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EDUCATOR + BLOGGER
PRACTICUM EXPERIENCES
WEDGEWOOD JUNIOR SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN - JK/SK
In this JK//SK Kindergarten class I focused on building relationships with each child, learning classroom routines, and classroom management strategies. I maintained the routines already in place by first observing the class routines, supporting small groups of learners at centres, and co-planning a number of lessons with my associate teacher. We worked on math concepts such as sorting and patterning. We also worked on building number sense with a number study and numbers games. I was able to teach literacy through centre activities, identifying site words, and read-a-louds. I planned each lesson to ensure success of every student, and I used a variety of teaching strategies to accommodate the differing learning styles. I focused on consistent encouragement, modelling and respect of each other's differences. I built on the existing structures and format of the classroom in order to maintain a comfortable learning environment for everyone.
MILLWOOD JUNIOR SCHOOL GR.4
This grade 4 class was a delightful experience. I was able to learn so much from my associate teacher about how to manage a classroom, command attention, create a community of care, and show love to the students. In this practicum I focused on teaching units in health, literacy, and math using technology, drama, art, music, and writing skills. I was able to show students thought provoking videos, and I created presentations for math lessons. Students engaged in research with Chromebooks, storytelling, acting, and letter writing. For each unit I scaffolded each lesson so that they were able to successfully complete the culminating activity. With the help of my AT, I was able to complete each task with an appropriate assessment.
MILLWOOD JUNIOR SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN - JK/SK
During this practicum experience I taught math and literacy. The students really loved the gingerbread man story, so we engaged in a gingerbread man inquiry based on the students interests. We worked on a few different math concepts such as sorting by size, shape, and color; and we learned how to graph a number of different items on a graphing sheet. For literacy, we engaged in drawing picture stories, storytelling, retelling the sequence of events in the gingerbread man story, and reader's theatre with puppets made by the students. I also was able to work with students individually and teach site words through a literacy activity, reading together one on one, and assisting my associate teacher with running records. In this practicum I really appreciated learning about the different strategies that students use to help them read the words on the page. I look forward to applying the skills I learned and applying them in my own classroom when I am teaching students how to read.