The last two weeks of being Ms. Johal have been great learning experiences. I think I am learning more from my students than my students are learning from me! I have noticed how fast time flies by and how little time I have left for everything I have planned.
On April 20 my class and I went to a field trip to the Earthwise Garden. I had recently taught my students about composting so we learned more about what to put into a worm compost bin and the tour guides there even gave our class their own worm compost bin! So currently in my classroom we have a worm compost bin that we take care of together, and we have caterpillars as well. I found field trips to be a little stressful, because you have to constantly be checking if all the kids are there and keep them calm. Students were very excited to be at the garden but there were many times where some of them were mis behaving and I had to pull them aside to talk to them. Some students just cannot contain their excitement!
My midpoint meetings with my SA and FA went very well and I am surprised and excited that they both think so highly of my work so far. It is a good feeling knowing that I am doing something right and that my hard work is paying off. I want to thank them for their support and sharing their wisdom. Things that I can continue to work on from this point on: be a little more firm with the students that disrupt my lessons, be more confident in my story telling and singing in front of the students and take my time on my lessons. Some lessons that I have had I rushed through them so that I could get the full lesson done in the time I was given. This is not always a good idea. If we do not get through it all it is okay, what I should focus on is how well my students are understanding the content. This could be done through personal assessment (asking the student individually during or after the lesson) or as a class (asking the class if they have any other questions or asking them what they have learned so far).
Lots of excitement for the last 4 weeks of practicum! I have so much more to teach and I am really looking forward to it all.
The weeks do fly by and it is great that you got to experience the challenges of a field trip. Although they can be stressful they are invaluable when it comes to student learning through experience.
Teaching about nature is such a delightful thing when working with young students. Their eyes shine on discovery!
Great that you have reflected so well on recommendations and are putting them in place in your practice!