November 17, 2003

This week, I spent the majority of time reading my entries again. In the process, I discovered some new information. A classroom diagram needs to be completed for the videotaped entries. I also found out that, not only did I need to write contextual statements for entry two (Social Studies and Community) and for entry three (Math and Science Integration), but a contextual statement sheet also needed to be packed as a cover sheet.

I decided to begin each of those tasks. Since I'm waiting to collect some more student work for entry two (as always, it seems as though the students are taking forever to complete a simple task), I can be working on some other pieces I'll need.

During a previous meeting with Stephanie and Nicole, I was given a table to help me better internalize the standards. I spent a number of hours, reading and re-reading the standards and entries. The task was to enter the important phrases into the "What to Do" section, write the standards for that particular entry, and include the scoring guide. I spent the majority of the time highlighting important facts from each section. Then I reread the sections and wrote notes about what I felt was important. It'll be interesting to meet with the nationally certified person to see if I am on the right track or not.

Meet Stephanie Blackburn Stephanie Blackburn, one of Education World's 2002-2003 teacher diarists, received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Rhode Island in May 1994. For the first two years of her teaching career, Stephanie worked as an enrichment specialist in the talent development program for the Westerly, Rhode Island, school district. For the past seven years, she has taught fourth grade at Bradford Elementary School in Westerly. Stephanie was awarded a 2002 National Educator Award by the Milken Family Foundation, in a program that provides recognizes elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education.