1) First, you need to officially document the time you spend in the schools this semester by writing about your cooperating teachers' classrooms.  Here is a log sheet that you and your cooperating teacher will complete during your visits.  (Observation hours are counted from when you enter the school doors to when you leave the school—these include periods you observe classes and the conversations with your cooperating teacher.  They do not include your own travel time to and from the school.) 

During the visit, take quality observation notes which will include at least the following:  specific and concrete descriptions of what you saw and heard and interpretations; considerations of causes and effects, and/or speculations about approaches that might improve a particular situation; things that struck you; questions raised by the visit; and “aha” moments.   The comparisons between the two placements will also provide much to reflect on.  You might think that writing notes during the class is unnecessary because you’ll remember everything when you sit down to write your reflection.  However, you’ll be amazed at what you will not recall later unless it is jotted in your notes.  Specificity will make for better reflections. 

Keep in mind that you are observing veteran teachers.  They have reasons for acting the ways that they do.  Ask about their reasons, their purposes and how their personal experiences and histories have led them to the choices they make.  Ask these questions in the spirit of learning more, and the two of you will likely have some interesting conversations.  As much as possible, avoid judging your cooperating teachers.

2) You will also use the journal to reflect on your own teaching, the main reason that teachers keep a journal. This will also be good practice for student teaching, when you'll be required to write at least three journal entries a week.  In your journal this semester, consider your teaching during the four-day unit.  Where did you hit your mark or fall short?  Speculate on reasons for your successes/failures.  What would you do the same/different next time you taught these lessons?  Also, reflect on the affective domain of learning.  How did you feel about what you were doing in the classroom?  Be thorough and honest in your assessment of your teaching.  Finally, what did you learn from the experience? 

You will turn in the journal and reflections on it on the due dates listed on the schedule.  And of course we'll talk more in class about it.