FINAL REFLECTION PAPER REQUIREMENTS

Elementary Field Experience III

REQUIREMENTS:

Google Doc named (lastname first name final reflection)

Your paper should address what you have learned in your observational experiences and
seminars since your midpoint reflection. Reflect on how you would apply this knowledge
in your student teaching.

Questions for consideration in development of the Final Reflection Paper:

1. What insights have you gained about the following? Address three very specifically as to how
you will apply your knowledge in student teaching.

Effective lesson planning

GRADING RUBRIC:
9-10 points: Content is exemplary. Information and key concepts are covered in detail and fully
developed; incorporating outside reading, research and/or content presented in class. All assignment
requirements met. No errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.
7-8 points: Content is fully developed and adequately covers assigned topic. All assignment
requirements met. No more than 2 or 3 errors in grammar, etc.
4-6 points: Content addressed topic, but lacks specificity and development. One requirement not met.
Several errors in grammar, etc.
1-3 points: Content minimal. Requirements not met. Multiple errors in grammar, etc.
Final Reflection Paper

Kristina Arkhipova

December 1, 2017

Field Experience III

observational experiences since my midpoint reflection. Throughout this time, I had the

opportunity to teach a lesson on Virginia Studies on colonial life and observe my cooperating

teacher teach a variety of lessons in all subjects. I went to the Tri College seminar at Lynchburg

College where I learned new classroom motivations strategies that I would like to implement

during my placement. Additionally, I was also involved in Geocache workshops with the

students on Fridays at my elementary school placement. This activity was highly engaging for

the students and I myself enjoying being involved. I would like to address the specific areas in

which I have gained valuable knowledge that I plan on using for my students teaching: student

engagement and interaction, setting expectations, and specific instructional strategies. Student

engagement is very important because it gets students motivated to learn, and this contributes to

their success in the classroom. Having specific behavioral expectations set for the students prior

to the lesson is important also. Classroom behaviors are directly related to student learning. I am

most excited about the opportunity to begin teaching strategies that I learned for practical use.

Motivation is key to engagement in the classroom. In the classroom, I can provide many

opportunities to increase student motivation and promote student interest. Positive reinforcement,

both individually and in groups, is one method I will use to recognize good behaviors and hard

work. This should get the students to make positive interactions between one another and

complete their work on time. Rewards may include things such as having them choose a prize at

the end of the week, extra recess time, extra credit points on assignments, etc. I will try to

incorporate more technology based lessons with interactive, competitive learning games that will

heighten students engagement and learning. This idea came from the Tri College seminar. One

example is, instead of giving out exit cards after the lesson to see what students remembered, I

will use the software Kahoot and have the students answer questions in groups. This way
students would be more engaged during the lesson in order to get the questions at the end correct

so their group will win.

I have gained a great deal of knowledge related to setting behavioral expectations for

students in my classroom. During my prior lessons, I did not fully understand the techniques that

I should use to keep students focused and listening. One area I feel I need to improve on is poor

student attention when I was giving directions. Students that didnt listen well created flip books

that were not put together correctly. From now on, at the beginning of every lesson, I will make

sure to explicitly mention the behavioral expectations I have for my students so they will know

what is being asked of them. Throughout my lessons, I will also manage discipline and make

sure that students arent talking when I am talking. Talking over them is not the solution; I must

stop the lesson and redirect their attention. The learning objective will be stated at the beginning

of each lesson to set the stage for student learning.

I have used and plan to use new instructional strategies within my future lessons in

student teaching. I will be doing plenty of movement activities throughout my lessons, so

students wont have to always sit behind a desk all day. Using introductory videos prior to the

lesson is a good way to familiarize my class with the content that will be presented. Having them

act out skits is a great way for them to extend their thinking and show their creativity. Centers or

rotations are another way to implement student movement. The Gallery Walk is an example of a

movement activity I observed during my field experience. In order to provide ample space she

used the cafeteria for that part of her math lesson. I would definitely implement that strategy

within my student teaching. I feel like it's a great way to get students to move around and be

involved in learning. I also would really like to have students do Pair Share where they would

share what they wrote or learned with partners. Lastly, I would also use the Jigsaw strategy. In

this strategy students learn different pieces of information, bring it all together back into their
groups, and teach one another. This is a great learning experience and brings into play the oral

language piece of the Virginia Standards.

I have been looking forward to the student teaching semester since I entered Lynchburg

College. Being in this field experience really helped and prepared me to be a better teacher in the

classroom next semester. Student teaching would be an excellent forum to put all my knowledge

from the field placements to use. Although I know that student teaching will only add additional

strategies and ideas to my teaching repertoire, I value the experiences I have acquired in my

educational placements at Lynchburg College. I feel I am more skilled at promoting student

engagement and interaction, setting student expectations, and by acquiring several new

instructional strategies due to these experiences. I have had an exceptional semester at my

elementary school placement, one that has provided me with invaluable knowledge about

teaching. I will surely miss the students I worked with, as well as my cooperating teacher.