Planning Questions

1. How do you write a typical lesson plan?

We work together as a team; we plan together and get ideas from each other.
My lesson plans are also student data driven. If I am grading a quiz or
assignment and I see a group of students is struggling on something, I will
plan a lesson on that.
2. What types of materials do you need available when you plan
lessons?
I usually use mentor texts, student work, online resources, and past lesson
plans.
3. In what ways do you plan to accommodate individual differences in
the classroom?
I accommodate differences in the classroom by students grouping. If I know
one student is struggling with something in particular and another student is
an expert at it, I will usually pair them together. I also tutor and work with
students individually, as well as modify assignments to meet students needs.
Instructional Questions
1. What are some instructional challenges as a teacher?
The biggest challenge as a teacher for me is the wide range of ability groups.
Some students are several grade levels ahead, and some students are
several grade levels behind.
2. What have been some of your instructional successes as a teacher?
I love to teach students to read, it is what I am most passionate about.
Because of this, this is an area of success for me.
3. What do you consider essential characteristics of successful
teaching?
Acceptance. You have to be accepting of all of your students. Every student
has a past that plays a big part of who they are, as a teacher you may not
like it, or believe in it. However, if you cannot get past differences and love
students for who they are, you will not be able to teach them.
4. How often do your students receive social studies/ science
instruction?
We covered science the first half of the year, and now we are covering social
studies. The students get 45 minutes of social studies a day now, and had 45
minutes of science.
5. Are you satisfied with the amount of time that you currently allot for
social studies and science instruction? Explain.
No I am not satisfied, however, I have no control over how much time we get.
I have asked for more time, but since we are a Greek charter school, the
students have to be in Greek two hours a day. There is nothing I can do about
it.
6. What social studies and science topics will be studied during my
second week of the clinical experience? What are possible goals/

objectives I could address for my lesson? Do you have any

instructional resources that could support these goals/objectives?
In social studies we will be talking about environment and human changes, as
well as communication and transportation. Online resources that I like are
teacher pay teacher and curriculum corner. I have several social studies
books, and worksheets from the past you can use.
7. What does reading instruction look like in your classroom ( e.g.,
readers workshop, basals, etc.) ? What reading topics will be
covered during the second week of my clinical experience? What are
possible goals/ objectives I could address for my reading lesson? Do
you have any instructional resources that could support these goals?
We will be working on an animal report; the students are choosing any animal
they want and writing a report for it. They will be expected to include
different informational text features in their report so we will be learning
about that. You can use this as a goal if you would like too.
Classroom Management Questions
1. What motivation tactics do you use to ensure a desire to learn?
The first couple of weeks we call boot camp weeks. This is when students
learn what you expect from them and develop an atmosphere of respect. The
first two weeks are always so hard because I know that I have to be harder
and stricter then I usually like to be. However, if you put in the time at the
beginning of the year, it will go much smoother. Because I have done this, the
students respect me, and so what I ask. In other classes like special, Greek
and lunch, they can earn tickets for good behavior that can be traded in later
in the week.
2. Tell me about your classroom community? What are the classroom
rules? How is student behavior monitored? In what ways is positive
behavior reinforced? In what ways are negative behaviors
prevented? What are consequences for negative behavior?
We have established a community of respect in this classroom. Students
know that I think highly of them and they are important to me, therefore I
usually am granted the same respect. Our school has a school wide ticket
system. Students can earn tickets for good behavior. They get rewards for
getting their tickets pulled, this usually re enforces correct behavior.
Students are praised for their good work and behavior and I try not to let any
acts of kindness go unnoticed.
3. Tell me about pacing of lessons and interactions in the classroomuse of time- and other aspects of time, wait time and time using
teacher and student talk. What works well for your students?
It is really hard to pace lessons, usually everything takes more time then you
think it will. Remember to plan students questions, ideas, and responses into
lessons! Another important thing is to let students know how much time they
have and give them reminders when they are working so they dont feel

rushed and can pace themselves. When they are doing independent or group
work, give a 10 minute reminder and a 5 minute reminder. This way they
know to start winding their work down.