Alexandra Smith

TWS 10

Communication and Collaboration

A. Family Communication
I have been regularly communicating with parents/guardians via email, newsletters, an
introduction letter, and notes in student planners since I have been student teaching. Here
are some ways I have been using these methods to communicate with parents/guardians:
inform them of upcoming events
let them know what materials we might need in the classroom
discuss student behavior (whether its good or bad)
Please see the attached introduction letter, an email to parents about an issue
among two students, and photos below as documentation.
Pictures/ Evidence:

B. Communication/Collaboration with Colleagues

I have been communicating and collaborating with colleagues throughout the school year
via email, face-to-face conferences, phone, etc. Here are some ways I am using use these
communication methods to collaborate with colleagues:
ask other teachers questions and suggestions
present/gather ideas from others
collaborate with the reading coach for reading interventions
create a lesson as a team
discuss possible learning interventions for particular students with particular
needs
Please see the attached email between Mrs. Wolfe and me.

Communication/ Collaboration with Colleagues

Communication/
Collaboration
Planning with Mrs.
Wolfe
Instructional/ Team
Meetings
Faculty Meetings

When

Time

Daily

12:15pm-1:05pm

During
planning period
(No specific
dates)
Third Monday
of each month

12:15pm-1:05pm

3:30pm-4:30pm

Description
Mrs. Wolfe and I meet daily to
plan for lessons and get things
ready for the next lesson or
week.
The third grade team meets to
discuss lesson plans and any
upcoming events.
All faculty members meet to
discuss upcoming events,
standardized testing, and/or
changes in school schedule.

C. Community Resources/ Connections:

I utilized community resources through field trips and guest speakers. This provided
more opportunities for differentiation and development of engaging lessons and activities
for students. Here are a few examples of community resources and connections:
Star Fort Speaker: I assisted in planning for a guest speaker to come to the
school to speak to the children about Star Fort. The students were able to
participate by wearing costumes and coming to the board to draw Star Fort as the
speaker described it.
Pictures:

 Star Fort Field Trip: I have utilized community resources by assisting during
the planning process for the third grade field trip to Star Fort. This field trip was
within the community just down the road. It is great to utilize resources within
the community because they are so close in proximity. The students were able to
explore and learn more about Star Fort and its history.
Pictures:

 State Museum Field trip: I assisted in planning the field trip to the state
museum in Columbia, SC. The students were able to explore South Carolinas
history as well as see some science exhibits.
D. School Activities and Events
I have been involved with school events such as student concerts, the book fair, and
professional development. Student concerts are great because they help me see my students in a
different setting than in the classroom. They recently had a music concert. Our participation in
the book fair has given me the chance to encourage students to search for their own books that
they can keep and cherish forever. The book fair also helps me see what each student truly
enjoys to read and gives me the opportunity to learn more about them as individuals.
Professional development is usually the most efficient way for me to improve as a teacher. I
recently attended a meeting that allowed teachers to get together and compare the new academic
standards to the old ones. It was really beneficial for me as a growing teacher because now I am
more aware of what I will actually be teaching next year. It is so important for teachers to be as
involved as they can in the schools.

School Activities and Events

Event

Date

Time

Volleyball
Game

January 14th

8:00am-11:00am

Relay For Life

March 23rd

4:00pm-6:00pm

Carnival

March 24th

4:00pm-6:00pm

Kickoff for
Relay for Life

March 25th

8:00am-8:30am

Description
The students who did not have an office
referral for the nine weeks went to the
high school for the day (it was only a half
day) to play volleyball. I helped keep the
games organized.
I made copies and filled the envelopes
with the appropriate information so the
packets could be sent home with students.
I volunteered to make posters for the
school carnival.
The school hosted an assembly to
introduce the fundraiser for Relay for Life.
It was designed to encourage students to
participate in the fundraiser.