Since the end of September I have been attending my practicum school once a week to observe and help with the class. I am in a grade 5/6 split. The teachers at the school do a lot of platooning (for example, for math, our grade sixes join other grade sixes and we take in additional grade fives, and so on for other subjects), so the class composition is often of a straight grade, but the groups of students are generally different depending on the subject. Since I am in the FLAGS program which emphasizes teaching core French I will also be teaching two separate grade seven classes during my ten week practicum in the spring.
I am currently coming to the end of my two week practicum. It has been a truly wonderful learning experience. I am thankful to have seen what the daily routine looks like on days other than Thursdays! Therefore I have observed different subjects being taught. Over the past two weeks I have begun teaching lessons, and have had one of my lessons (math) observed by my faculty advisor.
This two week practicum has allowed me to really get to know my students and student advisor teacher, as well as other the students and staff in the school. I’ve also developed a solid relationship with the photocopier, Rizo, art supply room, etc.! There have been many highlights over the past two weeks. These include:
-School Assembly (recognizing the funds raised for the Terry Fox Run). Names of students who raised a minimum amount of donations were drawn and given a pie to throw at either the principal or vice-principal. It reminded me of my grade twelve year when we organized something very similar – the chance to pie our principal if we raised (I believe) at least $1000 for Relay For Life, which we did!
-Halloween. For Halloween I dressed up as a purple minion from Despicable Me 2. I am happy to report that most students knew what my costume was! In the afternoon there was a school-wide costume parade, and then our class had a mini party.
-Diwali. On Monday a teacher generously donated samosas to the students and put out a lunch spread for staff. Many students were wearing their beautiful outfits, and the week prior we watched a Bhangra dance by the grade fives at the school assembly.
And of course, there were many other highlights. These included the daily little bits and pieces that really show me what teaching is about. We received a new student for some of our courses, I saw how my teacher keeps communication with the students parents, we have begun to set up a new math program, I realized firsthand how sometimes schedules change drastically and you have to be flexible. These are all things we talk about in our program at UBC, but to experience and deal with it is where the real learning occurs for me!
I am looking forward to the remaining two days at my practicum school. Thursday the regular teacher will be absent so I will have the chance to really take lead in the classroom. Friday I will return to my former highschool for observation and volunteering. I will be sure to post on both these upcoming experiences.
Follow