Monthly Archives: December 2015

This week I was able to continue leading the math stations with the Kindergartens. However, I was able to sneak away before it began and observe the grade 1’s in their literacy stations in the other classroom. It was interesting to see that they were using word making techniques I had just learned about the day before in my LLED 353 class. There were a number of teachers helping this large group of grade 1’s complete their work so I felt as though I did not need to be there. It would be nice to maybe lead a grade 1 literacy group in my long term practicum. My SA talked about how the last two weeks of school before christmas break are always a handful. She gave me a good tip and told me that if there is anything “important” you need your class to complete, do it before the last two weeks. The kids are interrupted by christmas concert activities and other exciting things going on at school so not all work gets completed on time. I do like the environment at the school around this time though, the kids and teachers are very excited about the concert. I will be attending the concert on Wednesday night and I know my class will be happy to see me watch their performance that they have been working hard for. Well, its been an eventful start to my practicum, although it will be nice to get break, I am eager to return to my class refreshed and keep the learning journey going!!

I know I have chosen the right profession for myself as I was delighted to be back in my classroom today. Right away I felt that I was able to use some of the classroom management techniques I learned in my workshop last week. I guided a numeracy lesson with the Kindergartens, and was able to keep them on task and explain things a lot better than the first time I had done it. I tried to be firm but kind during the lesson to a few students, something that I really think I am getting better at. It came as a surprise to some students who did not seem too pleased with me but I have to get use to the attitude I will expect back when being firm. My SA informed me that this week has been a tough week for the students in relation to behavioural issues. I am glad I did my inquiry project around behavioural issues because I will have a better understanding of them after I finish my research. It is interesting to watch how the bad behaviour has excelled with one particular student, it has come to the point where this student has to be pulled out of class daily as a safety precaution for the rest of the class. I am paying close attention to how the school is dealing with this as I am interested in what may happen next. Overall I am looking forward to fun activities next week and coming back in the new year. I can already see so much growth within the students and I cannot wait for the learning experiences during my long practicum.