering project. I
will observe the lesson, and monitor student work. In ceramics, the
students are working on teapots and other projects that still need
finished up (slab pots, coil pots, bowls, cylinders). I will help them with
whatever differentiated instruction they need. I will also be giving a
lesson and demonstrating a "pulled" handle.
Parent-Teacher conferences take place on Thursday evening, where I
will attend and meet the students' families.