Apr
1
Preparation
Posted by: Natasha Chiang | April 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment
The science lesson before spring break, I planted marigolds and nasturtium flowers with my grade 2/3 class. I tended them over spring break and was excited to bring them into the classroom for the students to measure and observe their plant growth. Tonight, the night before practicum begins, I come home to find them all dead. I was away for two days on the sunshine coast and had asked someone to water them. Either there was too much water, or the sunshine was too suffocating for the sprouting plants. I panicked.
I had planned to observe these plants throughout our whole science unit, but it seemed like it was all ruined. I cried in dismay, frustration, fear, anxiety, and insecurity. How can I teach children about plants when I clearly knew nothing about them? How am I going to come up with a lesson to replace it?
Then I realized that this was a lesson in itself. Not just for the kids to learn about the importance of balance in moisture, air, sunlight, and soil composition. It was a lesson for me to learn, right before practicum even starts, that things can and will change in an instant. I need to be adaptable, and think about the learning moments that each mistake or bloop affords.
Deep breaths, here’s to my certification practicum starting in the morning tomorrow.