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EDU 3520 CBE Teaching Math: Fieldwork Parts 1 - 3

Overview

The field experience requirement for this course is 15 hours.

What is field experience? Field experience is your opportunity to observe and assist with prescribed activities in an educational setting. For this course, you can perform your fieldwork in any elementary classroom environment. Contact your faculty member for permission to observe a different grade level. Reach out to your faculty member if you have questions.

 

Who handles my field experience placement? The school placements for CBE sections are self-selected, and you will need to provide Proof of Placement via an email or other documentation from school personnel. If you are local, you may choose to apply to volunteer using the district's website.

 

How do I record my experience? Field experience is two parts. First, your field experience is logged via a signed log of hours and then submitted through Blackboard at the end of each course.  Second, is through a reflection blog that you will develop and answer open ended question that promote a higher level of thinking.

 

Where do I write my blog? Create your blog using a blogging software you choose. Below are suggestions for free online blogging tools. Your blog must be viewable by your instructor in order to receive credit for the assignments.

 

  1. Choose a platform you want to host your blog throughout the program. Blogging website suggestions are below.
  2. Ensure your blog is public or can be shared with your instructors.

 

Check Blackboard for additional details on the field experience requirement for this course. 

Field Experience Blog Part 1: Interview and Observation

Overview:

Observe in K-6 classrooms while math is being taught. Talk to teachers about math instruction, grouping of students, differentiation, common pitfalls, etc. Think about the stereotypes related to gender and math. Are these ways of thinking still evident or problematic today? Talk to students and teachers to expand your understanding.

 

 

Before you write your blog post:

  • Prepare a set of interview questions related to teaching instruction in math at the K-6 level, philosophy of teaching math, and current initiatives/trends related to math instruction. Consider asking questions related to the following:
    • Ask questions about the teacher’s philosophy of teaching, including differentiation and use of universal design for learning.
    • What are some of the common pitfalls in teaching math?
    • Create questions that will assist you in responding to the prompt.
  • Observe in the classroom when math is being taught.

​Write your blog post:

 

As you create your blog, please reflect and respond to the following:

  1. Summarize and reflect on the responses from your interview questions above.
  2. How does this information influence your philosophy of teaching math?
  3. What evidence of integration strategies did you observe during math instruction? If you did not observe this, what strategies could have been included?
  4. What evidence of differentiation strategies did you observe? If you did not observe this, what strategies could have been included?

 

Field Experience Blog Part 2: Teach and Analyze 3 Lessons (numbers, operations, and/or algebraic thinking)

Overview 

Teach a 3-day learning segment from an integrated math unit (developed in Project 3). Analyze student learning and reflect on your growth as a teacher.

 

Before you write your blog post:

  • Identify the grade level you will be conducting this field experience.
  • Complete and attach your edTPA Context for Learning.
  • Plan a time to meet with your teacher.
  • Decide together when you will be teaching your 3 lessons related to numbers, operations, and algebraic thinking.
  • Be sure that you have all essential resources needed.
  • Teach your lessons.
  • Review, analyze, and reflect on this learning experience.

 

Write your blog post:

As you add to your blog, address to the following prompts related to the 3 lessons you taught:

  • Were lesson objectives achieved? How do I know?
  • What went especially well? Why do I think that happened?
  • What could be improved? How?
  • What are my next steps for individuals, groups, and the class as a whole?
  • In what ways am I growing as a teacher?

Field Experience Blog Part 3: Teach and Analyze a 3-Day Learning Segment (geometry, data, or measurement).

Overview:

Teach a 3-day learning segment from an integrated math unit (developed in Project 3). Analyze student learning and reflect on your growth as a teacher.

 

Before you write your blog post complete your observation:

  • You must complete your edTPA Context for Learning, if you haven’t already done so for this specific class.
  • Meet with the teacher to discuss the 3-day learning segment of the unit that you will be teaching.
  • Plan the times that you will be teaching the learning segment.
  • Be sure to collect formative and summative assessment data.
  • Analyze and reflect on the data collected.

 

Write your blog post:

 

 

Before you add to your blog, consider the following:

  • Discuss any evidence of student learning, based on the assessments conducted. Answer the following with specific supports:
    • What did the students learn? How do I know?
    • What problems did they have? How did I address them? What else could I have done?
    • How did I modify my plans for each day to meet students’ changing needs?
    • What are the next steps for individuals, groups, and the whole class?
  • Which activities and planned supports were the most beneficial for my students? Explain and provide evidence.
  • What were the most challenging parts of instruction for me? Explain.
  • How would I revise this learning segment for future use?
  • In what ways am I growing as a teacher? What do I need to continue working on?

 

Don't forget to submit your signed field experience log of hours.