My practicum visit this Thursday was pleasant and delightful. The students were really excited to see me and I felt like this was where I am suppose to be. When I observed my SA teach her class, she was calm and used great transitions to help her function the class efficiently. My classroom is a split of grade 5’s and 6’s; therefore, for certain subjects must be taught separately. During math, my SA will start with the grade 5s while the grade 6’s are getting ready for math. It was really simple, because she told them to work in their textbook for reviewing the mid-point of patterns. This allows the students to work independently without having her attention. She then switches her focus to the grade 6s teaching them a new lesson on variables and expressions. Students are actively listening and engaged when she goes over the lesson thoroughly. She will also ask students to raise their hands if they need more assistance. When the lesson is over, she will tell the whole class to quietly put their stuff away and get ready for lunch or whatever she is teaching next. If the students are getting too talkative, she will do a countdown or make them start all over again.
Ms. Atwal's SEL Blog
Educating the Heart, Mind & Soul
It is really difficult to have a split grade with two differing curriculums, particularly in Math. At any age level, the hands on use of manipulatives is a good thing to do in order to reinforce concepts but becomes much more difficult when you have two separate groups. Checking for understanding is also something that needs to be done consistently as concepts build on each other. Independent work is needed while one group is being taught. This means that self regulation is required of the students and often must be taught and reinforced at the beginning of the school year. The good news is the new curriculum is making allowances for the diversity in student learning and core subjects can be more easily combined into project or inquiry based learning.